Tuesday, September 17, 2013

The Broom Wagon

La Vuelta!
The old man has his day.
Taco finally gets his day in the sun as his 9th round pick, Chris Horner, claims the biggest win of his career.  Old man Horner looked crazy good and his epic battle on the Angliru may have been the best climb of the year.  Throw in some high finishes by Valverde and Sammy Sanch as well as a some points in the Canadian races and Taco has rocketed from last place to 4th.

Nibbles doesn't like to lose the jersey.
Forza's plan to overtake Bill for second place came up just short, as did Vincenzo Nibali's efforts to win in the Vuelta.  Second place isn't bad at the Vuelta or in the WFL and with a smattering of points here and there, Forza has inched within 27 points of Bill and his coveted second place overall. 

Skinny Spaniards on a sneaky Russian team
Everybody knows how the Commish likes his cyclists; he likes his Spaniards punchy, his Germans chunky and his Russians sneaky.  If Katusha could just sign Degenkolb it would be one stop shopping for Wiskota Dynamic.  JRod and Dani Moreno racked up some nice Vuelta points and of course Sagan tacked on another 80 points like it was nothing.  If Team Wiskota Dynamic can hang in through the Worlds he may have first place sewn up.

Hometown proud
I couldn't find any pictures of Fujarky's Vuelta riders so I snuck in a pick of Wisconsin native Matthew Busche for our one Wisconsin based team.  Pinot actually did really well for him and Ryder snagged some Canadian points keeping Fujarky out of the cellar.

"Its cold, I quit"
Volpe looked to have us all fooled when a resurgent Basso cracked the top 5 of the Vuelta GC standings.  But alas, it got cold one day and Basso, dreaming of his blueberry farm, stepped off his bike and called it a day.  In reality Volpe should be given credit for the efforts of his great Irish hope, Nicholas Roche.  Roche had the ride of his life and was one of the most aggressive in the last week.   Despite this effort Volpe has plummeted to last place and looks to battle it out for the lanterne rouge with Fujarky and Taco. 

Poppin' Bottles
Bill showed why his team name is Maillot Jaune Guillaume and not Camiseta Roja William.  He didn't have any Vuelta riders worthy of a picture and thus we get some more podium girls and Gilbert.  Bill may have missed his shot at first place, but with the Worlds around the corner he may still be in this.