Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia
The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues the with Giro d’Italia, on Saturday May 8 in Amsterdam. This will be the first Grand Tour of the series, and while we have a set of rules established for the competition, we’ll be modifying them as we go if we notice any problems with them.
Personally, I feel the Giro is the Cyclist’s Grand Tour; it’s not as main-stream or commercial as the Tour de France, but the race generally makes for a more exciting three weeks. There is something about the topography and geography of Italy that seems to lend itself to unpredictable and aggressive racing where several riders typically stay in contention until the final stages of the race.
With this being the first Grand Tour of the series, we’ve set up a scoring system that we think will be fair but will also help to close down the competition and afford newcomers the ability to catch up with some good picks. Jump over to the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a full explanation of the rules and the standings, but here is the ten-second overview:
Every contestant is to choose their top five General Classification picks of the race. The final podium of the Giro is worth 15 points to the winner, 10 points for second, 5 points for third, 3 points for fourth, and 2 point for fifth. Given the effect crashes can have on a tour, we’ve set up some guidelines around making changes to your lineup during the race: you’re allowed to change your lineup if any rider in your pick list drops out for any reason without any penalty; rest days will allow contestants to make changes to their lineup, however those changes will come at a point penalty. (Visit the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a complete breakdown of these points.)
Every day, the leader in the points standings will have the honor of wearing the Pink Jersey when commenting on the site; the overall winner will wear the Pink Jersey for the remainder of the season, and will also earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker. All reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section.
Sub-competitions will be conducted while the Giro is underway for specific stages. These stages will be chosen a few days prior to the stage being held and will be selected based on the current race conditions with the aim of choosing the most decisive and exciting stages of the race, so check back often to make sure you don’t miss out.
Good luck!
No Rules directly related but +1 for Basso for wearing only a pink jersey. No pink shoes, no pink bike, not even pink bibs. That’s classy.
@david
He’s an Australian George Hincrappie. You want to like him, but he makes it impossible. His ride up the last climb today was pretty ‘core, though. But in Evans form, too little, too late.
@Jarvis, @Marko
So happy Basso rode in team kit with the Maglia. Dude has class.
@all
Not sure if there’s a change to the VSP today; I’ll run the numbers and post on it soon.
@david
@frank I like Cadel – how does he do it with that body and style of riding up hill (not to mention the chin)? I mean if he were a little more efficient he would be a monster. Ok he is not Mr. Smooth off the bike but he has some great palmeres and is a true hardman. He gets top points for guts and determination. I bet he makes the podium tomorrow.
@all
Confirmed; no change in the VSP. Robert holds on for another day.
@Rob
He does get points for guts and determination. Unfortunately, he always seem to be a little short on the strategery. But I’d love to see him podium.
@all
Well, after 21 days of racing, we have our final VSP Results, with Roberto taking the Pink Jersey badge in the end. I really expected another shakeup with A-yo-yo having a catastrophic ride, but he held on magnificently.
1 Frank: 9 points
2 Robert Marques: 6 points
3 John: 5 points
4 Marko: 2 points
5 Geof: 2 points
6 Joe: 2 points
7 Jarvis: 1 point
8 Brett: 0 points
9 Rob: 0 points
10 Nathan Edwards: 0 points
I’m heading out for a long ride today, but will tally up the overall VSP standings today and see if there’s a change in the overall leadership, but at a glance it appears Rob stays in the lead.
That was a pretty forlorn first VSP outing, must do better next time.
Nice work Roberto! And this, to an extent, marks the end of the purists cycling season. Sure, there are two GT’s, Tour de Suisse, World Championship, Lombardy, etc. etc. remaining but to me, in many ways, the season’s peak is behind us.
@Marko,
didn’t the season peak when Roubaix finished? Looking forward to the Dauphine this year and the Tour will come along as usual and I’ll be blase about it because I don’t really care for any of the contenders and then I’ll get swept up in it all. Then it’s skip August and the Vuelta in order to peak for the Autumn Classics.
For sure this was one of the most exciting GT ever…no doubt that Giro d’Italia is the best one! Have you seen this picture from Graham Watson http://twitpic.com/1sjiag ?
I am also very glad to score my firt pink jersey in my first VSP! By the way how come I am the winner if I have 6 points and Frank has 9?
@Roberto Marques
Velominati authors can only play, not win. So if you like yourself in pink, yellow, or rainbow don’t start writing for the blog. Again, congrats.
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