Velominati Super Prestige: Tour de France 2012, Stage 16

Stage 16

Which bold rider has this stage circled in their tour bible? Wednesday July 18th, Stage 16, 197 km. The day after a the final rest day. A climbing day with two HC climbs followed by two Category 1 climbs and a serious descent toward the finish. The Aubisque, Tourmalet, Aspin and Peyresourde: you better be a fearless climber and a good descender, but a better climber. This is not a stage for Sagan or Fränkie Schleck (sorry Frank). If Wiggo was going to have a bad day, this would be a special one to have it on. And this follows a rest day? Could the weather finally make a difference?  Will the mad tacker return? Will climbers just try to survive this stage to perform on the fearsome Stage 17? More questions than answers in the Velominati Super-Bunker.

All VSP bettors better give an extra shake of the monkey bones before casting them down. Study them well. There is much at stake: Fizik R3s for the winner, 2 pair of DeFeet socks for first loser. The rules are the same as for the first single stage VSP. Points are awarded for correct place only. Delgado might have enjoyed this stage but don’t be like him.

 

 

Gianni

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  • You guys miss me while I was away? Of course you did. I ain't saying what I was doing, but I was camping and riding on some of the most glorious roads in the PNW. AND hot springs, AND, beer. But no real way of keeping up with the TDF due to lack of cell/ wifi coverage. I did manage to harass Frank tho with some bad cell service.

    Hows this for a route boys?

    http://www.mapmyride.com/routes/view/114199809

    Obligatory photo;

  • @scaler911 dion't worry, despite missing all of it you'll probably still have as good an idea as the rest of us!

    That there looks like some pretty riding.

  • What do I know, we don't have mountains over here, heck, we're even trying to build one! (www.diebergkomter.nl)

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Evans
    2. Froome
    3. jvdb
    4. Wiggo
    5. Rolland

  • Hope Stage 16 doesn't let us down in terms of GC drama. I think Cadel will keep his powder dry for the next day but and Nibbles will only be able to attack on the descent.

    On a killer stage such as this, Rolland and Pinot won't be allowed to go in the breakways, so the top 10 will climb Peyresourde together. I still can't see who will win this stage outright, I miss Sammy Sanchez.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Froome
    3. Wiggins
    4. Cuddles
    5. Pinot

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