Velominati Super Prestige: Tour de France 2012
We are proud to announce a change to the Velominati Super Prestige moving forward: sponsorship. We are delighted (if a little surprised) at the interest our partners showed in this endeavor, despite the short notice we gave them. Four sponsors will be gracing the sides of our team bus for this year’s race: fi’zi:k is our Super Domestique Sponsor (think Big George without the shoe covers because who’d want to cover those beauties up), while the leadout train is being rounded out by DeFeet, Pavé Cycling Classics, and Malteni Beer. As we all know, fizik gets a lot of love around here as the Contact Point Supplier, and for good reason. So we thought now is as good a time as any to announce that DeFeet has agreed to come on board as Flandrian Best Supplier, the Pavé boys, our trusted guides over the stones and bergs, and Malteni Biere which fills our bidon and keeps us making bad decisions like teaming up with the Pavé boys.
So what does Super Domestique Sponsor mean? Free shoes to the winners – that’s what it means, dillwhips. Free R3’s, yup the Aristocrats, to the three winners of the VSP: TdF GC Winner and the two Stage VSP’s. As you watch this year’s race, look for the likes of Jeremy Roy and Richie Porte riding the R3’s in complete Rule Compliance. As Leadout Sponsor, Defeet is providing a full Flandrian Best Kit including a base layer, Armskins, Kneekers, and Slipstream Belgian booties for the VSP: Tdf GC second place as well plus two pairs of D-Logo socks to each runner-up of the Stage VSP’s. The Pavé boys (also Leadout Sponsors) are putting up a limited Pavé Cycling Classics wool jersey awarded to third place. We can’t ship Malteni (also Leadout Sponsors) legally, so you’ll just have to wait until you’re in Belgium to guzzle some of that lovely nectar or join the Pavé boys for their Worlds Weekend tour with Johan Museeuw where they’ll get you stupid(er) on the stuff.
Gianni’s Ruminations
Finally, the date has arrived. We have all done our training through the winter, contested the Spring Classics, The Ardennes Races, Romandie, Oh the Giro, The Dauphine, Tour de Swiss. Not all were in the VSP schedule but I know most of you wrote down your picks for the others and tucked them under your pillows. It’s training. There has been time to taper down before Saturday’s prologue start in Liége, Belgium. A young neo-pro, The Fish, is leading in points. The hardened veterans have seen these youth come and go, the season is long. A touch of wheels, a moment of youthful idealism, Vladimir Karpets is picked to podium, The Fish goes down, he panics and by the time he is back up he will never see the front again. Or he will continue to mock us all with his astute choices and lead all the way to Lombardy.
I have staked my claim on the yellow kit ownership some time ago and still see this as an epic Cadel-Wiggo battle to the death and if not death, until one of them sits up. But this year might be the time the youth start to fill up the other three places in the top five.
The Shack’s team car has been crashing into every static object all spring and now Bruyneel has been yanked out of the driver’s seat. The ride can only get smoother but with the reluctant leader Frank Schleck staring at over 100km of prologue and time trialing, as was said in the bunker, they are going stage hunting. I could go on for hours about the 2012 TdF but we have other Keepers who need to vent.
Please check the VSP page for the rules, keep an eye on the awesome VSP countdown timer, don’t Delgado your picks. Here is the start list.
I have to give a shout out to a brave group of Velominati who are heading to the Vermont/Canadian border to draft behind a massive dump truck full of Awesome all the way to the Massachusetts state line. It’s a Cogal only deranged people would attempt and as luck would have it, we supply them here. I hope they get their picks in soon as they may be in no kind of shape on Friday to think about such important things.
Brett’s Misconceptions
It’s all about Fränk. It’s perfect. All the pressure’s off. No lil bro to hold him back. Deliberately sucking all year so far, crashing and quitting, a hint of form, Bruyneel slinks off to deflect attention (and suspicion), Fränk suddenly can time trial and a couple of Pharmy style attacks later he wins in Paris by two minutes, taking the sprint on the Champs Elysees for good measure. Maybe not the last bit. Fränk will, however, finish in lil bro’s favourite position. Or suddenly leave with a stomach bug.
