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.

View Comments

  • @RedRanger
    I think it is still our duty to tell it to him as often as we can.

    But this is something most of my classmates (economy, nothing with computers) can do in Excel. Where would someone who actually knows his coding go wrong?

  • @frank

    @ChrisO

    My theory... Kreuziger hasn't taken part in the 'Preparation' program of Astana and so they have no sympathy when he has an off day, and probably he can't train the same way and they get on his case even more. He'll leave and hopefully find a team that suits him, where he will develop.

    Funny you mention this, have you read Breaking the Chain? It seemed to me much more likely in that context that The Angry Cross mixed drugs he shouldn't have and that caused his off day. His blowup was almost identical to Zulle's in the 98 Giro, and it's well known now that the cocktail caused it.

    Is that the WIlly Voight book - no I haven't read it.

    You might be right but I was also thinking of his lack of results and the fact there appears to have been tension for a while, with him talking about wanting to go to another team. He's clearly not happy there and if what we suspect is going on at Astana IS going on at Astana then that would be an obvious - but unmentionable - source of acrimony.

  • @RedRanger

    @Netraam
    I hear you. We have seen this happen before, so I'm guessing he might know about it.

    Yeah, unless you have Phil Anderson's head stuck in your pick slots, take it to the dispute button! (just kidding around. Still kills me that i had Phils head in my slots for a few days. Man i do NOT understand computers).

  • @Buck Rogers

    No!!! Unbelievable, J Rod gets the points jersey with that late attack for fourth place on the stage.

    Yup, official stage results and overall has J Rod in first on the points jersey by one point! He is a worthy winner but Cav MUST be kicking himself for his second place a few days ago, not to mention the earlier crashes. Misses the jersey by ONE point!

  • @DerHoggz
    I think I could spend the rest of the day looking at the Bianchi website and store.
    Might have to get some Celeste grip tape for one of my bikes.

  • @Netraam

    But this is something most of my classmates (economy, nothing with computers) can do in Excel. Where would someone who actually knows his coding go wrong?

    I didn't realize I should be dropping my Saturday afternoon plans to snap to your needs.

    To dispute is one thing, to point out a possible error is another and appreciated. However, to arrogantly suggest you and your friends can better run this process with an Excel (wtf) spreadsheet is on a completely different order.

    Incredibly insulting and not appreciated in the slightest.

    You're welcome to quit the VSP and go play dungeons and dragons with your mates; spreadsheets are probably a very useful tool for that.

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