2018-20 Emerging Riders CQ Game

[Hugo Koblet]

Just submitted my team. Though I gotta admit that I haven't looked at my shortlist for a couple of weeks and just quickly threw together a team of 18 in 5 minutes. Hopefully it'll work out

 

[Armchair cyclist]

So here we go:

No new entries during the extension, but one team made a couple of changes, and another decided to join the rest of us in having 18 riders.

34 teams it is then, and here they are, alphabetically sorted. As usual, unique picks, 52 of them, indicated by an asterisk.

AlyKaptan
ALBANESE Vincenzo
ALLEGAERT Piet *
CIMA Imerio
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LECROQ Jérémy
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SCHULTZ Nicholas
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VANHOUCKE Harm
WARLOP Jordi
WELTEN Bram

Amis Velo
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BARTA William
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
CONCI Nicola
CRAS Steff
DLAMINI Nicholas
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PADUN Mark
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
ROSA Massimo *
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Armchair Cyclist
ALBANESE Vincenzo
CARBONI Giovanni
CONCI Nicola
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PADUN Mark
PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PLANCKAERT Edward
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
VANHOUCKE Harm

Blues in the Bottle
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BASSO Leonardo
CARDONA TABARES Julian
CARRETERO MILLAN Hector
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
CONCI Nicola
DANIEL Gregory
DAVIES Scott
GANNA Filippo
HAMILTON Chris
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Comodoro
BJERG Mikkel
CIMA Imerio
DAVIES Scott
EG Niklas
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
LAUK Karl Patrick
LE CUNFF Kévin *
MCNULTY Brandon
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
TURGIS Tanguy
VAN SCHIP Jan-Willem
VANHOUCKE Harm

Cordi333
BJERG Mikkel
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HIRSCHI Marc
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
SAMITIER SAMITIER Sergio
SOTO MARTINEZ Nelson Andres
VANHOUCKE Harm

DJW
BASSO Leonardo
DAVIES Scott
DLAMINI Nicholas
EG Niklas
FRAME Alex
HENNESSY Jacob *
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
KNOX James
MCNULTY Brandon
NAESEN Lawrence
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
STANNARD Robert
TURGIS Tanguy

Fauniera
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
CIMA Imerio
GANNA Filippo
HIRSCHI Marc
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NAJAR Gonzalo Joaquin
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
STANNARD Robert

Flo
ARMIRAIL Bruno
CIMA Imerio
CONCI Nicola
DAVIES Scott
EENKHOORN Pascal
EG Niklas
FABBRO Matteo *
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MÜLLER Patrick
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
SCHULTZ Nicholas
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Hakkie
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
DAVIES Scott
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MCNULTY Brandon
NAESEN Lawrence
NAJAR Gonzalo Joaquin
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PIDCOCK Thomas
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro

Hugo Koblet
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
CIMA Imerio
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MADOUAS Valentin
NAESEN Lawrence
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan
VANHOUCKE Harm

Joelsim
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MÜLLER Patrick
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PHILIPSEN Jasper
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan
VANHOUCKE Harm
VELASCO Simone *
WARLOP Jordi
WOUTERS Enzo *

Jon Ezeitza
BJERG Mikkel
DANIEL Gregory
EENKHOORN Pascal
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
GRELLIER Fabien
HAMILTON Chris
JAKOBSEN Fabio
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
NOVAK Domen *
PADUN Mark
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PHILIPSEN Jasper
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
TROIA Oliviero *
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Josedin
BJERG Mikkel
CARDONA TABARES Julian
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
CRAS Steff
DAVIES Scott
EG Niklas
FRAME Alex
HIRSCHI Marc
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MÄRKL Niklas
MCNULTY Brandon
MOBACH Jarno *
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PIDCOCK Thomas
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr

Karaev
AGUIRRE CALPA Hernan Ricardo
ALBANESE Vincenzo
CIMA Imerio
CRAS Steff
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LECROQ Jérémy
MCNULTY Brandon
OWEN Logan
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
SCHULTZ Nicholas
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VAN SCHIP Jan-Willem
WELTEN Bram

Kazistuta
ALBANESE Vincenzo
CIMA Imerio
FLOREZ LOPEZ Miguel Eduardo *
GANNA Filippo
HAMILTON Chris
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LECROQ Jérémy
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NAESEN Lawrence
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PEÑA MOLANO Wilson Estiben *
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
WELTEN Bram

