Comments on: Velominati Super Prestige: la Vuelta a Espana

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Thu, 30 Sep 2010 19:53:56 +0000

Well my tactics in expecting Mosquera to be DQ’ed have borne fruit. Frank we need a re-count…

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:20:52 +0000

The more promising French riders are now leaving Vaconsoleil. Ricco has a few problems, not least that ertswhile team leader Bjorn Leukemanns seems to hate his guts and his pointless* presence on the team. Not sure how Mozzies presence is going to be received, but at least he has a point*

*Mozzie in fact has a lot more UCI points than RIcco who has none, therefore being no benefit to Vaconsoleil other than for notoriety purposes

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 22:53:05 +0000

@frank
I’m not altogether a Garmin fan (and I’ve really gone cold on Corn fed), but I became a big Hesjedal fan this summer and it’s hard not to like these guys for the Spring Classics. Thor, Ryder, Haus? These guys could be fierce. They still need a GC rider, though, because I can’t see O Hesjedal doing better than he did this summer in the TdF, and Banged and Felled just doesn’t have it, in my opinion.

Re. Mosquera: is this really a move up? At 35 and riding alongside Ricco? Maybe he does the Vuelta again, but he seems to be more of a GT rider, and how many invites are Vacansoleil really going to get? They couldn’t even get a Tour invite even with one of the more promising French riders in their stable. He had a terrific Vuelta, and he made a number of those stages much more interesting, but methinks he’s on the tapering side of his career and cashing in with a good contract. Good on him, but I think we’ve seen his best. Am I the only one who put him in the top five in the VSP? I’m not sure I will for next year.

By: frank

frank — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 21:15:03 +0000

@Steampunk

Back to racing (this is a thread about racing, right?). I'm sorry we see Mosquera only once a year.

Wish granted.

By: frank

frank — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 13:56:01 +0000

@john
Looks like the Schlecks are ruthlessly recruiting their entire support squad over from Saxo:
http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/09/news/report-cancellara-to-join-schleck-brothers_141834

Garmin with Thor…now that’s a combination that’s hard not to like. Unless you don’t like Garmin and/or you don’t like Thor, but I like ’em both and Brett says I’m allowed to like whoever I want.

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 06:27:03 +0000

The rest day changes are killing me! 3 in the top 5 for La Vuelta, and no points!

By: john

john — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 01:07:40 +0000

@frank Is there another John out there I don't know about? Sheeeit, I better start paying attention. The Worlds, there is a rough one. I'm not betting on Cav. If Fabooo signs with the Dark Side(Team Sky) I'll be weepin'. He must go Swiss and do the BMC thang. I've taken some comfort that Sky has not dominated the season as I had feared. It goes to show, it still is not easy to win any race no matter how big your budget is. Maybe Garmin will finally win a classic with Thor.

By: frank

frank — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:53:50 +0000

@Steampunk Also Paris-Tours; Wold Road Race Championships, October 3 Paris-Tours, October 10 Giro di Lombardia, October 16 Anything can still happen; a perfect score is worth 15 points in a one-day!

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:42:14 +0000

Just the Worlds and Lombardy left?

By: frank

frank — Mon, 20 Sep 2010 22:09:49 +0000

@all
Well, the VSP Standings are officially updated. The competition is slanting strongly towards Andy, who has opened up an 11 point gap over Geoff. John and Steampunk are in the running, and Hawkeye is quickly moving up the standings as well.

1 Andy 56 points
2 Geoff 45 points
3 John 44 points
4 Steampunk: 42 points
5 Frank 39 points
6 Hawkeye 39 points
7 Rob 38 points
8 Joe 35 points
9 Jarvis 35 points
10 Marcus: 35 point
11 Brett 33 point
12 Robert Marques: 30 point
13 Scott 26 points
14 Roadslave 25 points
15 Marko 24 points
16 Ben 19 points
17 Pont 15 points
18 Souleur: 10 points
19 Crossy: 10 points
20 Nathan Edwards: 7 points
21 KitCarson 6 points
22 Daniel 5 points
23 David: 2 points
24 Dan O 2 points
25 Joshua 2 points
26 David 1 points
27 Sgt 1 points
29 James 0 points
30 Jim 0 points
31 Ben: 0 points
32 Dale: 0 points
33 Cyclops 0 points
34 Houdini 0 points

By: john

john — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 18:32:16 +0000

@Collin I remember Cipo and another Italian rode off the front in the Giro, kept going until they were out of sight and then turned around and rode back toward the peloton, just to create mayhem and to amuse. And Kelly used to drag an empty coke can on the tarmac as it sounds like a bike crash, just to mess with the field.

