Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia 2014
For the simple reason that the Cobbled and Ardennes Classics are behind us, I have not alternative but to get back on my soap box about the Giro being the best of the three Grand Tours. Well, usually, at least. Last year’s race sucked the big one (even if it was supremely Rule #9), but for the most part it is the race that is the most closely contested of the three. There are mountains everywhere Italy meaning there are less bunch sprints, the weather is completely unreliable, and the slightly lower calibre of rider seems hungrier. Or maybe the reduced pressure means riders aren’t quite as stressed out and are able to funnel that extra energy into the race.
My favorite Giro is a hard one to pick out, but its either the 1988 Giro when Andy Hampsten took the win after freezing himself stiff with Erik Breukink on the Gavia or when Pantani took his in 1998. I’ve been watching the ’98 Giro during my morning turbo sessions and Merckx-oh-me, that was an All-Drugs Olympics nail-biter. ’98 is also an interesting contrast to ’88; in just a decade, the technology had changed so much but more than that, the doping atmosphere in the sport transformed completely. From Hampsten’s Giro, EPO went from just being dabbled with on the fringes to being abused by leaders and domestiques alike by the time Pantani won. Hampsten wrote a nice piece about racing against dopers in Tyler Hamilton’s book, The Secret Race. He described the various side-effects that the popular drugs of his era had, such as bloating and a tendency to make the user over-estimate their abilities. Amphetamine made the riders do stupid things, cortisone made them retain water, and steroids made them heavy; a clean rider could use those factors to their advantage. A far cry from the rocket fuel that allowed humble domestiques to big ring up major alpine passes.
Why am I talking about drugs? There’s a race starting in a few days, people! This is our first Grand Tour, and the picks are worth more points, not to mention that strategy starts to play into things with the chance to swap your picks out on either of the rest days – at a certain point penalty. Remember that points are not accumulated; the standings on the last day of the race are what kinds, so keep the long game in mind.
Any points you win count towards the overall prizes plus the winner of this event also gets to post for the rest of the year in the pink jersey badge. So check the start list, review the VSP Grand Tour Scoring Guidelines and get your picks in by the time the countdown clock goes to zero at midnight PDT on Friday, May 9th. If you think we mapped one of your picks wrong, use the dispute system and we’ll review it. Also remember to be precise enough in your description so we know which rider you mean; in other words, if you enter “Martin”, we will use our discretion (read: wild guess) to decide if you mean Tony or Dan – and that choice will not be negotiable once the the countdown clock goes to zero. There has also been a recent scourge of people putting a rider in more than one place. Two words: Piti Principle, people! Don’t make me do a bunch of extra programming to keep you from being allowed to submit such an obviously unsportsmanlike set of picks. We will mercilessly clear out all your entries should we find you have attempted this.
Also don’t forget we’ve got three major prizes for the season-long VSP:
- First place overall wins a Veloforma Strada iR Velominati Edition frame in addition to the customary VSP winner’s VVorkshop Apron
- Second place overall wins a set of hand built CR Wheelworks Arenberg wheelset in a custom Velominati paint scheme laced to orange Chris King hubs. (CR Wheelworks is Café Roubaix’s new wheel goods brand.)
- Third place overall wins a full Velominati V-Kit with accompanying custom orange Bont Vaypor+ road shoes.
Good luck, have fun with it, and don’t lose your Rule #43 spirit.
[vsp_results id=”29781″/]
That’s looking a bit better. Now I just need Nairo ro make up about three minutes in a solo ride through the mountains but that can wait until next week.
His name is Rigo and he’s dancing to Milan
Oh Rigo Rigoberto Duran Duran
Clearly OPQS have ditched the podium caps and replaced them with real cycling caps. For that alone, we should be grateful.
Big Ryder H is taking his time, but I’m fully confident he can win this thing. He’s playing the stealthy game and not giving too much away too early. Patience, big man, patience . . .
@Rhodri
Watch him lose more during the next 1 1/2 weeks. It’s hard to imagine him taking any time from Uran, Majka and Pozzovivo during any of the remaining stages. Of course, Quintana will only continue to climb (pun intended) in the GC.
It’s time to stick a fork in Evans and BMC, they’re done (That said, Evans must not fall any further than third in the GC*. Just sayin’). Just look at the 2013 Giro. Evans didn’t podium on any of the 2013 mountain stages and lost almost 3 minutes to Nibali in the ITT (Stage 18) (more mountains).
