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.
Is the eurosport co-broadcaster Marcus Backstedt? Not doing a bad job whoever he is.
Dunno, I’m watching the Italian coverage from Il Gazzetta.
If he has a strange half-Welsh half Scandinavian accent, then yes.
Don’t think Nibali can stay away now.
Not sure why Sky are the ones doing the chasing.
Paolini I think just opened the gap accidentally on the descent.
I’m watching the Gazetta coverage muted with eurosport on for commentary. It is Magnus Backstedt.
Nibbles is gobbled up…
Now it’s on. Not the whole peleton – about 30-40 riders. Hard to tell who’s there – Gilbert, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Visconti, Basso, lot of Lampre and Sky.
JVS is n there as well.
Back from some morning soccer (I know, I know…but I can’t ALWAYS be on a bike!) and here for the last 30k. Awesome.
Damn, didn’t realize, despite what folks have been saying on here that they are moving this race up next year. That blows. No more Race of the Falling Leaves. Damn expansion of the global calendar!
For some reason I love the phrase, “Has got a good sprint on him.” It’s as if he wears a jacket or patch or crest that shows this ability off.
And hey, what helmets do Acqua Sapone wear? I think I kind of like them!
Katusha going hard now. Rodriguez must fancy this. Or Moreno.
Here they go up Villa Vergano.
Sanchez blown…
Cunego blown…
Basso on the front WTF
He’s forced the selection – only about 10 left now
Zaugg attacks – Gilbert in trouble !!! The end of the world must be nigh
Gilbert blown
It’s all downhill from here – Zaugg leads. Basso, Lloyd, Pozzavivo, Rodriguez chase and Cunego has made it back (or is it Niemic ?)
Zaugg will win – 2.5 km to go, 20 secs and the chasing group don’t seem to be trying.
it’s a monument you gits… ride faster
He’s under the flamme rouge
Nice one – I have no idea who you are Oliver Zaugg but you took your chance and you took it well. Chapeau.
Brilliant ride from Zaugg!
Good heavens – that’s his first career win, according to Inrng. Not a bad way to start.
Wow, looks like I’ve scored another whopping one point! Finishing with style. Love seeing Martin in second, though! Gilbert was there and always lurking. Great race but what an unknown winner, eh?
great race, excellent win for Zaugg and 0 points for me!
I served up a bagel with this VSP.
This is one of the reasons I worry about Cav going to Sky next year. As successful as Brailsford has been on the track, sometimes their tactical sense on the road is beyond understanding.
They were the most prominent team chasing down Nibali with Michael Rogers, Cummings and someone else on the front, but at the end they didn’t have a single rider in the top 10.
What were they thinking, and who was thinking it ?
@Ron
They wear limar uktralight 777 roab helmet, supposedly the lightest helmet you can get in europe, In US, they have to make it a bit heavier and lose its title.,
Ha, and I didn’t think I believed in God…thanks for that awesome info, God.
Now to track one down and hope isn’t in the PRO level price range of $250 or so.
Um, think Nate has the VSP locked up, huh? Enjoy that apron, but I want your blood and urine tested!
@xyxax
I dunno. Dude climbed pretty well for his weight. That was an impressive move.
[vsp_results id=”9980″]
[/vsp_results]
[vsp_gc]
[/vsp_gc]
Chapeau to Eric for his astute and almost omniscient choices and double down on that Chapeau to Nate for an excellent run. Apron and sticker are in the mail as soon as Frank picks himself off the floor of whatever watering hole those V riders will end up in today. I haven’t looked at the weather for Seattle…
And those who have disputed results, let me know, I was rather quick in the data entry and I may have mixed up my Rodriguizes and Schanchezs. Too many names with these Spanish. Simmer down with all the names already.
@Gianni
Word is the UCI is annulling today’s di Lombardia and planning to run it again next week in the rain.
@Steampunk
I wonder if Oliver Zaugg was picked up by da Shack? Or did he just ride himself into a nice contract somewhere else?
I completely spaced this out, I thought the race was tomorrow so yes, I’d like to see it run next week in the rain, have Nibbles give it another run.
@Steampunk
Absolutely. And I don’t think anyone took it seriously at the time.
The name reminded me of an animated movie played on an endless loop at this house.
@Gianni
Word is he’s re-upped with Leopard-Radio-Schleck-Trek-Bruyneel-Shack-Mercedes-Nissan.
Hello guys, here Zaugg seconds after his win.
I’ve really enjoyed the race.
@Pedale.Forchetta
Good on you! That is great you were there with camera and access. Did you get into a team car again? Great photo, as usual.
So pleased I didn’t put any entries in for this race. A 0 points would have resulted either way. The real racing was happening at the Herald Sun Tour anyway.
Awesome photo, Pedale!
Lots of fun in the VSP lads. Congratulations, Nate, Marcus, G’phant.
Now winter training…or summer for some of ya!
@Gianni
Ciao! Not this time, me and another photographer, who appen to be a dear friend, have ridden the race on a car, well actually my car. We tried to make some photos at the Sormano village and we did!
@harminator
Superb picking there, haha!
Bravo to the Mighty Blackness for knocking over the Criminals. It was never going to be any other way.
@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.
You must be English.
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.
@Marcus
And Sonny Bill. Don’t forget Sonny Bill.
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! :)
@Pedale.Forchetta
Una bella foto, Pedale!
@Buck Rogers
my bad. Let’s see if this moves you up a point
[vsp_results id=”9980″]
[/vsp_results]
[vsp_gc]
[/vsp_gc]