By: frank

frank — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 17:55:25 +0000

T-BONE!!

That closes out the VSP Vuelta; Andy wins, with Bem taking green and Marcus takes the dotty jumper.

1 Andy 17 points
2 Jarvis 13 points
3 Hawkeye 13 points
4 KitCarson 5 points
5 Steampunk 4 points
6 Roberto Marques 4 points
7 Geof 3 points
8 Marcus 2 points
9 Frank 2 points
13 Sgt 1 point
10 John 1 point
11 Marko 0 points
12 Minion 0 points
14 Nathan Edwards 0 points
15 Ben 0 points
16 Brett 0 points
17 Cyclops 0 points

By: frank

frank — Sun, 19 Sep 2010 04:33:41 +0000

@Nathan Edwards, @Jarvis I forgot to make changes, but would have befallen the same fate as you had I managed it.

By: Nathan Edwards

Nathan Edwards — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 21:01:07 +0000

@Jarvis That's all mine did too... though you'll notice, that of my original picks, 3 of them got top 10, but none in top 5... rubbish...

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 20:39:24 +0000

@frank
yes, you will notice that all my changes have succeeded in doing is costing me four points.

By: frank

frank — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 19:32:33 +0000

@Jarvis
You are certainly making a strong push in this edition, that’s for sure!

@all
The overall stays largely the same (including bonus points)

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:07:29 +0000

yeah, thank god for that…couldn’t have been a worse scenario than Mosquera winning GC, not least for my GC chances. As usual I was miles off with the stage

By: frank

frank — Sat, 18 Sep 2010 15:29:07 +0000

What an amazing ride by Nibbles!!

By: Velominati Super Prestige: Vuelta a Espana Stage 20 (Bola del Mundo) â€º Velominati

Thu, 16 Sep 2010 21:31:10 +0000

[…] Keepers VSP Schedule, Rules, & Standings Now Playing on the Velominati Super Prestige:vuelta a espana The station at Bola del […]

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 18:02:19 +0000

Or this?

Arrieta retires...

"In an almost-poetic way to finish his career, Arrieta dropped out of the Spanish Grand Tour at the foot of the Lagos de Covadonga, the same climb which proved too much for five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain..."

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 17:59:34 +0000

Or this?

In an almost-poetic way to finish his career, Arrieta dropped out of the Spanish Grand Tour at the foot of the Lagos de Covadonga, the same climb which proved too much for five-time Tour de France winner Miguel Indurain...

By: Nathan Edwards

Nathan Edwards — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:35:20 +0000

@JarvisAll the pictures I saw on the Garmin site were like that (DM, DZ and TD)... so probably all of them

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 08:02:24 +0000

@frank
the stubby helmets might be something to do with what you see in that picture of Millar. When a rider looks down, the back of the helmet goes up and the full-length aero helmets stick a fair way up into the wind and as such are about as aerodynamic as a brick. The stubby might be an attempt to reduce this problem, perhaps someone worked out that a rider loses more time by sticking a full-faired helmet up into the wind than they do by the loss of aerodynamics provided by the stubby. I imagine it’s very hard keeping your neck in the most aero position for the whole TT and some look down a lot, inc. Millar. Don’t know, but was it all of the Garmin team, or just certain riders?

@Steampunk
That was biopace and it was done with by ’92. What people didn’t think to do was use them on TT bikes rather than road bikes. I don’t know what went wrong with bio-pace, but they were horrible, perhaps they weren’t extreme enough. These new ‘rings seem to have taken off though.

