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Prediction Game

Page 8 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Mar 13, 2009
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My fancy:
6 mountaintop top finishes - stages 4, 5, 14, 16, 17, 19
3 TTs - stages 1, 12, 21
sprinting - stage 9.

I'm happy enough to be in the mix so whatever the group decides is fine with me. To the starting line...:)
 
Mar 10, 2009
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I think that the points for Rebellin should stand - the predictors didn't cheat, the guy who won did.

Regarding the Giro, I suggest that we do the following stages:
1 TTT - great chance for everyone to get at least three points in the Giro
5. You simply have to love this profile!
8. Should have at least one bunch sprint, and this is almost a guarantee of one
12 Long TT
17. VERY short and VERY steep
19 Summit finish on a Volcano! Rumours are that Zomegan is in talks to have an international class supervillain build a secret headquarters at the top and host the podium, and threaten to kill Lance Armstrong live on RAI 3:D
 
Hey guys! Thanks alot for the comments. I read over what most of you guys proposed and am in agreement with what was said. Here is what I'm thinking (based on the feedback).

Stage 2: Jesolo - Trieste (First Road Stage: 156K)

Stage 5: San Martino Di Castrozza - Alpe di Siusi (Mountain Top Finish: 125K)

Stage 10: Cuneo - Pinerolo (Punishingly Long Course: 262K)

Stage 12: Sestri Levante - Riomaggiore (Individual Time Trial: 61K)

Stage 17: Chieti - Blockhaus (Mountain Top Finish: 83K)

Stage 19: Avellino - Vesuvio (Mountain Top Finish: 164K)

I could maybe add another stage or so, but I'm thinking those 6 stages will be more than enough to keep you guys busy (more and more people are forgetting to send predictions), let alone take up alot of time to tabulate!!

As far as the Rebellin situation... No one will be losing points for that race. So no worries there :) Let me know what you guys think of those stages? I'd like to finalize by tomorrow, so EVERYONE is aware - well ahead of time- of what is coming up.

Also, I took out the TTT, cause I'm not sure how I would award points for it.
 
Mar 10, 2009
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El Imbatido said:
Nice call with the stages merckx, plenty of variety and time betwwen them for you to calibrate scores. I Think everyone will be happy with those.

Cheers

+ 1 (I'll grudgingly relent my case for stage 8;))

I'd still say go for the TTT - people select teams rather than riders, and follow the usual procedure thereafter.

If it is of any assistance, I can assist in scoring some of the stages too, if you like, or fancy some breathing space. If not, no insult taken.
 
Mar 12, 2009
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Bluebeard said:
+ 1 (I'll grudgingly relent my case for stage 8;))

I'd still say go for the TTT - people select teams rather than riders, and follow the usual procedure thereafter.

If it is of any assistance, I can assist in scoring some of the stages too, if you like, or fancy some breathing space. If not, no insult taken.

it's a short TTT, the time gaps will be small and the stage is not decisive. I say leave it out.
 
Ok guys, the first post has been updated with the final list of stages which will be used for the Giro. (Same list as the one I posted earlier in the thread). Now, this is how it's going to work,

The first prediction you will send in - 24 hours before the Start of the Race, May 9th must contain the following:

OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONS

- predict 2 riders for the Overall GC winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final KOM winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final Points winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final young rider classification.
- predict ONE team for the team classification.

On top of these Overall Classification predictions, you will have to make the stage predictions (as usual).
Please send these in the following format: ( Rider 1, Rider 2, Rider 3, Rider 4, Rider 5 )

Example:

So prior to May 9th the message you should send me should look like this:

Overall: Rider 1, Rider 2
KOM: Rider 1, Rider 2
Points: Rider 1, Rider 2
Young Rider: Rider 1, Rider 2
Team: Team 1

Stage predictions: ( Rider 1, Rider 2, Rider 3, Rider 4, Rider 5 )

-----

I will accept Overall Classifications up until 24 hours from the Start of the Giro. If you forget to send me your classifications predictions, you will not be allowed to send them later on. (A fair amount of points to miss out on :p)

So to recap, these are the stages which will be used for the Giro:

Stage 2: Jesolo - Trieste (First Road Stage: 156K)

Stage 5: San Martino Di Castrozza - Alpe di Siusi (Mountain Top Finish: 125K)

Stage 10: Cuneo - Pinerolo (Punishingly Long Course: 262K)

Stage 12: Sestri Levante - Riomaggiore (Individual Time Trial: 61K)

Stage 17: Chieti - Blockhaus (Mountain Top Finish: 83K)

Stage 19: Avellino - Vesuvio (Mountain Top Finish: 164K)


If you have any questions feel free to ask!
 
