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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Erik says:

Jul 15 2011 at 12:56 pm

Need a wild card to win. The big players will play out behind the polka dots. Hmmm. I'm thinking. But I'm also trying to work from the dining room while my daughter asks me questions from the kitchen. This day is challenging and this VSP is doing nothing to help me.

I'll be back after a ride and beer to figure this out.
CJ says:

Jul 15 2011 at 1:18 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Basso
2. Schleck F
3. Sanchez S
4. Contador
5. Evans C
Bianchi Denti says:

Jul 15 2011 at 1:20 pm

My subconscious has picked Cunego. I'm sure there's some logic behind it....

VSP PICKS:

1. Cunego
2. F Schleck
3. Basso
4. Cadel
5. A Schleck
sgt says:

Jul 15 2011 at 1:32 pm

Watching these five along with Cothodor on the Aubisque this morning, it's pretty clear to that F Schleck, Cuddles and Basso have the best legs, Cunego's got the fire, and Andy's going to do his typical sit-in (yawn). But Alberto's steak is cooked. Looking forward to tomorrow!

Delenda Est Alberto

VSP PICKS:

1. Cuddles
2. Grimpelder
3. Basso
4. Grimplette
5. Cunego
Marko says:

Jul 15 2011 at 1:40 pm

Conti will show up tomorrow and show the world why he's the best stage racer in the world. He may not have the gas to take it to Paris but he's going to go balls out on this one. Fran is trending better that dy right now (or is it Fr and andy or Fra and ndy?) Anyway, after them the other two usual suspects. Either that or some Basque or Frenchman will freelance that shit.

VSP PICKS:

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

Jul 15 2011 at 1:42 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Ivan Basso
2. Frank Schleck
3. Cadel Evans
4. Andy Schleck
5. Alberto Contador
brett says:

Jul 15 2011 at 1:45 pm

Tradition is killed on the Plateau this time.

Conti takes 50 seconds back, but Cuddles cements yellow and The Count climbs onto the podium.

The Useless Bros double team each other out of contention, with the Ashtray on a Motorbike attacking way too early and blowing up 6km from the top, while the Bottom Half of a Mermaid keeps looking around forlornly as his brother and the Maillot Jaune fade in the mirror.

Can He Go doesn't get mentioned until the last 200 metres, but he's there...

VSP PICKS:

1. COTHOdor
2. The Elephant Man
3. Count Basso
4. The Mermaid
5. Cunny Lingers
Steampunk says:

Jul 15 2011 at 2:18 pm

Part of me says it's much too early to tell what's going to happen. We haven't really seen anyone play their hand.

VSP PICKS:

1. Contador
2. Poulidor
3. Cuddles
4. Sammy Sandwich
5. Basso
Godsight says:

Jul 15 2011 at 2:23 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Dirty sanchez
2. FrÃ¨re grimpeur ainÃ©
3. Little prince canhego
4. Count Basso
5. Cuddles
wiscot says:

Jul 15 2011 at 2:24 pm

What the fuck is it with COTHO2? According to Graham Watson, Bruyneel was encouraging Kloden to stay in the race today. The video shows that when Kloden stopped to retire (at 10kms in) he could barely stand or unclip from the bike. A mechanic had to twist his foot to get it out of the pedal. Now I understand that Kloden is a tough guy and may have insisted on starting the state, but a good DS would have said "no way". Add this to the disgraceful failure to pull Horner from the race and allowing him to ride 25kms with a serious concussion and you have to wonder if this bastard truly has his rider's interests/welfare foremost in his mind. If I was a neo-pro, and given the age of their current squad and that the Shack have upped for two more years, they're going to need a few, would I want to ride for Bruyneel? COTHO2? No, joint first place with the original COTHO.