Categories: Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Le Tour de France, Stage 14

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.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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frank says:

Jul 15 2011 at 4:09 pm

@earnest

Meanwhile, Basso's got a little taste of glory on his lips filling his guns with some extra V powder, and Evans is going to ride an inspired shotgun as he's probably having a great Skype session with his dog tonight. They will ride past, grimaces showing, as AC peters out.

If I had been drinking a beer right now as I rightfully should be were it not for my race tomorrow, it would have been spat all over my screen.

Skype with a dog. Comedy gold.
Gerard says:

Jul 15 2011 at 4:13 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Frank schleck
2. Cuddles
3. Sanchez
4. Andy Schleck
5. Danielson
Minion says:

Jul 15 2011 at 4:30 pm

C'mon Tommy! You know you want eeeettttt

VSP PICKS:

1. Voekler
2. Voekler
3. Voekler
4. Voekler
5. Voekler
mouse says:

Jul 15 2011 at 4:31 pm

I'm basing my VSP on who has the most to gain.
Basso looks ominous. He will be looking to peg back lost time.
Contador will be climbing like a cut snake IF he's been shadow boxing up till now.
Cuddles will be marking them closely, but will be strategic about how much time he can afford to lose.
F Schleck will come in with Cuddles.
Cunego will trail them by 15 seconds.
Voeckler will only just keep the Maillot Jaune.

VSP PICKS:

1. Basso
2. Contador
3. Cuddles
4. F Schleck
5. Cunego
il ciclista medio says:

Jul 15 2011 at 5:00 pm

As a hardened criminal I have no other choice but to put Good Cadel in at No.1

VSP PICKS:

1. Good Cadel
2. Frau Schleck
3. Turn up the Bass....O
4. Asleck
5. Sam San
Erik says:

Jul 15 2011 at 5:01 pm

I'm going to regret these choices. Sanchez (or someone else from Spain or Basque country) will pay back Alberto for his Giro gifts. That person, presumably Sammy, will take the stage. Frank will grow a pair and drop his little brother. Cadel will keep up. And Danielson will make time to make Garmin's Tour even cooler.

I'd pick Danielson if Thor hadn't won today. That would be too good to be true for Garmin.

VSP PICKS:

1. Sammy Sanchez
2. Contador
3. Frank Schleck
4. Cuddles
5. Danielson
anotherdownunder says:

Jul 15 2011 at 5:04 pm

Evans only wants to be in yellow on last day. Andy has done nothing so far so needs a big stage win for the sponsors. Sammy not quite there, AC riding into form and Frank works for Andy and tires.
Or not!
And yes us criminals in Oz are hard, we have to watch it overnight and then get up early to ride before all the wombats and wallabies come out after it gets light.

VSP PICKS:

1. A Schleck
2. C Evans
3. A Contador
4. F Schleck
5. S Sanchez
Oldschooly says:

Jul 15 2011 at 6:40 pm

I am so glad to be able to watch this stage. 5 a.m. @ the coffee shop. Love it.

VSP PICKS:

1. Andy
2. Frank
3. Cadel
4. Albertito
5. Sammy
Mikeweb says:

Jul 15 2011 at 6:42 pm

@frank

If I had been drinking a beer right now as I rightfully should be were it not for my race tomorrow, it would have been spat all over my screen.

Back in my racing days I usually did better with a slight hangover. But that was when I was in my early/mid 20s. And on mostly flat crits. Probably from a desire to get the whole thing over with as early as possible.
Marko says:

Jul 15 2011 at 6:46 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. El Steakelero
2. Fran
3. dy
4. Cadel
5. Basstardo