Also, as a clarification for the Overall classification predictions, you are picking two riders for each category. However the aim is to predict the winner of said category. Rider 1 will naturally be your preferred rider, and Rider 2 will be the "backup" of sorts.

No additional points are awarded if both your #1 and #2 picks are correct. The only thing that will be counted is if you have ONE of the two riders correct. Think of your second pick as a free insurance choice.

Cheers,

Merckx
 
Mar 11, 2009
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so we will have to make all the stage predictions before the the first stage?

nice, extra points for the one who picks the right outsider at the start.
 
No, just the Overall Classification predictions must be made 24h before the start of the Giro. Every other stage is business as usual. (send the predictions, as if it were a classic or something - 24h before the start of the stage)
 
Mar 10, 2009
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So the predictions for the classifications (GC, KOM, Points, Young Rider and Team) have to be handed in 24 hours before the start of the Giro.

The stages will be business as usual. Starting with stage 2 (Sunday May 10th). Followed by stage 5 (Wednesday May 13th), stage 10 (Tuesday May 19th), stage 12 (Thursday May 21st), stage 17 (Wednesday May 27th) and stage 19 (Friday May 29th).

Did I get that right?
 
Mar 12, 2009
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Merckx said:
Hey guys! Thanks alot for the comments. I read over what most of you guys proposed and am in agreement with what was said. Here is what I'm thinking (based on the feedback).

Stage 2: Jesolo - Trieste (First Road Stage: 156K)

Stage 5: San Martino Di Castrozza - Alpe di Siusi (Mountain Top Finish: 125K)

Stage 10: Cuneo - Pinerolo (Punishingly Long Course: 262K)

Stage 12: Sestri Levante - Riomaggiore (Individual Time Trial: 61K)

Stage 17: Chieti - Blockhaus (Mountain Top Finish: 83K)

Stage 19: Avellino - Vesuvio (Mountain Top Finish: 164K)

I could maybe add another stage or so, but I'm thinking those 6 stages will be more than enough to keep you guys busy (more and more people are forgetting to send predictions), let alone take up alot of time to tabulate!!

As far as the Rebellin situation... No one will be losing points for that race. So no worries there :) Let me know what you guys think of those stages? I'd like to finalize by tomorrow, so EVERYONE is aware - well ahead of time- of what is coming up.

Also, I took out the TTT, cause I'm not sure how I would award points for it.



Sounds good, need to be evenly spread out. What about one more flat stage finish?
 
Mar 10, 2009
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I have spend time thinking about it on and off for the past week...My conclusion? I have no idea...XD

But thanks for the heads up.
 
my predictions

Hi there Merckx, today my internet connection goes crazy, I've send you the picks twice, but I'm not sure if any of them got to you. If not, please let me know.
Btw, the predictions are damn' hard:) Especially when I haven't found official start list anywhere:)
 
Now with the GT part of the season upon us, it is sort of like coming to the first major mountain stage of a GT. A big shake up should soon happen on the tally board. Hopefully that means all the sprinters have been sharing round the jerseys and now its time for some of us a little further down the board to shine. Us mountain goats - that can TT.:)

Hopefully that will include me.:eek:

Bring it on. You are goin down Cav. Opps i mean indurain:D
 
Not a chance Imbatido! :p As you know, Merckx was good everywhere ;)

Also Francie, I don't see why not. Feel free to send me your picks, I can add you to the scoreboard. It's never too late, a couple of good picks and you're right back in there.
 
Merckx said:
The first prediction you will send in - 24 hours before the Start of the Race, May 9th must contain the following:

OVERALL CLASSIFICATIONS

- predict 2 riders for the Overall GC winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final KOM winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final Points winner.
- predict 2 riders for the final young rider classification.
- predict ONE team for the team classification.

Example:

So prior to May 9th the message you should send me should look like this:

Overall: Rider 1, Rider 2
KOM: Rider 1, Rider 2
Points: Rider 1, Rider 2
Young Rider: Rider 1, Rider 2
Team: Team 1

I will accept Overall Classifications up until 24 hours from the Start of the Giro. If you forget to send me your classifications predictions, you will not be allowed to send them later on. (A fair amount of points to miss out on :p)

Reposted for the benefit of those who did not send their picks yet, and for those who sent the wrong format.

Please, for the overalls you are trying to guess who will win each individual category and you are submitting two names for each said category.
(Think of it as a 2 for 1 deal. You are getting two chances to guess the winner of the specific category).

You can also choose to send your stage 2 predictions at the same time.