Kryvo
BASSO Leonardo
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
CRAS Steff
EENKHOORN Pascal
GANNA Filippo
HAMILTON Chris
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
SOLOMON Zemenfes *
SOTO MARTINEZ Nelson Andres
TURGIS Tanguy

Laarsland
ALBANESE Vincenzo
CONCI Nicola
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MADOUAS Valentin
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
PRONSKIY Vadim
RAJOVIC Dusan *
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VANHOUCKE Harm

Leadbelly
ASGREEN Kasper
BURGAUDEAU Mathieu *
BURKE Jack *
DEWULF Stan
EYOB Metkel *
FOSS Tobias Svendsen
FOUCHE James *
HIRSCHI Marc
JOHANSEN Julius *
LAUK Karl Patrick
PEAK Barnabas *
PIDCOCK Thomas
POGACAR Tadej
PRONSKIY Vadim
STANNARD Robert
THIJSSEN Gerben
VANHOUCKE Harm
VEYHE Torkil *

Los Brolin
BJERG Mikkel
CIMA Imerio
CONCI Nicola
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
GAZZOLI Michele
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MÄRKL Niklas
MCNULTY Brandon
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PIDCOCK Thomas
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
VANHOUCKE Harm
ZIJLAARD Maikel *

Ludwigzgz
AGUIRRE CALPA Hernan Ricardo
BARCELO ARAGON Fernando
BJERG Mikkel
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
LUNKE Sindre Skjøstad *
MAISON Jérémy *
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SAMITIER SAMITIER Sergio
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro

LukasCPH
ASGREEN Kasper
BJERG Mikkel
CARBONI Giovanni
DAVIDS Brendon *
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
GREGAARD WILSLY Jonas *
HAMILTON Chris
LAUK Karl Patrick
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
NOMMELA Aksel
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
POGACAR Tadej
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SCHULTZ Nicholas
VINGEGAARD RASMUSSEN Jonas *

Madrazo
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BALLERINI Davide *
BJERG Mikkel
GANNA Filippo
GRELLIER Fabien
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LECROQ Jérémy
MCNULTY Brandon
MÜLLER Patrick
NAESEN Lawrence
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PLANCKAERT Edward
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
VANHOUCKE Harm
WELTEN Bram

Monsieur Hulot
AGUIRRE CALPA Hernan Ricardo
ALBANESE Vincenzo
ARMIRAIL Bruno
BJERG Mikkel
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
EEKHOFF Nils *
EENKHOORN Pascal
EG Niklas
GRELLIER Fabien
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
LECROQ Jérémy
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
STANNARD Robert
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Nathanptz
BJERG Mikkel
CIMA Imerio
CRAS Steff
DEWULF Stan
EG Niklas
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VAN SCHIP Jan-Willem
VANHOUCKE Harm
WELTEN Bram

NorthAmericanScum
BARTA William
BASSO Leonardo
BROZYNA Piotr *
CRAS Steff
DAL-CIN Matteo *
DE GENDT Aimé *
KNOX James
LECROQ Jérémy
MONK Cyrus *
NAESEN Lawrence
OWEN Logan
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PIDCOCK Thomas
PLANCKAERT Edward
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RODRIGUEZ VICTORIA Jose Alfredo *
SCHULTZ Nicholas
STANNARD Robert

Rote Laterne
AGUIRRE CALPA Hernan Ricardo
DEWULF Stan
EG Niklas
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MCNULTY Brandon
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PLANCKAERT Edward
POGACAR Tadej
REYES ORTEGA Aldemar
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
STANNARD Robert
THIJSSEN Gerben
VANHOUCKE Harm
WELTEN Bram

Scrool07
BJERG Mikkel
CONCI Nicola
EENKHOORN Pascal
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
GODON Dorian *
HAMILTON Chris
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
LECROQ Jérémy
MADOUAS Valentin
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
OWEN Logan
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan
WELTEN Bram

Shalgo
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BIERMANS Jenthe *
BJERG Mikkel
CONCI Nicola
CRAS Steff
DAVIES Scott
EENKHOORN Pascal
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PETERS Nans *
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SHAW James *
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan

Skidmark
ALBANESE Vincenzo
EG Niklas
GANNA Filippo
HAMILTON Chris
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
KNOX James
MCNULTY Brandon
MÜLLER Patrick
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PEDERSEN Casper Phillip
PHILIPSEN Jasper
PLANCKAERT Edward
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SOTO MARTINEZ Nelson Andres
WELTEN Bram

