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.

View Comments

  • @wiscot

    The NBC Sports Gold cycling package (I think I paid $29.00 for 6 months) is broadcasting the Vuelta live on its website. Well worth it for those of us in the USA.

  • @dancollins

    @wiscot

    The NBC Sports Gold cycling package (I think I paid $29.00 for 6 months) is broadcasting the Vuelta live on its website. Well worth it for those of us in the USA.

    0

    I'm in the US but get my TV "over the air" these days. Cut the cable a few years back. That's not too bad a price though . . .

  • @wiscot

    @dancollins

    @wiscot

    The NBC Sports Gold cycling package (I think I paid $29.00 for 6 months) is broadcasting the Vuelta live on its website. Well worth it for those of us in the USA.

    0

    I’m in the US but get my TV “over the air” these days. Cut the cable a few years back. That’s not too bad a price though . . .

    0

    I only get "over the air", too.  But the NBC Sports Gold is something that you can get through your computer, tablet or (maybe) a smart TV app.  I put the app on my tablet so I can watch from anywhere.  Well, except from my place of employment - they would frown at that.

  • @MangoDave

    I believe Dave is correct. As long as you have internet access, I think you can purchase the NBC Sports Gold cycling app. I don't think you need a TV subscription through cable, etc.

  • @MangoDave

    I believe Dave is correct. I don't think you need a TV subscription to NBC Sports. As long as you have access to the internet, you can buy the NBC Sports Gold cycling package app. I watch it on my laptop and on my smartphone.

  • We have highlights on Itv4. Which means I have to endure that Watchfinder bastard again.

  • @RobSandy

    Managed to avoid him so far - thanks to the ITV4 schedulers p*ssing around with the time so that whenever I get chance to watch there is womens rubgy or some scousers playing football instead, and la Vuelta is on way past my bedtime!

  • Commuted to my office today on my white bike! Everyone needs a white bike. Simple, clean, sexy! As much as I like my flashy Tommasini paint job, I love having a white/black bike and wearing white/black kit.  A moving Peugeot jersey!!

  • @Ron

    Commuted to my office today on my white bike! Everyone needs a white bike. Simple, clean, sexy! As much as I like my flashy Tommasini paint job, I love having a white/black bike and wearing white/black kit. A moving Peugeot jersey!!

    0

    Photos please. (or it didn't happen!)

    Is there a most combative rider award at the Vuelta? We all know Thomas DeGendt was robbed of that award at the Tour, but here he is again at the Vuelta doing the same thing. Kicking ass and taking names every day in breakaways. Chapeau!

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