Il Grillo gives it some stick in 06. Photo: actionplus sports images[/caption]
Lombardia is a beautiful race. Taking in the majestic shoreline of Lake Como and climbing past the shrine to the Madonna del Ghisallo, its stunning Italian-ness bookends the Monuments along with Milan-San Remo which started them way back in March. And it’s a coming out party, a debutantes ball for the newly crowned World Champion.
Not since Paolo Bettini in 2006 has the rainbow jersey won here, but even if the bands don’t always take the win they are usually well represented at the business end of the race. Cuddles tried out his new found attacking style in 2009 by setting up Gilbert for the first of his two wins, and now the Belgian has the perfect opportunity to show off his new kit and add a third. The betting might not be on if Gilbert wins, but how, and whether he chooses to don black shorts or goes for the full Cipo-style whiteout. Let’s hope common sense and good taste prevail, especially after Cav did such a stellar job of Looking Fantastic over the last twelve months.
The VSP overall race is also at a critical point, and could be decided this weekend. San Tonio has a nice little 13 point buffer and probably only needs to pick up minimum points, while the chasing pack may need to think outside the square and hope a roughie can deliver a la Zaugg last year. You could throw a blanket over 2nd, 3rd and 4th, so close are they to each other, with Gianni not far back tasked with upholding the Keepers’ honor and hoping for a late surge into the top 5 or even the podium.
Check out the start list, take some chances or play it safe, keep an eye on the timer and get your picks in for a chance to wear the Lombardia badge for the next year. Good Luck!
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@VeloVita I was thinking that as well, and Gilbert just doesn't look right in that outfit.
But when Good Cadel was World Champ, BMC kit was the same but his shorts looked much better with the rainbow stripes.
So what gives?
I bet Gilbert is pissed after working so hard to win the Worlds and then having to ride looking like some Fred who put his kit together from whatever's on sale at Nashbar.
Perhaps it was so distracting that it caused his crash today?
@Skip
Perfect! +1 to that, Mate!
@G'phant
I'll get you yet, my pretty. And your little dog, too.
Read elsewhere that Purito is the first Spaniard to win Lombardy, and only the 4th to win a monument. Would never have guessed.
@G'phant
Chapeau, about time you earned a VSP badge of some sort.
@Nate
Damn, cool stat. Who are the other Spanish monument winners and what races? Where's Oli when you need him? Did Valverde or Flecha ever capture a Monument? I need to do a little homework here on ths one. Wait, Friere won MSR three times, right? That is one of them for sure.
@Nate Thanks. Am loving the leaf. (And, in case you wandered about the inspiration for my 'acceptance post' above: http://www.cyclingnews.com/races/giro-di-lombardia-2012/results)
@xyxax
Leave Piti out of this.
@Nate
Valverde had two LBL's as well. So just missing the one other Panish monument winner. Stumped on that one.
Ha! Sweet race, awesome conditions! I just really get pumped seeing the PROs race that hard in those conditions. Hardmen. And, pretty slick backdrop.
Funny how things work out. Here in NC today I got rained on at 7:55 on my way to soccer, rained on during soccer, rained on during my ride home, rained on during a ride to two LBSs later in the day, rained on during my ride to see a friend, rained on during the pedal home. You get the idea.
BUT, tomorrow is No Sloping Top Tubes Sunday and the weather should be clear. Nice! With some new Veloflex tires on my Casati. Oh boy.
Pedale - HOT photo! You are a real PRO too! Love seeing your shots. Thanks for sharing.
@Buck Rogers
Freire, Piti and some bloke named Miguel Poblet who won MSR twice in the 1950s. Not ashamed to admit I looked that one up!