The Heart of the GC racing action, with a few absurd surprises, battles for the minor placings, far too many motos, but no one able to upset Valverde…yet.
the How The Race Was Won® cycling blog
The Heart of the GC racing action, with a few absurd surprises, battles for the minor placings, far too many motos, but no one able to upset Valverde…yet.
Brambilla made the “first big punch” on Stage 13. Ha!
Quick as I am to praise the wonders of HTRWW, I kinda felt the theme a little um..forced, this time.
I liked “House Caja Rural” though – which immediately set me trying to equate pro teams with their GOT house equivalents.
Belkin – House Bolton – known as they are for vindictively flaying people in windy badlands.
Movistar – House Martell – spanish types with considerable forces at their disposal.
BMC – House Lannister – because they are proverbially rich and red.
Sky – the Wights – suddenly erupting onto the scene from the north, with a hitherto unsuspected army of obedient minions, usually under the command of a pale and desiccated skeletal creature.
Europcar – House Frey – opportunist scum who only recently joined the ranks of the Great Houses.
Saxo Tinkoff – House Baratheon – the House of the one true King.
Giant – House Frey – lurk on the sidelines until they suddenly turn up en masse to steal everything.
FDJ – House Tyrell – they look great, and have plenty of talent, but may be a bit lightweight when the going gets tough.
Orica Greenedge – House Stark – they are all dead less than half way through the show.
Cannondale – the Dalthraki – ambush predators who really only have one memorable character.
Lotto – The Free Folk – comfortable fighting in bad weather.
Garmin Sharp – The Black Watch – They think they are important, but mostly everyone ignores them.
Omega Pharma Quickstep – The Iron Bank – They mysteriously dominate proceedings without even having to try very hard.
Lampre – The Free Cities – harmless outside their home turf.
Trek – House Arryn – Strong, but really need a leader.
Astana – House Targaryen – The former Ruling House, reborn after many changes of identity under the mother of sharks.
AG2R – House Tarly – some of their high ranking members are remarkably fat.
Katusha – House Mormont – from the land of the Bear, some strong central characters, but the rest of the house are nowhere to be found when they get in trouble.
Euskadi – House Gardener – because they are extinct.
Luckily, my OCD levels dipped just as I was about to attempt the Pro-Conti outfits.