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

Harminator says:

Sep 9 2015 at 2:58 pm

@ped

Great ride by alejandro, that’s all that needs to be said, I think

The less said about that COTHO the better. Every time I see that guy in the mix I curse and repeat my wish that he would go away. He's been peaking since fucking April. Not normal. Why Movistar put up with him is a complete mystery. His tactics are bizarre. He seems to have zero interest in committing to Quintana. I don't think I could hate him more except maybe if he moved to Astana.
piwakawaka says:

Sep 10 2015 at 12:25 am

the ride of the day had to be Aru's..
Daccordi Rider says:

Sep 10 2015 at 9:49 pm

@Daccordi Rider

C’mon Purito!!

Holy crap, Red Jersey!
kixsand says:

Sep 11 2015 at 4:38 am

Not sure if anyone has posted these previously....

Orica Greenedge has put together a series of videos covering each stage of the Vuelta. They're really well done and offer some great behind the scenes stuff. After watching these it's hard not to be a fan of Esteban Chavez. OGE really seem like a great bunch of fellas.

Back Stage Pass OGE
frank says:

Sep 11 2015 at 5:30 am

Is fucking Dumoulin going to win the Vuelta? When is the last time a Dutchman won a GT? I've not been this psyched over a stage race in a long time. Now, if I could only manage to watch a stage occasionally...?
Erik says:

Sep 11 2015 at 7:44 am

Joop's tdf, I do believe.

@frank

Is fucking Dumoulin going to win the Vuelta? When is the last time a Dutchman won a GT? I’ve not been this psyched over a stage race in a long time. Now, if I could only manage to watch a stage occasionally…?
ped says:

Sep 11 2015 at 8:21 am

Aaargh, dumoulin 's been mapped as Sam on the VSP for all who put him in as a rest day swap. Never even crossed my mind, the little Frenchman isn't even in the race, dammit
wiscot says:

Sep 11 2015 at 8:39 am

@Erik

Joop’s tdf, I do believe.

@frank

Is fucking Dumoulin going to win the Vuelta? When is the last time a Dutchman won a GT? I’ve not been this psyched over a stage race in a long time. Now, if I could only manage to watch a stage occasionally…?

And that was in 1980 after Hinault dropped out of the Tour with knee issues. I'm sure hoping big Tom Dumolin is no JJ Cobo in the dodgy "flash-in-the-pan-never=heard-of-again" scenario.

I thought it hilarious that any collusion between Giant and Lotto was deemed irregular. This is the Vuelta FFS. If Dumoulin was Spanish every damn Spanish team would be working for him against Aru. Just ask Robert Millar how things work in the Vuelta.
Harminator says:

Sep 11 2015 at 9:24 am

@frank

Is fucking Dumoulin going to win the Vuelta? When is the last time a Dutchman won a GT? I’ve not been this psyched over a stage race in a long time. Now, if I could only manage to watch a stage occasionally…?

Probably not. But it's nice to see the optimism of the Dutch. Much like the English at the football World Cup. Very demoralizing for national pride in the end. Better to aim low and exceed expectations than be a perennial disappointment.

Loved watching Tommy D crush the cobbles on the finish today. Better than his ITT and I loved that too. Unfortunately for him, Count Aru will eclipse him tomorrow. Fuck Astana.

PS. What was Valverde doing today? He's a tactical twatwaffle.
kixsand says:

Sep 11 2015 at 10:09 am

@frank

Is fucking Dumoulin going to win the Vuelta? When is the last time a Dutchman won a GT? I’ve not been this psyched over a stage race in a long time. Now, if I could only manage to watch a stage occasionally…?

You cheer for him because he's Dutch. I cheer for him because we share the same disability - 6'1" and 165 pounds!

Go you tall, fat bastard!