Stage 21 - Greipel as it should have been

Well there it goes, the Vuelta is in the books and i went out with another stage win. Not a bad final week for me, but way too little too late in the lowest scoring final week of any fantasy event ever.

Stage 21
1. ei ei e-paella-o 84
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 72
3. the spain event 52
4. chausseus d'oro 34
5. Linterna Roja Mofos 20
6. SnakesonaChain 10
7. sierra madre 4
8. the running of the bread 0


Congrats to Lisa, just like Valverde, she finished up on top with a strong defense. She was the only squad to break 2k with Conrad and Taylor A. finishing off the podium. Hope you guys enjoyed the Vuelta, thanks for playing!

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2255
2. SnakesonaChain 1957
3. chausseus d'oro 1796
4. the spain event 1671
5. ei ei e-paella-o 1652
6. the running of the bread 1503
7. sierra madre 1308
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 1007

Stage 20 - Millar gets another for Garmin

Well Valverde held on, losing some time to Sanchez but not enough to lose the jersey, it looks as though he'll take his first grand tour tomorrow. Similarly, Lisa gave up 52 points to Conrad today, but it wasn't nearly enough to bump her out of the GC lead. I don't even know if it is numerically possible for her to lose, so all that's left now is the short stage tomorrow into Madrid. We shall see, can't believe it's over already.

Stage 20
1. Linterna Roja Mofos 128
2. sierra madre 80
ei ei e-paella-o 80
4. SnakesonaChain 52
5. the running of the bread 50
6. 9 Sweaty Señores 0
7. chausseus d'oro 0
8. the spain event 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2183
2. SnakesonaChain 1947
3. chausseus d'oro 1762
4. the spain event 1619
5. ei ei e-paella-o 1568
6. the running of the bread 1503
7. sierra madre 1304
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 987

Stage 19 - Cobo Loco!

So the last day of mountains didn't provide the big shake-up that was expected, unless you were focusing on Gesink who Gesank down the GC from 2nd to 6th faster than you can say "Another Sangria por favor!" In our little fantasy competition, Susan's hold-outs the Linterna Roja Mofos took the stage in grand fashion, atop the Stage at the bottom of the GC as it should be. Conrad put some points into Lisa, but i don't know if there's enough Vuelta for him to overtake her. I'm very proud of stepping past my cousin today, but he and Carrie are heading to the Continent as we speak so who got the better deal there. Anyway, timetrial manana then Madrid on Sunday, this has definitely been fun.

Stage 19
1. Linterna Roja Mofos 278
2. sierra madre 185
3. SnakesonaChain 101
4. chausseus d'oro 70
5. ei ei e-paella-o 69
6. the spain event 60
7. 9 Sweaty Señores 38
8. the running of the bread 4

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2183
2. SnakesonaChain 1895
3. chausseus d'oro 1762
4. the spain event 1619
5. ei ei e-paella-o 1488
6. the running of the bread 1453
7. sierra madre 1224
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 859

Stage 18 - The Luck of the Irish

Philip Deignan, the thinnest blooded rider in the pro peloton, won the stage today in knee warmers, what the heck is that about? Are the Irish going soft? Roche didn't wear knee warmers, Kelly, come on. Anyway, to celebrate the luck of the leprechaun and the obscure breakaway of the day, we had a 5 way tie for the win. Never before done, probably will never happen again but what is most important, my win streak is now at 3. Look out DJW, i'm coming for your prized 5th place. Mountains come manana.

Stage 18
1. the spain event 20
1. Linterna Roja Mofos 20
1. ei ei e-paella-o 20
1. chausseus d'oro 20
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 20
6. SnakesonaChain 7
7. the running of the bread 0
8. sierra madre 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2145
2. SnakesonaChain 1794
3. chausseus d'oro 1692
4. the spain event 1559
5. the running of the bread 1449
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1419
7. sierra madre 1039
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 581

Stage 17 - Roux, Roux, Roux your ... aw shut up

So, if ei ei e-paella-o is a specialist, then low-scoring days are our specialty. 44 points of domination allowed me to take my second stage in a row putting 5 big points into Lisa. If only the Vuelta were 150 days longer, i might have a shot. More mountains tomorrow.

