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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View Comments
@wiscot
And a clean snap at that, both blades in the same place - strange.
I'd guess he veered into the wall and the fork legs sheared on impact. Can't embed from flickr but here is another pic.
http://flic.kr/p/dfeUWJ
With the recent article on 2nd place lads, does Ballan count as one of these guys? Sure, some great wins in his career but definitely now seems to be more of a podium guy than a winner.
Still, seeing a shot like that and realizing how hard the guy races & how much he puts it on the line over & over, you are forced to remember how just about everyone in the PRO peloton is a tough bastard and a great competitor.
Another nice photo, Pedale! I definitely hope my fork blades don't do that.
@Nate
I wonder where the fork blades went? They aren't attached to the wheel. Ballan is lucky to awake there. He must have really hit something to snap the fork like that.
@Pedale.Forchetta
That is a beauty.
@Pedale.Forchetta
simply awesome!
@Pedale.Forchetta
Great photos.
Do you have a website where we can see more?
@Pedale.Forchetta
Indeed that is better.
@Gianni
I don't know, I can't find a photo showing the disposition of the forklegs in the immediate aftermath. But I did find this; dude is a hardman:
@Ron
Ballan is a hardman but when the only other hardman you can outsprint is Leif Hoste it's hard to stand on the top step.
@Nate
@Chris
Neat trick, how'd ya do it?