By: Collin

Collin — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 02:26:44 +0000

From my homeboy Dave Zabriskie’s blog, in reference to his break in Stage 14:

“One thing I left out about yesterday’s update was that when I blew I hid in a driveway until the field passed. As a result some people never thought I got caught until everything was done. But today Phillipe Gilbert told me he saw me hiding and was cracking up.”

What other sorts of pranks do people pull in the peloton? Or are they mostly all taking themselves too seriously?

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:32:51 +0000

@frank Actually, it was the orange chainring that caught my eye before the helmet. Still trying to decide if that's awesome or hideous. How many riders are rocking the ovoid? I seem to remember Wiggins on one and Sastre and, of course, Julich, but I thought this experiment was pretty much done a decade ago.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Thu, 16 Sep 2010 01:27:32 +0000

frank : Personally, I think it has to do with how much time they work at it. I bet a guy like Faboo takes his TT bike out for kicks and is really used to riding it; I bet the Grimps are just like, "Awww...Dad?!? Do I hafta?" every time Bjarne sternly tells them to climb aboard. The more they practice, the more aero they get, the faster they get...

You could be right, but I'm having a very hard time believing that even the free-spirited Schlecks (as Riis called them recently"”maybe just Andy) would put off that kind of training, especially since they're mere seconds out of being world beaters.

Jarvis :As for some riders ability to TT and climb and other to fail miserably at TTing, it's not about the amount of power one or the other has or hasn't, otherwise the Grimps wouldn't be able to climb with the best. I think it mainly comes down to technique, climbing is a lot more about power-to-weight, while in the TT you have to be able to convert that power into speed rather than just combating gravity. So smoothness of stroke and body, mental aptitude and a big one, the shape of your body. Simply put, some people fold themselves into an aero shape better than others.

You probably nailed it there.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:10:55 +0000

What’s up with the stubby helmets Garmin’s using? Haven’t noticed them before.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 21:06:57 +0000

@Jarvis, @Steampunk, @Marko All good points. It's a weird one, this. I'm not even expecting them to keep up with Faboo or anything, but the gap is enormous. WTF? Personally, I think it has to do with how much time they work at it. I bet a guy like Faboo takes his TT bike out for kicks and is really used to riding it; I bet the Grimps are just like, "Awww...Dad?!? Do I hafta?" every time Bjarne sternly tells them to climb aboard. The more they practice, the more aero they get, the faster they get... Have you gotten out the the extensions on a full TT bike going full tilt? It's scary as fuck. I can imagine practice would help out.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:44:11 +0000

@Steampunk

Methinks I should be on 5, with J-Rod falling to fifth place after the TT.

Right you are; I missed Mosquera in your list. Updated. Thanks.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:16:39 +0000

As for some riders ability to TT and climb and other to fail miserably at TTing, it’s not about the amount of power one or the other has or hasn’t, otherwise the Grimps wouldn’t be able to climb with the best. I think it mainly comes down to technique, climbing is a lot more about power-to-weight, while in the TT you have to be able to convert that power into speed rather than just combating gravity. So smoothness of stroke and body, mental aptitude and a big one, the shape of your body. Simply put, some people fold themselves into an aero shape better than others.

Take Wiggo for example. Could always TT, lose a bit of the chub and he goes up hills. The Grimps, could always climb, but all the might of Riis tactical nous and Specialized bikes and likely wind tunnel work and practice and the gains are a lot smaller.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 20:05:38 +0000

Saturday will be interesting, less than 30 seconds covering 4th through 9th and Nibbles only has 40 seconds on Vaconsoleils new signing. I could come in nicely here, or blow bigger than J-Rod did last week.

I reckon Nibbles will hold on by seconds, Velits will bomb to fifth behind FGrimp and J-Rod

By: sgt

sgt — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 19:55:11 +0000

At the risk of downplaying the biomechanics, I gotta think one’s ability to apply The V to oneself, rather than to others plays a big part. AC found himself down at the first time check in the final TdF TT, but was able to V himself back, and Spartacus seems to have some serious internal dynamism, as he showed in the Spring and on the cobbles in July. I personally find myself on the rivet a lot more on group rides as opposed to solo training… for some reason I can’t bring myself to sit in as much as I probably should, but I have to really focus on drilling it when I’m solo. Maybe Les Grimps have the same affliction?

