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.
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
VSP PICKS:
1. Stevens
2. Vos
3. Arndt
4. Pooley
5. Hausler
Ok, I know Marianne should be first, hope I'm wrong.
VSP PICKS:
1. Pooley
2. Vos
3. Johansson
4. Bronzini
5. Stevens
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. Vos
3. Pooley
4. Bronzini
5. Visser
Here' s to hoping I do just a bit better with the women this go around
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. Stevens
3. Vos
4. Pooley
5. Johansson
VSP PICKS:
1. Vos
2. Pooley
3. Cooke
4. Armitstead
5. Villumsen
This is a tough call. I have done my homework and this is a throwdown set of picks. I will be wearing a brand new badge after this 9 day dust-up.
Ina is hot right now and she has the best team, hands down. Her teammate and the future Mrs Richter, Clara Hughes will crack the top 5 working for Ina. Martine will fight and get second. Emma Pooley and Judith will round out the top 5...
Consider yourselves servered.
VSP PICKS:
1. Ina Teutenberg
2. Martine Bras
3. Emma Pooley
4. Judith Arndt
5. Clara Hughes
VSP PICKS:
1. Cooke
2. Vos
3. Pooley
4. Arndt
5. Hausler
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. vos
3. stevens
4. hausler
5. coo
Arndt is a monster right now, Vos has more experience than Stevens so I'm picking her to beat her. 4ht and 5th, who knows. I didn't even pick an Italian or French rider. Shame on me.
VSP PICKS:
1. Arndt
2. vos
3. stevens
4. hausler
5. cooke
Be nice if the men's race was as hard to pick as this is...
VSP PICKS:
1. stevens
2. pooley
3. vos
4. arndt
5. cooke