Cadel will take this. It’s perfect. All the pressure’s off. No lil bro to worry about in the mountains. Deliberately almost sucking so far, but not. Hints of form, staying low, deflecting attention. Look after the time trials and command the mountains. Safe, not exciting. Or he’ll step on someone else’s dog, breaking his elbow and decapitating the dog.
Wiggo could take this. It’s perfect. A lot of form. A lot of km’s against the clock. Not too many big hills. Too tall socks. Cav left to fight alone. One bad day is waiting there though, the sort of bad day that not even winning the final TT by 2 minutes can alleviate. Or he’ll crash in the first week, breaking both elbows after getting a sideburn caught in his crazy bio pace chainrings.
Sagan will win the first twelve stages, then leave with a stomach bug. Gossy will gratefully step into the vacant green in the greatest heist since Gerro won San Remo. And the Rug Salesman will be all spotty, due to getting in a long break and not sucking as much as even he expected. That’ll help him to 5th and Zubeldia level evanescence.
None of this may actually come close to happening, but whatever does I hope it’s an exciting race. Good luck to those battling hard for three weeks in the VSP race too, it could just turn out to be the main point of interest a couple of weeks from now.
Marko’s Reckoning
The Fish loses two spots on the G.C. but manages to eek out a pair of R3s in a sub-VSP as G’phant peaks in le Grande Boucle and walks away with le Grande Bouprize. Sad thing is, G’phant is legend but nobody remembers him because he only shows for races, not group rides anymore. Fausto rides a calculated, if not boring, race to move up a spot but just misses out. Gianni gets a glimpse of the podium going into the 16th stage and the Tourmalet but drowns in a lactic acid and caffeine soaked bath in that stage’s VSP. Marko Delgados virtually the entire event while he continues building his family a house in direct violation of Rule #11, which is more than we can say for Brett and Frank who were last seen going in the opposite direction with Bruyneel in a Radiotreksanshack team car dragging a muffler through Liege on its way to a USADA hearing near Austin.
In the meantime, two dudes from the Commonwealth – one with sideburns approaching muttonchops and another with an ass on his chin – duel it out in France. There will be some Italian, Spanish, and Russian dudes there too in an epic the likes of which hasn’t been seen in years. Fuck Yeah people, Vive le Tour.
Frank’s Delusions
It happens every single time. I get all weepy-eyed about the Giro and how it’s the Velominatus’ choice for a Grand Tour. Less crazy, better terrain, a comparatively weaker field usually yielding a closer race. But come the Tour, I get all starstruck as the big names line up in the best form they could muster for the season.
I also had decided to pick Twiggo for the big win, but now I’m not so sure. I love that the guy is tall and can get over a mountain, but there is one irrefutable fact that I can’t get over. He looks much too much like Gianni’s avatar, only not as well-kept. The sardonic look on his face along with those whispy sideburns are just too much for me to take. I’m back to rolling with my heart and my questionable sensibilities to favor Grimpelder this time round, now that he’s out of the shadow of his little brother and will be able to put the swivelnecking energy into the pedals instead of looking behind him.
The good news is that the racing always winds up being awesome. And that’s what its about: panache. So long as Wiggo doesn’t pull an Indurain and take 6 minutes on an early TT, I’ll be happy.
Epilogue
Pick carefully, don’t Delgado, and think twice about those rest day swaps; they come at a heavy price and there are some nice prizes on the line which make the Velominati Shop Apron look like a Schleck’s chamois during the descent of the Peyresourde.
The Fine Print: each contestant is of course encouraged to enter all VSP events, but everyone is eligible to take the prizes on only one VSP. If a contestant takes more than one VSP event (GC or Stage) the prize for that VSP will then be awarded to the player with the next highest score. In the event of a tie we’ll do our best to find the fairest way to break the tie. If something doesn’t make sense, please ask; we’re making this up as we go along.
