Velominati Super Prestige: Giro Stage 9, Mt. Etna

There will be fireworks

There will be fireworks. It’s a phrase we often use, and one we rarely take literally. But this photo shows Mount Etna. Actually erupting. Recently. There is a non-zero chance that it will erupt tomorrow, when the Giro d’Italia riders over this brute twice.

Tomorrow’s stage will be the first real battleground for this year’s Giro, and we expect there to be fireworks. Possibly literally. And figuratively. Get your picks in by 5am Pacific time tomorrow for a chance to grab a few extra points in the VSP.

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.

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View Comments

Andrew says:

May 14 2011 at 12:08 pm

Not sure if its too early for the big guns to show, but El Steakelero is so insecure, as demonstrated today, he always seems to feel the need to show others that he can ride his bike fast uphill...

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibbles
2. El Steakelero
3. Kreuziger
4. RodrÃguez
5. Menchov
Erik says:

May 14 2011 at 12:13 pm

I just happen to like John Gadret. He's a badass in an ugly kit. I think I'm going to be moving Garzelli from my Giro VSP so I gotta throw him a bone.

Nibali et al will be up there but it is too early to defend, unless Contador feels like it. In which case, he'll probably win the stage.

VSP PICKS:

1. Stefano Garzelli
2. John Gadret
3. Emanuele Sella
4. Michele Scarponi
5. Alberto Contador
G'pjant says:

May 14 2011 at 12:15 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibali
2. Scarponi
3. Contador
4. Kreuzinger
5. Arroyo
G'phant says:

May 14 2011 at 12:18 pm

How did I manage to spell my name wrong? Does not bode well for my picks.
Steampunk says:

May 14 2011 at 12:32 pm

My real pick is that Etna wins this. Not that I'm wishing anyone any harm, but that would be a bit funny. Contador went today to scare others into action on Sunday. Nibali and Liquigas will give it their all in order to win on home turf. Hell: why not stack my picks with locals?

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibbly
2. Jokey Roadie
3. Scarred Pony
4. Paolo Tiramisu (Tiralongo)
5. Singin' like Caruso (Giampaolo)
CanuckChuck says:

May 14 2011 at 12:45 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. A. Contador
2. M. Scarponi
3. V. Nibali
4. J. Rodriguez
5. D. Pozzovivo
Ron says:

May 14 2011 at 1:02 pm

Fireworks! I thought today's finish was pretty cool.

Just to check - this is one of the single stages where we are entering picks as well, right? It doesn't change the overall GC picks we made for the entire Giro, right? Sorry, I did read the rules before the Giro started, but wanted to check.

Oh...just picked up a CX bike from a friend. He's selling it, I'm test riding it for a bit. Hmm, my first CX ride, my first proper ride on SRAM. Not a bad way to spend a Saturday afternoon!
sprider says:

May 14 2011 at 1:36 pm

VSP PICKS:

1. Rodriguez
2. Contador
3. Scarponi
4. Nibali
5. Le Mevel
sprider says:

May 14 2011 at 1:39 pm

Ok, if I change a rider but keep all others in the original pick position, am I penalized for all my picks or only the changed rider position?
RedRanger says:

May 14 2011 at 2:18 pm

This is just a cool bonus stage VSP. To bad I will be working.

VSP PICKS:

1. Nibali
2. Scarponi
3. Conti
4. Sastre
5. Anton