Stage 17
1. ei ei e-paella-o 44
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 39
3. the spain event 32
4. Linterna Roja Mofos 20
5. chausseus d'oro 8
6. SnakesonaChain 0
7. the running of the bread 0
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2125
2. SnakesonaChain 1787
3. chausseus d'oro 1672
4. the spain event 1539
5. the running of the bread 1449
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1399
7. sierra madre 1039
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 561

Stage 16 - Greipel back to what he knows ...

A win is a win is a win, 80 points and i'll take em! Hopefully, this will secure my 6th place overall, phew.

Stage 16
1. ei ei e-paella-o 80
2. the spain event 70
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 52
4. Linterna Roja Mofos 24
5. chausseus d'oro 11
6. SnakesonaChain 7
7. sierra madre 4
8. the running of the bread 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2086
2. SnakesonaChain 1787
3. chausseus d'oro 1664
4. the spain event 1507
5. the running of the bread 1449
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1355
7. sierra madre 1039
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 541

Stage 15 - Boom boom yeah it's gonna Boom

Wow, i'd like to thank Boom and Duque for saving themselves for week 3. It was really too much of me to ask that they do anything in week 2 when they were on my squad. Today featured a breakaway big enough to suck down nearly every point that was available leaving only 3 teams notching anything at all. Susan's Linterna Roja Mofos took the day by virtue of having Valverde in gold, while Eric and i fought it out for table scraps. As expected, very little change on GC. I saw where Cadel is saying that flat cost him the Vuelta, i didn't realize he was leading at that point, must have missed something there. Ah well, this one is nearly over, enjoy what remains.

Stage 15
1. Linterna Roja Mofos 20
2. the spain event 4
2. ei ei e-paella-o 4

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2034
2. SnakesonaChain 1780
3. chausseus d'oro 1653
4. the running of the bread 1449
5. the spain event 1437
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1275
7. sierra madre 1035
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 517

Week 3 - The Teams

9 Sweaty Señores
BOZIC, Borut
BENNATI, Daniele
HESJEDAL, Ryder
HOOGERLAND, Johnny
RAMÍREZ ABEJA, Javier
SÁNCHEZ PIMIENTA, Julián
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel
GESINK, Robert *
MONCOUTIE, David

the spain event
HESJEDAL, Ryder
MONCOUTIE, David
DE LA FUENTE, David
SÁNCHEZ PIMIENTA, Julián
HOOGERLAND, Johnny
GESINK, Robert
BASSO, Ivan *
GREIPEL, André
GRABSCH, Bert

the running of the bread
CUNEGO, Damiano *
CANCELLARA, Fabian
GESINK, Robert
HESJEDAL, Ryder
MAASKANT, Martijn
GRABSCH, Bert
ZUBELDIA, Haimar
MILLAR, David
CHAVANEL, Sébastien

sierra madre
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel *
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel
RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin
TIRALONGO, Paolo
COBO, Juan José
NAVARRO, Daniel
HOOGERLAND, Johnny
MORENO, Daniel
ZUBELDIA, Haimar

Linterna Roja Mofos
VALVERDE, Alejandro *
GESINK, Robert
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
BASSO, Ivan
EVANS, Cadel
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel
TIRALONGO, Paolo
COBO, Juan José
NAVARRO, Daniel

ei ei e-paella-o
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel *
RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin
HOOGERLAND, Johnny
GESINK, Robert
CUNEGO, Damiano
DE LA FUENTE, David
MONCOUTIE, David
BOZIC, Borut
GREIPEL, André

SnakesonaChain
EVANS, Cadel
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel *
BASSO, Ivan
CUNEGO, Damiano
DE LA FUENTE, David
GILBERT, Philippe
BALLAN, Alessandro
RODRIGUEZ, Joaquin
DANIELSON, Thomas

chausseus d'oro
GESINK, Robert *
MONCOUTIE, David
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel
COBO, Juan José
HAMMOND, Roger
HENDERSON, Greg
HANSEN, Adam
GRABSCH, Bert
CUNEGO, Damiano

Stage 14 - Lisa, mercy please?