Get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero, and good luck. Vive le Tour.
You know that sprint just made me smile, every one was standing still and the kid just launches. That is the image of 012 TDF for me. Bet he gets Sunday too!
@Rob
Just watched that sprint on SBS, that was amazing. That’s a big shot across the bows for tomorrow, and presumably the Olympics.
@DerHoggz
Holy Merckxs ball sack. Stupid to have your dog off leash like that. Probably happens to all of us that ride mixed use trails. Does to me (with out the crashing, just the cussing at the owners).
BTW, How many times had Tyler hit the deck this tour. Like 20? I think he’s crashed every stage.
@minion
Watching on the coverage here they first showed a head on shot and I thought oh yeah Cav’s won another sprint well done son. Then they showed a replay from the helicopter above, and oh my god…… He absolutely destroyed them by several bike lengths. Cav has shown he can sprint with a train, without a train, following wheels, on his own, 600m out like yesterday he really is a complete sprinter!
I also think he has shown great professionalism this tour supporting Wiggins, not complaining and just getting on with things as best he can. Cav, chapeau!
Also great to see Roche Jr showing a bit of V finally yesterday…sure helped me to warm a bit to him again after having read his book which was an absolute turn off. Just felt maybe you should wait until you have won something big, or been involved in something great before putting pen to paper.
@Adrian
I kove how it looked like he was about to latch onto Sanchez’s wheel, and then just scooted right past.
@frank
yeah, and as i was thinking more about it, I suppose we do the same thing, recognize talent in our own prospective fields, admire colleagues, then they get canned for something stupid…..well, they still have somethings that are admirable in terms of traits/character, just evident flaws that everyone can easily see too.
I’m obviously the black & white guy when it comes to these things and have taken years to see the balance in it all
Sherwen: 500 calories in a single packet of glue.
Froome looks poked I’d put money on him popping. Wiggins is looking very good, I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t catch Froome.
@minion
Fixed your post (I think) Froome’s second split down to 4 secs.
Hopefully that will silence a few critics…..
AWESOMENESS!
@minion I think Froome was fine!
Poor old Cadel, passed by TJ. Changing of the guard?
Great ride by Wiggins. Love it when the winner can put his stamp on the race like he did today. I thought he would falter in the mountains and he proved me wrong. I still think Froome could have pulled out a couple minutes in the mountains and made the race interesting but that’s neither here nor there now. Bradley is a most deserving winner – props to him and Sky for a masterful race.
And by the way – lead photo – who is that in the background in La Vie kit, hairnet, and huge fuckin’ shades? I’m sure someone knows.
Also, I really like that photo of Fast Phil. Too often these guys are spent from the cycling. I kind of want to see him piledriver the dude, figure four leg lock the woman, and then camel clutch the little girl until they all grab the rope and promise to be better pet owners.
Here is what I think was said:
“What in the fuck are you doing? Letting that stinky fucking dog off the leash. You almost killed me! You dumb fucking idiots!”
BMC handler “Phil, please get back on your bike. I know. I know. But please, just keep riding.”
The little girl’s face reads “Mommy, why is that awesome cyclist screaming at us?!” Well dear, because Mommy and Daddy went with cute and easy over responsible and reasonable.
One day left…until, oh wait, the Olympics! This year it’s pretty cool to have that coming and stave off the Tour letdown a bit.
Then again, the hype and marketing and nonsense of the Olympics is a bit much for me to stomach, even without a t.v. and a newspaper subscription.
Oh well, to be positive, we get to see some of these dudes line up again real soon!
@Oli
Usually i think that TTs are boring but this was phenomenal
@San Tonio
Ah be Jaysus and Begorrah, we are not worthy!