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:54:47 +0000

@Marko Bertie is certainly the anomaly here. I presume the big factor is power, since all of the traditionally strong time trialists tend to be bigger men. Technique is also crucial, since cutting down on energy loss and wind resistance are crucial factors (maybe this is where Bertie picks up points). Watching Spartacus, you could almost cut him off at the waist, given how little his upper body moves (this is technique and power). Compare with J-Rod, who was all over the road today. Schleck, too, for that matter. Presumably size can help, too, when dealing with a tailwind. The bigger mass will get more push. Going uphill, you need to factor in a weight-to-power ratio more carefully, and Spartacus's extra fifty pounds are extra cargo he has to haul up the hill. I'm sure there's a much better and more articulate explanation, but that's what I've been figuring...

By: Marko

Marko — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 18:38:34 +0000

@frank
It is an interesting conundrum. Does it come down to position on the bike and rider weight? It seems, as I’m no time trialist and quickly getting too fat to climb again, that both require the use of slow twitch muscles (as opposed to sprinting) and being able to sustain high cardio for longer periods. Certainly this is why we’ve seen so many GT champions succeed at both disciplines. However, Jo-Keen is pretty pinner at 120lbs and Frank, albeit a tall drink of water, still only tops the scales at 130. Faboo has close to fitty pounds on Frank (and a much smoother stroke). Maybe if Le Grimps keep drinking beer and eat a few sandwiches they’ll be contenders one day. But then again, Bertie is certainly no hulk. I’m confused.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:41:30 +0000

@frank Methinks I should be on 5, with J-Rod falling to fifth place after the TT. Looking forward to Saturday!

By: frank

frank — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 17:01:06 +0000

@Marko

When are they going to start offering time trial clinics in Luxembourg?

HA! I was just pondering how it's possible that someone with the power and the head to go uphill like that can suck so completely against the clock. To beat a TT specialist? No. But 55th? And J-Rod? 105th? Seriously. 'Sup.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:58:33 +0000

@all

We took a beating in the VSP…holy buckets.

1 Andy 17 points
2 Jarvis 14 points
3 Hawkeye 13 points
4 Steampunk 5 points
5 Geof 3 points
6 KitCarson 3 points
7 John 3 points
8 Marcus 2 points
9 Frank 2 points
13 Roberto Marques 1 point
10 Sgt 1 point
11 Marko 0 points
12 Minion 0 points
14 Nathan Edwards 0 points
15 Brett 0 points
16 Ben 0 points
17 Cyclops 0 points

Thank Merckx I forgot to update my picks. My changes would have had me in the negative, but now I hold onto a whopping 2 points.

As usual, check my numbers. Next year we’ll have a big, fancy automated system.

Big surprise for me was that Faboo got the big ol’ how’s your father.

By: Marko

Marko — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 16:38:21 +0000

When are they going to start offering time trial clinics in Luxembourg?

By: Joshua

Joshua — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:54:44 +0000

“Peter Velitz gets a fist full of scalps today.” Brilliant commentary. F-ing brilliant.

By: ben

ben — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 15:47:27 +0000

Well, fudge. I still love you, J-ROD.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Wed, 15 Sep 2010 14:29:03 +0000

Did you just see that? Garcia rolls down the ramp at the start of the TT and immediately has to change his from wheel. I don’t have sound on my computer – did he flat as he hit the pavement from the ramp?

