The results are now in for this year's 2005 Fantasy Giro d'Italia competition! Below are the 10 lucky prize-winners, who all get to enjoy over US$13,000 worth of prizes, including the first-place prize of a Wilier Triestina Le Roi plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth 7,015 George Washingtons!
Of course, these prizes wouldn't have been possible without our presenting sponsor, Wilier Triestina, and other sponsors Park Tool, Campagnolo, Bontrager, DMT, Giro, fi'zi:k and Speedplay. Yes, these are also the guys who make Cyclingnews happen, and we know you'd be lost without us!
And don't forget - the 2005 Fantasy Tour de France game is just around the corner! Stay tuned for more details.
Grand prize:
Won by team manager "y barrankas" with team "Beppuland & Halgand" from San Sebastián, Spain. Their team gets the big-daddy prize, a Wilier Triestina Le Roi plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$7015! With a frame weight of just 950g and 7.2kg all up, the fully Campagnolo Record-equipped Le Roi is ready for everything from the rigours of the Spring Classics to the mountains of the Giro - and beyond.
Here's what they had to say: "Incredible and wonderful! We have won! We are very happy! It has been exciting and difficult. Thanks to my two daughters who helped greatly. Ana Mendazona"
2nd prize:
Won by team manager "The Shining" with team "Shining4" from Denmark. This Stephen King fan receives a Campagnolo Record group set plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$1,465. The ultimate in light weight and pro quality durability, with carbon and titanium parts and sub-components to shave weight, and Campagnolo's famous reliability to keep you rolling down the road however tough the going gets.
3rd prize:
Won by team manager "Pinocchio" with team "Beyblade" from the Netherlands. The team manager who sometimes tells a few white lies will be telling the truth when he says he's won a pair of Bontrager Race X-Lite Aero wheels, Race X Lite OS handlebars, Race XXX Lite OS carbon stem, Race X Lite Pro saddle, plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$1,440.
4th prize:
Won by team manager "FomleFinn" with team "Mats :)" from Norway. Prize: Bontrager Race X-Lite Aero wheels, DMT Kyoma shoes, plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$1,065
Here's what he had to say: "Originally from Norway I am for the time being a student in Australia, I had to use the web as my only source of information. Daily reading of the world 'numero uno' site Cyclingnews.com, together with the Norwegian website www.syklingensverden.com and the Danish site www.feltet.dk, gave a great insight on the team tactics and objectives. I followed all the action live on Cyclingnews supplemented by the Gazzetta's online live graphical representation for a view of the stage profile, the peloton and the breaks. A great Giro and great prizes! Now I'm really looking forward to the Tour, as I'll be standing on the slopes of the Galibier cheering and giving a 'push' to all my Fantasy Tour riders."
5th prize:
Won by team manager "Probert" with team "(OLN 4) Obnoxious Lance Network" from Nevada, USA. Well Probert obviously likes Cyclingnews much better than OLN, because, the team's just walked away with: a Giro Atmos Fassa Bortolo Team Issue helmet, fi'zi:k Arione saddle, Speedplay CSC Team Replica pedals (and coffee shop caps), plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$525.
Here's what he had to say: "Hours and hours of research. The key was not to focus on the point value of the riders as my #1 priority, but rather research how different riders where performing in the early season. My team was very well rounded between GC riders, sprinters, and KOM contenders."
6th prize:
Won by team manager "Bogus" with team "Longhorns" from the USA. Longhorns certainly wasn't a bogus team, as they take away with them a Giro Atmos Fassa Bortolo Team Issue helmet, fi'zi:k Arione saddle, Speedplay CSC Team Replica pedals (and coffee shop caps), plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$525.
7th prize:
Won by team manager "The Shining" with team "Shining" from Denmark. Wow! Second and seventh place - congratulations! As well as winning the Campagnolo Record group set plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$1,465, "Shining" also wins a Giro Atmos Fassa Bortolo Team Issue helmet, fi'zi:k Arione saddle, Speedplay CSC Team Replica pedals (and coffee shop caps), plus another Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$525.
8th prize:
Won by team manager "Kleppers" with team "Basso basta!" from Amsterdam (Netherlands). Well, Basso almost had enough of the Giro, but came back strongly in the end. "Kleppers" will takes home with him a fi'zi:k Arione saddle, Speedplay CSC Team Replica pedals (and coffee shop caps), plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$325.
Here's what he had to say: "After the first five stages a few must-haves emerged: Lancaster, McEwen and Di Luca. Although he failed in the first stages I also picked Petacchi. Because of the relatively low weighting of the general classification as compared to other cycling games, I chose more stage hunters (mainly sprinters, of course) than I usually do. For me, the most difficult decision was what to do with Bettini. He took a lot of points in the beginning of the Giro, indicated that he was aiming at the points jersey but was also one of the most expensive riders. I ended up playing with three teams to spread my chances and it paid off."
9th prize:
Won by team manager "Kleppers" with team "Simoni" from the Netherlands. Prize: fi'zi:k Arione saddle, plus Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$140.
10th prize:
Won by team manager "AngryJ" with team "Gilatto" from Australia. Prize: Park Tool IB2 multi-tool worth US$15.
Thanks to everyone who entered,
The Cyclingnews Fantasy team.
