The principle is the same as the CQ games: pick a team of prescribed size to a budget that is based on the same scoring principle as they are trying to gain points in this time around, then sit back and watch in either wonderment or despair as they perform even beyond your hopes, or totally fail to meet your expectations of them.

But this is Cyclo-Cross, so things are a bit different:
  • The scores are from PCS, not CQ;
  • Your team can have any balance of males and females that you wish;
  • Points have already been earned by some riders, before we begin;
  • Riders who are under 23, especially the men, might get lots of results that won't be of any benefit here.
So, what you need is 18 names, male or female, with a maximum PCS points total for 2024-25 of 25000 changed, see post #6 below 18000. This is based only on their elite level points, so the PCS site may lead you astray in regards to the price of any rider that was competing in underage events last year (and your riders might waste a lot of effort in U23 events this year. Which is why I have created a selection spreadsheet. Disturbingly, the PCS site doesn't seem to be offering the end of last season prices tonight (I hope that is sorted by the time the season is properly underway), and has some discrepancies where a table is visible, so these prices are from the spreadsheet I had last year: I hope they are right: I won't penalise anyone for using the prices I am publishing even if they are wrong. If anyone is seriously under budget in their submission, I'll let them know because that might have been problems of using the prices from the site.

Points for the whole season, from the Australian championships back in mid August to the Brussels University race in mid February (is there not usually the Oostmalle after that? This could be variable). That means some riders already have points, but experience from the two previous editions show that they are fairly insignificant. There probably are some riders who are already in profit, you are perfectly free to pick them if you want to.

Entries to me by PM on this site before the Kermiscross on 16th October. (There is apparently an Exact cross this weekend, and one European C1 race before that, but people will want more notice than that, and I doubt it'll make that much difference).


The two previous editions have each had only 7 players: hoping for a few more this time around.

I said recently I would get the launch up by the end of September: mission achieved in some time zones...
 
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There is apparently an Exact cross this weekend
It's so early because the next weekend is occupied by the Gravel Worlds.

25000 points was already quite high last year, riders are cheaper this time because of five fewer World Cup races last season, and we will have a race with quite a few big names to help us get an idea of who's good before the deadline. I already cracked 90% of the maximum possible score last year - I fear that the median team might be able to manage that this time round.
 
It's so early because the next weekend is occupied by the Gravel Worlds.

25000 points was already quite high last year, riders are cheaper this time because of five fewer World Cup races last season, and we will have a race with quite a few big names to help us get an idea of who's good before the deadline. I already cracked 90% of the maximum possible score last year - I fear that the median team might be able to manage that this time round.

I just default to keeping the same budget year to year for every game, but having looked at a few trial combinations, I think DE has a point. One could pick nine of the top ten, then still have enough left that a rider like Maghalie Rochette would be your mean spend, or take the whole of the top 11 before looking for a budget pick.

Given that no-one has yet submitted a team, I shall forego the idea that historical editions are comparable (not that there are many) and lower the budget.

So let's make it a round 1000 points average spend: 18000 budget.

Tagging those who have already indicated interest in case they don't notice: @Redhead Dane, @Cordi333
Apologies if you were near to completing your selection at the other budget.
 
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