Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia 2016
Ladies and gentlemen, prepare for the Giro, 2016, starting in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands and finishing in Torino, Italy. Here is a provisional start list. The riders make the race so it should be fantastic racing, a race up the whole of the country, for three weeks, what’s not to love? The Giro usually has a crazy stage and we are unsure what this year’s edition holds in that category, maybe more racing at night, or on dirt, bring it on. The Shark, Landa, Malmerde, Uran Uran, even Red Ryder, and more, each have a decent shot at the over all.
We all know the drill, this race starts on Friday so keep your delgado monkey on a tight leash. Consult your personal oracles; there are bike frames, carbon wheels, V-kit and more for the winners of the season-long overall VSP. Further details can be found on the VSP page. Bon chance.
[vsp_results id=”42800″/]
@Teocalli
I think that it is Frahnk’s not-so-subtle way to tell me to shut the f#ck up and not post so much!
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
@Buck Rogers
It is starting to look like persecution.
I got listed for making rest day swaps but if I changed nothing, how can I be penalized? My ineptitude at making good picks is enough of a burden to bear.
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
WTF?
Think I’ll reluctantly pass on the rest day swaps. Take my Delgado on the chin. There’s no way I’m going 25 points in the hole to get in on this.
Good luck everyone!
*sniff, sniff*
@universo
I’ve been assigned to make you look better.
@stooge
Too funny. I think we’ve all been there and I don’t miss the work parenting the young uns. But they sure are cute at that age. We’re empty nesters with one in college, but it was only yesterday I was steadying my daughter on her first ride sans training wheels. Tonight, I spent an hour on the phone with her, helping with an essay on the nuances of the literal translation of Jihad, the classical Sharia definition, and the modern interpretation. Sigh…
@Minnesota Expat
Yeah, they sure are cute at that age. I’m in no rush, but I am looking forward to getting more sleep. They are more work than I’d envisaged. I suppose that is a common theme. Teaching my son to ride is a lot of fun. He’s been on a balance bike for just over a year, and especially loves getting around the local BMX track on it. He can pedal a trike, too. He can’t seem to put the two together yet. So, I put the training wheels on, but now he tries to initiate a turn by leaning into it, which doesn’t produce the desired effect. I’m sure that eureka moment will come one day soon.
An empty nest but still helping out with some knowledge and wisdom – sounds like the best of both worlds. I hope one of mine is academically inclined, for mostly selfish reasons. When the boy was born, I thought I could continue with a full time research position, part time teaching, and the completion of a PhD in my spare time. Boy was I wrong. Spare time – what on earth was I thinking?
And Ryder carries on his tradition of stuffing around at the back of the pack and getting caught out by splits in the first two weeks. Is he the dumbest rider out there?
@Daccordi Rider
Yes, i reckon so. Dumbest Ryder or dumbest rider, I like what you did there !
Not exactly sure why but I have always loved Le Petit Prince as a rider and I was really happy to see him in Blue this morning and to see him extend his lead on today’s stage (not so crazy about the team headgear, though).
Would anyone mind explaining the rules about contact with team cars? It’s rather “ugly” to see riders slip back, losing contact with the peloton, then zoomed back to pack, using team cars as power while other riders have to struggle, using their own power. ???
@Bespoke
Well, it’s illegal. Supposedly.
@Teocalli
It’s hardly subtle, such that it could be overlooked. And those are only the times when they’re caught on camera. I guess it’s discretionary but, it does seem to be material, especially cumulatively.
Thanks
@Bespoke
I suppose it’s marginally better than getting on a train.
@Teocalli
Lead out train or choo choo?
@Bespoke
Choo choo. 1906 T de F. Julien Gabory, Henri Gauban, Gaston Tuvache, Maurice Carrere disqualified for taking a train. There had been suspects too in 1904. Then again the stages were brutally long in those days.
@Teocalli
Fantastic. At first, I thought you meant the former but then realized you might have a story like that!
Bravo Wellens. Nice to see a crazy long attack finally work for him, after a few that failed this spring.
“What Dumoulin said about only focusing on the time trials? They were comments designed to throw off and mislead the enemy,” Valverde told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
Wow! Just wow! What would you like Alejandro? For Dumoulin to say, “Hey guys, I’m feeling really great and have every intention of giving it my all to win the Giro.” How dare the big Dutchman try and bluff you, you ex-fucking doper? That’s just not fair, is it? Man, I really didn’t like Valverde before, but now I just hate him.
I love how none of the stage winners have a clue as to what they should do with the little green dude with the spindly legs that they keep handing them. Arm cradle? Hold him over my head? Kiss him? Throw him to the crowd?
But…they all know what to do with the Prosecco.
I also feel like Juan Antonio Flecha could easily do comedy. He seems like he’s telling a joke and about to break into laughter, even when he’s just explaining a finishing climb.
Also, I don’t know what to make of Dumoulin. He’s probably just shy. But, he seems like some sort of skater or surfer who is so stoned that he doesn’t know what to do unless he’s shreading OR making out with his hot chick in public.
Little Caleb gets taken to sprint school. I’m thinking the Gorilla enjoyed that one. Top notch.
@wiscot
There, Mate. fixed your post for you.
(And just when I thought that I could not like Malmerde any worse….)
