Plateau de Beille has a reputation. It’s long. It’s hard. It’s steep. It’s high. And, because it’s in the Pyrenees, it’s either really hot or really wet.
Although it has only been featured in the Tour four times (1998, 2002, 2004, 2007), it has quickly been placed high on the list of fabled Tour mountaintop finishes for the simple fact that every time the Tour has had a stage finish at the Plateau, the winner of the stage has gone on to win the Tour: Pantani, Amstrong, and Contador have all won here and gone on to win le Grand Boucle. (Of the past winners, Pantani is the only rider whose photo I’m willing to post on a VSP event.)
For those of us who are superstitious, we will, because of this track record, choose the rider whom we hopes will go on to win the Tour. Those of us who are more reasonable might engage in some prognosticating, while others still will inexplicably pick Mark Cavendish or Philbert.
While we traditionally kick off the first intermediate VSP for a Grand Tour on the first mountaintop finish, this time around we waited for this decisive day. The riders have played their cards close to their chest, but surely they will be laid out on the table tomorrow. Get your picks in by 5am Pacific tomorrow morning for the chance to win 3, 2, or 1 points for the podium spots, and 1 point for 4th and 5th places. Good luck.
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@ChrisO
Regarding 2, I think you are correct that you can't have it both ways, fast ascent and furious attacks, with a truly clean group of riders. However, I think someone should have been able to get away on the climb. Andy seemed free multiple times, but he slowed down and waited it almost seemed. Perhaps he didn't actually have the explosive kick, or he was more on his limit than he realized. Both Vandewelle and Sammy Sanchez escaped the group and put time into them. Could one of the Big 6 turned the screws tighter and gotten away? The elder Schleck did on Luz-Ardien.
I conjecture people complaining about the lack of repeated attacks are actually more concerned about the lack of tactics. Not that I know much about tactics, but 2 > 1, right?
Perhaps, like the "Velominatus of the week" jersey, currently held by "Drops you with a smile" Cyclops, we could have a "COTHO of the week" jersey, the form of which could be this or that.
Slash, even Frandy manage better attacks than you.
@Slash
You appear to have some real repressed shit going on here; on the one hand you seem to find Franks feminine sensibilities somewhat distasteful, yet on the the other, you say you've been lurking here for sometime. Do you get some sort of voyeuristic kick out of that which you find abhorrent?
@RedRanger
Yea, I pretty much missed out on all the VSP rankings, and TV seemed like a longshot in the company of the other "well established" GC contenders. However, he is still riding like he intends keep the MJ while the Schleck bros seem to think they are entitled to it because its their turn to win. I have been really impressed with the way his Eurocar team has ridden to protect the yellow. Can't get enough of the Garmin success this year as they are my favorite team. My son is an HTC fan and he is liking Cavendish's run of luck too. With 4 min off the pace, I don't see AC making a comeback short of a major accident that forces everyone else to abandon the tour. At the end of the week its been a great Tour so far no matter what the outcome.
@xyxax
Dude!? How can Rush be associated with COTHO? It should be and Axl Rose jersey if anything.
@GottaRideToday
Contador will take back ~30 seconds on Wednesday and more than 2 minutes on Thursday. Depending on how Cuddles fares, he might snatch a bit more on Friday, but I suspect we'll see Evans crack at some point if Contador decides to up the pace dramatically.
@Collin
The most dynamic climber so far seems to be Voeckler. Fabulous on Luz Ardiden and he looked the strongest on le Plateau de Beille. I loved Harmon egging him on to attack, but he seemed to stay within himself and did what he needed to do. If he has anything left in the tank, I don't see him sitting pat in the Alps. He'll go for it (although I suspect he'll blow up), which is what a champion should do.
@Cyclops
@Cyclops
It's statements like these that have you wearing the V-jersey of the week. Strong work.
I like Rush a lot, but would never, ever wear a Rush jersey. Or anything from Primal. Ever notice how strange most folks wearing a Rush t-shirt are? Or for that matter, a Tool t-shirt? I like both, but most of their fans are just a bit weird.
Frank, I shout sometimes, but I chalk it up to being a JanKee; we like to argue in the northeast, or at least my southern friends tell me that I curse and argue too much.
Where'd this slash fella come from and where has he gone? What a fucking waste of time to try and argue with a rather small group of cycling enthusiasts who generally get along but do enjoy some banter. I guess we have a COTHO in Le Tour and on the site? Jeez.
That photo of Ten Dam is crazy. Savage is right.
@Cyclops
In my rush (ahem) to get a Primal jersey, Rush was my least favorite on offer. I retract and give you this.
A favorite Pavement lyric:
what about the voice of geddy lee
how did it get so high?
i wonder if he speaks like an ordinary guy?
(i know him and he does!)