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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@Buck Rogers
I do believe you've got it. Evidently your cups were more synchronized with @frank's; perhaps I need to have my bottom bracket faced.
I never heard of Poblet, either. Per wikipedia, he had a reasonably illustrious career: one of 3 riders to win stages in the 3 GTs in one year, first Spaniard to podium Paris-Roubaix, 20 Giro stage wins (3rd most by a foreigner).
@Nate
oh yeah, I was deeeeeeeep into my Grand Marnier last night. Such lovely stuff! Love this site, never had heard of him before and had fun trying to figure out the past Spanish winners. Long live the Velominati!
@Buck Rogers
I figured you'd be more of a whiskey man.
@Nate
actually, Bourbon is my drink of choice, but the sweet stuff overcomes me every now and then.
@Buck Rogers
Just as I'm getting ready for my the-kids-are-in-bed bourbon on the rocks, I'm realizing I finished off the last of a bottle last night. Dammit.
Hmmmm bourbon, no ice though, straight up.
Got into it in Las Vegas 2002. Got knocked out of the WSOP at the end of day one (pre poker explosion days only 731 entrants that year) and was consoling myself at the bar of The Four Queens, with a US friend from Portland. He says "Have you tried bourbon?" I replied I had not. Anyways, Makers Mark and a few others later, I was converted...
I've always thought of bourbon as being somewhat sweet but I suspect that's just from being offered Jack Daniels and Coke.
I tend not to like my spirits mixed as a rule, other than G&T of course, and Campari and soda, but that's dilution rather than mixing.
I'm prepared to give it a try though... I'll have a look next time I'm in the booze shop to see what brands they have here.
@ChrisO Bourbon is a tiny bit sweeter than other whiskeys (and indeed whiskys). If I remember rightly it's because of the charred, new oak barrels which give a caremel-y character (as opposed to old and un-charred for Scottish Whisky). Sorry, have gone slightly off topic and I think my booze nerd is showing.
@blackpooltower Bourbon for duty; single malt for pleasure; Armagnac for ecstasy.
@G'phant 'for duty' - nice!