Squire
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BARCELO ARAGON Fernando
BOL Cees *
CIMA Imerio
GANNA Filippo
HIRSCHI Marc
JAKOBSEN Fabio
MADOUAS Valentin
MCNULTY Brandon
MÜLLER Patrick
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
NOMMELA Aksel
PHILIPSEN Jasper
POGACAR Tadej
PRONSKIY Vadim
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
WELTEN Bram

The Asian
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
GANNA Filippo
HAMILTON Chris
HIRSCHI Marc
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LECROQ Jérémy
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
PHILIPSEN Jasper
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan
VANHOUCKE Harm
WARLOP Jordi
WELTEN Bram

Trudgin
BALLESTEROS CANOVAS Miguel Angel *
CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime
DLAMINI Nicholas
GAZZOLI Michele
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
INNOCENTI Andrea *
KNOX James
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
NAVARRO Corentin *
PLANCKAERT Emiel *
PUCCIONI Dario *
RAILEANU Cristian *
RAJCHART Jan *
RASTELLI Luca *
SELLIER Simon *
SERRANO RODRIGUEZ Gonzalo *
THIJSSEN Gerben
ULYSBAYEV Dinmukhammed

Vladimir
ALBANESE Vincenzo
BJERG Mikkel
CARRETERO MILLAN Hector
CHERKASOV Nicolay *
CRAS Steff
EG Niklas
FOSS Tobias Svendsen
GANNA Filippo
HIRSCHI Marc
JAKOBSEN Fabio
LAUK Karl Patrick
LE TURNIER Mathias *
MATHIS Marco *
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
PADUN Mark
POGACAR Tadej
RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
ULYSBAYEV Dinmukhammed

Good luck to all.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Riders and popularity

119 different riders named: this is how popular they were (out of 34 teams)
28: RIABUSHENKO Aliaksandr
27: JAKOBSEN Fabio
26: NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel
23: GANNA Filippo
22: HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose
21: EG Niklas, PHILIPSEN Jasper
20: RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
19: PADUN Mark
18: ALBANESE Vincenzo, BJERG Mikkel, MCNULTY Brandon
16: POGACAR Tadej
14: KNOX James
13: CRAS Steff, VANHOUCKE Harm
12: SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro
11: PEDERSEN Casper Phillip

That group comprises the Collective Wisdom team that we will be able to compare our performances with.

10: CIMA Imerio, MADOUAS Valentin, OWEN Logan, VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan, WELTEN Bram
9: RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
8: CONCI Nicola, HAMILTON Chris, LECROQ Jérémy
7: DAVIES Scott, HIRSCHI Marc
6: CASTRILLO ZAPATER Jaime, EENKHOORN Pascal, NAESEN Lawrence, REYES ORTEGA Aldemar, STANNARD Robert
5: MÜLLER Patrick, PIDCOCK Thomas, PLANCKAERT Edward, SCHULTZ Nicholas
4: AGUIRRE CALPA Hernan Ricardo, BASSO Leonardo, LAUK Karl Patrick
3: DEWULF Stan, DLAMINI Nicholas, GRELLIER Fabien, PRONSKIY Vadim, SOTO MARTINEZ Nelson Andres, THIJSSEN Gerben, TURGIS Tanguy, VAN SCHIP Jan-Willem, WARLOP Jordi
2: ARMIRAIL Bruno, ASGREEN Kasper, BARCELO ARAGON Fernando, BARTA William, CARBONI Giovanni, CARDONA TABARES Julian, CARRETERO MILLAN Hector, DANIEL Gregory, FOSS Tobias Svendsen, FRAME Alex, GAZZOLI Michele, MÄRKL Niklas, NAJAR Gonzalo Joaquin, NOMMELA Aksel, PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien, SAMITIER SAMITIER Sergio, ULYSBAYEV Dinmukhammed

and the unique picks are listed above.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Team popularity rankings

