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!
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We've all seen this a million times but maybe Cuddles should get some pointers from the Badger on how to lay some bitches out.
Thats CLASSIC hardman stuff! Thanks for the memories Marko.
@Marko
Love the BIGRINGRIDING take on this:
You know, as a fellow Tall Lanky Bastard, I would really love to love The Russian Rugs Salesman. But I can't. Not that that hair cut.
@frank
Screw that man, Vladi "C'mon Feel The Noize" Karpets' haircut makes him that much more of a badass. Just take Rule 33 and apply to his haircut.
In fact, it's tempting to edit this Rule as follows:
Hair is to be carefully coifed at all times. If, for some reason, you're rocking a mullet, make sure you can dish out plenty of hurt to metrosexual Nancyboys, or be considered a Def Lepard blasting tool on their way to a Kegger.
But I won't do that just yet as we're undergoing a schismatic King James revision of The Rules.
*disclaimer: I don't really know what King James mean but understand it has something to do with revising the ten commandments or something and thought the analogy might work here.
I also like his take on Jens. His shit is hilarious, elegant, and hardman all at once.
JENS. WHAT A FUCKING BIG RING LEGEND. UNSUCCESSFULLY DEFENDING HIS YELLOW AT THE 2010 PARIS-NICE. CHECK THE DRIBBLE ON HIS LEFT KNEE - HE'S BEEN GIVING IT THE BERRIES FOR HALF AN HOUR.
PUT YOUR HEELS THROUGH IT SON.
@Marko
The problem with the Rugs Salesman is he, by and large, rides like a big fat pussie, with brief glimpses of form. Not worthy of a Rule (although I like what you're saying). I mean, come on. Fucking Spartacus and Fucking Jens. Those are two modern legends who put people in the Hurt Locker just by showing up. Whole different ballgame, dude.
@frank
Easy there fella. While he may be no Spartacus, he's been around for a while and has probably a better palmares than Jens when it comes to the big races.
And I bet he's ingested some hard Russian drugs too, none of that pussy Swiss/German shit.
Rugs took some time back today, solo'ed across and is sitting pretty among the contenders. My top 5 is looking pretty good at the moment. But the Giro has a way of turning shit on its head every day.
@brett
...and lost it again today. Nope, my assessment stands: Rugs = Douche.
No change in the standings today, despite some rad racing. Basso is starting to look pretty good!
Geof maintains the jersey, for now.