Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia 2012 Stage 20

The famous bends of the Stelvio

See that huge mountain over there? The one with the steep, twisty road going up it? The one that is often covered in snow this time of year? Right, race ya to the top.

I don’t know what more there is to say about this year’s Giro; four days from the end, with two of the biggest mountain stages yet to come and the G.C., Mountains, and Points competitions are all wide open. Basso is looking perhaps the freshest of the favorites, but Hope of a Nation is not looking to be weakening, either. Purito hasn’t shown weakness, though he also hasn’t really been able to show the speed he usually has on the uphill finishes; on his trademark uphill finale attacks, the slower men have (usually) been able to contain him. The Pony, on the other hand, showed his scars as he cracked on the way over the last hill on Wednesday’s stage and seems to be on the down side of his good form as we enter the final stretch.

Friday’s stage may well solidify the looks of things, but Saturday’s stage to the top of the Stelvio will be fireworks for sure. Clear your calendars for Friday and Saturday; this is going to be good.

Since this is a Tour stage, point on offer are 5 for first, 4 four second, 3 for third, 2 for fourth, and 1 for 5th. No bonus points for the right rider in the wrong place. Get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero. Points count towards your overall VSP total but do not effect your Giro VSP total. Good luck.

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.

View Comments

  • I know this is post is for the Giro, but have a look at what Wiggo has been UP to.
    He's climbed to outer space. Will this help him in the TdF?
    Article here

    Thanks BRR for reading The Telegraph!

  • First post. Seemed like an appropriate time to stop being a lurker and get involved.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. basso
    2. rodriguez
    3. scarponi
    4. hesjedal
    5. pozzovivo

  • But hey, whast the hell do I know.....I picked Elder for 5th, and Kruz Missile (well he has lived up to the exploding part of that title) for 4th. Couldn't be bothered changing my picks on the rest day. Oh and I also said that Weight of the Nation was going to come in just outside the top 5.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. Pozzovivo
    2. JRod
    3. Basso
    4. Scarponi
    5. Uran

  • @Bianchi Denti

    @Roadslave525
    You out there somewhere, Roady? Is the Stelvio still on your agenda for later this year? Lucky bastard!

    Has anyone here climbed the Stelvio? Fucker, that has to be on anyone's life list of bitchin' climbs. Fookin' Nigel's heading that way? He will slay it. I be jealous.

  • Boring picks you bet. As long as Ryder hangs tough and doesn't crack so he can slay all on Sunday. I've been wearing my pink jersey out here on Maui to celebrate early. Now how can I watch any of this wicked stage being 12 time zones out? A college style all-nighter? Pizza, pints and espresso, sounds pretty nice.

    VSP PICKS:

    1. pozzovivo
    2. my little pony
    3. basso
    4. red ryder
    5. j-rod

  • @Steampunk

    @frank
    ...trying and failing to come up with some lame Crowded House reference. Sergio Luis Don't Dream It's Over. And still failing...

    not necessarily, I kinda like what you did there.

  • @Gianni

    @Bianchi Denti


    @Roadslave525You out there somewhere, Roady? Is the Stelvio still on your agenda for later this year? Lucky bastard!

    Has anyone here climbed the Stelvio? Fucker, that has to be on anyone's life list of bitchin' climbs. Fookin' Nigel's heading that way? He will slay it. I be jealous.

    Myself, Mrs Dr and a couple of friends did it last year whist staying at Lake Como. Did the side they are using this year as well. It was fuckin awesome. Not the hardest climb we did (that was the Col de Agnello) but probably the most spectular.I want to post a picture of me on it but can't access the photo from this puter dammit. Really looking forward the the next couple of days. Last to crack wins I reckon.

    Try this link and look for 4 fine looking people posing under the sign at the top.

    http://www.bicyclinginitaly.com/gallery_details.asp?areaID=13

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