Velominati Super Prestige: Tour de France 2012, 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.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sorensen
2. Cobo
3. Taaramae
4. Nibali
5. Cadel Evans
I’m backing Froome to crack spectacularly and admit he isn’t as good as he thinks, and apologise
JVDB is the big danger man for Wiggo, so I expect him to do the most damage – Cuddles will chase after him and explode, Wiggo will slowly wander back to their wheels but not quite
Nibbles to go long range and fail spectacularly, but we will love him all the more for it
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Nibbles
3. VJvG
4. If he were mine, I’d slap his fa
5. Rolland
@scaler911
Schoolboy error on the photo – your handlebar is obscuring the view
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Nibbles
3. VJvG
4. If he were mine, I’d slap his fa
5. Rolland
Okay, a bit of sanity has prevailed. But just a bit.
VSP PICKS:
1. The Constant van Garderen
2. Rawhide
3. Pinot Noir
4. The understudy
5. Cuddles
So, last month I did this http://app.strava.com/rides/11536392 followed the next day, by this http://app.strava.com/rides/11536390 – so I can categorically say that it is not possible for mere mortals to do this all in one go, even leaving the beautiful Mary White climb off the start
As these are not mortals who are doing this, I am taking the day off, telling the wife I am looking after the kids, invite a cycling mate and his kids around for the day -we will at this point, lock ourselves in the TV room from 9.30am, for what I expect to be a 16 hour day of racing (unless they do not stop for a meal at the top of each climb, as we did / had to) – the only time I shall unlock the door, will be to slap the kids, or get more beer from the fridge – the BBQ will be rolled up to the window of the TV room to allow grazing on mostly processed meat
Can anyone better that for their plans tomorrow?
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Nibbles
3. VJvG
4. If he were mine, I'd slap his fa
5. Rolland
Pretty sure Sky and BMC are not gonna let any breakaway get any good time tomorrow, it’s too late in the game…
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Evans
3. Wiggins
4. Nibali
5. Schleck
Patriotism affecting the selection of the winner.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Nibali
3. Sorenson
4. Van Den Broeck
5. Wiggins
@Dr C Strong work. Will the kids also be locked into another room or are you just hoping that they’ll still be there when you wake up on Thursday morning? Why not drag the fridge into the TV room to avoid leaving the room?
I’m planning on working from home. No really, I’ve got loads to do. I am, however, going to go and do my first TT in the evening. Unless Cambridgeshire has suddenly spouted a few HC climbs it’ll be a bit flatter. I’m sure the wind will make up for it.
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Nibali
3. Rolland
4. JVDB
5. Froome
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Froome
3. Wiggo
4. van Garderen
5. Pinot
@Chris
I think it is illegal to lock your kids in a room these days, so only option is to lock ones self in a room
Good luck with the TT – I shall have to get out too, as I am sure the nervous exhaustion will prevent sleep otherwise
Enjoy the carnage
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Pinot
3. Nibali
4. Rolland
5. Van Den Broeck
Speaking of Climbing – I got my first Strava KOM last night. “I was flying!”
VSP PICKS:
1. TJ Vanvandervanden
2. Cuddles
3. Nibbles
4. Vroome
5. Mrs. Viggins
Or not…
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Nibali
3. Evans
4. Van den Brocke
5. Wiggins
Movistar needs to do something. Kudos to Sky for being so dominant, but some teams just haven’t showed up in any way whatsoever. I’m also loving that French youth is being served. Pinot and Rolland are both incredible talents and are receiving the attention they deserved. Rolland’s miscue after Evans punctured means he won’t be let go again, but Pinot is fantastic. Also good to see FDJ draw some results…
VSP PICKS:
1. da Costa
2. Pinot
3. Nibali
4. Evans
5. Van Den Broeck
@Cyclops Do you have a steep driveway or something?
VSP PICKS:
1. wiggins
2. froome
3. nibali
4. cadel
5. tejay
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Evans
3. Wiggins
4. Froome
5. JVDB
@Cyclops
Congratulations, but don’t make us add a new Rule about bragging about your Strava segments.
Should you elect to violate the V-Meter Principle and ride with a computer or HRM and log your rides on Strava, you will refrain from discussing your results. This is akin to discussing HRM zones and power data; should be feel absolutely compelled to do so, it better be in reference to the biggest, most hotly contested climb in your neighborhood and it better not be anything other than 1st place.
@marko
+1
When I was much younger, I saw Jaromir Jagr play in his first NHL season and thought “Man, this guy is going to be GOOD.” Sagan looks the same way now, especially given his power in the mountains for somebody who is supposed to be just a sprinter.
