The inaugural Velominati Super Prestige continues the with Giro d’Italia, on Saturday May 8 in Amsterdam. This will be the first Grand Tour of the series, and while we have a set of rules established for the competition, we’ll be modifying them as we go if we notice any problems with them.
Personally, I feel the Giro is the Cyclist’s Grand Tour; it’s not as main-stream or commercial as the Tour de France, but the race generally makes for a more exciting three weeks. There is something about the topography and geography of Italy that seems to lend itself to unpredictable and aggressive racing where several riders typically stay in contention until the final stages of the race.
With this being the first Grand Tour of the series, we’ve set up a scoring system that we think will be fair but will also help to close down the competition and afford newcomers the ability to catch up with some good picks. Jump over to the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a full explanation of the rules and the standings, but here is the ten-second overview:
Every contestant is to choose their top five General Classification picks of the race. The final podium of the Giro is worth 15 points to the winner, 10 points for second, 5 points for third, 3 points for fourth, and 2 point for fifth. Given the effect crashes can have on a tour, we’ve set up some guidelines around making changes to your lineup during the race: you’re allowed to change your lineup if any rider in your pick list drops out for any reason without any penalty; rest days will allow contestants to make changes to their lineup, however those changes will come at a point penalty. (Visit the VSP Schedule, Rules, & Results page for a complete breakdown of these points.)
Every day, the leader in the points standings will have the honor of wearing the Pink Jersey when commenting on the site; the overall winner will wear the Pink Jersey for the remainder of the season, and will also earn an “Obey the Rules” bumper sticker. All reader’s points qualify towards the final prize of the free Velominati Shop Apron. As always, if you are inclined to enter, simply post your predictions for the top five placings in the comment section.
Sub-competitions will be conducted while the Giro is underway for specific stages. These stages will be chosen a few days prior to the stage being held and will be selected based on the current race conditions with the aim of choosing the most decisive and exciting stages of the race, so check back often to make sure you don’t miss out.
Good luck!
I know as well as any of you that I've been checked out lately, kind…
Peter Sagan has undergone quite the transformation over the years; starting as a brash and…
The Women's road race has to be my favorite one-day road race after Paris-Roubaix and…
Holy fuckballs. I've never been this late ever on a VSP. I mean, I've missed…
This week we are currently in is the most boring week of the year. After…
I have memories of my life before Cycling, but as the years wear slowly on…
View Comments
@Rob
We had the Cadel looks fat conversation in an earlier VSP as well and it certainly is a concern. If the Gavia doesn't slay him, the Zoncolan certainly will. You look nice in your new jersey. Hopefully there's no rainbow curse.
I think this lineup is going to be more based on hopes than any reality...
1. Cadel
2. Wiggo
3. VDV
4. Sastre
5. Cunego
I just can't bring myself to put Veino or Basso down...
@john
Menchov was never in the mix for the Giro, methinks. He thinks he can ice it up at the Tour, but it's never going to happen. He'll fall off on the stones in the first week.
@Rob
Thanks! We have a pink, yellow, and gold badge ready to roll for the leaders/winners of the various Grand Tours. Have a look.
And, mate, your picks always kill me!! Petacchi in fifth! Love it!
@Geof
Spot on, mate. Piti Principle is elegant, clever, and will likely piss Brett off. The magic three!
@Geof
Rules amended to contain the Piti Principle.
Sastre - because of the climbs
Evans - something will go wrong
Basso - been saving himself for the Giro and there has to be an Italian on the podium
Vino - the team doesn't stack up as it did at LBL
Wiggins - he's using it for training
@frank
Ssshhhhhh! Brett is still asleep. But he will be pissed when he wakes as reads Geof's law review. Beauty.
@Rob
Petacchi has a better chance at 5th than Voekler, good on you for keeping the French off the list. I put one of the B-Box Boyz in for Fleche Wallone and got, comment vous dit, merde.
@john
Already read it before I went to bed! You see, Geof and I live in the same city...
1: This should only end one way, one way only should this end. CADEL. But as Jarvis points out, something could, and likely will, go wrong. A crash, a bad soy latte, fleas... but it's a different Cadel this year, and a win in the rainbow is his destiny.
2: Who the fuck knows? Sastre is an unknown quantity as far as form goes, but if class counts, then he can probably win. We'll risk him for 2nd.
3: Garzelli. He's old, he's bald, he gets good drugs. I can relate to him.
4: Veino. The most talented in the field, but could fade late on in the Monts. I hope he does well for Geof's sake.
5: The Russian rug salesman. Work that one out... he can climb, TT, is hardened and has hair that Garzelli can only dream of.
@brett
Cadel. I remember, not so long ago, your head wasn't up his ass as far. But, I suppose I can't blame you for jumping on his wagon. Shit, if he'd just start riding above 60rpm, I might find myself being a fan, too.