Cunego took his second stage today, but the real story was Lisa's complete stomping of everyone putting 250 points between herself and Conrad on GC.
Will it be enough?
What will week 3 bring?
Could i possibly win a single stage?
All that and more in week 3, beginning TOMORROW!


Stage 14
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 276
2. the spain event 142
3. chausseus d'oro 141
4. the running of the bread 133
5. SnakesonaChain 82
6. ei ei e-paella-o 79
7. sierra madre 45
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 14

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 2034
2. SnakesonaChain 1780
3. chausseus d'oro 1653
4. the running of the bread 1449
5. the spain event 1433
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1271
7. sierra madre 1035
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 497

Stage 13 - Mon Dieu Moncoutie!

Moncoutie opened up a can of French whoop-ass today, the likes of which haven't been seen maybe since JaJa. Sorry to see Danielson's ride and i won't make any more Cadel-Choke jokes. Needless to say the guy who had Moncoutie on his squad was Conrad and he was also his Powerball rider so he blitzed everybody, winning the stage, putting 128 points into Lisa and closing the gap on her GC lead. Tomorrow is the 3rd mountain top finish in a row, if Mosquera or Basso would go solo that would help me a lot. Eric asked about abandons, you can see them here, what a wave of mutilation eh? Peace out, don't forget to get your week 3 teams in tomorrow (Sunday) night.

Stage 13
1. SnakesonaChain 339
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 211
3. the running of the bread 162
4. the spain event 154
5. chausseus d'oro 149
6. Linterna Roja Mofos 140
7. ei ei e-paella-o 135
8. sierra madre 62

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 1758
2. SnakesonaChain 1698
3. chausseus d'oro 1512
4. the running of the bread 1316
5. the spain event 1291
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1192
7. sierra madre 990
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 483

Stage 12 - Garmin and the hair of the dog

I guess Ryder wanted to start another kind of Garmin streak today, this is the kind of stage i wish i could have watched. Wow, and my apologies to Lisa for even thinking that i might have a shot today at the stage win due to my Mosquera inclusion but NOPE! not to be. Congrats to Lisa who is widening the gap, Conrad and/or the Taylors will have to really pour it on in the last week to catch her.

Also, get to work on your week 3 squads, they're do on Sunday night. I can't believe we're over halfway through this race.



Stage 12
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 167
2. chausseus d'oro 104
3. the running of the bread 101
4. the spain event 95
5. ei ei e-paella-o 90
6. SnakesonaChain 54
7. sierra madre 49
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 1547
2. chausseus d'oro 1363
3. SnakesonaChain 1359
4. the running of the bread 1154
5. the spain event 1137
6. ei ei e-paella-o 1057
7. sierra madre 928
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 343

Stage 11 - Garmin on the Board

I didn't know about Garmin's drought until this week, nice to see Tyler Farrar correct that for them today. I knew it would be a low-scoring event since most had him on their first week teams and the remainder of the top finishers weren't well represented but i had no idea that the world famous Linterna Roja Mofos would take the stage honors, congrats Susan and her funny sounding squad. The GC battle tightened a little as Conrad was able to put some points into the Sweaty Señores but tomorrow begins three days of mountain top finishes in a row, so just like in Double Jeopardy the scores can really change.

P.S. I was proud to represent with a goose egg.

Stage 11
1. Linterna Roja Mofos 63
2. SnakesonaChain 56
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 38
4. sierra madre 35
5. the spain event 30
6. chausseus d'oro 23
7. the running of the bread 15
8. ei ei e-paella-o 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 1380
2. SnakesonaChain 1305
3. chausseus d'oro 1259
4. the running of the bread 1053
5. the spain event 1042
6. ei ei e-paella-o 967
7. sierra madre 879
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 343

Stage 10 - You mean you didn't have Beñat INTXAUSTI on your squad?

He didn't win, but he nabbed some KOM points that nobody benefited from. Today, the rich got richer. Showing that her gold jersey is just the right size, Lisa extended her lead with another stage win. On a day which we thought might look more like a bunch of baseball scores, Lisa and the two Taylors stomped away packing the podium. Tomorrow looks like a pack finish which will be the last one for a few days, until then...

