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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View Comments

ChrisO says:

May 15 2011 at 3:22 am

anotherdownunder:
Every time I read John Gadret I think Inspector Gadget.

One that the Aussies will appreciate - Colnago have been doing banner ads on Cycling News for their M10 which includes something about lamination technology.

As the banners revolve I often just catch them out of the corner of my eye and I keep seeing it as lamington technology. It's weirding me out.
Jamin says:

May 15 2011 at 3:23 am

Nibali will just go mental and pip Contador on the line. Will be a ripper stage. Going to bed to wake up at midnight to catch some of it

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibali
2. Contador
3. J-Rod
4. Anton
5. Sastre
Oli Brooke-White says:

May 15 2011 at 3:31 am

Who says Sella isn't on the juice? Picks are just guesses, anyway.
joe says:

May 15 2011 at 3:39 am

These are my etna pups eh? How do we make our rest day swaps? Gotta drop di Doper.

VSP PICKS:

1. scarponi
2. nibbles
3. contador
4. arroyo
5. j-rod
joe says:

May 15 2011 at 3:42 am

Oh and @heath. Hubba hubba.
Bo says:

May 15 2011 at 4:14 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibbles
2. Clenbutador
3. Scarponi
4. J-Rod
5. Sella
Roadslave525 says:

May 15 2011 at 4:17 am

OK, so #5 is a wildcard, but this year the VSP has been blown apart by wildcards... I keep catching signt of Kennaugh in the 'nearly' bunch a the top of climbs in the Giro, and I like the fact he's way, way, way below the radar screen... Maybe he'll wake up and feel good tomorrow. Anyhow, can't wait for the stage.

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibali
2. Sella
3. Clenbutador
4. Scarponi
5. Peter Kennaugh
Ron says:

May 15 2011 at 4:58 am

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibali
2. Cuntador
3. Scarponi
4. Garzelli
5. Weening
Ron says:

May 15 2011 at 5:03 am

Hmm, I have La Lantern Rouge? And I'm listed at -1 for the VSP GC? Last I checked I think I was in the top 10 for GC.

A bug? Something I said? Was is the request for a knife blade in multi-tools? Did I miss the footnote that such a thought would cost me all my points, plus one?
RedRanger says:

May 15 2011 at 5:15 am

5 Sicilian's in the peloton today. Big break today with one of Nibalis's guys. enjoy the race.