Having said all of that, I have exactly no clue how this stage is going to end up, but could use some new shoes…
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Froome
3. Kessiakov
4. Wiggins
5. Sagan
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Rolland
3. Van Den Broeck
4. Evans
5. Froome
Wishing just wishing for another Pinot stage win….I wonder what Madiot would sound like this time around
VSP PICKS:
1. Pinot
2. Evans
3. Nibali
4. Froome
5. Wiggins
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Kessiakoff
3. Evans
4. Pinot
5. Voeckler
Nibali needs to step it up, but you cannot rule out Kessiakof. Cadel will be pushing it hard all day in a desperate attempt to get a minute or more back from Wiggens. I’d have rather gone for Rolland over Pinot, but Rolland will be punished for attacking during the tack fiasco. Voeckler will be looking for his second stage, but will come up a little short.
um, random?
VSP PICKS:
1. ll sanchez
2. scarponi
3. froome
4. evans a little cuddle could win
5. voeckler
VSP PICKS:
1. kessiakoff
2. rolland
3. nibali
4. pinot
5. froome
VSP PICKS:
1. Rolland
2. Froome
3. Nibali
4. Wiggins
5. JVDB
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Evans
3. Wiggens
4. Froome
5. Van Den Broeck
Pinot wins again with Rolland close behind. Froome gives wild chase for 3rd when Wiggo fails on the Peyresourde and Nibs on his wheel. Finally TJ comes across in 5th with his boat anchor Cuddles telling him to slow down.
VSP PICKS:
1. Pinot
2. Rolland
3. Frooooome
4. Nibbles
5. TJ
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Evans
3. Van den Broeck
4. Rolland
5. Froome
VSP Picks
VSP PICKS:
1. Kessiakoff
2. Rolland
3. Voeckler
4. Scarponi
5. Sorenson
its a killer tough pick, but I think 2 ‘wills’ will prevail today over the purist climbers. Results in the past have been that the top 10 have been predominantly climbers, but Sky will have to ride like billy goats on speed, and I am not sure that putting Cav on the front to climb will enable Sky to maintain position, and Porte et al only have so many matches inthe box to strike.
Right from the get-n-go, there will be serious attacks, Nibbles et al will be in the mood to break legs, and they will. BMC will make the customary sign in sheet and cuddles will be wheelsucking the rest of the ride in. But the others, are hungry, and after the first descent, they peloton will split all over, and eventually I think Sky will struggle to keep composure.
Nonetheless, Jurgen I think will make a great effort and dig for serious time, solidifying himself tomorrow, and we will see a pure climber who is a non threat make a lone wolf ride in. Whats the chance Froome could end up on yellow tomorrow?
VSP PICKS:
1. JJ Cobo
2. Velitis
3. Jurgen VdB
4. Voeckler
5. Kissmycoff
FIIK.
But it will be fun to see a few turn themselves inside out and a few explode. Once I get home from my flat-as-a-pancake 16km commute.
VSP PICKS:
1. Sörensen
2. Voeckler
3. Froome
4. Pinot
5. Scarponi
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. LL Cool S
3. Froome Froome
4. Jurgen VdB
5. Wiggo
It’s getting like 1985 all over again, but hopefully nicer: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/cycling/18877975
No idea on this stage… but Nibali, who goes down faster than a Vegas hooker (to quote Frank), has to get something from this tour.
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibbles
2. VdB
3. Froome
4. Sanchez
5. Kessiakoffoffoff
Okay, I can do this…
Don’t pick Schleck, Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,Don’t pick Schleck,
VSP PICKS:
1. Rolland
2. VdB
3. Nibali
4. Wiggins
5. Evans
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Evans
3. Rolland
4. Wiggins
5. Froome
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Nibali
3. Evans
4. Froome
5. TeeJay
@The Oracle
he has tested + for diuretics. JB is the devil.
VSP PICKS:
1. Rolland
2. Teejay
3. Nibali
4. Froome
5. Martin
Velits for a solo win, Wiggo (heavily aided by Froome Froome) watching Nibbles all the way with JVDB along for the ride.
Evans to detonate in spectacular fashion, probably removing half a hillside in the process.
C’mon shoes…
VSP PICKS:
1. Velits
2. Nibali
3. JVDB
4. Wiggins
5. Froome
VSP PICKS:
1. Evans
2. Nibali
3. Van Den Broek
4. Froome
5. Van Garderen
VSP PICKS:
1. Nibali
2. Rolland
3. Froome
4. Wiggo
5. Evans
Goin’ Spanish on this. And hopin’ Froome drops Wiggo like I drop “g”s.
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Rolland
3. Sanchez
4. Kessiakoff
5. Pinot
Goin’ Spanish on this and hopin’ Froome-Froome will drop Wiggo like I drop “g”s.
VSP PICKS:
1. Froome
2. Nibali
3. Zubeldia
4. Rolland
5. Valverde
@ten B
You’ll have to be a bit less clever in your picks. No clue what you mean. Please dispute the ones not mapped and give me a clue in the explanation box as to who you mean. You have until the picks close to do this, otherwise those picks will go unscored.
VSP PICKS:
1. JVDB
2. Mr. Spaghetti Man
3. Wiggins
4. Tejay
5. Rui Costa
@frank
I’m guessing the Understudy is Froome.
@RedRanger
Looks like that was a very prescient strategy . . .