Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a España 2017

Holy fuckballs. I’ve never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I’ve missed them entirely – which is another kind of incompetence entirely – but I’m shocked at how quickly this week blew by me. I think I have whiplash.

Be that as it may, the Vuelta is on our doorstep, and before you panic, I’ll leave the picks open until Monday so we have enough time to screw up our picks despite knowing who crashes out in the first few days.

This is actually exciting stuff. We have some serious grudge-matching going on here for the Vuelta. Chris Froome is double-talking, Bardet is trash-talking, and Contador is exit-talking. This could be interesting.

On the subject of Bardet, he is my new Schleck. I love how he looks on the bike, and he’s got a fighting spirit. And he rides a white bike, which is the color bike I’m obsessed with. And I’m equally sure he will never win a major bike race, on account that I fancy him. (Roman, if you are reading this, I ask your forgiveness.)

Alright, I’ll stop faffing about. Check the start list, get your picks in, and let’s get this party started.

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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  • @RobSandy

    @Cary

    @RobSandy

    @Cary

    a) i excluded Bardet from my list based on his final TdF TT, but included Cotador out of sentimentality and well wishes. one good decision cancels a bad one. story of my life.

    …and I took Bardet out based on your comments. Who’s the bigger fool? The fool, or the fool who follows the fool?

    0

    i’ve been trying to figure that out since i was in the Marine Corps. no answers yet.

    0

    Turns out we were right about Bardet after all.

    Typical that the year I might win the VSP the points aren’t being calculated and there doesn’t seem to be any prizes!

    Doesn’t matter, I didn’t enter for the prizes. Like I don’t race for points..

    0

    chapeau to Bardet on a very well contested grand tour season.  don't we kinda have to look at this as proof of clean racing?  ten years ago, you wouldn't see a rider of Bardet's caliber dying like he has.  i'll not forget that final TdF TT, he looked thoroughly eviscerated.

  • @Cary

    Yeh, I like him. He's a battler and looks fucking good on a bike.

    I'd like think he could win the Tour one day, although he might have to wait for Froome to retire!

  • @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

    i wanna do a cogal in England.  i've been all over the world, but the closest i've been to Europe is Rota, Spain.  i'll leave the coffee at home, even.

  • @RobSandy

    @Cary

    Yeh, I like him. He’s a battler and looks fucking good on a bike.

    I’d like think he could win the Tour one day, although he might have to wait for Froome to retire!

    0

    he kindareminds me of Robert Millar in his heyday.

  • @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

    If it transpired we were down at the in-laws that weekend, probably a good chance.

    I've broached the subject and I'll let you know.

  • @Cary

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

    i wanna do a cogal in England. i’ve been all over the world, but the closest i’ve been to Europe is Rota, Spain. i’ll leave the coffee at home, even.

    0

    Let me know if you're ever in South Wales and I'll take you out. I even know where to get good coffee.

    You do like lots of short, very steep climbs don't you?

  • @Cary

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

    i wanna do a cogal in England. i’ve been all over the world, but the closest i’ve been to Europe is Rota, Spain. i’ll leave the coffee at home, even.

    0

    You'd always be welcome to come and stay here.

  • @RobSandy

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

     

    If it transpired we were down at the in-laws that weekend, probably a good chance.

    I’ve broached the subject and I’ll let you know.




    0

    Fingers crossed.

    Re short steep climbs - that's kinda the Surrey Hills for you - and I live on the top of one.  In fact I think it's about the second highest.  Pretty hard to find a flat ride from here.  I do often yearn for one.  Though it does mean that grabbing a quick hour to hour and a half from work can give a decent workout.

     

  • @RobSandy

    @Cary

    @Teocalli

    @RobSandy

    Any chance you might get a pass for the Surrey Soup Cogal on the 16th?

    0

    i wanna do a cogal in England. i’ve been all over the world, but the closest i’ve been to Europe is Rota, Spain. i’ll leave the coffee at home, even.

    0

    Let me know if you’re ever in South Wales and I’ll take you out. I even know where to get good coffee.

    You do like lots of short, very steep climbs don’t you?

    1

    yeah. actually, that's exactly my game!

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