Well that's another week of fast and furious racing completed in the Giro d'Italia. It's had everything: attacks, stacks, last-minute road closures, giant climbs and lightning-quick decsents. And it's been the week where Alberto Contador has stamped his authority on the race; short of something beyond the Spaniard's control, he seems to have the race sewn up.
It's been a similar story in our Fantasy Cycling game, brough to you in association with Evans Cycles: team jauman have kept an iron grip on top spot through the stages, and a week on from the last roundup they've extended their lead to 35 points. They're still not uncatchable, but it's going to take some fine scoring from the teams below to make up the deficit. Team Punctured are in second place, with Dave's Dawdlers in third.
With plenty of mountains along the way, including the Cima Coppi of Passo Giau, the highest point on this year's race, there were lots of points to be won, and we saw some high scores. Highest of all were Team Thunder, who garnered a whopping 178 points on Sunday's stage. Amazingly, stage 12 saw a 16-way tie for top spot, with all the leading teams picking up the same 122-point haul, although interestingly they didn't all have the same nine riders. Here's a rundown of the week's stage winners:
Giro Stage 10: top score 120 by Longandwindingroad CC (martyntr)
Giro Stage 11: top score 137 by Horsehead (Horsehead)
Giro Stage 12: top score 122 by Cantley Roulers (mercer32), Cima Coppi (LabMonkey), late out of the blocks (simonking), Scattered Pedals (BoredMan), Team Livestrange (Alistair), Punctured (homer187), Molteni 75 (mr_fox), Oi, no Coppi-ing (Aimless King), EPO breaks (nickobec), pablo's peddlers (chieflordy), The Cycling Team (TomL), Fredtastic (Aapje), TheBadgersWhiskers (MattT53), Horse and Regies (jw326), team tiger trek (trevor foster), oiuroior (oieroiar)
Giro Stage 13: top score 161 by breizatao (jacques)
Giro Stage 14: top score 149 by oiuroior (oieroiar)
Giro Stage 15: top score 178 by Team Thunder (rcs500)
We've been busy giving out spot prizes this week too. Mostly they're for something other than a big points haul – the first rider over a climb or through an intermediate sprint – so even if you're not troubling the top of the table you can still be in with a shout of winning one. Here's what we're awarding prizes for this week:
Stage 16 (Tuesday 24 May) The individual time trial from Belluno to Nevegal is short but fairly brutal in the middle; it'll suit the strong climbers. Will anyone beat Contador up the hill? Our winner will be the stage top scorer; if it's a draw, we'll pick a winner at random.
Stage 17 (Wednesday 25 May) This looks like a breakaway stage, and the GC riders won't be too fussed if there's no-one dangerous up the road. First man over Passo del Tonale is the man to have: if he's in your squad you're in the draw.
Stage 18 (Thursday 26 May) A downhill finish this one, which gives the good descenders a chance to nick a win. We'll pick a team from all those who have the stage winner in their roster.
Stage 19 (Friday 27 May) Will the race still be together at the Mottarone climb just after halfway, or will it be a break contesting the ascent? We'll be picking our spot prize winner from everyone who's picked the first man over the top.
Stage 20 (Saturday 28 May) Another long day on the flat ending with some serious climbing. This is one for the GC boys, and if someone slips away on the Colle delle Finestre they might stay out until the finish. Pick the stage winner and you're in the hat for the prize.
Stage 21 (Sunday 29 May) The final shakedown, and a tough one to call. This time it's a straight race for top score, if you max out on the stage then you're the winner. If it's a draw, we'll pick a winner at random.
So there you have it: lots still to be won and another week of exciting racing to come. Best of luck!
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