Velominati Super Prestige: Giro Di Lombardia 2015
What a great time of year this is. The changing of the seasons means one of two things; the weather is perfect as temperatures rise and spirits are lifted with the promise of a long summer ahead, or the weather is perfect as the long summer peters out as days shorten, meaning only memories of warmth will soon remain. I’m happy to be in the former camp right now, but in a matter of months the White Ladies will be on the other foot and moods will be exchanged between the hemispheres once again.
For the Pro, the racing season is either finished or winding down. Some will have started looking toward the winter, a time for rest and planning goals to make up for shortcomings or to consolidate on good results. Some will have started way back in the Spring, maybe taken their rest in the middle months when three weeks rather than one day was the raison d’être, and have emerged from a reverse hibernation to finish with something that can only be otherwise achieved in the early season: a Monument.
Lombardia sits in a strange place, both on the calendar and in the sights of a cross-section of wildly different riders with wildly different styles. Look at the list of past winners and you’ll see everyone from stage race specialists, grimpeurs, rouleurs, and even sprinters. The unpredictable Italian weather can play just as big a part as the equally hard to read form of a tired peloton. Which makes picking a winner in the VSP only slightly less difficult than the mix of long, short, brutally steep and punchy climbs and tricky descents that litter the back end of the parcours. Whoever takes this race has to be an all-rounder, even if they specialise in other areas at other times of the season. For the rest, they can take in some of the most spectacular views of any race anywhere in the world, and soak up that unique Italian atmosphere provided by the tifosi.
For those in the running for the grand prize in the VSP, Lombardia is a make or break moment which could mean the difference between the Jaegher frame, the Café Roubaix wheels and the V-kit. It’s tight at the top, and while @Minnesota Expat holds a buffer to @Steampunk, with the points on offer any of the top 6 could still stand atop the podium after next week’s final event.
For the rest of us, there’s a sweet Falling Leaf badge and the prestige of winning a Monument to play for, even if the rest of our season has been more Lanterne Rouge than Maillot Jaune. Check the start list, go Sagan-style and race on instinct and heart. Good luck!
[vsp_results id=”33838″/]
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Delgado prevention placeholders, but not bad picks for not having a full start list.
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Nibbles and Gilbert to make up for a poor Worlds. Aru to mark Purito out of contention.
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Place holder picks for now
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Let’s be honest @Brett. There’s only one person loose enough to be peaking for the Lantern Rouge.
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Do not Delgado. Do not Delgado.
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You can’t underestimate how tough the Mur Di Somano is, just super steep and long enough to get rid of Punchers. I’m going with the climbers.
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ahhh why not, no chance of getting the points win anyway
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I actually fancy Valverde on this sort of parcours, just can’t bring myself to pick him.
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Time to go off piste…….
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@RobSandy
Probably want to say which Yates you mean there…
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@The Grande Fondue
Cheers mate.
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I completely gave up on relying on my own views (at least when it comes to VSP picks). Hence I will just follow the insights from betting sites. Still won’t get me the Jaegher but will give me an insight whether there’s any reason to consider their input Paddypower was right on Lizzy A but I let my patriotism take priority. I did see Lizzy on a picture in another article wearing a white kit with the Dutch flag fwiw.
PS: Valverde, Nibali, Rodriguez, Majka & Pinot for those that are wondering.
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I was in that part of the world a couple of weeks ago. I had notions of doing a recon of the finale, from Bellagio to Como. But weather got in the way. I rode Lake Lugano instead. Which was lovely, but means I’m not feeling this. Gimme some explosive climbers. Gimme a couple of Frenchmen (Bardet & Gallopin) as picks from the heart. I’ve discovered I never get what I want, which makes the picks that much easier…
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Clipped the barrier again on the way to the final hill and sprint from home – not sure if I can catch Steamy’s wheel and will use the @KogaLover method until I can think of some better picks.
If I finish maybe I’ll get a contract for next year otherwise it’s back to riding local races for beer and sausage.
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Just rolled the dice… Twice.
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Climbers are going to have a lot of fun, but with the race ending in a sprint, there’s plenty of opportunity for sprinters to play a role as well.
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Heart sez Pinot but he just doesn’t have the team to deliver him me thinks.
Whatever Malmerde is on this season it’s working so gotta go with.
Nibbles has to get something out of this season and he has the Italian home field advantage and a strong (juiced) team.
Purito is just a tough sumbitch.
Keeping Pinot dream alive in 4th.
Roman because he’s another hard man I like!!
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my attempt at defending the falling leaf title:
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I have no idea…
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