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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@frank
I wish now I had continued above with Grimpito, but with Bertie on his wheel; Rodriquez will follow at the head of the rest. It doesn't sound quite so impressive now...
Anyone seen this?
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/news/sastre-rails-against-%E2%80%98polite%E2%80%99-peloton-at-tour-de-france_130862
Sastre basically calls the Pro Peloton a bunch of Nancies that want everyone to care about their feelings.
Hilarious.
@Omar
But wait, isn't Sastre a bunch of Nancies?
@Omar, @Marko
Yeah...pot, kettle. Really funny.
What an exciting stage to watch! Had my heart racing over the last few kms watching the Grimplet stare down Bertie... The crowds up the top of the Tourmalet were amazing. The Borat Mankini men were up there again this year. Would have been interesting if the mountain sheep had taken the front running Astana guys out! Sanchez finishing in 5th - I think? - was a great effort given he looked like he crashed out of the tour early on as well.
This season I have become a big fan of the Katusha team - and not just because they have the best kit in the peloton and their hats were on sale at Nashbar-oh no!- but for exciting riders like Ivanov and J-Rod, not to mention Robbie McEwen. Solid rides from all today, including McEwen:
Er... McEwen pops a wheelie crossing the Tourmalet:
http://desmond.yfrog.com/Himg101/scaled.php?tn=0&server=101&filename=p5l.png&xsize=640&ysize=640
One last thing: WTF happened to Levi today? Sitting in 7th before the stage, I noticed he didn't say a thing about moving up on the GC, but instead talked about this B.S. team competition. Last I checked, a top-10 spot in Le Tour is something you defend. So, instead he dropped 9 minutes today, landing at 13th and Horner leapfrogged him up to 10th. What a mess!
@omar My favorite part of that article is when Sastre refers to the peloton as a "baby's playpen". SNAP!
He has to win first. Then, at all attempts of reclaiming glory, he will be the eternal second ala Ulle.
@Omar
I think the big difference between Ulli and Grimpito is the killer instinct. The confidence, the attitude, the intimidating looks he was giving Contador...What made Pou-pou, Zoetemelk, and Ulli eternal seconds was that they never had the upper hand mentally. Even on good form, they lost the race psychologically. Not Grimp; he is a force to be reckoned with.