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:
[vsp_results id=”33481″/]
@frank
I think there’s time. (Via Ella): Sunday’s road race starts at 9:15 a.m. (5:15 p.m. in Australia, 3:15 a.m. in New York).
VSP PICKS:
Pozzovivo
Aru
Quintana
Froome
Rodriguez
Ride like hell for leather, lads, because I have a lot of points to make up.
@frank – even though the TT was today, I don’t think the race starts until Sunday. Perhaps we could still give it a go like we did with the Giro Rosa? I’d hate to see a Velominata race cut – we need more of them.
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quintana
Hmmm only seem to be able to pick #one ..so I will add here 2)Valverde 3)Aru 4)Majka 5)Nibali
VSP PICKS:
Quintana
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What was I thinking? Teensy out, Alexandria in. Alexandria indeed. Score another one for auto-correct.
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If one of these picks is in its right place, I’ll lick @Steampunk‘s derailleur pulleys clean*.
*Offer void where prohibited by law and presence of road dung,.
VSP PICKS:
Quintana
Aru
Froome
Valverde
Pozzovivo
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I can’t wait to hear Sean Kelly talking about “Nero kwintana” for the next few weeks,
VSP PICKS:
Froome
Quintana
Aru
Valverde
Nibali
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Channelling cobo here.
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Quintana
Froome
Aru
Valverde
Van Garderen
Just read that the TTT will not count towards GC, only the team prize. This is due to a course that G refererred to as ” sketchy” including a gravel and sand section.
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Arrggghhh Delgadoed
@xyxax
Pucker up, daddy-o. Everything’s legal so long as you don’t get caught.
TTT times are neutralized. Missed submitting my picks.
Open it back up for today?
Delgadoooooooo
FUCK ME SIDE WAYS
NIBALI disqualified!
Taxi for Nibbles! Kicked out of the Vuelta for being a cheating arse. The DS with the exceptionally sticky bottle and the heavy right foot is booted too.
@ped
Wella fair well da doo ??
http://as.com/videos/2015/08/23/portada/1440352301_273355.html
I could podium at the Vuelta using Nibali’s strategy. The gaul of Astana is astounding.
Nibali taking a cue from Marty McFly.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IPP_RTP7tdE
Darn it and I swapped him in late, should have left Valverde but I just didn’t really want to pick him. What a plonker though.
@Phillip Mercer
After second guessing myself, I’m glad I didn’t choose Nibbles.
Well, that is interesting. Especially after Vincenzo’s not so subtle dig at Froome about being DQ’d at the 2010 Giro for holding onto a car….
Free swaps for those who chose Nibbles?
Abidonibalimination: outrage caused by a too sticky bidon with DQ as a result
@ped
What a bloody idiot. Couldn’t believe it when I saw the coverage, it wasn’t even subtle.
In other news, who knew I would become a fan of Tom Dumoulin? And I enjoyed Chaves’ cheeky grin, too.
@frank
Sorry Frank , great photo but from the Giro, where Fuente made his best battles against Eddy Merkx.
To illustrate an article of the Vuelta 2015 , I suggest a more contextual photo.
regards
Jaia
@jaia
Such as…this?
Nibbles crashes, see’s Aru riding off in to the distance, thinks “Fuck it, what have I got to lose?”. Gets a nice 3 week break watching the Vuelta on TV with the rest of us. He’s not been the first, and won’t be the last so save your indignation for the real douchebags.
I could totally understand it if he was actually on his own, but to get towed off so blatantly from first wheel of the chasing group (and with a helicopter overhead!) is just a total dumbarse move. Hilarious!
@Canucklehead
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)
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.
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).
@RobSandy
cyclingnews.com and lavuelta.com are the ones I’m reading.
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!
Forenza Nibali
@wiscot
Frank simply rigorously adheres to Rule #43, or doesn’t he?
@wiscot
It was embarrassing, that’s what it was. Fucking shambolic and it disappointed me more than I thought it would.
@PT
This level of literacy is one of the key things that keeps me coming back here. Well-played, @PT.
@teleguy57
I think Getafix the Druid’s brew is probably on the WADA list.