Velominati Super Prestige: Giro d’Italia 2012
After a winter of long training rides that offered more in the way of numb extremities than it did in acute enjoyment, I have to say that the warming of the air and brightening of the skies have served to remind me that while I love riding in bad weather, I certainly don’t have anything against riding when its nice out.
But dont think for a minute that this quells my desire to watch the Pros battle the elements as well as each other and, quite frankly, after a Spring Classics campaign that gave us only fleeting tastes of Rule #9 Glory, I welcome the arrival of the 2012 Giro d’Italia which holds the distinction of being held in the worst weather and over the worst roads. Come July, I’ll get just as wound up as anyone about the biggest racing spectacle of the year, but in my heart, the Giro d’Italia is the best Grand Tour of the three.
All that said, I’m a little disappointed to see that the Giro starts in Denmark. Not that I have anything against Denmark – lovely place – it’s just that this choice takes us away from the classical Giro opening week involving a mountaintop finish or two and gives us a Tour de France-style opening week of flat stages and crosswinds. We’ll have to wait almost two weeks before we start seeing the riders cross the highest passes and hitting the uphill finishes, though the final week does appear to set us up for considerable fireworks as the second-last stage will see the riders cross the Mortirolo and finish atop the Stelvio.
What does this mean for the VSP? Quite a bit, actually. Bearing in mind the changes we’ve made to the Rest-Day picks from the years past, it means that as the race settles out, those who have made changes to their lineup on the first rest day will not have the opportunity to do so again on the second rest day. And, those who wait for the second day will see steep penalties tallying up against their totals. But on the line is a Symbol Pack, the chance to post for the rest of year with the Maglia Rosa VSP Badge and, of course, the grand prize of the personalized Shop Apron. Check the start list and with any divine beings that you might be able to influence, and then get your picks in by the time the countdown timer goes to zero at 5am Pacific on the 5th May.
For reference, please review the new Grand Tour scoring and penalty guidelines. Also note that since these new rules required new coding and this represents the first Grand Tour, there is always the chance that there are defects in the code. Watch your picks and your points as we move through the event and alert us of any anomalies. If your points seem wrong, use the dispute function to alert us of the matter; complaints in the posts feed to this effect will be ignored. Finally, don’t leave anything to the last minute so we have time to fix any problems before its too late. Good luck.
Scoring:
Readers who wish to enter shall enter their predictions for the top five placings on General Classification of each Grand Tour by 5am on the day of the first stage or prologue.
Points
Points will be scored as follows: 20 points for first place, 15 for second, 10 for third, 7 for fourth, and 5 for fifth; plus 3 points per rider in the top five regardless of the rider’s placing, but riders are not scored twice.
Changing of the Picks*
Contestants are allowed to make line up changes on one of the rest days of the Grand Tours but not both. These changes will come with a point penalty. You will be allotted one (1) rest day to make swaps in grand tours. You pick either the first or second rest day. The penalties for swapping will be lower for the first rest day than the second. This will allow you to swap out a rider(s) who gets caught in some first week nervousness with a 5 point penalty for each swap. Or make some go for broke/doomed to fail break-away swap on the second rest day for a 10 point penalty per swap. You make one swap or five on either rest day for the corresponding 5 or 10 point penalty per swap.
Additionally, if one of your riders crashes out, DNF’s, or DNS’s, you may swap them out on a rest day with corresponding penalties if you haven’t already used up your one rest day swap. The only exception to this is riders who are booted from a race for a positive test; if your rider is on the juice and gets chucked off the race, you get a free swap of that rider within 24 hours of the disqualification.
[vsp_results id=”15814″]
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@itburns
Whew! Thought I knew you better than that! Sorry for ever doubting you! Did Potato even start the race?
@Buck Rogers
Someone had to try and take Goss out.
@itburns
If you change any rider for any reason on any day in any week in any race in any month in any year in any country on any planet in any solar system in any galaxy in any universe, you get a penalty.
If your rider can’t make it to the finish, its tough shit and you can swap another rider in their place, but at the customary penalty.
@frank
As it should be.
@frank
That’s what I thought. The crash/DNF stuff was lumped with the only exception – kicked for doping – so I was just making sure.
@RedRanger
+1!
@Belgian Cobblestones
Good call! I also think Joko Bruyneel is trying to break up the band. Frank out of the TdF squad, and Andy told to win it or fuck off so Joko can build the team he really wants (Americans aged 35 and over, plus Fuglsang).
@frank
So if we can just wade through your mumbo jumbo legalese double-talk smokescreen, you’re saying we’ll get a penalty?
Just caught the stage. Brilliant finish.
My Velominottie got so excited by the finish that she posted the clip on Facebook to all her Velominottie friends who then commented upon Rabottini’s manhood in his, and I quote, “padded trousers”.
