Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia

No event of the year is more likely to provide piles of Rule #9 in the Five and Dime than il Giro di Lombardia. A hilly circuit around Lake Como ensures lots of climbing and that the bunch is blown to bits before the finish. Add to that its position as the last classic of the season, nestled in amongst the falling leaves of mid-October, and you’re nearly certain the weather will be terrible. The fact that it is being moved from October to September is distressing on several levels, not least that I’m certain the weather will be better. Good for the riders, bad for us; the way you hear some of the race organizers and the UCI talk, you’d almost thing they actually put the riders’ well-being before the amusement of the public. That can’t be right.

But most importantly, the Giro di Lombardia represents the final edition of this year’s VSP. The results are all but buttoned up for Nate, although both Marcus and G’Phant are in with a mathematical chance of taking over the win with a perfect score and Nate pulling a Delgado.

VSP G.C.
1. Nate (120 points)
2. Marcus (109 points)
3. G’phant (107 points)

(Antipodal VSP Podium. Interesting.)

You know the drill, get your picks in by 5am Pacific on Saturday. Depending on how things go, we may be late to post the final results as the race organizers and the UCI scheduled the event in conjunction with the Seattle Cogal. Oh, and if you don’t know what time 5am Pacific is and your Google Skills are not sufficient to elucidate that for you, I suggest you simply don’t cut it too close.

Good luck.

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.

View Comments

  • @Oli
    Thanks Oli. I was sure Basso would come in fourth. (You get five picks y'know Oli.)

    The Welsh were brave but really no chance after the red card.

    As for the All Blacks? No denying their superiority tonight. Pity they killed running rugby in the process.

  • Actually my Mum's from Wellington. At least I made my pick before the result/s.

    (Disclaimer: Rum driven, emotionally charged, one eyed supporter here.(

  • @Oli
    You do understand that most Aussies only care about rugby if we win? When we lose we simply blame the useless duds from Queensland and NSW private schools who failed the rest of the country.

    The only two sporting events of note that happened this weekend were Our Casey Stoner being crowned Moto GP Workd Champ and the unveiling of another Aussie cycling wunderkind - Nathan Haas, a 22yo that spanked everyone (including JackyBobby) at the HeraldSun Tour

  • @Marcus
    I'm also excited about Steele Von Hoff. Second to Kittel today and one other as well as third another day. He used to race mountain bikes round my way about a year ago. Great story, fantastic guy.

  • One point, just not enough to move up a place. Congrats to Nate, Marcus, and G'phant.

  • J-Rod came out as Jackson Rodriguez in my scoring? Jackson Rodriguez??? J-Rod should be Joaquin Rodriguez. That would be my one MIGHTY point in the final VSP! Sooooo important you know! Moves me back into a tie for 20th! :)

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