It seems a disservice to start the Women’s Giro right before the Tour de France. Even at Velominati’s main bunker HQ, the new TdF VSP sponsorship excitement has overshadowed this race. But at least it is starting (the race and the VSP), nine stages, a time trial, some sprinting, some climbing and some serious transfers. The race starts in Napoli, the next day Roma, the next day Toscana, you get the idea. It could have started in Denmark so this is better, transfer-wise. Women racing through Italy, what’s not to like?
Judith Arndt (Orica-AIS) appears to be a juggernaut of pain dispensing femininity. She gets to wear her national champion kit for both the road races and the time trial. Evelyn Stevens (Specialized-Lululemon) has been training with the big boys in Boulder, Colorado. Marianne Vos (Rabobank) is back, healed and ready to defend. She might be just off her form enough to make this all very interesting. This Giro seems like ideal preparation for the Olympic road race and there is no good reason not to go full gas. There is plenty of time to recover, unlike the TdF, so the women can hold nothing back here and be ready to rock in London.
The start list here, time is short so make your picks right now. This race starts on Friday. Daily coverage will be available via raisports for those who either need even more cycling in their daily lives or who find men in lycra riding around France and Belgium distasteful.
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@Blah
Yes, a huge amount Delgado'd; there is so much attention on the Tour, it is really cruel of the UCI to syc this race with the biggest event on the calendar.
I've said it before, I'll say it again, the UCI have no fucking idea what they're doing and there needs to be full replacement of the top levels of that organization. They pretend like they're trying to promote the women's events and then they do this. Its crazy.
The Keepers fell victim to it ourselves; getting ready for the Tour, we knew it was on the calendar but didn't imagine it was actually in sync with the fucking thing.
Consider it a Schleckanical. Those of you who Delgado'd can hold a press conference and point out that you won't lose the VSP due to a Delgado. And then lose the VSP to exactly the amount lost by Delgado'ing the VGiroVSP.
It's very euro to just dismiss women's racing.
Oh man, nil pwans, oops...
@noiyce
Awesome - your intersleuthing is better than mine. Great stuff!
@Chipomarc
Are you calling the UCI Euro? Wait, oh...Fucking Pat McSpade. I wish he was a spade. You can get any manner of things accomplished with a spade. A shockingly diverse set of activities actually. Dig a hole, fill a hole. Dig something up, bury something else. Beat something, intimidate something. Commit a crime. Well, the UCI has a lot of that covered already. Maybe Pat is actually a spade.
Good move from Evy Stevens today to solo away and take the stage and the lead. @Oli takes over the Giro Femminile VSP with a big 25 point tally. Shockingly, everyone but @meursault has at least a few points, which stands in sharp contrast to the men's event.
Provisional Race Results
1. STEVENS Evelyn
2. VOS Marianne
3. POOLEY Emma
4. LUPERINI Fabiana
5. ARNDT Judith
Provisional VSP Standings
1. Oli (25 points)
2. SimonH (22 points)
3. TOM.NELS2120 (22 points)
4. versio (21 points)
5. Adrian (19 points)
6. sthilzy (19 points)
7. simonsaunders (19 points)
8. mouse (17 points)
9. 936adl (17 points)
10. Simon (16 points)
11. Aidas (15 points)
12. VeloVita (14 points)
13. Bianchi Denti (14 points)
14. The Oracle (14 points)
15. San Tonio (14 points)
16. Heihachi (14 points)
17. graham d.m. (14 points)
18. RedRanger (13 points)
19. Fausto (13 points)
20. Blah (13 points)
21. Deakus (12 points)
22. Cyclops (12 points)
23. snoov (12 points)
24. hammermama (12 points)
25. sprider (12 points)
26. Gianni (12 points)
27. tony macaroni (11 points)
28. Trobs (11 points)
29. seemunkee (11 points)
30. Belgian Cobblestones (11 points)
31. R00tdown (10 points)
32. brett (10 points)
33. Sauterelle (10 points)
34. Nate (9 points)
35. Dan_R (9 points)
36. noiyce (8 points)
37. the Engine (8 points)
38. razmaspaz (8 points)
39. Nosyt (8 points)
40. Tobin (8 points)
41. Erik (8 points)
42. Skinnyphat (8 points)
43. dancollins (8 points)
44. gaswepass (8 points)
45. Mikael Liddy (8 points)
46. el gato (8 points)
47. Marcus (8 points)
48. Ankush (6 points)
49. taon24 (6 points)
50. harminator (6 points)
51. Giles (6 points)
52. Two Ball Billy (6 points)
53. Marko (6 points)
54. Flying Crowbar (6 points)
55. Chappy McPappystackings (6 points)
56. eightzero (6 points)
57. LA Dave (6 points)
58. blue (6 points)
59. Ron (6 points)
60. scaler911 (6 points)
61. Lepidopterist (6 points)
62. calves (6 points)
63. Skip (6 points)
64. napolinige (4 points)
65. il ciclista medio (4 points)
66. itburns (4 points)
67. Rigid (4 points)
68. King Clydesdale (4 points)
69. frank (4 points)
70. Azzurri Tim (4 points)
71. Chris (4 points)
72. Lukas (2 points)
73. DerHoggz (2 points)
74. meursault (0 points)
http://www.podiumcafe.com/2012/7/1/3130102/giro-donne-2012-stage-3#storyjump
@frank
This is the highest placing I've ever had in anything ever
@the Engine
The timing on that post was just great - just after frank posted the new standings.
@Blah
There was irony involved on my part - I'm heading back towards mid-table obscurity.