Velominati Super Prestige

Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia 2012


Il Grillo gives it some stick in 06. Photo: actionplus sports images[/caption]

Lombardia is a beautiful race. Taking in the majestic shoreline of Lake Como and climbing past the shrine to the Madonna del Ghisallo, its stunning Italian-ness bookends the Monuments along with Milan-San Remo which started them way back in March. And it’s a coming out party, a debutantes ball for the newly crowned World Champion.

Not since Paolo Bettini in 2006 has the rainbow jersey won here, but even if the bands don’t always take the win they are usually well represented at the business end of the race. Cuddles tried out his new found attacking style in 2009 by setting up Gilbert for the first of his two wins, and now the Belgian has the perfect opportunity to show off his new kit and add a third. The betting might not be on if Gilbert wins, but how, and whether he chooses to don black shorts or goes for the full Cipo-style whiteout. Let’s hope common sense and good taste prevail, especially after Cav did such a stellar job of Looking Fantastic over the last twelve months.

The VSP overall race is also at a critical point, and could be decided this weekend. San Tonio has a nice little 13 point buffer and probably only needs to pick up minimum points, while the chasing pack may need to think outside the square and hope a roughie can deliver a la Zaugg last year. You could throw a blanket over 2nd, 3rd and 4th, so close are they to each other, with Gianni not far back tasked with upholding the Keepers’ honor and hoping for a late surge into the top 5 or even the podium.

Check out the start list, take some chances or play it safe, keep an eye on the timer and get your picks in for a chance to wear the Lombardia badge for the next year. Good Luck!

Here’s PhilGil’s last win in 2010, in some nice Rule #9 conditions…

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272 Replies to “Velominati Super Prestige: Giro di Lombardia 2012”

  1. I will get a point before the season is out, yes. And I will not stop picking Voeckler, no.

    I am less convinced about my Tiralongo fantasy though….

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Voeckler
    2. Quintana
    3. Uran
    4. Nibali
    5. Tiralongo

  2. @Oli

    @frank Er. Yes. Quite. Obviously I typed that stupidity prior to my morning espresso, when my comprehension is severely compromised. Apologies, Bretto.

    Happens to the best of us, as you kindly demonstrated. Similarly, my posts before my morning pint are absolute crap.

  4. I need some VSP glory!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Valverde
    3. Nibbles
    4. Contador
    5. Sanchez

  5. First VSP I won’t DNF In at least a month.

    Hated gobbles for a bit last year but that dude has always been a fighter and showed it this year through his monster loss streak Before taking the worlds. massive class.

    In the misheard lyrics (which are often better than the real lyrics) of We Got The Whip (Audioslave)

    You’ve got bones, boy – we gonna stand you up!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gobbles
    2. Nibbles
    3. Jrod
    4. Bertie
    5. Sammie sanchez

  6. @Oli

    @frank Er. Yes. Quite. Obviously I typed that stupidity prior to my morning espresso, when my comprehension is severely compromised. Apologies, Bretto.

    Damn, I missed an opportunity to call you bad names!

  7. My tips are sure to suck  but I’m pretty confident Giblets will be wearing white bibs – in full euro trash style – and pull it off magnificently!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Giblets
    2. Kessiakov
    3. Lloyd
    4. Contaor
    5. Gerrans

  8. The video of Gilbert’s final attack is still one of the most devastating and demoralizing (to Scarponi) things I’ve seen. I know it looks like he has a mechanical, but I truly think Gilbert just broke his spirit. I’m looking forward to a classy ride in one of the most beautiful races of the season. Vive le VSP!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uran
    3. Dan Martin
    4. Kolobnev
    5. Valverde

  9. @frank Vincenzo is easily in my top three for my all hardman team… he earned much of my respect this year for his day-in-day-out hardman style (even before the TdF). He’s an impact rider, win or lose, he’s a factor every time he rides.

  11. VSP PICKS:

    1. Ballan
    2. Rolland
    3. Henao Montoya
    4. Moser
    5. Nocentini

  12. VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Contador
    3. Nibali
    4. Rodriguez
    5. Valverde

  16. After that last showing there’s no way I can bet against Phast Phil – lesson learned (the hard way!)

    I’ve also got the pleasure of being in Italy this week,  enjoying beautiful Tuscany. I’m definitely coming back, and next time I’m bringing my bike – the riding looks incredible! Although I’m not close enough to go and watch the Giro do Lombardia, my VMH has made up for it by indulging the other side of my two wheeled passion with a visit to the Ducati factory and museum today. Needless to say, I’m a happy man!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Nibbles
    3. Uran
    4. Valverde
    5. Bertie Beefsteak

  19. VSP PICKS:

    1. Philbert
    2. dUran dUran
    3. Go Ulissi Go!,
    4. Valverde
    5. Contador

  20. Bit of a crapshoot from me. Can’t help but tip gilbert for the win and with their great work in Piemonte Uran and Henao have to be in there somewhere. Nibbles will be after revenge for worlds but will fail as ever with valverde there or thereabouts too.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Uran
    3. Nibbles
    4. Valverde
    5. Henao

  21. There is a nice climb (Muro di Sormano) included not scaled since 1962.

    [url=http://postimage.org/][img]http://s13.postimage.org/tbidtg0w7/climb.jpg[/img][/url]

    Video.

    https://vimeo.com/50335883

    Might have to rethink my VSP.

  26. @Franklin I agree that Pinot has a lot of potential and I’ve heard that Madiot believes he can win Lombardia one day.  I put him in the top 5, but I don’t think he’ll pull it off just yet.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Valverde
    3. Rodriguez
    4. Pinot
    5. Nibali

  27. Taking a gamble with Henao instead of Uran.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Gilbert
    2. Contador
    3. Henao
    4. Costa
    5. Gerrans

  30. Swapping out yet again.  Man, wish thisnthing would start so that I could actually lock my picks in!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Phast Phil Gil
    2. Cuntador
    3. Valverde
    4. Nibali
    5. Uran

  32. @il ciclista medio

    Jauregui from Jacky Durand on Vimeo.

    From last week’s worlds just in case someone has to make a bike change!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. PhilGil
    2. Uran…us
    3. Vulvarde
    4. J Ro
    5. Nibbles

    I had to watch that 3 times to figure what the hell happened!  I started off thinking he had teleported!  Trust the french to make it look so relaxed and simple…

  40. VSP PICKS:

    1. contador
    2. gilbert
    3. sanches
    4. valverde
    5. garzelli

  41. Andrew’s gotta get on the steps on this one. He had a good, albeit ill timed, ride at worlds. He’s gonna come along I hope/ think.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Giblets
    2. Talansky
    3. Nibbles
    4. Valverde
    5. Tommy V.

  45. Scryning the bones and this came out, by Oden!

    VSP PICKS:

    1. PhilGil
    2. Valverde
    3. JRod
    4. Nibs
    5. Cunego

  48. Knew I should have paid better attention in French class!  But, pretty sure it says that he withdrew from the race.  Out with Valverde, in with J rod.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Phast Phil Gil
    2. Cuntador
    3. Nibali
    4. J Rod
    5. Uran

  49. Just saw that Europcar wasn’t invited, no Tommy V.  JRod in his stead.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Nibbles
    2. Giblets
    3. J Rod
    4. Contador
    5. Uran

  50. @frank

    Why thanks. Indeed, your article was a timely reminder of the nobility of my struggle.

    I think its fair to say, I am the Andrea Carrea of super-prestige – working tirelessly to show the pampered stars such San “drogen” Tonio, xyxax and Blah who not to pick.

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