Stage 10
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 50
2. the running of the bread 40
2. chausseus d'oro 40
4. ei ei e-paella-o 34
5. the spain event 30
6. sierra madre 10
7. Linterna Roja Mofos 0
8. SnakesonaChain 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 1342
2. SnakesonaChain 1249
3. chausseus d'oro 1236
4. the running of the bread 1038
5. the spain event 1012
6. ei ei e-paella-o 967
7. sierra madre 844
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 280

Stage 9 - Cya Cadel

Valverde is in gold, and it would be easier to roll a burrito with hockey mitts on than to pry it off his shoulders, thanks Cadel. That was a finish you should take a look at if you didn't get a chance. As if Cadel losing the lead wasn't enough to stomach, it was hard to fathom Conrad finishing 2nd to last, but that's exactly what happened today. Not one to sit on her laurels, Lisa's Sweaty Señores pounced on the stage like some kind of rabid flamenco dancer smashing the field and finally taking over the GC from the SnakesonaChain. What will tomorrow bring? more climbs and hopefully a Samuel Sanchez ready to tear up the last week, he wasn't there today.

Stage 9
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 170
2. the spain event 112
3. chausseus d'oro 110
4. the running of the bread 108
5. ei ei e-paella-o 71
6. sierra madre 66
7. SnakesonaChain 27
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 0

GC
1. 9 Sweaty Señores 1292
2. SnakesonaChain 1249
3. chausseus d'oro 1196
4. the running of the bread 998
5. the spain event 982
6. ei ei e-paella-o 933
7. sierra madre 834
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 280

Stage 8 - Cadel? come on

A new week, a new chance for someone named Conrad to win again. Man i forgot about how many scored climbs there are in the Vuelta, geez. Anyway Cunego got the stage and Evans is in the jersey, i give him another day or two tops. Cadel actually means "choke" in Australian. Nobody mind me and the missus down there at the bottom today. I wonder how long it will take Susan to overtake me. If nothing else, i'm happy i'd saved Andy Schleck for the last week, bummage.

Stage 8
1. SnakesonaChain 282
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 269
3. chausseus d'oro 154
4. Linterna Roja Mofos 137
5. the running of the bread 123
6. the spain event 112
7. ei ei e-paella-o 102
8. sierra madre 47

GC
1. SnakesonaChain 1222
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 1122
3. chausseus d'oro 1086
4. the running of the bread 890
5. the spain event 870
6. ei ei e-paella-o 862
7. sierra madre 768
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 280

Week 2 - The Teams

the running of the bread
BASSO, Ivan
VINOKOUROV, Alexander
VALVERDE, Alejandro
DANIELSON, Thomas
KREUZIGER, Roman
SCHLECK, Andy
SCHLECK, Frank
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
MARTÍNEZ, Egoi

SnakesonaChain
MONCOUTIE, David
MARTÍNEZ, Egoi
SCHLECK, Frank
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
GESINK, Robert
LÓPEZ GIL, J. Antonio
ANTON, Igor
MARTÍNEZ ACEVEDO, Serafín
TONDO, Xavier

ei ei e-paella-o
BASSO, Ivan
DANIELSON, Thomas
VINOKOUROV, Alexander
MOSQUERA, Ezequiel
VALJAVEC, Tadej
BOOM, Lars
ZUBELDIA, Haimar
DUQUE, Leonardo
KREUZIGER, Roman

the spain event
VALVERDE, Alejandro
DANIELSON, Thomas
MARTÍNEZ, Egoi
NOCENTINI, Rinaldo
GÓMEZ MARCHANTE, J. Ángel
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
MILLAR, David
GERDEMANN, Linus
SCHLECK, Andy

9 Sweaty Señores
VALVERDE, Alejandro
VINOKOUROV, Alexander
BASSO, Ivan
EVANS, Cadel
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
DANIELSON, Thomas
CASAR, Sandy
CUNEGO, Damiano
GÓMEZ MARCHANTE, J. Ángel

chausseus d'oro
KREUZIGER, Roman
SÁNCHEZ, Samuel
VALVERDE, Alejandro
DANIELSON, Thomas
EVANS, Cadel
EFIMKIN, Alexander
BASSO, Ivan
VINOKOUROV, Alexander
BOOM, Lars