By: sgt

sgt — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:28:22 +0000

Standing pat (although I know LL ain’t gonna make it happen, I gotta dance with the gang I brought)
Been a really interesting race so far, we’ll see if J Rod can out-TT the Grimp (I think no) plus we got big mountains in Stage 20. I kinda like Nibali at this point…

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 17:00:55 +0000

Rest Day changes

1. J-Rod
2. Grimpenheimer the Elder
3. Nibali
4. Tommy D
5. Sastre

By: ben

ben — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 15:33:24 +0000

Rest day pick-change

Flip J-Rod for Frankenclimb…

1. J-ROD (was #5)
2. Papa Tiempo Sastre
3. Nibali
4. Menchov
5. Frankenclimb (was #1)

By: Brett

Brett — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:56:07 +0000

Ok, rest day subs…

1: J-Rod
2: ~~Invisible Denis~~ Nibbles
3: Carlo’s Ashtray… he’ll smoke em at home.
4: Old Grimp
5: ~~Rugs~~ Roche

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 09:21:41 +0000

Rest day changes:
1. Nibali
2. F.Grimp
3. Xavi Toto
4. ~~Invisible Denis~~ Nico
5. J Rod

By: Nathan

Nathan — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:47:06 +0000

Rest Day changes…

1. J-Rod in for Roman (I figure Nibali will beat him in the TT so this doesn’t break the Piti Principle)
2. Tommy Danielson
3. Car-lose
4. Roche
5. Nibali

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 07:23:16 +0000

@frank
there are certain benefits to lying on the floor most of the day. Except I was out with the kids when Schleck attacked and got back for the last 3km. Stupid ki…oh

By: frank

frank — Tue, 14 Sep 2010 00:24:17 +0000

@Steampunk

Also, that could also have been some of the best and most explosive riding I've ever seen from a Schleck today.

That was rad. You know what the worst of it was? I had a conference call from 7am to 8am which let out about 10 minutes early. I rushed upstairs, turned on the tele and watched for a few minutes. Then got on the next call at 8 and got off around 8:45. I MISSED ALL OF IT. Stupid job. @Brett Actually, I was thinking of Oscar Sevilla, but Rujano is better! *And I just put him in the queue for e-riders of the 00's.* @Hawkeye

I wonder if they ever did wind tunnel testing to see if the enormity of Rujano's ears when compared to the tininess of his body gave him a net gain or loss over the average pro in the peloton?

Back in 2003, on April Fools day, CyclingNews.com posted an article that the UCI was suspending Pantani for getting cosmetic surgery to have his ears tacked back and that equated to altering your body for performance enhancement. I swallowed the story hook, line, and sinker. I was incensed that the UCI would do that to him after all he'd been through.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:18:18 +0000

Also, that could also have been some of the best and most explosive riding I’ve ever seen from a Schleck today.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:15:27 +0000

If Menchov can make up an hour on the ITT, I could have all five of my picks in the top five. Just sayin’…

By: Hawkeye

Hawkeye — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 23:05:36 +0000

I wonder if they ever did wind tunnel testing to see if the enormity of Rujano’s ears when compared to the tininess of his body gave him a net gain or loss over the average pro in the peloton?

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:25:28 +0000

@Jarvis Yeah, he did, but it was actually in 2003. Before his Giro break-out ride.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 07:01:53 +0000

@Brett
did Rujano ever test positive? I thought he just didn’t achieve anything and then went through three teams a year

By: Brett

Brett — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 05:06:31 +0000

frank :
,
that guy who looked like a kid whose name I can't remember

Jose Rujano... now there's an evanescent rider of the 00s! Came from nowhere, almost won the Giro, got the big contract, tested positive, disappeared, now on the comeback trail.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:49:36 +0000

@frank The only thing I could imagine was that it was some tribute to Pantani (which Anton's was on Stage 11). But if that's case, Anton's was much cooler.

By: frank

frank — Mon, 13 Sep 2010 00:39:18 +0000

@Jarvis, @Steampunk A lot of these guys are stuck in contracts that don't allow them to change. Only guys like Botero, Heras, and that guy who looked like a kid whose name I can't remember rode well enough to garner a big enough incentive to break the contract. A lot of these riders are nearly held captive by their contracts u till they expire; 100k Euro buy-out clause for a guy making 30k? Sorry, not gonna happen. @Steampunk I was wondering the same thing. He topped the list in the fast-becoming competitive world of over-contemplated, stupid salutes. What's wrong with just putting your arms in the air?

