The Poggio. It’s probably one of the most famous easy climbs in the world; going through old cycling photographs, I rarely come across one where the leaders haven’t moved Sur La Plaque. It has a reputation, however, for being a real leg breaker, mostly because any climb is a big climb once you cross its summit after a paltry 291 kilometers. And the descent provides one of the twistiest, most exhilarating finales in the sport.
This race stands apart as the longest on the calendar, and represents the only of the five Monuments where the sprinters have a chance at final glory. But this can have it all: the long, solo break routinely makes it to the finish uncaught. The final attacks on the Poggio regularly stick. The attack that goes away on the climb often gets caught on the descent. And, sometimes the whole thing stays together for a bunch gallop. Essentially, any ride who is on form has a chance at glory. This is a unique race.
The question on everyone’s mind is wether Cavendish can get over the Poggio in position to make it to the finish in the first group. If he does, then you can jot down the winner right now. He’s lost some significant weight in the last few weeks, so his climbing should be good; we also have it on good authority from our eyes and ears on the roads in Italy that the Manx Mouth has been spotted training in the hills of Italy with the express intention of making it over the last bump. If, on the other hand, he gets spat out the back like a rainbow turd when the road points uphill, it will be a free-for-all. The fast semi-climbers with descending skills like Nibbles are talking big about their chances. And who in their right minds would ever discount Faboo with his brommer or Gilbert once he fires the howitzers.
So rub your lucky rabbit’s foot and throw some salt over your shoulder; you’re going to need some divine intervention on this one. This year’s VSP is also the first year where we’ll be offering a special badge to the winner of the monuments. We can’t unveil the MSR Badge yet, but the winner of this VSP event will have the honor of posting with the badge until next year’s event. The winner will also receive a free Symbol Pack. Check the start list and get your picks in by 5am Pacific on Saturday morning; if timezone arithmetic isn’t your strong suit, just watch the countdown timer in the banner at the top of the site. As usual, your points go towards the overall VSP as well.
Good luck.
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View Comments
@Oli
No, you're not. Say 'Hurk' or something but no LOL!
"Hurk"? Even Frank wouldn't say "hurk" wtf...
True, you guys aren't cool enough to hurk...
I'm pretty new to following pro cycling but I'd have to say that was about as good as sport gets. It helps when you give a toss about who wins and for that I've got the VSP to thank. Not that my picks are much good! It was the finish I wanted to see but I believed the hype and went with the 'fat bank clerk'.
In his interview on Italian TV, Cancellara commented that the race pace wasn't particularly hard and he could have done with another climb. Apparently there is talk of putting in another climb between la Cipressa and il Poggio and even a short piece of sterrato. What do you think?
@napolinige
Hmm, surely every rider would prefer a course that suits them? I don't know if the course has changed much over the year's (and i'm too lazy to research just now) but it seems to provide exciting racing and varied results as it is. I know we're talking Pro's here, but the mere thought of doing that distance with the climbing as it is turns my legs to jelly.
One measily point! Pathetic!
Cav fell apart, and then we saw the an Aussie wheel sucker snatch the win. Hats off to Gerrans though, he rode a smart race.
Bring on the cobbles!
@Jonny
According to 'Mountain High,' The Poggio was added in 1960 and the Cipressa in 1982 with the purpose of avoiding bunch sprints. But I agree that the current format seems to provide enough uncertainty and given the finish we got yesterday I'd say it'd be unlikely to change in the near future. That said it's been a few years since an Italian has won and another climb would play right into Nibali's hands and might even bring out Basso.
The point about changing classics - also in the context of dropping the Kappelmuur from the Ronde - was well made recently in the always excellent Inrng blog, although it was published on the less than excellent Cycling News.
http://www.cyclingnews.com/blogs/inner-ring/the-ever-evolving-classics
They are classics but they aren't set in stone, and it is good for them to change and to have new rides added.
Slightly more philosophical question as to what makes a classic, outside of the Monuments. Strade Bianche is only a few years old but has achieved a semi-classic status in many eyes. It seems to be a combination of route, timing, the field and the performances.
As per Frank - Mikael Liddy takes San Remo! We had a 4-way tie for first, but Mikael takes it by a whisker for putting his picks in early. Congrats - you get to comment for the coming year with the little map of Italy.
Gee cannot wait until the VSP does The Tour of Tasmania and if you win you get to comment for the coming year with the little "map of Tassie"!!
Oh and yeah - Go Gerro!! Chalk up another win to the Aussies.
Awww hells yeah!!!
The little Aussie takes out MSR and to top it all off I get the bloody VSP win. Ironically just ordered a decal set for the new bike in the same session as I put my picks in. Love that I've gone from Delgado-ing Paris-Nice to winning this for getting picks in early.