I want to have Wiggo’s baby
i got slightly emotional watching the finale of the stage earlier.
I still can’t believe a brit is going to win the tour and i’m glad he’s finished it off in emphatic style.
@motor city
Not quite finished yet, throw Cav over the line tomorrow.
Froome warmed into his work didn’t he, he looked far better at the time checks than he did off the line and in the first few minutes. And Wiggles did take54 seconds out of Froome by the first time check. How good did Wiggo look on the TT bike!
@minion
Looked pretty good. If it all goes to plan, the question is, how momentous an achievment is it? Chris Hoy has said it’s the greatest sporting achievment in British history. Not sure it’s that, but maybe it is?
@meursault
Probably in TV sport history. You can’t compare it to Redgrave who’s going to have to be winning the stats war but that’s in a sport no – one cares about but for one week every four years, and then the rowers are all over the tv like Jersey Shore. Wiggles stock has definitely gone through the roof, given his track record record, and if he wins the Olympic TT the population of the UK is going to fall dramatically due to all the exploding heads in the country.
@meursault
Roger Bannister comes to mind as well. Wiggo has to be right up there, though.
I thought a lot today while riding about how many lads are going to fulfill the dream of their lives tomorrow – Wiggins in yellow, Tommy V. in the Dotty Jumper, some guys just to ride and complete the race. That’s awesome! To work for so many years, to stay positive through thick and thin, and then to pull off magic. Incredible.
That’s not a feeling you get to experience every day!
@Ron i know what you mean, but we might need to find a phrase other than ‘staying positive’ …
Woah, his name isn’t even Sean?! Just found out that Sean is just King Kelly’s nickname. John James Kelly!
@Ron Sean is Gaelic for John – think about the pronunciation.
G’phant – You are right, my friend. Bad wording. Better work on that.
Oli – Yes! Can’t believe I didn’t think about that. Thanks for pointing it out. I think he’s awesome, from racing to announcing. I enjoy his presence in the bike racin’ world.
If wiggo can retain some sort of focus until the olympic TT in ten days I don’t think anyone would bet against him getting a medal in London.
@meursault
These things are always hard to quantify, and I sometimes feel the arguments we often have, whilst entertaining, are often a bit futile
There are many other things people have done over the years, which in their sport are equal to this, ie, winning a World Championship, but I guess the relevant bit is the base population, ie, the pyramid of potential adveraries you have to overcome to win something
As cyclists we know just how tough the TdF is, and there may (in my opinion anyway) be no tougher test, but anyone can run a marathon or sprint, anyone can ride a bike, anyone can play football, so probably the best we can do is describe his efforts as up there with the best that GB has ever achieved
That said, given how often we have to listen to the 1966 World Cup victory chat from the footballers, maybe we can hope to hear Wiggo (and I hope we never forget his team in this) being talked about by the population at large in GB for many years to come
The track stuff certainly creates a buzz, but winning on the road is just a level more tangible for the population
Our cycling club has doubled its numbers in the last 4-5 years, and maybe Team Sky are helping to accelerate this momentum, who knows
Just spare a thought for poor Konstantin Suitsou, having to sit aside and not be remembered as part of this (undoubtedly that mountain steam train would have been one man longer if he had not have been injured…..)
Great days
+1
(Does he get Biggest Eejit award too, for sticking his hand in his spokes?)
@Dr C
The reason English footballers bang-on about ’66 is that they haven’t won anything notable since, so if you’re still talking about Wiggo in 45 years, it might not be a good thing.
@ten B
The difference will be that yes Tommy Simpson wore the yellow jersey in the past but that has no bearing on Wiggins performance beyond inspiration. In the football mind, the ’66 victory means that England are and will always be capable of winning the World Cup. Of course this is obviously not true yet the stats used in football like some team in the 1930s beat such and such a team has no bearing on what to expect nowadays. Years ago Spain invested heavily in their coaches and now we see that they are dominating the football world. Britain has invested in cycling and now we are seeing the hard work paying off. Unfortunately for England, Scotland, Wales and probably the two Irish countries they still haven’t started investing in football the way the Spanish did (over 5000 top level coaches who work with the youngest kids right through their development, compared to something like 300 similar coaches in England).
