Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2015

Meanwhile in Spain...

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:

[vsp_results id=”33481″/]

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

PT says:

Aug 24 2015 at 5:40 am

@Canucklehead

I could podium at the Vuelta using Nibali’s strategy. The gaul of Astana is astounding.

While I concur with your thinking in general, I am not sure exactly which Gaul of Astana you're favouring. Are there in fact any Gauls from Astana? As an aside, Nibali does resemble a Roman Centurion in profile somewhat.

The gall of Astana, on the other hand, is clearly beyond the pale, by Toutatis.

(sorry)
RobSandy says:

Aug 24 2015 at 5:52 am

BBC don't seem to be doing live text for the Vuelta - is there anywhere I can find one? Link would be handy as I've looked and failed to find.
Quasar says:

Aug 24 2015 at 6:04 am

And their response boils down to: Everyone does it! So the rule is don't get cought. Exactly the answer you would expect from a team with five doping positives in one season. They really need to go away (and no, they're not the only ones).
Quasar says:

Aug 24 2015 at 6:05 am

@RobSandy

BBC don’t seem to be doing live text for the Vuelta – is there anywhere I can find one? Link would be handy as I’ve looked and failed to find.

cyclingnews.com and lavuelta.com are the ones I'm reading.
wiscot says:

Aug 24 2015 at 6:24 am

It was a spectacularly dumb move and I've always thought Nibali was a bit smarter than the average rider. It's one thing to be off the back or on a nasty mountain stage to get a little "assist" but to be at the front of the chasers, grab a hold and then take off like a rocket in full view of the group was stupid, stupid, stupid.

@PT thanks for being the pedant. I was going to do it, but you beat me to it.

@Jaia @KogaLover I was the pedant who pointed out that the lead pic was from the Giro. Frank is being rather stubbon in changing it out!
universo says:

Aug 24 2015 at 6:48 am

Forenza Nibali
KogaLover says:

Aug 24 2015 at 7:15 am

@wiscot

Frank simply rigorously adheres to Rule #43, or doesn't he?
nobby says:

Aug 24 2015 at 7:32 am

@wiscot

It was embarrassing, that's what it was. Fucking shambolic and it disappointed me more than I thought it would.
teleguy57 says:

Aug 24 2015 at 7:51 am

@PT

@Canucklehead

I could podium at the Vuelta using Nibali’s strategy. The gaul of Astana is astounding.

While I concur with your thinking in general, I am not sure exactly which Gaul of Astana you’re favouring. Are there in fact any Gauls from Astana? As an aside, Nibali does resemble a Roman Centurion in profile somewhat.

The gall of Astana, on the other hand, is clearly beyond the pale, by Toutatis.

(sorry)

This level of literacy is one of the key things that keeps me coming back here. Well-played, @PT.
Teocalli says:

Aug 24 2015 at 8:33 am

@teleguy57

@PT

@Canucklehead

I could podium at the Vuelta using Nibali’s strategy. The gaul of Astana is astounding.

While I concur with your thinking in general, I am not sure exactly which Gaul of Astana you’re favouring. Are there in fact any Gauls from Astana? As an aside, Nibali does resemble a Roman Centurion in profile somewhat.

The gall of Astana, on the other hand, is clearly beyond the pale, by Toutatis.

(sorry)

This level of literacy is one of the key things that keeps me coming back here. Well-played, @PT.

I think Getafix the Druid's brew is probably on the WADA list.