Linterna Roja Mofos
EFIMKIN, Alexander
LEFEVRE, Laurent
CUESTA, Iñigo
MONCOUTIE, David
HOOGERLAND, Johnny
ARVESEN, Kurt-Asle
KNEES, Christian
BUTS, Vitaliy
BOOM, Lars

sierra madre
SCHLECK, Frank
BALLAN, Alessandro
VALVERDE, Alejandro
TUFT, Svein
BOOM, Lars
DANIELSON, Thomas
KREUZIGER, Roman
MARTÍNEZ, Egoi
CASAR, Sandy

Stage 7 - Spartacus you are Gladiator

The wife beat me by 2 points, 2 POINTS! Taylor A took the opportunity to put some points into Conrad who is still atop the GC. The stage is set, what will week 2 bring?

Stage 7
1. sierra madre 182
2. ei ei e-paella-o 180
3. chausseus d'oro 170
4. SnakesonaChain 136
5. the spain event 82
6. Linterna Roja Mofos 76
7. 9 Sweaty Señores 70
8. the running of the bread 10

GC
1. SnakesonaChain 940
2. chausseus d'oro 932
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 853
4. the running of the bread 767
5. ei ei e-paella-o 760
6. the spain event 758
7. sierra madre 721
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 143

Stage 6 - You mean you didn't pick Borut Bozic?

Yep, Borat's brother Borut finally got it right today and took the stage from Tyler Farrar. I was waiting on the Garminator to take it back but it wasn't to be. Bells will be ringing in the dark streets of Slovakia tonight. Here among the fantasy ranks the DJW nabbed his 3rd stage win. Obviously a greedy few got this week right, you'll notice on GC that the Alexander family is working hard to keep Susan company. Maybe things will change on Sunday when week 2 begins. That reminds me:

GET YOUR WEEK 2 TEAMS IN BY 10:00 PM SATURDAY NIGHT

Stage 6
1. the running of the bread 157
2. the spain event 151
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 143
4. SnakesonaChain 121
5. chausseus d'oro 117
6. sierra madre 87
7. ei ei e-paella-o 83
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 0

GC
1. SnakesonaChain 804
2. 9 Sweaty Señores 783
3. chausseus d'oro 762
4. the running of the bread 757
5. the spain event 676
6. ei ei e-paella-o 580
7. sierra madre 539
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 67

Willkommen der Greipel-meister!

Great finish today, it looked all Bennatti, then Boonen, but finally der Greipel-meister showed everybody who gets the shirt. Benefiting from his ride were the "usual suspects" with 2 time stage winner DJW taking the day, just ahead of 3 time stage winner Conrad. Conrad also used the day to put some distance between himself and Taylor A and Lisa. As for me, i got nothing. Perhaps tomorrow Senor Valverde will show himself but it looks like another bunch sprint day.

Also, don't forget your week 2 teams, they are due by 10:00 PM on Saturday night.

Stage 5
1. the running of the bread 192
2. SnakesonaChain 177
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 172
4. chausseus d'oro 159
5. the spain event 144
6. ei ei e-paella-o 91
7. sierra madre 85
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 14

GC
1. SnakesonaChain 683
2. chausseus d'oro 645
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 640
4. the running of the bread 600
5. the spain event 525
6. ei ei e-paella-o 497
7. sierra madre 452
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 67

Stage 4 - a rest day? to buy bandages perhaps

Taylor and Conrad tangoed again in a stage that ended in pure carnage. Andre Greipel, whose great-grandfather invented the grappling hook, came out on top of today's rainy stage that proved without a doubt that pro cyclists plus road furniture make a deadly combination. Horner is out, proving that for the 2nd straight major tour that Astana does not wrist-dope. Enjoy the rest day.

Stage 4
1. SnakesonaChain 70
chausseus d'oro 70
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 60
4. ei ei e-paella-o 52
5. the running of the bread 50
6. sierra madre 20
7. the spain event 10
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 0

GC
1. SnakesonaChain 506
2. chausseus d'oro 486
3. 9 Sweaty Señores 468
4. the running of the bread 408
5. ei ei e-paella-o 406
6. the spain event 381
7. sierra madre 367
8. Linterna Roja Mofos 53