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.
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Basso rides from the front and leaves them all behind. J-Rod does well to hold but cracks and looses his requisite minute. Ryder does well to hold on to secure a spot on the podium, but he can't hold Cavendish's wheel in the final.
Yeah, my number four pick won't impact my score, that's the funny part.
VSP PICKS:
1. Basso
2. J-Rod
3. Pozzovivo
4. Cavendish
5. Scarples
@frank
That's being fairly charitable, really. Isn't it Spanish custom for the first last name to be the father's and the second last name to be the mother's?
Pozzovivo: I've loved his spunk and climbing through the Giro, but is he really going to challenge on Saturday? Before he can race up the Stelvio, he has to come down three pretty big mountains. I really don't see him staying in contention...
@frank
Geez! Better hope you don't get called in for an impromptu doping test this evening...
VSP PICKS:
1. Pozzovivo
2. Basso
3. Scarponi
4. Hesjedal
5. Uran
VSP PICKS:
1. Ivan Basso
2. JoaquÃm RodrÃguez Oliver
3. Roman Kreuziger
4. Michele Scarponi
5. Alessandro Ballan
@napolinige
Who, pray, is Henao?
VSP PICKS:
1. Basso
2. J-Rod
3. Pozzovivo
4. Cavendish
5. Scarples
@frank
Um, Colombian rider? Teammate of your stellar fourth pick? Tenth in the GC? Don't you follow this sport?
@frank
...trying and failing to come up with some lame Crowded House reference. Sergio Luis Don't Dream It's Over. And still failing...
@Belgian Cobblestones
So jealous right now...
I see what you're all doing...picks in now so you sit high in the 'first in best dressed' stakes, then watch tonight's stage & change them all accordingly.
(yes I may be doing the exact same thing)
VSP PICKS:
1. Basso
2. Hesjedal
3. Pozzovivo
4. Columbian Caveman
5. Nieve