Okay, I've got a second to check out your team. I find it interesting that you spent so much time optimizing strategy and came up with such a similar team to me, as I know first hand how painstakingly I go over my team. I've bolded the riders we have in common, which is most of them, so I'll just comment on the ones we don't share. I'd be curious to hear you elaborate on your strategy, if you're interested.
Kreuziger - I picked him in the first two editions, and I think he could be a good pick, for the reasons you laid out in discussion with Jancouver. Didn't even think of him for the ORR, but that makes sense.
Jungels - I've also had him on my team and am a believer in his talent. His first year at EQS could go very well, and he could continue to progress in the weeklong stage races, so I see why you picked him. But that's also a deep lineup. Although I dismissed him because I thought that, but I think I was still thinking of him as a classics kinda guy, which hasn't been the bulk of his points necessarily.
The man's a beast. If you look at where his points came from last year, he didn't even have a good season. Win in a 2.1 stage race (EQS are riding Luxembourg this year, no way he's not starting), 6th in a WT stage race and a Nationals clean sweep is very repeatable, and I think he'll add a lot to that. Could also score well in the two big TTs. EQS are great at creating profitable race programs, and there are plenty of Kwiatkowski points which need to be recuperated.
Peraud - already mentioned, could be a good pick but I'm worried about his age.
Pozzato - I'd love to hear an elaboration. I guess he's cheap, and with a team with whom he'll be in favour, and he could race some more italian classics which are more his speed than the big ones? Is that what you're thinking?
I think he's still got it for the big ones too. Good Ronde last year, down the pecking order for MSR. Didn't really ride a lot of races. Will have plenty of sh!t small races to feast on this year, in addition to some possibilities for points in the big ones. Was great when he was healthy last time he rode for this team, and I guess he would like to prove a point. Still not ancient. You shouldn't judge him yet, there's only one who can do that
But yeah, one of my more dodgy picks, I agree.
Farrar & Ciolek - both were riders I considered, for sure... and then looking at their results the last few years, I drew the conclusion they were just not good sprinters anymore. But I'm not sure - I had Ciolek on until I made room for Grosu at the end... did you know Farrar & Ciolek's cost add up to Grosu's exactly? There's gotta be some kinda wager we can make on that. But actually, I'm interested in hearing your logic on these guys, maybe especially Farrar I'm curious about because he's with the same team as last year, but now with Cav.
Ciolek has all the hallmarks of a great pick. Still only 29, and can do everything, cobbles, sprints, hilly races, distance. Will be undisputed leader with quite a solid backing, and will mostly be a huge fish in a small pond. He can perform in big races if they're invited, too. He seems to thrive everytime he switches teams, and has even admitted so in an interview, so that should give him motivation and confidence.
Farrar is another slightly dodgy pick, but with quite an upside. Yes, Cav has arrived, but he's gotten rid of Ciolek, Goss and Bos (practically). Cav has his own entourage, so Farrar won't be involved in that train, despite what the news reports say. Yeah, he might do some work for EBH, but should get some sprint chances himself, although I picked him mostly for his classics potential and Worlds potential. I think Sbaragli will move up to a WT schedule, so hopefully Farrar takes over some of his duties from last year. I was also impressed by the American's energy in last year's Worlds. Don't think Farrar is gone yet.
I'm starting to think I should have gone with Kudus instead, though.
Sargent/Navarro/Vanendert - I see what you're going for. I almost put Vanendert on my team too, until I remembered he was on my team for the same price two years ago, and made me some points for sure, but it was almost a chore to cheer for him. I tried to look around for similar priced riders that I'd be more excited to cheer for, and there were some.
Yeah, Vanendert is a bit risky. He seems like he can only peak for a short time each season, but if he's successful during that peak, he should be worth it. Goes a little bit against my principles for a good pick, though. Navarro is solid, Sergent has a lot of things in his favour this year (watch out for a thin Qatar field and a Kiwi who wants to start his season strong).
Haig - totally a promising talent... I was worried he'd be buried as a neo at Greenedge, but they showed last year with Ewan that they know how to bring in someone they want to be a winner with soft races, so maybe it'll turn out well. Is that your thinking?
More or less. If he can't swim at the deep end, they'll take him to the shallow one.
and then the rest are the same except for Velits. Yeah, I was kinda bored with Velits and then just got the idea that he wouldn't be a great pick. A rare moment of non-objectivity. I probably should have picked him.
He'll pick up his usual 350 points
As 30 out of 33 your team at some point was in my team draft, I agree with most your picks. We discussed Grosu, and the other one I didn't really consider is Craddock, although I can get what your reasoning would be.