Wiggins will be inspirational to many but his victory later today (barring any accidents) won’t give any future cyclists from Britain the feeling that they too will be successful because he was. I’m sure they’ll understand that he worked hard for it and they’ll have to work hard too – it’s a different kind of team sport.
@snoov Looking backwards at past achievements will always be easier than doing the work necessary for future achievements. I actually wonder how much this year’s TdF will be drowned out by the noise of the Olympics in the minds of the British – especially if they do well in them. What could be the sporting achievement of the decade will be pushed out of the public consciousness in less than a week.
Umm, so were Cavendish’s bibs extra short? He seemed to be ruining his tan lines and showing off some pasty normally covered thigh…
I also always forget how funny Big George’s voice is…not quite fitting for such a big lad!
Loved the winner’s speech. Same thing that I’d imagine at any local club night in the UK.
Final results confirmed. Congratulations firstly to Pippy Longstockings for the great win of the Tour.
Big congratulations also to our VSP overall winner @taon24 who takes a one-point margin over @Dr C and @motor city a further point back. @taon24 takes the fizik R3’s, @Dr C gets the DeFeet Flandrian Best kit, and @motor city gets the Wool Pavé Cycling Classics jersey. All winners (as well as the Stage VSP winners) will be contacted this week to coordinate your prizes. Cheers and congratulations!
[vsp_results id=”20273″]
[/vsp_results]
Holy fuck, Vino taking the podium hat to an all-time low…
He’s been watching Samuel Jackson red carpet events too often.
The GC is also updated after the conclusion of the Tour. Fausto moves into the lead with xyxax in second, with The Fish moving down into third.
2012 VSP G.C.
1. Fausto (138 points)
2. xyxax (123 points)
3. The Fish (122 points)
4. G’phant (121 points)
5. San Tonio (118 points)
6. Gianni (117 points)
7. Blah (113 points)
8. taon24 (113 points)
9. Trobs (110 points)
10. ramenvelo (109 points)
11. Ankush (106 points)
12. blue (103 points)
13. Ron (102 points)
14. motor city (101 points)
15. dancollins (100 points)
16. Buck Rogers (99 points)
17. Skinnyphat (99 points)
18. Bianchi Denti (99 points)
19. Lukas (98 points)
20. SimonH (96 points)
21. CanuckChuck (95 points)
22. Mikel Pearce (94 points)
23. Bill (94 points)
24. R00tdown (94 points)
25. Mason (93 points)
26. snoov (90 points)
27. Lepidopterist (89 points)
28. Noel (89 points)
29. Chris (88 points)
30. mouse (86 points)
31. Flying Crowbar (85 points)
32. calves (84 points)
33. pink (83 points)
34. Markp (83 points)
35. Nate (83 points)
36. Nosyt (82 points)
37. 936adl (82 points)
38. Azzurri Tim (82 points)
39. Marcus (81 points)
40. gaswepass (81 points)
41. napolinige (81 points)
42. Marko (80 points)
43. scaler911 (79 points)
44. VeloVita (79 points)
45. wiscot (78 points)
46. el gato (77 points)
47. Belgian Cobblestones (77 points)
48. simonsaunders (75 points)
49. Rigid (75 points)
50. The Oracle (74 points)
51. tony macaroni (74 points)
52. LA Dave (74 points)
53. Skip (74 points)
54. Simon (72 points)
55. TomC (72 points)
56. Erik (71 points)
57. Mikael Liddy (70 points)
58. Heihachi (70 points)
59. Geordi (70 points)
60. TOM.NELS2120 (70 points)
61. RedRanger (69 points)
