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!
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View Comments
@Marcus
Nice one.
Q'est que c'est le fuck is happening? I'm starting to like Veino and Bertie. WTF? I guess it all comes down to great bike racing. Bertie on the stones and yesterday on the hills was impressive.
There, I've said it. But that doesn't mean he'll still be on that list if he takes any time out of Andy tomorrow. Schleck is going to set off the Guns of Navarone on the Ax tomorrow.
@all
Looks like no change in the VSP today; tomorrow should be fireworks. I'm going to be out of network; be back Sunday afternoon to get any updates out. Cheers!
@all
Please stand by for another VSP Ax-3 Domaines edition. Get your picks ready.
members of the british press don't like it;
http://blogs.telegraph.co.uk/sport/nedboulting/100010823/tour-de-france-2010-vino-he-ruined-my-lunch/
I'm not sure I like it either
@andy
He is a monster rider this year. If he was the captain of his own team he would be right up there in the standings. Seeing him ride away from Bertie and A.Grimpeur half way up the Col de La Madeleine bridging up to the break. That was scary. Next time the camera was on him he was back with Bertie so I'm not sure what happened, maybe the remote genital-cuff shocker was being fired off by the DS."zapp...Down Veino, Down, get back there...zappp."
He is scary strong this year and I can't trust him. But he is fun to watch.
@Rob
Haha, I'm glad you appreciate my taste in brew and my completely scientific analysis of Lance Armstrong, his victories, and his ads. And yes, IPA is, indeed, the bomb.
@frank,
I too understand your plight in beginning to like the smell of Cunt-odor. As for Veino, I've always liked him despite being caught for doping. I don't think anyone can deny that when he's on his game, he's a very exciting rider to watch. I'm interested to see how the Pyrenees showdown between Bertie and Grimpeur the younger. given Schleck's at ease demeanor, he must have some sort of ace up his bibs, or he's really good at hiding his nerves. Bertie already showed that he's in shape and can match his attacks (save for the one where Andy won the stage). Andy really needs time on Contie, otherwise he's gonna get rocked in the TT.
Now that Veino has gotten his stage win, I'm hoping my boy Pharmy will get one as well. If he does, I will officially be satisfied with this tour.
Oh, and Thor or Alejet in Green. Fuck Chavendouche.
@Omar, @Rob
Stone IPA is the shit when it comes to bottled beer. As for from the Beer Faucet, there are a litany of amazingly hoppy IPAs availalbe locally. Seems I find a better one every time I go out.
@Omar
This is one of the better Tours I've seen in a while. 2 weeks down and no clue who will win. I actually predict that Andy will pull out a TT to surprise.
@all
Head on over to the VSP Stage 14 and put in your bonus picks.
@john
Oh totally. The Madeleine ride was cool to watch, as was the last two days, and I think he would be top 3 if in another team etc etc.
HOWEVER. My major problem with the guy is that he won't admit to doping. I'd rather my dopers were like David Millar; admit use, serve ban, come back somewhat diminished as a rider but also an advocate of clean cycling, despite cries of hypocrisy. shit, I've even got a tiny bit of respect back for flandis because he's admitted using. Riders like Ricco and the Count and valverde's dog, who continually deny they ever doped, wind me up no end. It's gotta be a matter of face saving for them. Plus he's come back pretty much as good as before and I really feel he's still on something because of it.
@andy
I'm right there with ya! Vino is almost too strong and consistant? It's crazy as guys like Ricco and Veino were strong great riders before they doped(assuming they didn't start doping wildly as 16 year olds) it seems they never needed to. But I'm winding my self up here so I'll stop. But yes, I agree 100%.