Seriously. Is it almost September? This was not the agreement, this was supposed to be an endless summer. And all you A-Holes down there in the Antipodes are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel, enjoying longer days and shorter nights. I don’t need to tell you where you can take that, but it’s dark and it smells. I have no patience for the changing of seasons when it means I’m going to be benching Number One and busting out the headlight.
I’m not going to lie to you; the Vuelta is my least-favorite race of the year. Part of it is the parcours-it’s hard enough to get excited about flat sprint stages in the Tour, but these stages in central Spain that go down a straight freeway for hours are just too much for my brain to find interesting. Hey look! There’s another shrub! Wasn’t he a President at one point? There will be some redeeming points of the race, I’m sure, and the shit-steep climbs they dot along the route are certain to be highlights of the season. But after you do the math, this is the grand tour with the weakest field, the worst route, and-most damning-the strongest signal that Summer is coming to an end on the half of the world that matters.
I can’t be bothered to sort out the route and what stages are going to matter, but I’ll tell you this: for the last few years, the winner of the Vuelta VSP has won the VSP GC. A few years back, @Marcus complained that he only lost the VSP because @Nate used the second Rest Day Swaps to his advantage to take the win, but after heavily increasing the penalties, he kept losing. Typical of a man who posts photos of his todger on a Cycling site. (@Nate, your win was clean according to the VCI.) Speaking of which, at worst the Vuelta will distract from Pat McQuaid and his bid for losing the UCI Presidency.
He has a strong lead in the 2013 Anti-V competition, however.
Check the start list, get your picks in, and don’t Delgado this baby; it could be your ticket to the shop apron. Bon chance.
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@Buck Rogers Don't look now, but there are some kids playing on your lawn.
@Buck Rogers No, you are not. Unfortunately it is not hard to be skeptical of GT performances these days; nor is it hard to find data and/or anecdotals evidence to support the skepticism.
I think someone said earlier that maybe now riders that really were naturally gifted, talented if you will, are now getting a fair crack at winning races.
I don't have any evidence other than this. All these riders know that doping is frowned upon and I think it was after the stage two days ago I saw Horner being interviewed after the stage. I find it hard to believe he went through that interview in the manner that he did, that is to say, he didn't look one bit guilty or covering anything up or worried about what'll happen if he gets caught. Was it a supreme piece of acting? I don't know. Sure, I'm surprised by his performance but is it impossible? Dunno.
Did Armstrong do all the above? Well there was always the hint that he was a dick but Horner seems to be a much more jovial chap. Guess well have to wait and see.
Horner. Must be beetroot juice.
@scaler911
Consider it a miracle without the drug. We should all remember that racing and training goes with a healthy dose of patience. Horner has waited long enough and he has certainly learned how to control a race by now.
@scaler911 Just saying Amen to your comment.
@DeKerr
Methuselah is Old Testament. Which is the opposite of post-modern. In almost every way.
I believe what I'm seeing.
I believe: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmWLJmbytkk