Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia 2014

After the leaves have fallen. Photo: Pedale.Forchetta

I’m getting too old and cranky for all this race schedule changing. I know they already did this last year and presumably I had the same gripings then, but Lombardia is supposed to close out the season and I’m downright angry that Paris-Tours is closing out the books now; it only seems right that one of the most beautiful races should close out the season, not some sprinter’s classic that even The Prophet didn’t bother to win.

Speaking of the end of the year, this season has blown by; it seems only a moment ago that the cobbled classics were in full flight and the whole of the season was stretching out before us. That confirms it: Time is an asshole. On the other hand, time always provides another season so I guess that’s a redeeming quality.

Ok, the caffeine is kicking in and I’m now capable of an emotion other than resentment, so lets get more positive. There’s a beautiful race coming this weekend so get stoked! We have a newly crowned World Champion whose choice of bib shorts color to scrutinize. This is important work, people, and no one else is going to do it. His team has a strong track record for pairing leader and championship jerseys to team-issue bibs, with the glaring exception of Der Panzerwagan’s white (and bloody) skinsuit. My money is on team-issue.

Remember we have some major prizes on offer; @il muro di manayunk has a solid lead, but if he’s out of the points and Der @Steampunk has a good showing, anything can happen. (That might not be true, it might be mathematically impossible but I don’t feel like doing the math.) So prognosticate on the start list and get your picks in by midnight on Saturday Pacific Time (or when the clock goes to zero). Cheers, and good luck.

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frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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View Comments

Ron says:

Oct 4 2014 at 6:35 pm

Can't wait, fall is here in North Carolina, USA...gonna be 6*C in the morning when I head out for a ride.

I've been at this awhile, so how come I'm overthinking what I wear tomorrow? Riding early before the race, so a 5* to 15* swing is hard to sort out. When you have been in bibs + jersey for 6 months.

Enjoy the race everyone! Italy in October...oh boy!

VSP PICKS:

1. J. Rodriguez
2. Dan Martin
3. Gallopin
4. Valverde
5. Albasini
imakecircles says:

Oct 4 2014 at 7:10 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. J Rod
2. Valverde
3. Contador
4. Kwiatkowski
5. Moreno, Dani
Minnesota Expat says:

Oct 4 2014 at 7:27 pm

@Ron

Can't wait, fall is here in North Carolina, USA...gonna be 6*C in the morning when I head out for a ride.

17* - 29*C in the Texas Hill Country this weekend. It's not the same as "up north", but autumn is a pleasure for riding in San Antonio (v. the typical summertime heat of 35*C plus). There were cyclists all over this morning and tomorrow will be a good day to take out the newly refurbished French steel!

No coverage tomorrow of the Il Lombardia on Universal Sports?!?! So did cycling coverage stop with the Worlds?!?! No. Wait. They're advertising some stage race in a country far, far away and known for it's pollution, incredibly dense population, and lack of cycling culture.
Minnesota Expat says:

Oct 4 2014 at 7:31 pm

This might change yet, but it's time to get a marker on the wall. xyxax? dyalander?

VSP PICKS:

1. Joaquim Rodriguez
2. Fabio Aru
3. Alberto Contador
4. Daniel Moreno
5. Alejandro Valverde
Rob says:

Oct 4 2014 at 7:40 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Aru
2. Bauke
3. Hesjedal
4. Bardet
5. Kelderman
xyxax says:

Oct 4 2014 at 9:27 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez, J
2. Contador, A
3. Valverde, A
4. Aru, F
5. Moreno, D
xyxax says:

Oct 4 2014 at 9:33 pm

@Minnesota Expat

Just finished Heck of the North a few hours ago. As the official latern rouge of this year's race, my picks are late, but race-tested.
Minnesota Expat says:

Oct 4 2014 at 9:47 pm

They have the "internets" in Two Harbors? How were the mosquitoes? Horseflies? See any bears? Pics! We want pics!
Gianni says:

Oct 4 2014 at 10:01 pm

@xyxax

Excellent! You strong like bull. I bet there was a buttload of riders who didn't finish at all. Sleet, rain, gators, sasquatch, we need reports.

VSP PICKS:

1. ryder hesjedal
2. gilbert p
3. Alessandro De Marche
4. Laurens VV Dam
5. Roger Wilco Kelderman
Mark Coovelis says:

Oct 4 2014 at 10:31 pm

Coast's ready.

VSP PICKS:

1. R. Costa
2. F. Aru
3. A. Valverde
4. J. Rodriguez
5. A. Contador