Popularity score and number of unique picks
1 HugoKoblet 303 0
2 Skidmark 296 0
3 TheAsian 293 0
4 Hakkie2 291 0
5 Armchair_Cyclist 289 0
6 Fauniera 285 0
7 Nathanptz 283 0
8 Laarsland 281 1
9 Cordi333 278 0
10 Kazistuta 270 2
11 AlyKaptan 269 1
11 AmisVelo 269 1
11 Joelsim 269 2
14 LosBrolin 264 1
14 Ludwigzgz 264 2
16 Scrooll07 259 1
17 Comodoro 257 1
18 RoteLaterne 255 0
19 Karaev 253 0
20 Kryvo 252 1
21 Flo 251 1
21 JonEzeitza 251 2
23 Shalgo 247 3
23 Squire 247 1
25 Madrazo 245 1
26 Josedin 233 1
27 Vladimir 229 3
28 Blues_in_the_Bottle 217 0
29 DJW 214 1
30 Monsieur_Hulot 204 1
31 LukasCPH 195 3
32 NorthAmericanScum 100 5
33 Trudgin 88 10
34 Leadbelly 71 7
CollectiveWisdom 340 0

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Well, once again I'm atop of the popularity rankings (in 15-17 I was second on the list, 16-18 first and 17-19 third so that's kind of a tradition by now). I might regret leaving out Rivera. He was never on my shortlist, so can't be too disappointed though.

 

[fauniera]

Surprised that i'm 6th at the popularity rankings while leaving out the second most popular rider, Jakobsen.

Also, how can Najar not be a unique pick? Hakkie, how dare you!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Fabbro a unique pick?

I'm a bit annoyed I missed Albanese

 

[Armchair cyclist]

The January effect
There is always a bit of a January races effect in this game, and although I didn't keep a strict record, there were some definite shifts in emphasis.

Hodeg and Ganna were both fairly popular even before the San Juan race, although Ganna did increase his proportion of teams and prompted a couple of swaps. Najar, not surprisingly, was not in any teams until he had a guaranteed 142 points. Even if he does nothing else for 3 years, he would probably not be the lowest scoring rider on most teams.

Madouas looked like he was going to be a unique pick until he got a flurry of support after La Marseillaise, and although most entries came in long after the Vuelta a Tachira, Sosa received several late selections and overhauled Rivera who had been well ahead of him on picks.

Some riders became more or less relatively popular even without having raced in January. McNulty became popular from a very low start, Riabushenko was popular, but always behind Jakobsen and Narvaez until the last day or two, and Eg was ahead of everyone for most of January, but not as fancied in the late rush.

Kicking yourself or gloating
Bjerg is the rider I am most annoyed at myself for missing: not sure how I let him slip under my radar. Who is your facepalm rider?

And who is an absolute banker for being successful in the course of the three years (let's define that as definitely over 1000 points over the three years: that should assure him of being one of the best possible 18)?

Have another go?
Last year Albanese was almost universally selected, this year he is on just over half the teams. Should a rider (any rider, not just Albanese) be considered a failure who lacks the potential he was thought to have if he is still eligible a year later; or is it a great opportunity to harvest year 4 scores for a rider who would probably have been good enough just on the basis of his first three senior years? And likewise, is it worth passing over a rider in the hope that you will be able to select him next year?

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Re:

Well, once again I'm atop of the popularity rankings (in 15-17 I was second on the list, 16-18 first and 17-19 third so that's kind of a tradition by now). I might regret leaving out Rivera. He was never on my shortlist, so can't be too disappointed though.

I was, very much to my surprise, top of the popularity scores until the last 6 or so teams came in, but you stole it from me at the last, and others overtook me by virtue of sharing ideas with those who spent longest pondering (or procrastinating)

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Surprised that i'm 6th at the popularity rankings while leaving out the second most popular rider, Jakobsen.

Also, how can Najar not be a unique pick? Hakkie, how dare you!

Fierce rivalry in the battle to be top after Month 1 (probably going up on Monday evening).

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Re:

Fabbro a unique pick?

Unique picks in previous editions include Roglic and Vuillermoz: it might be a masterstroke.

 

[MADRAZO]

Im surpriced to have Ballerini as a unique pick. I think he looked well last year with all his breakaways and he is the type of rider than can score well in a lot of Italian races and that should get plenty of chances for himself. He was one of the certain picks for me. I mostly struggled with the last 3 picks. Ganna got Chris Hamiltons spot after his San Luis and Hamilton failing to convince me in Australia especially in the Cadel Evans race, and then for the last 2 spots I was very much in doubt between maybe 30 or so riders that all seemed good picks. In the end I left out young supertalent Phillipsen as the last rider since I figured he wont be able to score much next year riding only Youth races and a few races in USA and that his young age also will mean it will be a few more years before he really breaks through, so that the risk of not picking him was not that big, and then picked 2 riders from Vital Concept Lecroq and Müller instead perhaps with a lot less talent, but that I hope will be able to score well in the french scene that usually have plenty of points. Hopefully Lecroq wont end up doing to much leadoutwork for Coquard, but I do think he will be the teams second sprintoption. Popular Narvaez was ofcourse also closely in my consideration, but I just ended up concluding that he wont get enough chances with Quick Step and also might risk getting a lot involved with the leadouts. FInally Jordi Warlops great start to the season (following a solid 2017 also) was also close to convince me to give him a chance but in the end it he just missed out also.

