Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2015
This is the best Cycling photo in the history of time. If you’re wondering why, then we’re probably not looking at the same photo. I am pretty sure the guy playing guitar is the Dos Equis guy.
Anyway, nothing that cool will happen during this year’s Vuelta, although we’ll get to watch more lightbulb-humping, if that’s any consolation (it isn’t). But we do get to treat ourselves to the third and final Grand Tour of 2015 which is exactly as depressing as it is exciting. I’m also not going to remind anyone that I don’t really like the Vuelta because the last two times I said that, the race turned out to be terrific.
The VSP keeps on keepin’ on as well, with big points on offer for the Jaegher frame, Café Roubaix wheelset, or V-Kit. Anything can happen, and in past years we’ve seen the Vuelta be the deciding factor in winning the overall VSP; @Minnesota Expat holds a solid lead over @dancollins, a past winner. @Steampunk holds third over a tight field behind him and here’s hoping our Aussie Keeper @brett can finally put a point on the board as well, which would see him hoist himself out of the Lanterne Rouge. (I actually had to do some coding to give him his Keeper’s badge back, which is something I hadn’t anticipated when I designed the system, needless to say.)
So, study the start list, put in your picks by the time the clock goes to zero, and good luck.
Teaser shots of the Jaegher frame:
Teaser shots of the CR Wheelworks Arenbergs:
Café Roubaix's CR Wheelworks Arenbergs
[vsp_results id=”33481″/]
Astana in trouble again? Did Aru get bad help from Dirty Sanchez?
http://velonews.competitor.com/2015/09/news/astana-under-fire-after-teammate-pushes-aru-uphill_384584
I think what they are talking about happens just after 4:00 in the video, but I don’t see anything sanctionable? What says the peanut gallery?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7gcF3655I4
@wiscot
Or, you know, the Italians in the Giro. Witness Roche’s win in ’87 when almost all of the Italians (including the ones on his own team…) were riding against him. I’m told that in the 1980’s, the (Italian) TV helicopters would be careful to fly behind the Italian riders and in front of the foreign riders!
@frank
I would be awesome if he does. Either way, though, can I say how happy it makes me that he’s riding on tan-walled tires? Proper.
@Harminator
This.
Epic final showdown stage though, watched every km of it. Chapeau to Tom for holding on so long. A ‘dias sin’ right at the last, gutted.
@Geraint
Got home in time to watch the last 60k live to discover that beIN sports had decided not to broadcast today’s stage despite showing every stage so far. Massive WTF moment. There was 15 football matches, men’s doubles tennis, equestrian, track & field but no Vuelta. Fuckers.
Fuck Astana.
@Geraint
Great race. Fuck Astana. Great race.
Tom rode mostly solo against those bastards, it took a very concerted effort, from a not too shabby team and a half way decent climber to finally defeat him, without a doubt the V moment of the year, I know, there is still three and a half months to go, but that is a performance that is hard to top. Chapeau Tom, Chapeau indeed.
You could see it coming a mile away though, innit.
Great ride by Ruben Plaza – that was a loooong break over some tough climbs.
@cognition
Class, and nice new avatar. Oh, and Fuck Astana as others have said, although they did what had to be done and at least they didn’t wait Intel the Vk to go banner to attack, the way most races unwind these days. Second-last mountain to go and BOOM.
Dear Anonymous,
When selecting a VSP pick, particularly during a rest-day swap, you are not required to only enter the rider’s last name. Furthermore, you are permitted by the Keepers to dispute said pick should you come to realize that your ambiguous choice of last name has resulted in a Keeper mapping your pick to the wrong rider.
The system does not, however, require you to enter a snarky-bordering-on-rude remark in the comment box which we provide in order for you to clarify you intention.
I remind you that this is a free website and a free competition and as said Keeper managing the picks, am am doing so while on holiday for the enjoyment of this work and the great gift of camaraderie this community gives in return.
In summary, you can get fucked if you feel you are not getting what’s rightfully yours despite you not being able to find the motivation to type a few more characters in order to into the picks box.
You know who you are; I remapped your picks; we designed the disputed system specifically to allow you to let us know when we don’t map your picks the way you’d hoped. The disputed system isn’t there for you to act like a cunt.
Great finish by Degenkolb, thought he’d gone too early and blown it. Fitting end for Giant-Alpecin. Chapeau.
Gutted that Mal-merde nicked Purito’s green jersey though.
@frank
Way more restraint than necessary. Well done. It’s really a massive compliment to the site that people care so much about the VSP that they’re prepared to argue to make the top 70 instead of top 80.
I hope you’re not really on holiday. That’s code for V cap final production sequence, right?
@Harminator
Sheesh – I’m just glad this time that you don’t appear to be able to score negative.
@Harminator
Yes on both counts, Caps not hats. I heard caps, did someone say caps ?
That was a great Vuelta! I’m very surprised I finished on the podium. Picking Aru and sticking to it did the trick even though I was actually cheering for Chaves and Dumoulin throughout. Thanks to the keepers for a fun Super P and to my fellow Velominatus for the lively conversation.
Fuck Astana, but caps… what was that about caps?
Seriously, if the ephemeral V-cap ever makes its appearance it will probably break the site.