Velominati Super Prestige: Tour de France
The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues the with Tour de France edition, on Saturday July 3rd in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, just kilometers from the start of the Giro d’Italia in Amsterdam (Dutchland is a small country). This will be the second Grand Tour of the series, and at this stage the Grand Tour rules and regulations are fairly well-defined, so take a moment to review them on the VSP Page.
The Tour is, of course, a major event. My personal preference lies with the Giro, but there is no denying the magnitude of the Tour and the appeal it holds. For three weeks, the world pays attention to our sport, and – provided the Tour doesn’t coincide with the World Cup football matches – this is the biggest sporting event during this time of the year. (An interesting observation: the last time these events coincided, the winner was eventually stripped of his title.)
Having run the VSP Giro edition where we tested the ruleset for Grand Tours, we’ve managed to set up a scoring system that seems fair and helps to close down the competition to afford newcomers the ability to catch up with some good picks; the Giro proved that lineup switches and the associated penalties kept the point gains pretty small while allowing strategy to play an interesting role. There is a full overview of the rules and standing at the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page, but here is the ten-second overview:
Every contestant is to choose their top five General Classification picks of the race. The final podium of le Grande Boucle is worth 15 points to the winner, 10 points for second, 5 points for third, 3 points for fourth, and 2 point for fifth. Given the effect crashes can have on a tour, we’ve set up some guidelines around making changes to your lineup during the race: you’re allowed to change your lineup if any rider in your pick list drops out for any reason without any penalty; rest days will allow contestants to make changes to their lineup, however those changes will come at a point penalty. (Visit the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a complete breakdown of these points.)
Every day, the leader in the points standings will have the honor of wearing the Yellow Jersey when posting on the site; the overall winner will wear the Yellow Jersey for the remainder of the season and will also earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker. All reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings.
New to the Tour de France edition is the addition of naming the winner of the Green and Polka-dot jerseys for the Tour. There will be no points awarded towards these two jerseys, but the leader of the competition of these jerseys will have the honor of commenting with a Green or Polka-dot jersey badge throughout the competition and the winner will earn the right to comment with that badge until next year’s Tour. The contestant who picks both the final Green and Polka jersey winners correctly will win a Velominati Logo bumper sticker. Tie-breakers will go to the first contestant who posts their entire lineup (all 5 GC picks plus Green and Polka-dot jersey winners). Given that this sub-competition has no points, pick substitutions will only be granted under the DNF regulations of the VSP; no rest-day substitutions are allowed.
Sub-competitions will be conducted while the Tour is underway for specific stages. These stages will be chosen a few days prior to the stage being held and will be selected based on the current race conditions with the aim of choosing the most decisive and exciting stages of the race, so check back often to make sure you don’t miss out. Sub-competitions will be held in separate editions.
Good luck!
The PRESSURE – I feel like a “whimpering house eunuch”, racing was easier than this… God I have to get some ingestible Rule #5.
P.S. love the image above and the caption – could be a new Velominati game – Douche, Duoche, Grimpe for those with little Velominnie me’s.
@Rob
We’ve talked about this before: there’s no way to ingest or inject Rule #5. To quote Yoda: “do or do not; there is no ingestion.”
But Saturday, June 3? That must have been a long sleep I had; who won?
This one is not going to be easy…too many options!!!
@Roberto Marques But you have proven yourself in a grand tour, I am just a one day lucky fool.
@SteampunkYea quote me Yoda but offer no real substantive help? Can someone send me something in the mail – Frank? (I want to be like the pros) Please??
@Rob one day luck fool? and what is this rainbow jersey besides your name? Of course there are some exceptions but I haven`t seen too many fools wearing the rainbow jersey…
@Rob
@Roberto Marques
Is this how you guys trash-talk? Very sportsmanlike ‘ol chaps.
@Roberto Marques Thanks Roberto – Good Luck!
@Marko Pip pip Marko (and I don’t even know what that means).
@Marko
Menchov is actually racing this one if you want to put him down this time. He’s a really good rider when he’s not falling off his bike.
@Rob
Rule #5 is either in your DNA or it’s not. Like grace on Seinfeld. Either you got it or you don’t. Rule #5 is about the voices in your head and whether they tell you to quit or to keep going. But look who I’m telling: anyone mashing a Dahon doesn’t need to hear this.
@Rob
Me niether. Do you think it’s trash-talking or sportsmanlike?