 

[Nathanptz]

Fabbro after his performance in Valenciana might just be the best unique pick.

 

[Hakkie2]

Surprised that i'm 6th at the popularity rankings while leaving out the second most popular rider, Jakobsen.

Also, how can Najar not be a unique pick? Hakkie, how dare you!

I even considered picking PHOUNSAVATH Ariya :razz:

 

[Ludwigzgz]

Well...
colombians Reyes y Aguirre...
oscenses Barceló y Samitier...
and personal bets Lunke and Maison
are my assets

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Year 1 Month 1 and up to 4th February


The highest January scorers who were picked for our game (some of them were even picked before they scored their points)

NAJAR Gonzalo Joaquin 142pts for GC win and a stage stage in San Juan for Fauniera and Hakkie
GANNA Filippo 91pts from 3rd in GC and other points in San Juan for 23 teams
HAMILTON Chris 69pts for 6th in Aussie Championships, 16th in TDU and some for CERORR 8 teams
DLAMINI Nicholas 55pts, mainly for winning KoM at TDU for AmisVelo, DJW and Trudgin
WARLOP Jordi 39pts 3 teams
MADOUAS Valentin 33 10
BASSO Leonardo 32 4
EG Niklas 28 21

Resulting in these points (no need for separate standings and monthly points at this stage)

1 Fauniera 318 (Mainly from Najar, Ganna and Madouas)
2 Hakkie2 288 (Najar and Ganna)
2 Blues_in_the_Bottle 288 (Ganna, Hamilton, Madouas and Basso)
4 Kryvo 273 (same main scorers as BitB)
5 Scrooll07 247
6 TheAsian 237
7 Skidmark 230
8 AlyKaptan 228
9 Kazistuta 219
10 AmisVelo 218
11 LukasCPH 214
12 JonEzeitza 212
13 DJW 199
14 Joelsim 188
15 Laarsland 181
16 Flo 179
17 Shalgo 172
18 HugoKoblet 166
19 Squire 153
20 Cordi333 149
21 Armchair_Cyclist 148
22 Ludwigzgz 136
23 Vladimir 131
24 Madrazo 116
25 Nathanptz 102
26 NorthAmericanScum 87
27 Josedin 85
28 Trudgin 79
29 RoteLaterne 77
30 Monsieur_Hulot 72
31 Comodoro 62
32 LosBrolin 43
33 Karaev 34
34 Leadbelly 27
CollectiveWisdom 153

At least we are all off the mark (and the spreadsheet works)

There will always be those who we all managed to miss. You might have riders in your team who by the end of three years have still scored less than the likes of:
PHOUNSAVATH DESTRIBOIS Alex Ariya 113 from Tour of Indonesia
HARPER Chris 101 from Aussie nationals and Herald Sun
KIPKEMBOI Salim 101 from Sharjah and Tropicale Amissa Bongo
CHAWCHIANGKUANG Peerapol 100 also Tour of Indonesia

And the spreadsheet is here, and its updates will be here each month though I might not always publish the link.

 

[skidmark]

Thanks for the update! This game is so great to follow over the longer term.

I almost picked Chris Harper. I'd heard good things and then imagined a trajectory from a year of domestic and Asian racing to a PCT team or something the next two years for a comfy gain. At the last minute I decided to go with another Aussie Chris (Hamilton, that is) because he'd had a couple of seasons under his belt and was locked in with a team, so more of a sure bet. Steadiness has served me well in this game, but those are probably the kind of picks I'll need to make to get 1st instead of top 10 - not Harper in specific, but the road less travelled.

Good luck everyone!

 

[fauniera]

Mission accomplished. It's downhill from here.

 

[laarsland]

Unique pick Dusan Rajovic won GP Izola today.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Re:

Unique pick Dusan Rajovic won GP Izola today.

Well done, and he did beat a few more frequently picked riders in the game, but a 1.2 race is only worth 15 points.

