Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia 2012


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!

Here’s PhilGil’s last win in 2010, in some nice Rule #9 conditions…

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272 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia 2012”

  1. Bit of rethink after seeing some of the climbs involved kicks valverde off the top five with J-Rod and Contador in.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uran
    3. Contador
    4. Nibbles
    5. Rodriguez

  2. Methinks the mechanics will be busy working our gear ratios. That’s a bugger of a climb!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Kessiakoff
    3. Nibali
    4. Riodriguez
    5. Contador

  4. VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Gilbert
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Basso
    5. Thomas de Gendt

  5. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Contador
    3. Purito Rodriguez
    4. Nibali
    5. Uran

  8. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Nibali
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Uran
    5. Van Avermaet

  12. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Rolland
    3. Henao Montoya
    4. Moser
    5. Nocentini

  14. @Pedale.Forchetta

    I think that Diego Ulissi will be a factor tomorrow.

    Inside info! I’ll go with that…

    And not picking Phil if he’s wearing those!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Ulissi
    2. Cont of the Highest Order
    3. Lil’ Scerifo
    4. Albasini
    5. Di Luca

  15. Pedale just sent through the official start list… pdf so not sure if this will work.
     
    file://localhost/var/folders/t4/nkl954bd3jl1374nv8k07_040000gn/T/com.apple.mail.drag/Partenti%20Lombardia%2012.pdf

  19. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uranosaurus
    3. Puerito
    4. Contador
    5. Nibali

  21. I am predicting that Damiano has been simply training to peak at Lombardia.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cunego
    2. Phil Gil
    3. J Rod.
    4. Ryder
    5. Uran

  22. VSP PICKS:

    1. Rui Costa
    2. P. Gilbert
    3. Uran
    4. Joaquim Rodriguez
    5. Alberto Contador

  23. VSP PICKS:

    1. gilbert
    2. purito rodriguez
    3. el pistolero
    4. nibali
    5. rui costa

  25. A slight change in light of the fact that Voeckler won’t be racing.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uran
    3. Nibali
    4. Contador
    5. Kessiakoff

  26. Left field choices, but hey win big?

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Gilbert
    3. J-rod
    4. Uran
    5. Pinaut

  30. Gianni Meersman!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. MEERSMAN Gianni
    2. POZZATO Filippo
    3. HOOGERLAND Johnny
    4. GILBERT Philippe
    5. ONTADOR VELASCO Alberto

  31. It’s a fine line between crazy and genius…

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Cataldo
    2. Vanendert
    3. Albasini
    4. Nibali
    5. Mollema

  33. @Bianchi Denti too bad you just slipped down the wrong side!

    I’m still stirring my tea with a monkey’s paw and palpating the bumps on my skull. Fucking Contador could actually win this race tomorrow and it worries me no end. He rode the Vuelts and he has to be more fresh that most everyone else. And that steep ass climb is made for him.

    But to bet against Gilbert, in the rainbow jersey, it’s madness. Oh baby jesus, give me sign, FFS.

  34. Spray and walk away.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Purito
    2. Pistolero
    3. Pip Gil
    4. Pigoberto
    5. Pessiakoff

  35. Valverde out, Contador in. One Spanish doper in for another.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uran
    3. Contador
    4. Martin
    5. Kolobnev

  36. hope i can stay in the top 50 for the year

    VSP PICKS:

    1. J-Rod
    2. Contador
    3. Gilbert
    4. Costa
    5. De Gendt

  37. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Rodriguez
    3. Valverde
    4. Kolobnev
    5. Contador

  38. Valverde has a cold. He’s not starting. Sooooooo…. Nibali in.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Wiggo
    3. Nibali
    4. Purito
    5. Phil Gil the mighty one

  40. Whatever

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibali
    2. Gilbert
    3. Contador
    4. Rodriquez
    5. Talansky

  41. Valverde out, Purito in.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Philbert
    2. dUran dUran
    3. Go Ulissi Go!
    4. Contador
    5. Purito

  42. @batchuba

    I think its fair to say, I am the Andrea Carrea of super-prestige – working tirelessly to show the pampered stars such San “drogen” Tonio, xyxax and Blah who not to pick.

    When I started the VSP earlier this season it was beyond my wildest dreams to be doing so well that I’m accused of doping.

    Possibly some EPO in my mouse clicking finger?

    I would say that this is the cleanest VSP in years and that we need to concentrate on the sport today and not so much the past.

     

  43. Also Wankers

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Contador
    3. Nibali
    4. Uran
    5. J Rod

  45. VSP PICKS:

    1. gilbert,philly
    2. nibali
    3. contadorable, ha!
    4. voeckler despite logic
    5. ryder not a driver

  50. I’m betting on berti to win. Betting against Gilbert. The white shorts will be his down fall.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Contador
    2. Ulissi
    3. GIlbert
    4. moser
    5. chavanel S

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