The vast majority of you have yet to send me anything and time is running out. You have about 24 hours to go before the Classifications picks are locked!
 
Here are the overall Classifications predictions for our first Grand tour!

Merckx: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Cunego, Soler || Points: Cavendish, Petacchi || Young Rider: Lokvist, Seeldraeyers || Team: Astana)

ak-zaaf: (Overall: Soler, Basso || KOM: Soler, Simoni || Points: Bennati, Cavendish || Young Rider: Seeldraeyers, Rabon || Team: Liquigas)

R. Forster: (Overall: Leipheimer, Sastre || KOM: Sastre, Menchov || Points: Cavendish, Forster || Young Rider: Nibali, Boasson Hagen || Team: Saxo Bank)

Titan_90: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Serpa, Angel Gomez || Points: Petacchi, Cavendish || Young Rider: Lokvist, Augustyn || Team: Astana)

Kazistuta: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Soler, Serpa || Points: Petacchi, Davis || Young Rider: Cataldo, J.Rodriguez || Team: Astana)

Flahute: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Pellizotti, Kiryienka || Points: Pellizotti, Petacchi || Young Rider: Visconti, Seeldraeyers || Team: Liquigas)

180mmcrank: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Soler, Basso || Points: Petacchi, Di Luca || Young Rider: Lokvist, Seeldraeyers || Team: Astana)

Indurain: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Soler, Garzelli || Points: Petacchi, Pellizotti || Young Rider: Lokvist, Possoni || Team: Astana)

K. Robbins: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Serpa, Soler || Points: Petacchi, Cavendish || Young Rider: Lokvist, J.Rodriguez || Team: Astana)

Marshan: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Cardenas, Soler || Points: Cavendish, Petacchi || Young Rider: Augustyn, De Greef || Team: Astana)

Cosette: (Overall: Menchov, Sastre || KOM: Basso, Cunego || Points: Hunt, Cavendish || Young Rider: Lokvist, Boasson Hagen || Team: Astana)

wheels55: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Soler, Kiryienka || Points: Cavendish, Davis || Young Rider: Augustyn, Possoni || Team: Astana)

aarnold517: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Soler, Serpa || Points: Petacchi, Davis || Young Rider: Seeldraeyers, J.Rodriguez || Team: Serramenti PVC Diquigiovanni-Androni Giocattoli)

Bluebeard: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Simoni, Valjavec || Points: Petacchi, Davis || Young Rider: Gavazzi, Farrar || Team: ISD)

Lookkg386: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso --- Rest is blank)

El Imbatido: (Overall: Leipheimer, Basso || KOM: Soler, J.Rodriguez || Points: Petacchi, Pozzato || Young Rider: Seeldraeyers, Cataldo || Team: Astana)

Bartoli: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Kessiakoff, Visconti || Points: Petacchi, Davis || Young Rider: Cataldo, Augustyn || Team: Liquigas)

ingsve: (Overall: Basso, Cunego || KOM: Cardenas, Kiryienka || Points: Cavendish, Petacchi || Young Rider: Lokvist, Seeldraeyers || Team: Lampre)

Martin: (Overall: Menchov, Basso || KOM: Soler, Garzelli || Points: Cavendish, Petacchi || Young Rider: Augustyn, Boasson Hagen || Team: Astana)

peloton: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Simoni, Basso || Points: Di Luca, Petacchi || Young Rider: Cataldo, Lokvist || Team: Liquigas)

BrandonT: (Overall: Basso, Leipheimer || KOM: Soler, Kessiakoff || Points: Cavendish, Petacchi || Young Rider: Augustyn, Seeldraeyers || Team: Saxo Bank)

Jaylew: (Overall: Leipheimer, Menchov || KOM: Soler, Serpa || Points: Cavendish, Davis || Young Rider: Lokvist, Augustyn || Team: Liquigas)



Missing: Skidmark

---

Looking at the picks, it seems like there is a lot of parity with regards to the Overall Classification - Levi and Basso appear to be the heavy favorites. There does seem to be some diversity for the other categories (especially the young riders and sprints classifications)

Quick question to everyone. T Lokvist is now 25 years old, is he still considered under the young rider classification at that age?

---

Also: For those who have not sent their Stage 2 predictions, please do so asap. Thanks and good luck to all!
 
Mar 10, 2009
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That just answered both my questions. XD
Will be sending my stage picks in a minute.

Merckx said:
Quick question to everyone. T Lokvist is now 25 years old, is he still considered under the young rider classification at that age?
Apparently, he is in the TdF. But I'm not sure the Italians draw the line at the same place (under 25 on January 1st)...