@Buck Rogers
Thank you kind sir. My dislike/hatred or Malmerde is fueled by deep suspicions that a rider of his age should not still be riding so consistently well.
And while I’m at it, will someone give Dumoulin a real cap please? Baseball caps are bad enough, but now he’s wearing one of those things with the wide, flat brim. What is he, a 12 year old skateboarder?
Apparently the Strade Bianche section tomorrow is highly likely to be wet.
@Teocalli
can’t wait, looks like one hell of a run home.
http://inrng.com/2016/05/giro-stage-8-preview-arezzo/
Its only a little ironic that I would DNS this particular VSP because I was traveling to Italy for a vacation/family visit
Watching one of the links today provided via steephill with commentary in Italian. I can’t understand much but is perfecto nonetheless. Gotta love the Italian language. I have visions of a beautiful Italian lady saying “Maranello” and “Ferrari” in only the way an Italian can say it. Saluti.
@piwakawaka
I certainly don’t have the history with this sport that many of you do but, was that not a fantastic stage? I love the Bianche sections, the narrowness of the road, the challenge of the ascent and of the descent. Would love to ride roads like those – without cars and probably at a quarter the speed!
@Bespoke
Fantastic display from BamBamBrambilla, how do you attack the gravel? Stick it in the big dog motherfucker!
Great racing, surprised to see my pick Tom lose so much time, now 42 seconds off Zakarin, he almost looked like he had a power limiter set at a particular number over which he was not going to go, he always looks so good on a bike that he didn’t look in difficulty, he just wasn’t going to go that hard. Hopefully he was saving it for the TT, if he finds his legs he could inflict some serious damage over 40km.
The Giro is a brilliant tactical battle, really enjoying it so far.
@piwakawaka
@Bespoke
I also like the Giro much more the Le Tour
Can’t quite put my finger on it but to me the Giro just seems raw, whereas Le Tour seems staged ( pun intended) from day one.
Hell of a stage. Loved the old city finish, with amazing crowds. Good stuff indeed.
@Erik
Yup. That turned out well. Uran is done. Stick a fork in him.
@Minnesota Expat
Yeah. I also have Hesjedal in there. Oh well.
@Teocalli
hmm, maybe I know more than I thought………
@Erik
Easy now on the Lumberjack, eh? Third week he’ll be fine. I’m stoked for my man Bobby Jungels! EQS might have had an iffy spring, but the Giro is coming up pink roses.
@wiscot
When he’s five minutes down? I like watching Hesjedal, Uran, and Dumoulin for that matter, but I’m not picking them again as top five finishers in a grand tour. They’re the same class of rider as Porte, over three-weeks, they are going to have one day that blows.
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
@Barracuda
I love the Giro, passionately. It was le Tour that initially won me, but it is the Giro that I look forward to the most. The Tour is grand, with the best riders from the best teams in attendance and all the pomp and ceremony that brings. La Vuelta is fun too, not least as a place to see the up and comers get a three week test. The Giro always seems to have great courses, more variable climes and weather, amazing climbs and descents, and stage planning often bordering on cruelty. Being early in the season, it’s hard to know who is in grand tour form. It’s got it all.
Check out stage 10. They’ve just had an ITT and a rest, then we get to watch this roller-coaster, which is sure to mess with the best laid plans. Also check out 14. There’s a little climb and decent to begin, then around 70km of almost constant climbing(!), followed by another roller-coaster with some more climbing . That’ll be sweet viewing, but to top it off it’s followed by the stage 15 ITT – a roughly 10km climb at 8.3% average. Now that is nearing cruelty, given the previous stage.
There’s a long, long way to go, and I fully expect some shake ups in the GC over the next week. Now I just need to find a way to stay awake to see the stage finishes at 2am each night…
Long live the Giro!
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
I don’t usually like to do swaps, but Uran has let me down. Valverde in.
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
Zakarin – out, Valv – in
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
Changed out the dutchmen.
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
Dont like the idea of dropping V points here, but what the heck…..
VSP PICKS (1st Rest Day Swaps):
@stooge
Yeah, I looked at the rest of the stage profiles. Crazy! Lots more racing and if you have a bad day on the wrong day, you’re toast. With Kittel gone, Greipel must be looking good for a couple more stages so long as a break doesn’t stay away. I’m thinking Andre could finish with five wins – and I’d be thrilled with that as he’s a class act. (ps, I hate calling him “the Gorilla” as while I understand it being based on strength and physique, I find it kinda demeaning in a “he’s big and strong but dumb” way. My opinion, FWIW. pps no swaps for me.
Seriously impressive from Landa on the TT…..
http://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/racing/mikel-landa-manages-stay-upright-despite-sliding-off-road-giro-ditalia-time-trial-video-225556?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=Social#Mo2XXm6brcBLfT7B.99
Switched on TOC yesterday and this is the first image of the race on NBC SN
@Teocalli
can you imagine having to try & TT in those conditions? Might explain some of the poorer results people have been using to write off potential contenders. Even Roglic was pretty open about the fact that he got lucky with the weather.
http://cyclingtips.com/2016/05/roglic-takes-stage-nine-time-trial-brambilla-defends-giro-ditalia-race-lead/
Balls. Landa 3 mins down on the first climb.
Aaaaaand landa is out way to destroy literally everyone’s top picks.