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.

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frank says:

May 26 2012 at 11:55 am

@ChrisO

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.

Excellent point - I hadn't noticed he was talking about leaving. Could make sense. Could be a combination of all of the above. He put it in reverse again today, that's for sure.
frank says:

May 26 2012 at 12:03 pm

@Netraam
Oh, and I've worked out the problem: there are no bonus points on stage VSPs. Next time, before you declare your own superiority, I suggest you read the fucking rules. You didn't even have to go to the VSP page; I even took the time to point it out in the VSP article itself.

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.
DerHoggz says:

May 26 2012 at 12:32 pm

@San Tonio

@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.

I think celeste should only be on Bianchis, so fine if you have one.
San Tonio says:

May 26 2012 at 12:52 pm

@DerHoggz
@DerHoggz

@San Tonio

@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.

I think celeste should only be on Bianchis, so fine if you have one.

Not quite but I have a Bianchi celeste colored saddle on my 'B' bike and those would match nicely.
the Engine says:

May 26 2012 at 2:43 pm

Thank you Michele - I'm considering taking up punditry for a living now...
Bob Helland says:

May 26 2012 at 3:11 pm

FORZA BIANCHI!!
Belgian Cobblestones says:

May 26 2012 at 5:02 pm

@San Tonio

@DerHoggz @DerHoggz

@San Tonio

@DerHoggzI 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.

I think celeste should only be on Bianchis, so fine if you have one.

Not quite but I have a Bianchi celeste colored saddle on my 'B' bike and those would match nicely.

Celeste also known as Moon Mist for the more orec inclined
sgt says:

May 26 2012 at 5:28 pm

@frank
I suggest you change his moniker to "Net-Ron". Well played sir.
smithers says:

May 26 2012 at 7:01 pm

De Gendt was heroic - always love a Belgian taking honours in a cycling race - like an all black winning a rugby match or a Brazilian, football - it just feels right like the world is in order. On that topic and as great as the Giro is its nothing on my wife giving birth to my daughter on Friday. Amazing scenes. : )
frank says:

May 26 2012 at 7:09 pm

@smithers

De Gendt was heroic - always love a Belgian taking honours in a cycling race - like an all black winning a rugby match or a Brazilian, football - it just feels right like the world is in order. On that topic and as great as the Giro is its nothing on my wife giving birth to my daughter on Friday. Amazing scenes. : )

Ah, yes, the humble reminder that racing bikes is not the biggest deal in the world! Congrats!

And don't forget Rule 11 in the coming months...its going to be tough...