I didn’t see the whole stage…didn’t realize Rabottini crashed earlier. Makes the win even more aVVesome!
Couple of spectacular days of racing between the Giro and the ToC. Gesink’s blast up Mt. Baldy was impressive yesterday, too. I can’t imagine overcooking a corner like that going UP hill. Mind-boggling the power these guys have.
I’m totally down for his race to be nominated as V moment of the year as frank suggested.
@frank
Better yet, did anyone catch the streaker on Baldy yesterday?
Great finish by Rabottini; he raced with his head AND with his heart. Very smart racing. V-moment of the year? It’s a little early for that boys and girls.
‘Rambo’ Rabottini
@Steampunk
Thanks for the advice, but I already had the unpleasant experience that was Roche’s book. Don’t expect a literary masterpiece from Cav, but its short, punchy and much more entertaining than Roche. Plus Cav has actually won something which always adds to the appeal….
@sgt
Yes…dinner-time flash of full twig and berries flopping in the Californian sun. The Mrs. and I got quite a kick out of it. And she thought the undies-only-wearing runners were crazy!
@sgt
Yeah, I thought I saw ‘something’ on Baldy, then the moto-camera guy did a double take on the runner to make sure for himself if it was a streaker – and yep, it was.
With the tour over load, GdI & ToC simultaneously, one of the peleton’s riders top riders has raced for the last time. Robbie, thanks for coming and giving us some great times! Here’s a tribute to Robbie from SBS.
Forget the Giro for one moment and remember one of the GREAT sprinters who retired today.
Whilst he has been on the wane for a while, he was a bloody durable sprinter with wicked handling skills who didn’t need (or get!) a train. The one year Gert Steegmans (06 or 07?) led him out he was close to unbeatable.
If you want to watch some unabashed patriotic idolatry of Robbie, watch this tribute. You also see a couple of glimpses of handling skills.
For a top line sprinter at the elite of the world game, Robbie was very egalitarian. It didn’t matter whether you were a big name like Lance or Cipo – or a shitkicker like Rene Haselbacher, nor did it matter if you were his countryman (Stuey – and every other Aussie pro). He didnt discriminate. He got in fights with all of them!
If this site was around earlier I shudder to think how much shit many members of this community would have given him in his peak years of sprinting and fighting. But at least when he had a dustup or bumped shoulders he could handle his bike and not bring down half the fucking field…
His description of his fight with Lance went something like, “At the Tour I said something the day before then the next day I bunnyhop onto a sidewalk to move up and Lance says “here comes the champ.” I Just told him to fuck off.” Pure Aussie bogan gold.
I miss him already.
@earnest!
The riding was actually a streaker, too. Fuck me, though, what is it with the underpants in Italy and the butts in the USA? Honestly, this is how spectators should look.
Not this.
@Marcus
Or his Rule violations? Two tickets to the gun show, though.
Seems to me Robbie’s retirement was fairly abrupt. Any backstory, or did he just have his fill? The years at the top for him coincided with Zabel and Stuey, and it was fantastic, though I always hated him for beating those two. I was delighted when Baden Cooke too green on the last day of the (either) 2003 or 2006 Tour.
But I shouldn’t have hated him; he was a livewire and I’ll miss him now. He’ll be a good coach, I reckon. Cav best get his affairs in order of Goss gets any faster as a result of it.
@frank
No backstory – since he signed with GreenEdge, it was always framed that he was coming on as a director but was going to do a few more “farewell” races and retire in time to be coaching by the Tour.
You know he actually entered a bodybuilding contest before he got properly stuck into bike riding? Pretty sure there aren’t too many others who have combined those two sports.
Always a shame that he never really had a decent go at track racing (think he didn’t get along with Aussie psycho coach Charlie Walsh – who moulded the likes of McGee and O’Grady) as I reckon he would have been an interesting racer. But anyway, a grand career.
In years to come, whilst he will rank below the likes of Cav and Cipo, he will be on the very next line…
Frank Schleck abandons before 21st. Should have trusted Michele Scarponi before now anyway.
I knew I shouldn’t have gone bike ridin’ today. I missed that finish! Argh, gonna have to find the last 20 km (or more!) somewhere.
Is the neon green kit growing on anyone else?
@sgt
V moment to date, I think was the comment earlier, and after a terrific Classics Campaign, that’s saying something. Besides, bloody fuckin amazing finish today, not to be forgotten soon!
@Ron
That kit does wonders on a Rule #9 day like it was today in Italy. Couldn’t miss the team if you tried.
I always smile when I remember the countless times that Robbie “appeared out of nowhere” to win a sprint. Too bad he didn’t have support more often.