62. payaso (69 points)
63. nico (66 points)
64. Islandbike (66 points)
65. Calmante (65 points)
66. Cyclops (65 points)
67. Tartan1749 (65 points)
68. Chappy McPappystackings (64 points)
69. moondance (63 points)
70. Roadslave525 (62 points)
71. il ciclista medio (62 points)
72. razmaspaz (62 points)
73. mcsqueak (62 points)
74. zac (62 points)
75. seemunkee (61 points)
76. Danger (60 points)
77. RayElVis (60 points)
78. sprider (59 points)
79. MJMoquin (58 points)
80. Adrian (58 points)
81. Alex (57 points)
82. Dan_R (56 points)
83. Benj (55 points)
84. Steampunk (54 points)
85. Two Ball Billy (54 points)
86. noiyce (53 points)
87. acciaio (53 points)
88. LastBoyScout (53 points)
89. Netraam (52 points)
90. niksch (52 points)
91. Roberto Marques (51 points)
92. sthilzy (51 points)
93. ChrisO (50 points)
94. King Clydesdale (50 points)
95. Dr C (50 points)
96. DaRCrider (49 points)
97. Rev.C.Mac (49 points)
98. tomb (48 points)
99. JC Belgium (48 points)
100. sgraha (48 points)
101. huffalotpuffalot (48 points)
102. pakrat (47 points)
103. Jay (46 points)
104. brett (45 points)
105. Jonny (44 points)
106. godsight (44 points)
107. imakecircles (44 points)
108. Kyle (43 points)
109. GProsser (43 points)
110. DerHoggz (42 points)
111. ben (42 points)
112. Spicy McHaggis (41 points)
113. the Engine (41 points)
114. Vin’cenza (41 points)
115. eightzero (40 points)
116. ash (40 points)
117. trustnoone (40 points)
118. Oldschooly (40 points)
119. diablo (39 points)
120. Deakus (39 points)
121. Tobin (38 points)
122. Jeff in PetroMetro (38 points)
123. Belgian Boys Club (37 points)
124. Oli (37 points)
125. al (36 points)
126. frank (36 points)
127. Xponti (36 points)
128. itburns (36 points)
129. draffenator (36 points)
130. mattd (35 points)
131. graham d.m. (34 points)
132. ajn124 (33 points)
133. Aidas (33 points)
134. Jarvis (33 points)
135. paolo (33 points)
136. Chuckk (33 points)
137. sgt (32 points)
138. Louutah (32 points)
139. Dino (32 points)
140. harminator (31 points)
141. Sam (30 points)
142. Souleur (30 points)
143. mrhallorann (30 points)
144. Modtastic (30 points)
145. MrLowell (30 points)
146. Paco (28 points)
147. kowala (28 points)
148. JCS4 (28 points)
149. VirenqueForever (27 points)
150. Anais Ninja (26 points)
151. sar02 (26 points)
152. Kedan (26 points)
153. McTavish (26 points)
154. Steampunk (26 points)
155. taylorgibson (25 points)
156. cchern (25 points)
157. sauterelle (25 points)
158. Harry (23 points)
159. Mark1 (23 points)
160. Eddie Bell (23 points)
161. Lindrop (23 points)
162. Pablo Colletti (23 points)
163. cal (23 points)
164. shep (23 points)
165. Papageno (22 points)
166. RMK (22 points)
167. Anjin-san (21 points)
168. stenbak (21 points)
169. actor1 (21 points)
170. Ruskerdu (20 points)
171. tessar (20 points)
172. J-hump (20 points)
173. mrdriftless (20 points)
174. Pirata with Pasta (20 points)
175. Vince (20 points)
176. Steve Swift (20 points)
177. Casey Arnold (20 points)
178. feef (20 points)
179. Blake (20 points)
180. Phil Schneider (20 points)
181. Nic (20 points)
182. NRMontgomery (20 points)
183. roleur510 (20 points)
184. nathan (19 points)
185. Philip Turner (18 points)
186. bkwentz (17 points)
187. Rob (17 points)
188. Pistolfromwarragul (17 points)
189. Hassan (17 points)
190. Daccordi Rider (17 points)
191. Pedale.Forchetta (16 points)
192. Henrik (16 points)