* But . Just sayin’
Ack! We need an edit function here, or I need to stop insisting on using amy iPhone to post to the interwebs.
@wiscot
Gerrans and Wiggins have lately worn proper caps on the podium, so it looks like OPQS and maybe a bit of social media have done some good here. I’m just happy I live in a place where wearing one still marks you out as a cyclist, not a dipshit. Gave a nod and a wave from my bike to a guy walking in a Campy cap a few weeks ago — he gave me a big grin.
I missed the business end of the stage as I grabbed the chance of an early workday finish for a decent ride, which turned into a sheeting rain, flooded road storm kind of a ride. Head down, power on, can’t get any wetter. Good on Rigo; I do like the guy.
@andrew
Hopefully, it’s the beginning of a more permanent “normality” for proper caps to be worn and we’ll look back on the podium/baseball cap era with the same distaste as the doping years.
New rule suggestion: if you wear a current pro or vintage cap, be sure you know who/what the names/sponsors stand for. Brooklyn, for example, has nothing to do with New York, but was chewing gum. Molteni make stoves.
@Minnesota Expat
Who is Amy?
@Teocalli Edit. Again. Should read, “I need to stop insisting on using my iPhone…”. Serves me right for surfing steephill.tv and velominati.com while working.
@Minnesota Expat
I’m tending to agree with you about Evans – looks like his goose is cooked – but I”m also wondering what Uran has sacrificed to improve his TT so much. Potentially something in the climbing equation? Nairo is yet to play his hand but Pozzo looks to be battling IMHO.
Nov 15 2013 —
Yes it is way early (way early), but picking a winner of the Giro d’Italia 97Ëš now – Rigoberto Uran.
Well shoot. Maybe I should have done rest day swaps. Cadel can still pull this out. Uran has never had the leadership role and it isn’t like OPQS has had many grand tour plans lately…. other than Levi Leipheimer.
Omega pharma QStep finishes 4 of the top 8 slots in the TT. They must have had a heck of a breakfast.
@unversio
WAY early on calling out the winner, but that’s some seriously casual deliberate right there. Stylish too (except for the mullet . . . ) Given how most pros dress when left to their own devices, he’s a winner there. Hey, Vaughters – check out Rigoberto – that’s how it’s done – look great and look like you haven’t tried too hard.
@fignons barber
Or Tony Martin’s been dishing out a few tips . . . OPQS have a decent track record in TTTs too. It’s karma for not wearing shitty caps.
@Erik
1 OMEGA PHARMA – QUICK-STEP 69pts
2 LAMPRE – MERIDA 24pts
3 TINKOFF SAXO 24pts
4 AG2R LA MONDIALE 23pts
5 BMC RACING TEAM 18pts
6 MOVISTAR TEAM 17pts
7 TEAM SKY 16pts
8 BELKIN-PRO CYCLING TEAM 14pts
9 ASTANA PRO TEAM 5pts
10 NERI SOTTOLI 3pts
@unversio Love that photo. I can read my own story into it but would like to hear why you posted it. Unless it’s self evident, then I guess my story will suffice.
@Bespoke
Humble photo and says “I know I’m overlooked.”
I seem to recall an article referencing that Evans and BMC would like to lose the jersey in order that they do not have to control the peleton from here on out. I suggest marking your GC rider puts a great strain on the entire team, and so being within striking distance of the leader allows you to sit in more, remain fresher. It seems the lead GC rider’s team are often tasked with pulling down the breaks if they are threatening to GC.
That said, I’m on record for stating here that Evans might be likely to lose his shit in the last week, like he did last year when Nibbles was able to run away from him, and Rigo overtook him for 2nd.
Biggest surprise for me is Quint, wondering if he will bust his guts as the mountains come, but he is a loooong way back.
As far as Rogers goes, he was allowed to go obv as BMC saw no threat, and no one else was gonna chase. Still, classy to win any stage in the Giro!
Finally, yes, I’ve noted previously, Cav, Terpstra et al have been donning the casquette on the podium, OGE at times also, so hopefully the tide is turning! The BBall cap just sucks balls when you see it on the podium next to a real cap.