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 22:05:52 +0000

@Jarvis I've wondered the same. He spent a fair amount of time in Portugal. Late bloomer? His Vuelta results have all occurred since he turned 30 (which"”I know, I know"”provokes further suspicion); maybe less appealing as opposed to the promise of an up-and-comer?

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:34:25 +0000

@Jarvis One point, no points, same dif. Not 15 though.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:25:42 +0000

@Brett
it’s one point for those in your top-5, but out of position as it were, so J-rod in second gets you a point

@Steampunk
just opinion. But I do wonder why he isn’t on a ProTour team, I would have thought they’d be queuing up for a guaranteed GT top-10. Ah well, perhaps he’s happy being a hometown home-boy.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:08:09 +0000

@frank Can anyone enlighten me on J-Rod's salute at the line the other day? Was he pretending to be a pirate, covering one eye? Can't decide whether it was uber-cool or massive fail.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:07:05 +0000

@Jarvis Let's leave the unsubstantiated accusations for the cyclingnews forums, shall we? If we've seen anything this year, it's that riders can't expect to perform well in more than one grand tour in a year. Nibali, who took the TdF off, may turn out to have the year's best two performances. J-Rod is the only one to manage good back-to-back grand tours, so he might be forgiven for blowing up. As for Mosquera, he rides well and does so with some style. If it comes to it, I'll be happy to contribute a guest piece on evanescent riders of the twenty-first century.

By: Brett

Brett — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 21:05:58 +0000

I shouldn’t have any points by my reckoning, ie JRod is in 2nd, I have him for 1st.

And JRod’s shorts are too long. Knew I should’ve put Nibbes in when Pisshead Schleck was dumped.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:25:55 +0000

@frank
but at least we have seen J-Rod blow-up big-time. Mosquera, hasb’t had a bad day yet, always attacking. In fact he is micro-dosing his attacks. Little and often, gain a little here and there, enough to be consistent.

I should be on 17 points. Not that it makes much difference

By: frank

frank — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 20:01:40 +0000

@Jarvis

Far too similar to Sella, but at least he's not killing it so obviously.

I feel the same way about Rodriquez. His podium act yesterday was also a bit flashy; a little too much, a little too quickly?

By: frank

frank — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:57:04 +0000

@all 1 Andy 25 points 2 Hawkeye 21 points 3 Jarvis 16 17 points 4 Brett 15 points 5 Geof 11 points 6 Steampunk 3 points 7 Ben 2 points 8 KitCarson 2 points 9 Marcus 1 point 13 Roberto Marques 1 point 10 Cyclops 1 point 11 Nathan Edwards 1 point 12 Frank 1 point 14 Marko 0 points 15 Minion 0 points 16 Sgt 0 points 17 John 0 points Andy takes the lead in the VSP. Please double-check my figures here.

By: frank

frank — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:44:15 +0000

@Steampunk

Mosquera climbs out of the saddle the way Cuddles would if he didn’t look so terrible doing it…I rarely get out of the saddle while climbing, churning a fairly steady cadence from a seated position (like Basso, if I wanted to flatter myself). I’d love to be able to get out of the saddle like this.

When I’m peaking, I can do it, but for the most part, I’m with you. I know it would be better to get up every now and again, but I just glue my ass to the seat and never get up. More like an Ullrich than a Grimplet.

By: frank

frank — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:35:32 +0000

@Jarvis I have to say, I have a newfound respect for how in-line his decals are. I guess that puts him up a notch, to Notch One. The one-handed wheelie and rodeo ass-slap will garner 7 notches to put him into The Fan Book. @ron I was absolutely certain people were going down, but they kept it together. I guess riders aren't willing to die for a stage win like they are at the Tour.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 19:32:25 +0000

@Steampunk
We see to much of him. I only have one question and that is, why is someone who has got repeated top-10’s in a Grand Tour not riding ProTour?

