The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues the with Giro d’Italia, on Saturday May 8 in Amsterdam. This will be the first Grand Tour of the series, and while we have a set of rules established for the competition, we’ll be modifying them as we go if we notice any problems with them.
Personally, I feel the Giro is the Cyclist’s Grand Tour; it’s not as main-stream or commercial as the Tour de France, but the race generally makes for a more exciting three weeks. There is something about the topography and geography of Italy that seems to lend itself to unpredictable and aggressive racing where several riders typically stay in contention until the final stages of the race.
With this being the first Grand Tour of the series, we’ve set up a scoring system that we think will be fair but will also help to close down the competition and afford newcomers the ability to catch up with some good picks. Jump over to the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a full explanation of the rules and the standings, but here is the ten-second overview:
Every contestant is to choose their top five General Classification picks of the race. The final podium of the Giro is worth 15 points to the winner, 10 points for second, 5 points for third, 3 points for fourth, and 2 point for fifth. Given the effect crashes can have on a tour, we’ve set up some guidelines around making changes to your lineup during the race: you’re allowed to change your lineup if any rider in your pick list drops out for any reason without any penalty; rest days will allow contestants to make changes to their lineup, however those changes will come at a point penalty. (Visit the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a complete breakdown of these points.)
Every day, the leader in the points standings will have the honor of wearing the Pink Jersey when commenting on the site; the overall winner will wear the Pink Jersey for the remainder of the season, and will also earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker. All reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section.
Sub-competitions will be conducted while the Giro is underway for specific stages. These stages will be chosen a few days prior to the stage being held and will be selected based on the current race conditions with the aim of choosing the most decisive and exciting stages of the race, so check back often to make sure you don’t miss out.
Good luck!
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
Looks like we will have Basso, Evans and Nibali on the podium on sunday...and for sure I will not be in pink jersey...meet you next time in Paris!
Ahhh unlike Rob, I feel I may have peaked too early...my time in the maglia rosa may be short, but certainly not full of misery. More 'Good Cadel' today, he had to pull something out and did. Clever marking by Basso though and was it me or did he get impededed a bit towards the top? Short of a miracle, lil' Carlos has blown it...he needed a lil' less time fumbling with his crucifix and a bit more time sucking up some rule 5. He's not going to handle consecutive mountain bruisers at the end of the week well. Got to be Ivan's to lose now, especially with Liquigas looking as strong as they are. Poor old Evans let down by team again. Pudding Bowl Boy (wiggo) better podium in the tour now because he's been marking time in the laughing group for the last few days. Gonna have to get medieval on that boy if he doesn't pull his shit together and start dealing out a little pain....
@all
No change in the VSP. Joe hangs on for another day.
@all
No change in the VSP again; Joe hangs on for another (likely his last) day.
Seems to me that Basso timed his form perfectly and played the perfect strategic game. We'll have to see how it plays out, but he came into the Giro just a bit behind form, and everyone else came in bang-on. They're fading as he's hitting his two-month peaking cycle and is finally not too fat to climb anymore.
@Frank...while you are correct, it is fact that I'm not peaking yet. I will be peaking in 2 months..Speaking of which, I was out riding with a motley, pick up peleton around the local park this evening. After a the requisite period of cyclo-courtship we all decided to get better acquainted. The pace went up. Eventually there were just 2 and I was breathing predominantly through my harris, lungs having given up sometime ago. Looking over, I discovered my new cohort seemed to be experiencing similar difficulties...there was a momentary confusion of raised eyebrows as we indicated a mutual lack of desire to take the front. Then, almost simultaneously, we both snicked up a cog and picked up out of the saddle, probably slower, but definitely the attitude. Lovely.
Thanks, I was going to tough it out but I never disagree with the judges.
Tomorrow and Saturday are going to be epic even though it probably won't snow on the Gavia. I feel there will be some new places in the standings but I can't see who...
@Joe
Strong work, my son, strong work. I love the Rule 5 gear snick scenario. Makes me think of a revision to the Merckx quote, "It doesn't matter how fast you go, just so long as you harden the fuck up."
@Rob
I am really hoping to take a couple hours off in the morning tomorrow and watch the coverage live. It is going to be epic, but I am increasingly feeling like there will be little Rule 5 action going on and the splits won't be big enough. Is it possible that Davide A-yo-yo might hold on?
@frank You know the talk on US tv is that Ivan and Cadel may not be able to put the time on him... but this has been a long hard race and I think there will be some surprises. I just can't say what they might be - from someone off the radar to I. or C. going balls to the wall and being a true Campionissimo. Whatever, its going to be fun - hope you get to see it.
Arroyo going like a TRAIN! What a descent that was. Pura rule 5 riding from the Maglia Rosa!