With the last minute omissions of Pozzato (generally dislike the guy) and Heiner Parra (not steady enough) for Yates and McLay this was my final team:
The Big-Potential Stars:
Rigoberto Uran, 938 – Probably the most versatile rider under 1000 points, has potential to make 2500.
Mark Cavendish, 642 – Barring serious injury the Manx missile is looking at another +1000 season.
Carlos Betancour, 616 – Major upside, if the newfound Weight Watcher fulfills his +1500 potential.
Andrew Talansky, 534 – Maybe a risky pick given his latest injuries, but his talent is indisputable.
Richie Porte, 415 – Little Richie needs to find his mojo again, but if so he’ll easily top 1000 points.
Robert Gesink, 274 – Big Rob is back and is the most obvious pick this season IMO besides Henao.
Sergio Henao, 92 – What a steal, the third or fourth best Colombian rider with +1000 potential.
The “Turn the frown upside-down” Guys:
Edvald Boasson-Hagen, 429 – A massive disappointment lately, but hopefully a new environment will do him good. Might be a risky pick, but has a very high point ceiling.
Heinrich Haussler, 237 – Has voiced a desire to return to the Haussler of 2009, but 500 points should be minimum.
Thomas De Gendt, 54 – Actually one of my last admissions, because I read that Lotto is naming him GC captain for Down Under, meaning they have faith in him. Hopefully the “happy De Gendt” shows up this year.
Moreno Moser, 87 – Without Sagan he’s got no excuse not to deliver. Let’s just forget 2014.
Matthew Goss, 66 – The little Aussie better start to deliver again. Those HTC days seems long ago.
Injury-free Year, Yes Please!:
Ian Stannard, 250 – Impressive force of a rider, really hoping he can get through a complete spring season.
JD Atapuma, 102 – With a recovered femur he should be ready for another Colombian adventure.
Luca Wackermann, 37 – Is he a Nikita Novikov-like lost talent? He claims he’s ready for a new start, let’s see.
U25 Talents:
Sam Bennett, 436 – Undisputed leader at Bora and with one more year in the bag.
Florian Senechal, 263 – Has quickly made himself the most interesting rider to follow at Cofidis (Not a hard job though)
Simon Yates, 207 - Supposed to be the twin with the easiest transition to pro racing, he was overshadowed by Adam last year, but might take the deck this season.
Nicola Ruffoni, 117 – Beat Cav, Viviani late last season, and hopefully he now found the winning formula
Sebastian Henao, 96 – Rather surprised that the younger Henao didn’t score more last year. He’s ready to go for the white jersey in the giro, meaning at least easy 200 points.
Matej Mohoric, 55 – There’s no doubting his talent, with a prep year he’s ready to rock the pro ranks.
Joe Dombrowski, 10 – Too cheap and too talented to pass up. Will get chances with Vaughters.
Young But Massively Talented Neos:
Dylan Teuns, 167 – This guy really impressed me as stagiaire, what will he do during a complete season?
Louis Vervaeke, 115 – Another young rider who impressed me last year, especially in Avenir.
Caleb Ewan, 95 – Ready to enter the big boys league with a B-A-N-G. Will probably be amongst the five most picked riders this year.
Fredrik Ludvigsson, 40 – Didn’t do much last year, but I have a good feeling about him based on 2013. It doesn’t hurt to see the progress his big brother is making.
The French Connection:
Pierre-Roger Latour, 71
Thomas Boudat, 61
Daniel McLay, 49
All three cheap promising Neo-pros taking part of a points-heavy French calendar. Promising fastman McLay and semi-sprinter Boudat are the most likely to benefit, as French climbers usually seem to take a season or two to adjust to pro racing. McLay wants to win quickly in the pro ranks, and I believe he will.
The Boring Picks:
Jürgen Van Den Broeck, 364 – Finally VDB2 will take a look at other races than the Tour, which ought to do him good pointwise. This is the third year in a row he’s on my CQ team – boooooring!
Oscar Gatto, 175 – I have absolutely no feelings whatsoever for Gatto, but as a leader at Androni he should return to his 400-range point score
Igor Anton, 149 - What’s left to say of the guy? Probably the most picked rider in CQ competition history. Will he disappoint me and his other backers once more?
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