Stage 15: Martos to Sierra Nevada

Silouette of rider and spectators on Stage 15 — On a long lonely mountain somewhere

It was a fabulous race on Stage 15 as the long wicked slopes of the only Special Category climb to Sierra Nevada put the riders through the shredder again, with another glimpse of weakness from race leader Evenepoel. But the tall lad from Gelderland, Thymen Arensman won a famous solo victory – a stage win for Team Ciclominaccia who continue their late charge.

Team of the Day

There was just one team with the stage winner: Team Ciclominaccia with Thymen Arensman, but most points were earned by The Pain in Spain through Enric Mas (2nd), Miguel Angel “Superman” Lopez (3rd) and Ben O’Connor (6th). Almeida was thereabouts too in 11th.

Well now. Ahem. Far be it from me… etc. etc. Oh what knots we English tie ourselves into when things go well. Touching wood, diffidently brushing aside honours and accolades in our (falsely modest) haste to be magnanimous. “It’s not the winning, it’s the taking part, of course.”

NO IT ISN’T! Hoorah for my team – The Pain in Spain is tops on the Queen Stage and leading in the Green Wight Red Mini-League. It doesn’t happen all that often, so I am celebrating – woohoo! – and blowing my own trumpet (“out straight” as my Dad used to say).

Here are The Pain in Spain in their magnificence.

And to bask in the (momentary) glory, here is the mini-league, which is actually really closely fought this time:

Chart of the Green Wight Red minileague rankings after Stage 15 — Paul’s and David’s teams have faded a little, while the Edges are back on the Podium

The three high finishers also push The Pain in Spain just ahead in the top ten competition, which is now very close indeed:

Chart showing the accumulation for each team of top ten stage finishers after Stage 15 — Just 2 top ten stage finishes separate five teams.

“It’s a Fix” says DS

An anonymous team DS (from Brighstone) has spoken up, when she (oops, giveaway!) has questioned the propriety of me doing so well in the competition I set up. Believe me, if I knew how to do it then it might happen more often. My main advice is just “be lucky!”

Heading into week three…

Two teams are tied together in the team times competition: Just eat the dam porridge and Velo Espana. Both include Evenepoel, Rodriguez and Almeida, so unless one of those riders has a serious setback they are likely to remain in lockstep.

Big swings as time is gained and lost, and occasionally riders leave the race

There are still 6 stage winners and combativity prizes to dish out. But the jersey wearers have been stable now for seven days, ever since Sam Bennett had to leave the race and Jay Vine took over the KOM leadership. Will the steady accumulation of red and white by Remco put Dream Catcher and Velo Espana beyond reach of the rest of us? Note that Cuchara de Madera aqui have six stage winners so far.