193. meursault (16 points)
194. roger (15 points)
195. Lister (14 points)
196. drewPjohnson (14 points)
197. ZachOlson (13 points)
198. Andrew (13 points)
199. Two Ball Billy (13 points)
200. Cyclistthings (13 points)
201. handsOn (13 points)
202. Nukatpiat (13 points)
203. VeloAU (13 points)
204. Chasquimorgan (13 points)
205. Mike Honcho (13 points)
206. Painkiller (13 points)
207. TraJoM (13 points)
208. Kris (12 points)
209. Mikeweb (12 points)
210. ThinGuy (12 points)
211. hammermama (12 points)
212. rhys (11 points)
213. Poppyseed (11 points)
214. marshy (11 points)
215. velomihottie (11 points)
216. Wayne Schimmelbusch (10 points)
217. Giles (10 points)
218. wiscoerik (9 points)
219. olliewm (9 points)
220. Maximilian (9 points)
221. jkennedy (9 points)
222. Sean (9 points)
223. packfiller (9 points)
224. Clydeone (9 points)
225. Xyverz (9 points)
226. Duende (9 points)
227. huwge (9 points)
228. Lunchrider (8 points)
229. velo_ronin (8 points)
230. IcemanYVR (8 points)
231. El Mateo (8 points)
232. brianc (8 points)
233. cornishlovemuscle (7 points)
234. smithers (7 points)
235. somebum (6 points)
236. kah (6 points)
237. BP (6 points)
238. nutellaurent (6 points)
239. ralph (6 points)
240. anotherdownunder (6 points)
241. Anast Demitt (6 points)
242. starclimber (6 points)
243. celestialdrive (6 points)
244. american psycho (6 points)
245. Don juan (6 points)
246. gino (6 points)
247. Rick (6 points)
248. Frank Ramos (6 points)
249. Tomislav (6 points)
250. sean (6 points)
251. elrond (6 points)
252. ifurley (6 points)
253. Benny (6 points)
254. Matt (6 points)
255. DR5150 (6 points)
256. Erik Olsen (6 points)
257. Enoch (6 points)
258. Bongo (5 points)
259. BrianG (5 points)
260. imakecircles (5 points)
261. Blease (5 points)
262. Simon (4 points)
263. bjm (4 points)
264. eightace (4 points)
265. bjb (4 points)
266. igowing (4 points)
267. Jonnyp82 (4 points)
268. Bike Jonez (4 points)
269. mxlmax (4 points)
270. Will (3 points)
271. Roadslave525 (3 points)
272. Matt (3 points)
273. schmiken (3 points)
274. Craig Chambers (3 points)
275. Topcover (3 points)
276. ErikdR (3 points)
277. Karl (3 points)
278. dunderleif (3 points)
279. Emile (3 points)
280. WillB (2 points)
281. needmoreV (2 points)
282. Jamin (2 points)
283. Maximilian (2 points)
284. tjancijr (2 points)
285. tom wojcik (2 points)
286. themayneframe (2 points)
287. Harminator (2 points)
288. elewis (2 points)
289. Chris (2 points)
290. Bonesx (2 points)
291. veritas_tm (2 points)
292. gearz (2 points)
293. edukaycheon (2 points)
294. Mshengu (2 points)
295. minion (2 points)
296. puddles (2 points)
297. Paul Seip (2 points)
298. fredd727 (1 points)
299. la Vela (1 points)
300. sam findley (1 points)
301. mike masterson (1 points)
302. Dave (1 points)
303. la Vela (1 points)
304. bdias85 (1 points)
305. TBONE (1 points)
306. GPdomestique (1 points)
307. TheCoolman (1 points)
308. Marcovelo (1 points)
309. David (1 points)
310. jimmy (1 points)
311. highball (1 points)
312. Dave R (1 points)
313. Tandjes (1 points)
314. packfiller (1 points)
315. ten B (1 points)
316. geoff gummer (1 points)
317. Bruno DN (0 points)
318. TripleEight (0 points)
319. Ryan (0 points)
320. Hammerhed (0 points)
321. calves (0 points)
322. Bianchi_Bob (0 points)
323. Erik Assum (0 points)
324. doubleespresso (0 points)
325. Lee (0 points)
