Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia 2012 Stage 20

The famous bends of the Stelvio

See that huge mountain over there? The one with the steep, twisty road going up it? The one that is often covered in snow this time of year? Right, race ya to the top.

I don’t know what more there is to say about this year’s Giro; four days from the end, with two of the biggest mountain stages yet to come and the G.C., Mountains, and Points competitions are all wide open. Basso is looking perhaps the freshest of the favorites, but Hope of a Nation is not looking to be weakening, either. Purito hasn’t shown weakness, though he also hasn’t really been able to show the speed he usually has on the uphill finishes; on his trademark uphill finale attacks, the slower men have (usually) been able to contain him. The Pony, on the other hand, showed his scars as he cracked on the way over the last hill on Wednesday’s stage and seems to be on the down side of his good form as we enter the final stretch.

Friday’s stage may well solidify the looks of things, but Saturday’s stage to the top of the Stelvio will be fireworks for sure. Clear your calendars for Friday and Saturday; this is going to be good.

Since this is a Tour stage, point on offer are 5 for first, 4 four second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for 5th. No bonus points for the right rider in the wrong place. Get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero. Points count towards your overall VSP total but do not effect your Giro VSP total. 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.

Next Ride Like a Leader: Ivan Basso »

Previous « Rule 43: Don't be a Jackass

View Comments

Buck Rogers says:

May 25 2012 at 5:54 am

Roman has been delegated to being the water bottle fetcher. Oh the tides of war, eh?
Buck Rogers says:

May 25 2012 at 5:56 am

@Dr C

No forget that, Gadret isn't going to do anything, Rujano must be saving himself for something

Roadslapper525, are they not going up the swithcbacks of folklore?? Shame

VSP PICKS:

1. Pozzovivo
2. Basso
3. Amador
4. Rujano
5. Urano

Doc, Rujano just abandoned the Giro. Thankfully still time to change your picks before tomorrow!
the Engine says:

May 25 2012 at 6:01 am

@ChrisO

@Marcus

Why is anyone making selections before the end of stage 19?

Shhhh... I thought the same thing, and then thought, let them go ahead - like a doomed breakaway.

Unless somebody exits the race its unlikely any of us would change our minds at least not in a meaningful way - I know I speak for many here when I say that I know fuck all - particularly about anyone's ability to climb a big hill in a race.
the Engine says:

May 25 2012 at 6:03 am

@Buck Rogers

Roman has been delegated to being the water bottle fetcher. Oh the tides of war, eh?

Did you see the Wookie at 77.2kms. Guns deffo needed some work. Ideal place for a Baxter concession I thought.
Buck Rogers says:

May 25 2012 at 6:29 am

@taon24

Will they let Rujano go? He's at 42 mins and therefore I think they might, but he might not have the legs to stay away. J-rod knows he needs time on the leaders, but I don't think he'll fully escape.

VSP PICKS:

1. Rujano
2. Pozzovivo
3. Rodriguez (Joaquim)
4. Basso
5. Scarponi

Yeah, they'll let him go alright, straight to the broomwagon! Sorry, just saw your post and had to comment!
936adl says:

May 25 2012 at 6:58 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Basso
2. My Little Pony
3. Duran Duran
4. JRod
5. Kreuziger
Buck Rogers says:

May 25 2012 at 7:25 am

Well, there goes Tiralongo. Guess i will be swapping him out later today.
mattd says:

May 25 2012 at 7:37 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Basso
2. J Rod
3. Hesjedal
4. Uran
5. Scarponi
Mikel Pearce says:

May 25 2012 at 7:59 am

Hope of a Nation FTW!

VSP PICKS:

1. Basso
2. Hesjedal
3. J. Rodriguez
4. Kreuziger
5. Pozzovivo
taon24 says:

May 25 2012 at 9:09 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez (Joaquim)
2. Hesjedal
3. Scarponi
4. Pozzivivo
5. Basso