Velominati Super Prestige: Giro Stage 9, Mt. Etna

There will be fireworks

There will be fireworks. It’s a phrase we often use, and one we rarely take literally. But this photo shows Mount Etna. Actually erupting. Recently. There is a non-zero chance that it will erupt tomorrow, when the Giro d’Italia riders over this brute twice.

Tomorrow’s stage will be the first real battleground for this year’s Giro, and we expect there to be fireworks. Possibly literally. And figuratively. Get your picks in by 5am Pacific time tomorrow for a chance to grab a few extra points in the VSP.

frank

The founder of Velominati and curator of The Rules, Frank was born in the Dutch colonies of Minnesota. His boundless physical talents are carefully canceled out by his equally boundless enthusiasm for drinking. Coffee, beer, wine, if it’s in a container, he will enjoy it, a lot of it. He currently lives in Seattle. He loves riding in the rain and scheduling visits with the Man with the Hammer just to be reminded of the privilege it is to feel completely depleted. He holds down a technology job the description of which no-one really understands and his interests outside of Cycling and drinking are Cycling and drinking. As devoted aesthete, the only thing more important to him than riding a bike well is looking good doing it. Frank is co-author along with the other Keepers of the Cog of the popular book, The Rules, The Way of the Cycling Disciple and also writes a monthly column for the magazine, Cyclist. He is also currently working on the first follow-up to The Rules, tentatively entitled The Hardmen. Email him directly at rouleur@velominati.com.

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  • Today's results. Bear in mind that this is a Stage VSP, so there are only points going to the top three, and for 3, 2, and 1 points. You still get a bonus point for picking a rider who made it into the top five.

    [vsp_score id="8313"]
    [/vsp_score]

    Drugs sure make a difference in helping you climb well for your weight; Bertie made everyone look like they were riding tricycles.

  • @joe, @Ron

    Sorry guys - not a lot of time yesterday, busy building a chicken coop. Yeah, I know. What the fuck.

    Some more detail:

    Interim stages have nothing to do with your VSP Giro picks. These are bonus stages that go towards your overall VSP total, but don't effect the Giro VSP in any way. Three points for first, Two for second, and 1 for 3 through 5 and a bonus point for any rider in the top five.

    Rest day picks will open up automatically on the rest day, and will close again at 5am Pacific the day of the next stage. Any DNF's get free swaps on the day of the DNF (or the day we notice they've DNF'd and we update the DNF list.)

  • @frank

    Building a chicken coop eh? Those things are popular down here as well. My last neighbors had chicken, which were pretty neat actually.

  • @frank
    Chicken coop? Is that a joke, cuz I'm right there with you? I have an old shed I am waiting to convert to a coop as soon the f'n HOA approves it. No roosters mind you, I want to sleep in on occasion.

    TOC on hold till 1pm pending weather. I'm hoping to go to the finish and see Der Jens, Grimplette, and Thor in person. Unfortunately it is alternating between sunshine and blowing snow.. WTF. At least its a full day of cycling!

  • Post-race interview from Contador... we enjoyed some great Spanish steak last night, and will enjoy some more tonight. :)

  • If I may, I think I should get a credit for John Gadret. He finished 9th, ahead of several favorites. I knew he was a badass at last years TdF when he wouldn't give up his bike to Roche the younger because he was climbing better than the captain and knew it. Watch out for him.

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