326. mtnbikerfred (0 points)
327. Marcus (0 points)
328. Joe Davis (0 points)
329. Dave (0 points)
330. Alex (0 points)
331. DR5150 (0 points)
332. Joshua C. (0 points)
333. Lee Woolston (0 points)
334. BillB (0 points)
335. stickyjumper (0 points)
336. ed o (0 points)
337. Austin (0 points)
338. hendriku (0 points)
339. Oli Cartlidge (0 points)
340. Oli Cartlidge (0 points)
341. Fat Mexican (0 points)
342. Gal (0 points)
343. Kermit Pannell (0 points)
344. Chuckolade (0 points)
345. TomC (0 points)
346. Jason (0 points)
347. magiscla (0 points)
348. G’rilla (0 points)
349. minion (0 points)
350. Gerard (0 points)
Wow really great Tour this year, I’ve been enjoying the VSP quite a lot as well.
Kinda wondering what I was thinking swapping in Menchov for S. Sanchez instead of putting in Froome.
Lesson learned no more rest day swaps for me.
Great finish to LeTour.
I was wondering how it was all playing out. But I was busy in the stands at Hockenheim, watching Fernando Alonso take the race, from pole to line, in today’s Formula 1 race in Hockenheim.
A good day of racing.
Well done, Wiggo and Sky. An emphatic win. And thanks, Frank and Keepers, for organizing another great VSP.
@snoov
You’re absolutely right about the investment, etc. Keep in mind, though, that the Brits remain convinced that they invented football and that they should be entitled to be among the favourites. Quick: name the last world class to wear the English jersey (a hint: Becks wasn’t even born yet).
On topic, though: terrific final week. Cav’s two wins were absolutely stunning, as was Wiggo’s total dominance. Sky was brilliant from start to finish””they have set the bar for other teams for next year. With Contador back, Saxo stacked with talent, etc., hopefully we could see some real fireworks. The other highlight for me was to see French youth served. Voeckler was great, but Pinot and Rolland both look the part of great riders of the future. Too: youth in general””the central cast of the last few years should be looking over their shoulders at the Sagans, Phinneys, Van Garderens, Taaramäes, et al. It will be exciting to see these guys come to the fore in the next year or two.
Thank fuck that’s over. I’ll never get that three weeks back.
Congrats to the VSP winners, enjoy your sweet R3s, DeFeet gear and Malteni jersey. And to everyone for supporting the VSP and making the banter over the three weeks more interesting than the racing.
Seriously though, congrats to Wiggo and Royal Mail, did what they had to do to win and did it perfectly.
Looking forward to Contador/Schleck at the Vuelta now!
Easily the most boring Tour in years. Amazing job by Sky nonetheless.
Hope the Vuelta delivers more…..
@brett
You mean Contador/ Schleck and Froomie! (I think I have finally come to love him again, after he developed some humility – I think he will have learned more than he realised – being a leader is more than just attacking in the mountains and TTing like a beast)
Man alive, my first ever cycling related prize – I am so honoured, thanks chaps
And what a final day – the yellow jersey putting the hammer down coming out of the tunnel, everyone sprintng like mad and unable to get around him – panache +++
Roll on next saturday….
Best ever acceptance speech too
Check out the blood pipes!
Found at http://www.teamsky.com/gallery/0,27401,26104_7881297,00.html#photo=26