@Steampunk
Douche, Steampunk. I’m seriously thinking about tipping Dennis the Menace but with stage three looming do you think he’ll be able to keep is top-tube underneath him?
On a totally unrelated side note (well kind of related if we’re talking about not crashing), I met this budding hardman last night on a group ride. The kid was a 13 year old stud. 60k ride with a mid 30’s pace this little fella was riding his mom’s classic old steel trek with downtube shifters taking his fair share of pulls. Then we get to this intersection strewn with pebbles. Not sand or a little gravel but this big patch of fucking pebbles. I pussed out, hit the brakes, and swept wide to the outside for fear of crashing or taking peeps out on the inside or both. The little hardman holds his line, rides the pebbles, his back wheel skids, he get his bike underneath him, rides onto the dirt shoulder, gets out of the saddle, and hammers it joining the line where he left off. Cool as shit. His dad was there and couldn’t have been more proud. The little fucker had guns too.
1 Armstrong
2 Basso
3 Contador
4 F. Schleck
5 Leipheimer
Green: Mark Cavendish
Polka dot:
MoncoutieRenaldo NocentiniOf course Contador is the easy favorite. I’m playing to move up in the VSP G.C. standings. On the outside chance something happens to him, I could score big points vs. others.
@Steampunk
Hardyharhar. Date corrected, thanks.
@Rob
Beautiful. Childrens book for Velomitoddies.
@Marko
That little kid sounds awesome. Little guy has a pretty sweet heads up, eh?
@david
Nice strategy. I think that’s what Rob was hoping for when he picked people for the Giro that weren’t on the start list.
It’s genius, really.
1. Pharmstrong
2. Contador
3. A. Grimpuer
4. Basso
5. Evans
Green: Farrar
Polka dot: Juan Manuel Gárate
@frank Hmm. Errrm. Oh, nevermind.
@Marko Damnit, Marko. The rest of you must pick Contador for the win if I’m to have any chance of moving up on the VSP standings! Picking Armstrong to win is nuts. Or is it? I can’t decide. I admit I’m I love Armstrong. Let me have it.
@david
Love the riders you choose man, no judgements from me. It’s a tough choice overall, let alone between Lance and Bert. I’m in it for the racing, when the VSP is up I try to take emotion out of it. I really think the team is going to play a big factor though and Retirementshack is really strong right now (although I wonder about eggtimer). Here’s what’ll happen, Johan and Bjarne will work together to neutralize Bert but in the end it’ll only be enough for one of them to pull off the win and Radioshack is the stronger team.
I’m new to this, so a classicist; and British, so an optimist
1. Contador (when he gets trashed on the cobbles and wipes out, I can then choose someone I like to win?)
2. One of the Schlecks (they look alike to me… the better one… Andy?)
3. Wiggins
4. Armstrong (off the podium, and beaten by Wiggins… wouldn’t that be great?)
5. Basso
Green: Cavendish (I know, not a chance in hell, but read the above: “optimist”)
KOM: Moncoutie… he CAN do it in France
So, no white jersey? Marco’s cycling prodigy sounds like a shoe-in for TdF 2015
@ david: gutsy call on Pharmstrong! same for you Marko!!
I cannot believe some of you all are thinking he will pull it out. For me, I just don’t think he has it this year. But, thats just me and given my Giro prediction, that means your all probably right. Will submit mine in a moment as i mull it all over.
@Souleur When I picked LA for the Suisse, it was all analysis. And, I would have been spot on if not for an unusually strong F. Schleck in the TT. Now, I don’t know what I’m doing picking LA to win, honestly. Aside from strategy in the VSP standings, there’s definitely an emotional element in my decision. I want him to win. One of those reasons is that my mother was recently diagnosed with cancer. I want her to see him win. You cannot imagine how much that guy means to cancer patients.
One of the other emotion-based factors is that I want to feel the pain and distress of America-hating Europeans and Europhiles. It’s pure Schadenfruede, man.
1. Contador
2. A. Grimpeur
3. Wiggins (I’m drinking the Kool Aid on this one; but he climbs okay and he TTs)
4. Basso (he’s going to be great or awful; but he looked pretty damn great in Italy)
5. Armstrong (something about pad pennies…)
Desperately wanted to fit Mick Rogers in here somewhere as my dark horse, but no room. He could top 10. But there still needs to space for the Australian hobbit (who looked pretty beat by the end of the Giro) and Schleck the Elder. Will also be quietly rooting for another top 10 for Sastre, but that could be tough. Damn! This is going to be a pretty stacked Tour!
