Attention all Velominati. The Tour VSP is going on line and it should be a good one. Sure, between Froomy and Bertie a person could hedge their bets but Moviestar is all in for Valverde, BMC for TeeJay, Astana for the Shark and Garmin is finally committing to a team leader in Talansky. Some other teams (ahem…Trek Factory Racing for one) have resigned themselves to hunting stage wins. The Tour swings through the Yorkshire Dales, everyone but the riders can enjoy some excellent ales. As the Tour continues to Lille, Norther France and Belgium, the quality pints continue. Yes, it’s hot and the VSP generator has beer on its mind.
The route, the sprints, the climbing and even the final time trial should make this a decent Tour. Here is a start list. Everyone will have a vial in their jersey pocket, but don’t worry, it’s legal.
It is still not too late to win the overall 2014 VSP and we have made it worth your while.
Refer to the VSP page for details concerning scoring and rest day swaps. If you want to call yourself Pedro Delgado, you will only have yourself to blame. The VSP banner on the homepage has the countdown clock, refresh your browser and don’t be late. Good luck and good picking.
[vsp_results id=”30275″/]
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Talansky is home inside the time limit. Awesome ride! I hope he gets some good rest in the next few hours. Chapeau!
@DCR
@Buck, you know I know what stuff you are made of and how you would be like the black knight in the Tour. "What missing a foot? One is good enough. What, no legs I'll use my hands, no hands, I will get it done with my teeth - hey where are you going I'm not finished I'll lick my bike across the line!
But you are a life or death man and these guys are Pros with contracts, goals and a very keen sense of where their strengths and weakness lie. Sparty may be pissing you off for some unthought out off the cuff stuff (subtext: he's a bike rider they're not all rocket scientists). I am with Gianni on this one and I'm not ashamed to admit to the poster hanging above the bed...
@DCR on the other hand I'd take you up on that bet. I see the kid pulling it out and having at least one good day of redemption or just finishing at the least.
@Rob :) When is your ride up here? Do you still have my personal email? Please send me a message so we can link up!
And for good measure, FUCK SPARTY and the fuck'in limping horse he rides on!
@Rob I would be happy to see him pull it out. From the stories I have heard of him I don't doubt his resolve. I just fear injury, which in this tour seams to be running rampant. I am all for a friendly bet of a cycling cap! It's the go to bet between friends of mine.
@wiscot
After sitting on the side of the road for four minutes, it would have been very easy just to climb into the car. He's known for a couple of days that his GC chances are done.
They don't call him the Pit Bull for nothing apparently. Even if he doesn't take the start tomorrow, he finished the damn stage and didn't quit in the middle. He rode deep in the pain cave, by himself, for hours and hours.
Whatever your thoughts on Talansky, that's some serious fucking V right there.
1. Secret's out: Tony Gallopin is a total stud.
2. I like this Lotto Belisol team. A lot. Tim Wellens is going to be terrific, too.
3. Best kit in the peloton to boot?
@Steampunk
Agreed, agreed, agreed. I love how riders are going for it - like Nibbles in Stage 2 or Gallopin today. A lot of riders, especially French ones, would have been happy with a day in yellow. That's not enough for Gallopin. After munching down a whole buffet of pain sandwiches on Monday, he rests up and goes for it today.
You know, Froome and Contador are gone and that would have been a great match up, but we have what we have and you can only ride and win against those who take the start line. So let's not have any "well, if XXX and XXX were still in the race, things would be different." Of course they would be but they're not. Let's just sit back and enjoy the race - there's plenty of talent and great stages to come. I think the winner this year will be a clean and worthy one.
The Lotto kit and the Giant Shimano kits are two of the best in years to grace the peloton.
To all the Talansky haters out there - shut it right now. What you saw today was pure V - when he remounted it wasn't just to finish after everyone else, but to have to ride like hell just to make the time limit.
@Steampunk
I wondered after last year's performance why Trek let him go instead of dropping the Schlecks. And now they are looking for a young GC contender? I. Don't. Understand.
Tried to warn ya about picking Talansky. I just thought he'd crashed too hard more than once. (No dislike, I just thought he might be beat up.)
As for Gallopin. Oh boy! What a ride. When he crossed the line on Stage 10 a soigneur had to hold him up. That happens. But, then the soigneur took Gallopin's leg and unclipped for him. Talk about leaving it all on the parcours.
And now I find out that quite cute gal kissing him after his Maillot Jaune ride was a podium presenter and... his gal! Jeez. Oh, and his "uncle" confidante was none other than Laurent Fignon. Imagine having him as a family friend and Sensei?! No wonder he knows a thing or two about going full gas to the line! Must have been pretty amazing to have that guy hanging around at BBQs when he was a kid. Guess he had first-hand knowledge of Rule 33 compliance.
@wiscot
Bang on. I feel a bit badly for Nibali, because history will always put an asterisk beside this win (assuming he can hold on). But you don't fluke into a TdF win, and what's all the more disappointing is that he's got that look in his eye: Froome and Contador might have had real trouble with him.
GC aside, though, I'm really delighting in the renaissance of French cycling. Gallopin, Bardet (I really like this kid, too!), Pinot, Cocquard, Gautier, Kadri, Bouhanni, Démare, Elissonde, Jeannesson. And don't forget the boys for spring: Ladagnous, Gaudet, Offredo. Fun stuff!