Was anybody watching the Universal Sports Feed? Gogo made two missed calls in a row:
1) “As he comes up to the wheel his (Rodriguez’s teammate) will absolutely bury himself now for his leader” Nope, he immediately popped
2) “Rodriguez is going to get him, (Rabottini) will not be able to do anything”
Awesome finish, that kid was a total badass today and chapeau to Rodriguez for laying it down too.
As for Schleck, I am sorry I ever picked that man. He wins the anti-Hoogerland award and I hope he gets passed over for the Tour for some bullshit like this. Maybe this way, Andy’s head won’t look like a corkscrew for the entire race. However, this will give him another excuse for him to take along in his musette along with: “I don’t like the weather,” “stop attacking,” “that descent was scary,” and, “stop attacking on that scary descent in bad weather.”
@ramenvelo
Frank Schleck race season theme music, “Where is my mind?” — The Pixies
@ramenvelo
I nominate FSchleck leaving the Giro early cause of a booboo for the anti v moment of the year.
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. JoaquÃm RodrÃguez
2. Roman Kreuziger
3. Michele Scarponi
4. Ivan Basso
5. Ryder Hesjedal
Sagan was unstoppable (again) in that crit race they were holding in LA.
Sagan vs Goss vs Cav in the le tour could get a bit tasty. Also Gesink could be a credible GC contender to break up the wiggo / evans show.
@Ron
I love the Farnese kit, especially when Rabottini does that sort of effort and they are bunny hopping through the sprint crashes – shame Potato can’t get out of bed regularly
Isn’t this Giro class – for one with no specific favourite, it makes for so much better viewing, as you don’t know who will have the legs every time the bunhc thins on the hills – I thought Uran would do something big yesterday, then he blew – great TV
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Astana man
2. Rigoberto Uranus
3. Kreuziger
4. Boring Basso
5. Why not, young Sagan
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Scarface
2. Rigoberto Uranus
3. Kreuziger
4. Boring Basso
5. J-Rod
Just read a little snippet on cyclingnews about “Non” Gadret having his Giro GC saved by a teammate with whom he swapped wheels. Irony at its finest
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Kreuziger
2. Scarponi
3. Basso
4. Schleck
5. J rod
@versio
Interesting picture – usually when it is overcast and pishing with rain, your pupils dilate
He has the look of a man who hates his Race Director
@Dr C
I love the fact that ever leading surface on rider and bike is neon yellow. Sure stands out.
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. M Scarponi
2. I Basso
3. R Kreuziger
4. J Rujano
5. R Hesjedal
If you keep the same rides but change the finishing orders , is that considered a swap and cost points or not?
BC – from Frank yesterday: “Every time you move a rider from one position to another, it takes the full penalty. Proceed carefully, the second rest day has big penalties, too. Shuffling all the top five is a 50 point hit!”
ramenvelo – I mute the Universal Sports highlights if those are the only ones I can find to watch. Those two announcers, to me, suck. They sound like California surfer dudes or something. I’d rather listen to the Belgian or Italian announcers. Or, King Kelly and Mr. Harmon.
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Basso
2. Kreuziger
3. Scarponi
4. The Lil’Prince (D. Cunego)
5. J. Rod
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Ivan Basso
2. JoaquÃm RodrÃguez Oliver
3. Roman Kreuziger
4. Alessandro Ballan
5. Michele Scarponi
So many penalty points incurred in this swap…
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Kreuziger
2. Cunego
3. Scarponi
4. Basso
5. Hesjedal
@mouse
Almost inspired to get a yellow Cippo just for the sheer joy of it
Strangely have yet to see anyone out riding in full Farnese kit!
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Kreuziger
2. Scarponi
3. Basso
4. Hisjedal
5. J. Rodriguez Oliver
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Jaoquim Rodriguez
2. Scarponi
3. Hesjedal
4. Kreuzinger
5. Basso
@Pedale.Forchetta
This is ‘Rambo’ in Belgium:
2012
2011
2006
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Basso Ivan
2. Scarponi Michele
3. Kreuziger Roman
4. Rodriguez Joaquim
5. Rujano Jose
@frank
That streaker kinda looks like Bruyneel. Hey, other than Spartacus, you’ve gotta cheer on someone who tries hard. Horner wouldn’t have quit because of sore shoulder. I wonder how the Schlecks are regarded in the peloton? They’ve gotta be on top $$ and for team leaders, not really producing he results.
I’m sticking with my picks. I was considering swapping Gadret for Hesjedal but apparently Gadret had a puncture, then he publicly thanked his teammate for giving him his wheel. Good on you you freaky looking bastard.
Sorry Ryder. I’m sticking to my guns.
No swaps. Let it ride.
VSP PICKS (2nd Rest Day Swaps):
1. Scarponi
2. Kreuzinger
3. Basso
4. Hesjedal
5. JRod
@JC Belgium
Nico is THE only rambo
Only swapping chainrings to C52/42 and will go 54/44 once C44 is in the war chest.