Far too similar to Sella, but at least he’s not killing it so obviously.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 16:47:09 +0000

@Steampunk
Mosquera climbs out of the saddle the way Cuddles would if he didn’t look so terrible doing it. While Cadelephant looks as though he’s suffering, Mosquera looks effortless. As always, I admire something I can’t/don’t do: I rarely get out of the saddle while climbing, churning a fairly steady cadence from a seated position (like Basso, if I wanted to flatter myself). I’d love to be able to get out of the saddle like this, but I climb well for my weight and I guess I have the power from a seated position. Heigh-ho…

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sun, 12 Sep 2010 15:47:40 +0000

Will say it again: I’m sorry we don’t see more of Mosquera. He’s going to get killed in the ITT, but he dances nicely in a big gear going uphill.

By: Hawkeye

Hawkeye — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 23:59:14 +0000

Nibali
J-Rod
FSchleck
Rochey
And TommyD

That would be the current incarnation of the selections for me. Post rest day swaps, then Anton cluster fuck.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:57:08 +0000

Bizarrely I almost put Roche in my original selection, but then settled on him not cracking a top-5 but getting in the top-10.

1. Nibali
2. F.Grimp
3. ~~Anton~~ Xavi Toto
4. Invisible Denis
5. J Rod

By: Roberto Marques

Roberto Marques — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:54:10 +0000

Plese @frank, put Mr. Tondo in 1st…that was very unlucky from our side Anton!

By: Nathan Edwards

Nathan Edwards — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 18:18:37 +0000

@frank
Anton was doing a great wild card for me… when’s the rest day, I’m gonna need to swap Roman out, he’s miles out of it.

So I’ll just slide Roche up and put Nibali in 5th if that’s ok

1. Roman
2. Tommy Danielson
3. Car-lose
4. Roche
5. Nibali

By: frank

frank — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 16:52:07 +0000

@Jarvis @all I'll be updating the VSP today, but in the meantime get your changes for Anton in.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 15:11:06 +0000

Anton has just scraped himself along the road and into retirement. More changes…

By: ron

ron — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 14:16:14 +0000

That was an excellent finish – that big right hander and then a good sprint. I watched on Eurosport and the announcer was pretty sure someone was going to crash in the turn, but everyone managed to keep it up.

I loved the bunny hop too, but hey, I’ve always liked Cav. I think he brings a lot to the sport and he at least has something to say. Then again, cyclists are either smarter or more introspective than most other athletes; pedaleurs tend to actually say things while many others just talk in cliches.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 11:56:42 +0000

@Jarvis Perhaps what the bunny hop was for? To get them in-line (having noticed at 75kph that they weren't)?

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 10:19:02 +0000

I know most people pretty much hate Cav, but what no-one has noticed is that in the really good side-on picture, Cav's wheel decals are almost perfectly in-line. The man has style...

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 07:34:00 +0000

@minion
I think the manufacturer would be loving the fact that Cav bunny-hopped the line on their wheels, because it shows that they don’t fold on a whim. Sadly for them – and you, as it stops that version of Cav-bashing – HTC-Columbia don’t have a wheel sponsor and buy all their wheels.

By: minion

minion — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 05:53:55 +0000

And keeping up the fine record of Kiwis in bike races that matter,

http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/other-sports/4119907/Star-Kiwi-cyclists-expected-to-be-fit-for-world-champs

Apparently Rolly’s pretty banged up and Jules was never going to survive in the mountains, always planned on cutting out after 2 weeks…

By: minion

minion — Sat, 11 Sep 2010 05:50:54 +0000

frank :
@ben
OK. For the record: If Cav ever pops a wheelie over the line, I will be a fan. Agreed?

God no. If Cav ever pops a wheelie again I wholeheartedly expect him to be beaten to death by his wheel sponser. We have to pay for those f@#king things, if you get given 18 sets a year keep it in your pants.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:30:20 +0000

Roberto Marques :
By the way...I was just reading all the compact crankset discussion and what I have to say is that I use one and as @Cyclops wrote, it was one of the best things I have done on my road bike. My climbing got better (I am closer to Livewrong pedal style than to Ulrich) and I really don`t miss the 53Ã—11 when I am ridding on the bunch above 40km/h.
But for sure 53Ã—39 are much more stylish...