 

[laarsland]

Absolutely, but a very good omen for the duration of this game. Also on the highway to non-eligiblity for the 19-21-edition.

Fingers crossed...

 

[Ludwigzgz]

Re:

Popular Narvaez was of course also closely in my consideration, but I just ended up concluding that he won't get enough chances with Quick Step and also might risk getting a lot involved with the leadouts.

Yes, I think I understand what you want to say ...

 

[LaFlorecita]

Re:

Fabbro after his performance in Valenciana might just be the best unique pick.

He looked strong again today in Larciano

 

[MADRAZO]

Re: Re:

Popular Narvaez was of course also closely in my consideration, but I just ended up concluding that he won't get enough chances with Quick Step and also might risk getting a lot involved with the leadouts.

Yes, I think I understand what you want to say ...

It will be a big handicap for me not too have him for sure, wish I had concluded differently

At least I can take a little comfort from my unique pick Ballerinis good result today. He will be a very good pick for me I think.

 

[Armchair cyclist]

Year 1, Month 2 5th Feb to 4th March

Most of our selected riders are off the mark for the year, but whether those who will be big scorers have yet shown themselves remains to be seen.

Best selected riders in February:
NARVAEZ PRADO Jhonatan Manuel 125pts (10th in Oro yPaz, 2nd in Drome Classic, 6th in Ardeche, 7th in West Vlaanderen) for 26 teams
VAN HOOYDONCK Nathan 89 (4th in Dubai Tour) 10 teams
BALLERINI Davide 78 (GP Larciano, 3rd) for Madrazo
MADOUAS Valentin 67 (4th in Tour du Haut Var , top 20 in Strade Bianche and Etoile de Bessege) 10 teams
ASGREEN Kasper 48pts 2 teams
SOSA CUERVO Ivan Ramiro 45 12
LE TURNIER Mathias 45 1
JAKOBSEN Fabio 44 27
GODON Dorian 40 1
PLANCKAERT Edward 40 5

This month

1 Scrooll07 419 (Narvaez, Van Hooydonck, Madouas, Jakobsen, Godon)
2 Blues_in_the_Bottle 386 (Narvaez, Van Hooydonck, Madouas, Jakobsen)
3 HugoKoblet 372 (Narvaez, Van Hooydonck, Madouas, Jakobsen)
4 Laarsland 354
5 AlyKaptan 351
5 Shalgo 351
7 AmisVelo 336
8 TheAsian 333
9 Kryvo 304
10 Kazistuta 303
11 Flo 302
12 Fauniera 299
13 Nathanptz 294
14 Squire 293
15 Skidmark 292
15 Joelsim 292
17 JonEzeitza 283
18 Ludwigzgz 276
19 Hakkie2 268
20 RoteLaterne 266
21 Cordi333 258
22 Vladimir 255
23 Armchair_Cyclist 242
24 Madrazo 234
25 DJW 232
26 Monsieur_Hulot 222
27 LukasCPH 201
28 Karaev 168
29 Trudgin 167
30 Comodoro 153
31 LosBrolin 106
32 Josedin 103
33 Leadbelly 90
34 NorthAmericanScum 81
CollectiveWisdom 286

Standings

Blues in the Bottle shows early consistency in the game, 2nd in each of the 2 summaries so far and so leading the way. Scrool07 had also done pretty well in January, before this monthly win, and is second overall at this early stage. Hugo Koblet was the highest (9 place) riser, and Laarsland the only other to enter the top ten.

1 Blues_in_the_Bottle 674
2 Scrooll07 666
3 Fauniera 617
4 AlyKaptan 579
5 Kryvo 577
6 TheAsian 570
7 Hakkie2 556
8 AmisVelo 554
9 HugoKoblet 538
10 Laarsland 535
11 Shalgo 523
12 Kazistuta 522
12 Skidmark 522
14 JonEzeitza 495
15 Flo 481
16 Joelsim 480
17 Squire 446
18 DJW 431
19 LukasCPH 415
20 Ludwigzgz 412
21 Cordi333 407
22 Nathanptz 396
23 Armchair_Cyclist 390
24 Vladimir 386
25 Madrazo 350
26 RoteLaterne 343
27 Monsieur_Hulot 294
28 Trudgin 246
29 Comodoro 215
30 Karaev 202
31 Josedin 188
32 NorthAmericanScum 168
33 LosBrolin 149
34 Leadbelly 117
CollectiveWisdom 439