At one point [Conan the Barbarian], and his other old warrior friends capture this village, but then they find that they are surrounded by an army of tens of thousands, and his only reaction is, “Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!” – Jens Voigt
This (paraphrased) passage from Terry Pratchett’s parody of the famous character helped Jens struggle through a stage that would have seen weaker men climb into the broom wagon. But struggle through he did, and he should swing his leg over the top tube of his (own) bike again at the start line of Stage 17.
I look at this photo and realize that I’m a sick man. I see his blood-soaked clothes and body, and the first thing I say to myself is, “How did he get his Speedplay cleats to stay in those old pedals? And check out those sweet old Campy Chorus alu Ergos! I’ve been looking for a pair of those!”
But I digress. The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige launches it’s third VSP Sub-Competition with Stage 17 of the Tour de France. The competition will allow contestants the opportunity to win bonus points in the VSP Tour de France by choosing the top three finishers of the stage for a chance to win 3 points for first place, 2 for second, and 1 for third.
Stage 17 should prove to be the most decisive stage of the race, providing Brother Grimpeur the Younger his final legitimate opportunity to win this Tour de France while – in theory at least – Bertie YouTube needs to do little more than defend his position to be almost assured of taking his third crown. Schleck said during the rest day that the first man to reach La Mongie atop the Tourmalet will win this Tour; will Grimpito set off the Guns of Navarone and take enough time in order to stave off the inevitable surge from Contador in the final time trial on Saturday? Or will the Climbing Paella launch a surprise attack to prove he is the strongest climber in this years Tour, taking time out of Schleck before the time trial?
Make your picks for the top three of the day by the time tomorrow’s stage starts, regular VSP Rules apply. Good luck!
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I loved Van den Broeck's frustration with the media scrum surrounding Sarkozy: "If he's in my way, I'm going over him."
Sean Kelly riding the Tourmalet on a 1910 bike... http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=1385695681554
@Nathan
Like any of us needed more evidence of what a stud that guy is!
Bah! How dare you! Actually I just love the dude's steady climb to the top - check his CQRanking. PRO for 10 years and slowly getting better.
Missed this one didn't I
I wasn't sure where to put this, but as far as V rides go, this has to rank as the individual performance of the year thus far. TT with one bar"”having lost your shifters. And finishing top ten. Dude's a stud!
What a hardout! Top ride indeed by the big man.
Another piece of information worth sharing and no obvious home on these boards, but this will provide hours of entertainment. (from BIG RING).
@Steampunk
You idiot! How will anyone get any work done now!
@Steampunk
Sweet find.