...and when my new SRAM Force gruppo shows up on Monday and I switch out my old DA 9sp and get back my 11T(x50=122") I'll have more top end than when I was running the 53x12 which only gave me 119"

By: frank

frank — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 17:10:02 +0000

@Cyclops I thought the bunny hop was kinda lame. Next time, I want to see him pop a one-handed wheelie and rodeo-slap his own ass.

By: Roberto Marques

Roberto Marques — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:40:49 +0000

By the way…I was just reading all the compact crankset discussion and what I have to say is that I use one and as @Cyclops wrote, it was one of the best things I have done on my road bike. My climbing got better (I am closer to Livewrong pedal style than to Ulrich) and I really don`t miss the 53×11 when I am ridding on the bunch above 40km/h.
But for sure 53×39 are much more stylish…

By: Roberto Marques

Roberto Marques — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 16:30:30 +0000

guys what a nice surprise to see myself on the top…if I win another GT Super Prestige do I get a special prize? I think it`s fair…

Does anyone please post the video of Cav bunny-hopp? I lost these one…

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:49:44 +0000

I liked Cavendish’s interview afterward. I think his stock is going up.

By: Cyclops

Cyclops — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:46:29 +0000

DUDE!!! He did you one better and bunny-hopped it. Tugs at this old BMXer’s heart it does.

By: frank

frank — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:44:10 +0000

@ben OK. For the record: If Cav ever pops a wheelie over the line, I will be a fan. Agreed?

By: frank

frank — Fri, 10 Sep 2010 15:39:55 +0000

@all
Boy, those Dutchies sure know how to ride a bike pretty. That is all class and grace, right there.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 20:17:06 +0000

@ben
not a reference, just his words.

By: ben

ben — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:41:39 +0000

Jarvis :this is probably where my wave breaks and rolls back.

Is that a Hunter S. Thompson reference?

By: ben

ben — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:40:54 +0000

@me Er, first SPRINT win by HTC.

By: ben

ben — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 17:10:00 +0000

I’m a fan of Cavendish in the same way I’m a fan of Kanye West – and it would appear that in the last few weeks, both have turned over new leaves – still remaining their unbelievably ostentatious selves, but somehow gaining humility.

Goss was offered HTC’s first Vuelta win – a gift – thrice offered, thrice refused if the video is correct – on account of the gap Goss had afforded them, allowing for a Heckle and Jeckle “after you! no, after YOU!” routine. Class stuff there. Power and class. Shirty verdy icon aside, I like that Cav more and more, especially when he’s the underdog.

By: Jarvis

Jarvis — Thu, 09 Sep 2010 00:00:18 +0000

@frank
nothing wrong with the jerseys, stop fussing. I see I’ve reached 5th, this is probably where my wave breaks and rolls back.

I reckon Grimpfer will pick up in the third week. Will be interesting over the next week or so deciding who to replace Invisible Invisible Denis. No chance am I risking Mosquera, a likely candidate for a doping violation if ever there was one.

By: Marcus

Marcus — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 23:20:13 +0000

@Nof Landrien Interesting rule of thumb - there are 3000m of climbing at this years World Champs, all in the last 180kms. Anyone still think its a sprinters' course? A Vuelta jersey badge of any kind is better than none.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:45:40 +0000

@frank
I’ve already submitted my complaint that the Vuelta badges have pecs and my TdF jaune looks too fat to climb.

By: frank

frank — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 22:36:28 +0000

@Steampunk

What the hell happened to the Silent Assassin?

He was silent but nonviolent. Who else thinks the jersey badges for the Vuelta suck? I'm going to have to work on better ones.

By: Steampunk

Steampunk — Wed, 08 Sep 2010 21:07:36 +0000

A couple of big finishes for Grimpelder and Mosquera attacking J-Rod one more time and I’ll be pleased as punch. What the hell happened to the Silent Assassin? I decided not to change him, because I thought he was a decent ITT out of the top five. Now, I’m not so sure…