The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige makes an unscheduled stop this week at the Tour de Suisse. Originally left off the VSP roster, it was decided among the Keepers that the ‘fourth Grand Tour’ is indeed worthy of inclusion in our humble tipping competition. As one of the final hit-outs for many Tour de France contenders, the Swiss race shows who might be ready to step up in July, who’s needing to pull their finger out, and who might be targeting this race as a worthy addition to their palmares. With a couple of TT’s, stages that could go to the sprinters or a daring breakaway, and some of the most picturesque mountain passes in Europe, it has something for everyone, and anyone could win.
Can Motorcus find an ‘extra gear’ and back up his 09 victory? Will the EgoTesticle show signs of his old self on the bike, or just behave like his old self off it? And are the Brothers Grimpeur finally going to do something, anything?
Let us know your thoughts, and make your picks to pick up a sweet Obey The Rules bumper sticker, in the posts section on this page. For a full rundown on the competition scoring etc, visit our VSP Schedule, Rules and Results page.
Good luck!
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View Comments
@Geof
Yep: ToC is officially the second biggest race in the world. Because, like, that's what the TV said everyday it was on. Which must have made the Giro no. 1, because it was running at the same time and was way better. Man: I guess that means that Americans still don't like the French...
Feel the same way about Kreuziger. Exactly my rationale for putting him on the podium.
I have gone to the cave and seen nothing on the walls so...
1. Andy S.
2. Tony M.
3. Fabian C.
4. Robert G.
5. Frank S.
The guy from Texas is going to get his butt dropped.
@Rob If you've gone into the cave and have seen nothing on the walls, then that means you're insensible.
1: Dodger; He knows he will never win Le Tour, so will put it all on the line for another 'big' win.
2: GaySink; just so I could say that.
3: The Eggtimer; He was shit at ToC, he'll be shit at TdF, and he'll bore everyone into submission here, taking time in the cronos, and hanging on like a turd on a blanket in the hills.
4: F Schluck; coming into a little bit of form, but still saving it for July. Or maybe just not good enough... calling Dr Fuentes, training plan please.
5: Bruseghin; Can TT, that's about all he'll need to do
Argh I feel completely out of form for this....definitely fat.
Martin
Kreuziger
Gilbert
Pharmstrong
Grimpeur the Younger.
Tough decisions....
I'm in.
1.) Schleck senior - he must hate being shown up by his younger brother all the time. I know I am when my brother whips me up the pennines on a 5 speed straight block.
2.) Spartacus - I'm sure his big engine will be running. The hills shouldn't bother him he can just motor his way up.
3.) Tony Martin - I like Tony Martin. I want to see him get on a podium.
4.) Kreuziger - I like this guy too, but I don't know why.
5.) CVV - providing he doesn't fall off within 500m of the start and break, say, his right hip.
@andy
Kudos.
@frank
Thanks - Velominati somehow escaped me for the last year, until my VeloLouisville.com co-conspirator turned me onto it. How fantastic! A cycling website that doesn't look like hammered shit AND has excellent content AND a fantasy league. For a cyclist/web developer/fantasy sport hound like myself, I was smitten. Chapeau.
Regarding my picks, I maintain that Faboo can do it again this year. There are only 2 mountain stages this year as opposed to 4 last year (by steephill's reckoning). The queen stage to Crans-Montana does scare me a little, but Faboo's is dreamy and when I look into his eyes I feel safe.
@ben Nice picks but good luck with that eye "thing"! I too was turned on to the big V not so long ago and am now pathetically being accused by my better 4/5ths that I am spending way too much time here. Luckily she does not add up web time with ride time so I can still get out as much as I want - Welcome.
@david Its a rare day when I am not... and with this jersey still on my back (why is beyond me!) I feel frozen in the head lights, so to speak, when it comes to my picks
I just figured that it isn't hilly enough for the pure climbers like the Brothers Grimpeur, but also too hilly for the likes of Cancellara. Also the TdF contenders aren't peaking yet and so it is a good chance for a second-tier rider who can climb and TT (last day will be important), who will be required to work for the team in France.
The only cheeky intervention is that because some of the stages are lumpy with a hill towards the end, there is the opportunity for, say a one-day rider who can climb a little, to make good in a breakaway and be able to hold on over the bigger stages.
This is harder than the Giro, there are far more options.