Can’t wait for stage 16: Gavia + Stelvio = fucking excite!
@Beers
Quint!
@wiscot
There were some boys that looked like they’d gone pretty deep as they were crossing the line, given they’ll now be expected to control the pack with the Maglia on Mick’s shoulders I just wonder if they might come to regret spending too much too early?
@unversio Gold!
@Mikael Liddy
yes, that’s what I was thinking. Usually when you have a guy for the gc, the workers are told to sit up and rest in an ITT. Save your cookies.
With regards to their caps, effort is there but they need to specify the ADULT sized cap from their supplier. The cap must be PUFFY on top of the head, not stretched over the circumference of their cranium.
@minion
Tyler blamed someone else for hitting the brakes in front of him, big bunch going through a tight corner, who could have seen that coming….
@wiscot
It’s not a mullet. A mullet has short top and sides although I grant you it’s close.
This is a mullet
@Beers
I’m with you in that yes, I have heard that that is their preference. If I remember correctly it was Evans himself that said it was a big burden to carry the jersey from so early.
Gerro said that they have both Caps and Baseball hats in the bus for use at various times (Rule #22). What they get to wear on the Podium depends on what the Swanny hands him at the time and that in turn depends on what the swanny could put their hand to when packing for the finish line. If you’ve ever seen inside a team bus you’ll understand why they often cannot find the exact item they want at the time and grab what ever comes to hand. I would agree though that more thought seems to be given to it with a preference going to caps.
Pre-giro d’itlaiia
Great ITT! Impressive show put on by Uran, I am excited to see how he fares come Tuesday.
@Puffy
OPQS gets it right every single time… neat and efficient Belgians vs sloppy, chaotic Australians? Never…
@fignons barber
Sigh, caps are almost always one size fits all, and for those of us with big heads, options are limited. We can’t all be Gianni Bugno.
What a stage! Did not see that coming at all but well done Duran Duran!
Anyone found a link to a Cuddles post race interview yet….. just askin?
@Dr C
No, just this;
“My position is still good tactically,” Evans said. “I think it is going to be interesting.”
@sthilzy
He knows he beaten – shame, much more fun when he loses the rag
Good to see Rigo getting some exposure as team leader after all his donkey work at Sky – justifies his shift in teams – interesting to see how second string skyteam manage to look after him and how he manages his team – Cadel’s experience might just yet be a telling factor – Giro as always (apart from Berties recent horizon job) continues to tickle the neck hairs
What a ride by Uran. He absolutely smashed that, chapeau to him.
It’s not over yet though, neither BMC nor OPQS (nor Movistar for that matter) look likely to control it in the mountains. Cracking race already that looks like it can only get better. Bring it on.
My VSP is fucked with Martin & Purito out, but I’m already in the autobus so what the hell.
Taking your rain jacket off while riding along looks pro, no? Oops.
@Geraint
Was just about to make a similar comment!
That’s a whole lottahail
That’s one chuffed Italian!
Nice result today. I’m always happy to see the breakaway succeed especially when one of the “wee” teams gets the win. Nice too to see the bunch not getting its shit together in time to reel them in.Italian cycling needs all the help it can get with regard to pro teams and wins like this help the cause immensely.
Really going to be a great final of the Giro, starting tomorrow. There are probably 5 guys who could still win. Shaping up to be one of the best Grand Tours in years.
@fignons barber ++1!
the plan is out early tomorrow for a quick*metric c. and then line up some recovery beverage and watch the fireworks!
*quick as possible
Yep, looks like a beauty , be interesting to see who can be there for Uran, the other GC guy’s only seem to have one wing man each and he is strong, he will probably have to defend alone but he looks like he is light and he is climbing well, the others look like pretenders rather than contenders.
@unversio
That partially debadged Sky flight case is quite ironic, I think. He changed teams to get a better crack at GC as he couldn’t get a look in at Sky, but with Froome, Wiggins, Porte and Henao all indisposed, he’d have been their man for the Giro this year. I think he’d be in a better position to win it now if he’d stayed, but then it’ll be an even greater achievement if he wins it anyway.
Colombians everywhere
Hell that looked hard today
@Rhodri Great stage and incredible racing. I could not have predicted the result in a million guesses.
This Giro is only just beginning…
Damn!
Sprint from the drops — 1st and 2nd.