Okay. Maybe a short summary of my team a la the Men's game (which i haven't done yet).
I had five iterations of my team until i finally submitted the one. I was going to submit my 4th iteration, but of course i freaked out at the last second and bumped two riders. My apologies to:
Evita Muzic - I really think she will be better this year (and possibly quite a bit better. Her interview was one of very few I actually read)
Frederica Venturelli - I love the name and future potential, but didn't NEED to have her
They got bumped because for some reason Isabella popped into my head as someone who made a huge leap last year at a young age, so why not another huge leap this year.
Isabella Holmgren - Huge year last year. May ride a tougher schedule this year and the team has quite a bit of depth. But nice that we include all CQ points in the women's game, so maybe another year before the leap to the really big races. Wait, she did three WWT stage races last year? Well now.
Lore De Schepper - I don't know much about her. But I had one place to fill and didn't get excited about anyone else around that price. Fourth in l'Avenir and 22nd at Giro, at 20 years old. So becomes one of my three unique picks.
Four riders were on my initial "have to have" list.
KOPECKY Lotte - Maybe she is not a 2000 pointer anymore, but def can get back to being a 1000 pointer.
REALINI Gaia - Not sure what happened last year. Broken elbow in january but shouldn't affect the entire year. Something was known though as she didn't start any GTs.
OSTIZ TACO Paula - Unreal talent. Only 14 picked her? Am I missing something or have I just been marketed too?
PELLEGRINI Francesca - Hmm. Not sure why. Maybe I read something? Thought she was a cheap sprinter. But three years at UAE dev and not a single win. You mean I could have tried Ava Holmgren instead?
The rest:
FERRAND PREVOT Pauline - Yes she had a great year. But seems ambitious enough to win even more. Not saying Vollering can't beat her in GTs, but maybe two classics and better at Vuelta and WCs?
PIETERSE Puck - Yes it is a stretch. But I really like her. I'm not sure why she had to stop racing after the TdF. So I'm hoping for a few more races from her. Legend in all the classics but maybe looking for some stage success in a grand tour as well. I know. That is a lot of wishing and hoping.
FERGUSON Cat - Finally made my team on the 4th try. I think I read an interview. I have to stop doing that.
KOOL Charlotte - I really wanted a good sprinter. Had a down year last year (only one win?!) but still feel like she is second best. And that can be worth a lot of points.
LUDWIG Cecilie Uttrup - Picked her last year. So why not at this price? Can't JUST be a domestique. Can she? Again, I think I read an interview. I need to get a job.
BRADBURY Neve - Pretty obvious
VAN ANROOIJ Shirin - Not as obvious. But as long as she isn't on a complete career downslide, she should get a lot more points (and maybe don't do every GT. Let's focus on the classics a la 2024)
BAUERNFEIND Ricarda - Can't remember why I picked her. But she made a team change. I'm assuming it's not just to help the Holmgren sisters. Back to 2023 form?
BRAND Lucinda - Yes she is CX legend. But didn't she get 350 CQ points two years ago? At least one other fell for it, so I'm not alone.
KINGMA Maya - Needed someone cheap. Haven't had much luck with 18-19 year olds (just like when I was in College) so why not try a "try"-athlete? Wait. Article I read said she signed with EF in July. But now PCS says she is on some team called Aromitalia Vaiano. Now I'm depressed.
In summary, Puck, Cat and Lotte all win the same races, giving me legendary classics CQ points. PFP wins the grand tours. Kool beats Wiebes in a race. and Neve starts it all off with a victory in TDU. Could happen.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram