DXchulo

I set up a league over at Velogames (www.velogames.com) for BF bragging rights. If you need to test your form before the TDF, here's the perfect chance to do it.

League Code: 07235840

Here's the start list: https://www.cyclingnews.com/features/...e-start-list-1

harlond

I'm in.

slcbob

Heck yes. I'm counting on some spirited racing in a tiny mountainous country and maybe even a little verbal reparte in here.

harlond

Last I checked I was looking pretty good for the podium.

Kasseien

How'd everyone do on day one? I thought I had dropped Tejay Van Garderen from my squad but I guess I was trippin'. That gives me a podium bullseye for day one!

slcbob

It looks like George is taking a powder so for another few hours we're all still in 1st place. I'm enjoying it while I can.

Kasseien, I hope all your trips are good ones. Back in the Giro, I had a lot of "what was I on when I chose...." I suspect more such moments to come.

It seems the rider costs put the budget more in play this time around. I had to make more compromises than I remember last time, felt almost like real life.

Kasseien

Ahh!! I just learned that Horner is not riding in the TdS!!! A day late and exactly 16 velobucks too late. I couldn't find him anywhere in the results and then I found this article dated three days ago. I guess I am getting my cycling news from the wrong sources!

https://velonews.competitor.com/2011/...-france_177815

slcbob

^ well it seems like you've picked everybody else just right, so we'll need you to have that handicap if we're going to stay on your wheel.

Heck, I picked Stijn Devolder knowing he was racing. There are bigger mistakes out there.

Kasseien

LOL ... on the other hand you did pick Cunego, and he looks set to make a pretty deep run this year.

BTW, how about Tejay Van Garderen? I picked him on a whim thinking I was sneaky then I checked after the start and everyone has him. That has certainly paid off, he has been worth tons of points and I think he only cost about 4 velobucks.

BTW, that reminds me do you guys know if there is a way to check on the cost of all the riders after the race has started? I can easily find the cost I paid for my riders, but if for instance I wanted to know how much Oscar Freire cost and I don't have him on my team.

Thanks!

slcbob

He takes down the link but the page is still there: https://www.velogames.com/tds11riders.php

Unless you're doing some regression analysis and process improvement for the TdeF, best not to cry over the spilt milk.

Kasseien

I HAVE been know to dabble in the mathematical arts from time to time ...

slcbob

Yikes! Just a cobble ahead of you for the moment, Mssr Roubaix. Still anyone's race. Any chatter from the gruppetto?

Kasseien

Ugh. With Soler out of the race my chances have dwindled. I really hope he recovers fully. I loved when he won the polka dot jersey back in 2007(?) and was pumped to see him back in form.

Maybe the radio ban, is keeping us from hearing the grupetto. You should drop back to check on them then I can use the opportunity to attack for the win.

slcbob

Moreso with Cav still in (not in) the race. Juan Mauricio had a couple of good digs in there and, I agree, we hope for a speedy and full recovery.

It is awfully quiet back there. Maybe everyone is all businesslike, researching their TdeF teams? Or did we cycle past Heidi with the big Gricola horn and the St. Pauli Girl serving free samples on the side of the road, and I missed it?

I'm not sure where the UCI and ASO are on their anti-radio crusade. Perhaps it will spice up le Tour a bit.

slcbob

Oh well. It looks like this one is in the bag. See you all in a couple of weeks! You're going to league us up again, right DXChulo?

I would love to talk a lot of trash about how much more successful teams are when all of their riders actually are in the race. Unfortunately, I've got no fewer goose eggs than everyone else despite all of my lads starting, so that sort of takes the edge off. C'est la vie.

Careful, eddiepliers, it's not really a pure sprinter's TdF -- lots of punchy, strong man finishes.

eddiepliers 

Lol, thanks.. looks like, I've blown it again

Kasseien

Well I am satisfied with that recon. It was actually my first times playing a velogames fantasy team. I think I am ready for you all in the Tour. I am sure I will rue the day I uttered these words but ... bring it on!

DXchulo

Wow, I really pulled a Schleck in that race, but it's just a training race, right? I could have sworn I saw Gilbert on the start list and I was too busy to double check everything the day before the race.

I'm a big Sagan fan. The one time I don't pick the guy he ends up burning me. I typically stay away from Cav in anything but the GTs. I stupidly picked him and he scored a whopping 3 points.

The TDF should be very interesting. I'm still trying to decide how the new rules for the green jersey are going to influence things. I'm sure Cav will be expensive, but he'll probably end up being worth the cost.

I usually pick Cancellara and bank on him winning the prologue, wearing yellow for a while, then winning a TT later on. That's out the window this year. Now whoever gets handed yellow after the TTT will be worth some points.

GC should be interesting. I have little doubt it will be an Alberto & Andy show again, but who will be that 3rd guy? Gesink? Van Den Broeck? One of the older guys like Cadel/Basso/Horner/Leipheimer? It should be interesting to see how those guys are priced.

harlond

Happy to make the podium with my Chris Horner pick. Not sure he'll get another chance with me after this performance!

Kasseien

Agreed. I would love to pick an American like Leipheimer or Horner, I just can't figure out which one will come good.

I am also a big Sagan fan. I loved watching him battle in the sprints AND the medium mountain stages. Not to mention his descending skills!! Loved the footage of him over-taking and then beating Cunego. (poor Cunego!)

slcbob

Well, we all made some mistakes. Commission or omission.

I think a team consisting of the top nine points winners for the TdS was eminently affordable. Those 3 Rabobank lads were a bargain! Finding a big man or two is important, finding those next elusive 4, 6, 8 velo$ dudes is going to separate the men from the boys. That, picking penny stocks, and predicting tsunamis.

I guess we'll all have Sagan come the Vuelta, but le Tour sure will be interesting. Levi and Kloden will be big bucks, Horner will be a lot cheaper but more risk.

I'm going to work myself into a lather trying to decide between Tyler and Thor. Which way is the wind blowing in Vaughters' head? Agree, those new points rules will mix it up some more.

Kasseien

not going to spend the big dollars on Cav? I'll have to wait to see how much they want for Cav but I am willing to pay handsomely for what seems to me a sure two or three stages.

slcbob

^ I don't want to get in a fight w eddiepliers. Ha ha.

slcbob

My my my. The prelim riders list is up for the TdF. 30 pts for Alberto, ouch. There will be some hard choices amongst the others.