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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@Daccordi Rider
Top varies with what is clean and what the temp is. Say G'day if you see me. Cheers.
VSP PICKS:
1. Cunny lingers
2. Pozz
3. Bass
4. Rod
5. INXS
Kreuzburger is going to be angry after bombing out on the previous mountain stage is my pick
VSP PICKS:
1. Kreuziger
2. Basso
3. J-Rod
4. Scarponi
5. Nieve
@sthilzy
The Torygraph is a great newspaper - worth reading for the obituaries alone.
Sadly becoming more rare, but if you are lucky you'll get some Squadron Leader / Major / Lieutenant-Commander Nigel Cholmondley-Fyffe who was thrown into WW2 with nothing more than an English public school education and a penchant for pipe-smoking, springer spaniels and hunting (possibly pipe-smoking hunting spaniels) who then proceeds to lead a commando raid where 16 men cripple an entire German tank division, get captured, escape by hiding in a sewage pipe for three weeks and make their way back to England by stealing a U-boat (underwater) before reporting for duty the next day with one eye missing. And then after the war they went back to chartered accountancy and became bank directors.
While I may exaggerate slightly it is deeply impressive to me that so many ordinary people do such extraordinary things, and it makes me reflect on whether I could do the same.
I bloody hate Frank for leaving mid-race. Bollocks to his shoulder injury
VSP PICKS:
1. Pozzovivo
2. Basso
3. Hesjedal
4. Uran
5. Scarponi
SO EXCITED! Even though they will be tackling the Stelvio from the less-famous Western Ascent from Bormio, not the 48 Switchback turns of the classic route from Prato alla Stelvio, this is a cracking climb and a great stage. Ivan B is NOT going to let history repeat itself and he and Pozz are going to go head to head all the way up.
Will post later answering other questions... but yes, I am still out here lurking... work is all encompassing, yet hands still hurt from Belgium KT (is that normal?)... go figure
VSP PICKS:
1. The Bass Man
2. Pozzovivo
3. Ryder H
4. JRod
5. Uran
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
VSP PICKS:
1. Rujano
2. Rodriguez (Joaquim)
3. Basso
4. Scarponi
5. Pozzivivo
VSP PICKS:
1. Pozzovivo
2. Kreuziger
3. Scarponi
4. Ryder
5. Rujano
@roadslave525
Should have gone a bit slower - like I did.
When work is less encompassing, give me a shout and we'll get a beer.