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

Erik says:

Sep 11 2015 at 1:16 pm

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
cognition says:

Sep 11 2015 at 2:19 pm

@wiscot

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.

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!
cognition says:

Sep 11 2015 at 2:22 pm

@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…?

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.
Geraint says:

Sep 12 2015 at 1:23 pm

@Harminator

Fuck Astana.

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.
Harminator says:

Sep 12 2015 at 3:22 pm

@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.
piwakawaka says:

Sep 12 2015 at 10:58 pm

@Geraint

@Harminator

Fuck Astana.

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.

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.
Oli says:

Sep 13 2015 at 3:59 am

You could see it coming a mile away though, innit.

Great ride by Ruben Plaza - that was a loooong break over some tough climbs.
frank says:

Sep 13 2015 at 10:23 am

@cognition

@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…?

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.

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.
frank says:

Sep 13 2015 at 10:47 am

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.
Geraint says:

Sep 13 2015 at 11:51 am

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.