Green: Hushovd (rounding into form and well-rested; and what’s not to like about him and cobbles? He could be in green from start to finish)
Polka dot: Joaquim Rodriguez (because Katusha needs good news)
1. Eddy
2. Eddy
3. Eddy
4. Eddy
5. Eddy
@roadslave @david
I thought Moncoutié wasn’t on the Cofidis team and was concentrating on the Vuelta. But otherwise it’s a great pick.
@david
Same thing with my mom although she’s been cancer-free for 8 years now. She’s a Lance fan for sure and who am I to argue with a) my mom, and b) someone who beat cancer. Liar or not he does have a strong positive affect on the cancer community. Best wishes to your mom and your family david. Cancer is a big giant doosh and here’s to her kicking the fucker’s ass.
@Cyclops
Dammit, you may as well put on that yellow jersey and shop apron right now! How do you do it man?
@all
No Good Cadel?
@steampunk
Oh bugger
@frank
I got him in 5th but will bump him up after Cuntodor loses massive time in stage three and Basso proves he shot his wad at the Giro.
OK…OK…the Maglia Rosa will do his picks:
I believe the podium will not change too much from our selections…
1. Contador (unfortunately he is the strongest)
2. Pharmstrong (not so nice but he will retire on the second step of the podium)
3. Schleck Junior
4. Menchov (I was going to put Oscar Pereiro here in 4th…but I will put some hope on the russian)
5. Basso (I was going to put Vande Velde here but the Italian guy looks stronger…)
Green: Cavendish (if the peloton don’t expel him from the race…)
Polka: Have no idea…maybe Rasmussen???
@Cyclops
To paraphrase BigRingRiding, “This is Eddy Merckx. His big ring is 56. His cassette is 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 11, 12.”
@Roberto Marques
The polka dot pic seems to be a tough one this time around, eh? I thought about Rodrigo ala steampunk and that’s a solid pick especially with a team like Katowa. Plus I like the guy. I went with Garate only after researching him and his palmares a bit more as I never have paid him much attention. Lot’s climbers on the doping ban.
@Roberto Marques
July 2, Brazil against Nederland; it’s on! Get ready to loose against a bunch of lanky guys dressed in orange!
@frank
Don`t want to take this too far but you know that Nederlands is an old “customer” from Brazil…I see Nederlands as the Cadel Evans of the world football scenario…always “almost there!”
@frank
@Roberto Marques
Wrong blog guys
Thanks Marko.
Having fucked up and picked Mouncoutie, can I replace him, or should I hope for a miracle? If I can replace him, I select Renaldo Nocentini.
@david That’s for the polka dot jersey. Sorry.
1. Contador, he did it last year w/half a team, so who will stop him w/the whole kabob now??? Not a ‘shack’ retro nasty looking std covered sloppy second
2. Pharmstrong…speaking of sloppy seconds
3. Andy Grimpeur ala Schick
4. Jurgen Ven den Broeck
5. Basso…I pray I am clean now
Polka dot: Gesink…i pray i piss a clean one
Green: Thor Rule #5 stomping god of thunder
No, wiggo won’t show as this years route will require a rider plus he is marked this go around and neither will Evans who will get his arse handed to him in the Alps on the Tourmalet. Lastly, Denny Menchov will enjoy the last tour ‘tout’ of his career. In my humblest of wrong opinions…but aren’t we all??
I’ve been thinking about this for days. I have been waiting for this post, so I can give forth my picks and not wake up sweating and screaming at 5am about how Alberto is going to crash on the cobbles, breaking at least one cobblestone, and as he is not Magni (not even in the same league) he’ll retire, blowing the race wide open (and wrecking my picks completely).
So. here goes
1. A.C. He’s not gonna ditch it on the cobbles. he’ll put time into everyone in the alps then finish the job, mortal kombat style on the tourmalet.
2. Grimpeur mark 2. Sure he took a tumble this week but road rash is like love bites to him. My only worry is that Riis might just go “fuck it” and not bother to support the grimps
3. Good Cadel. IF bad cadel turns up, am I allowed to drop him with no points penalty?
4. Menchov. He can’t always fall off his bike/get bronchitis/be unlucky, can he?
5. Wiggins. Token british pick. Much harder tour this year, I know, but I think he’s good enough and has the support of a well balanced squad.
Green jersey will be Cavendish. He might be a touch off the pace than last year and he certainly won’t win so many stages but I listened to an interview with him last night on the real peloton podcast+ITV and he is so pumped.
I was gonna pick Soler for the KoM, but as he’s crocked himself, I now don’t really have a clue. I’ll get back to you all on this one…
@andy
breaking a collarbone, not a cobblestone. Seriously, this is how much its been affecting my daily life.
stupid pavé.
@Souleur
“4. Jurgen Ven den Broeck”
Never a bad call to pick a second or even third tier favorite. Arroya and Scarponi come to mind for the Giro. And fuck I hope I don’t get burned on not picking Thor for green. I really wanted to and the cobbled argument holds much water. Thing is though, his train doesn’t seem as strong as Cavendoosh and Farrar and I just can’t pick Cav
@Marko
Thor might miss the train, but he’s got one hell of an all-round engine. He won’t win as many stages as Farrar or Cav, but he’ll finished second and third consistently and I’m hoping for another long solo from him.
Re. Wiggins: basically a chapeau to Sky for providing the opportunity for Michael Barry to ride his first TdF.
@david
No problem; updated your picks for you.
@Steampunk
That’s what makes him and this sport so damn cool. And, he didn’t need the train last year. I’ll be pulling for him but I think this might be Tyler’s year.
@david
By the way, all our best possible wishes and strength to your mother. I echo Marko; cancer is an asshole; kick that fucker’s ass. Show that shit was Rule #5 is all about.
Sweet baby jesus hep me now. I’m impressed a few have picked Lance to win. No one is going for VdV, OK, I’ll do that. Menchov, really? What about Karpets, Brett? I’m going with AC to get on the score board then who knows. Sure Lance will be up there but maybe he will finally have the “bad day.” Polka Dot I have no clue. And I would like Thor to be in green but…
And A. Grimpeur, TT Champ of Luxembourg??? They must really suck at time trialing in Luxembourg. That is crazy talk.
1. AC-unless he crashes early
2. A. Grimpeur-finally gets fit toward the end, where it counts
3. Basso-why not?
4. Twiggo-he can’t hang with these other climbers and not enough TT to get back time
5. VdV-just to beat Lance, insane perhaps
Green Jersey-Cavendish because he is so damn fast
Polka Dot-AC, can a man wear both jerseys?
Jeezus, really I did not think I would read all this and then not have an easier time! I mean its tactics in this competition to sit back and wait. I know its like wheel sucking and then sprinting but there is no rule and it is all about the yellow. But I feel like I have sucked wheel to the bottom of Alp de Huez and now I got nuthin.
So its Armstrong vs Contador and they both are doing what they do really well, one racing little, the other winning lots and they both seem to be in form. So Arms could loose it with a bad day and come back in the TT and Conts could be coming off his spring peak. I feel like picking A. Schleck. Screw it here it is…
1.) Armstrong – he is such a control freak Tour machine and wants to be a god.
2.) A. Schleck – needs to prove himself but can’t.
3.) Contador – bad luck, off year.
4.) R. Gesink – cause I like him.
5.) C. Horner – just feel like it.
Green – Hushovd, Poka – Gesink
@Marko
Well, somebody else picked Farrar already, and heart says Thor. It would be great to see Farrar have an impact in the standings; last year’s Thor vs. Douche competition was a little boring. Having a more-than-capable third contender would make things interesting. I’d be totally okay with Tyler going home in green.
1. Armstrong
2. Contador
3. Basso
4. Horner
5. A. Schleck
Green Jersey: Farrar
Polka: I don’t know yet…
@ Marko: agreed. I want to pick at least one outsider…and that is my man.
-He’s belgian
-He’s a climber (go figure from belgium)
-He’s young and placed well his first showing (15th)
-the team is in support of him
-he’s unmarked, so will see. He may also puss out too??
I came really close to doing Dave Zabriske, but for some reason just didn’t pull the trigger, perhaps the climbing isn’t his.
Farrar is a good choice on green too, no doubt. The green jersey though has to climb, and minus San Remo, Cavendouche doesn’t climb well at all, even outrunning the broomwagon.
Sammy Sanchez is a very good one to put up as a dark horse too, the pyrenees will be in basque country and he will feed on that religious anger/support