This for sure MUST be how Christmas morning feels like!
It's very interesting to see the teams, and so far it seems like my only obvious miss is Ponzi.
Well, here goes the breakdown on my team and some of the guys I left out:
My Must-haves:
Mikel Landa: Unlimited potential and likely one of the most-picked riders overall. Potential: 1200+, realistic 800+
Beñat Intxausti: A no-brainer, as his first year at Sky was totally destroyed. What remains to be seen is his role with that many chiefs. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Adriano Malori: His recovery story is impressive, and while this pick is a bit “heart”, his low cost and former results left me no choice. Potential: ??
Leopold König: Back at his old team (sort of) and with more responsibility. Should also be on the top10 pick list. Potential: 700+, realistic 500+
Kris Boeckmans: Also a rider with a cruel injury story to tell. He’s had a year to get back in the game and is now ready to rock the boat. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
John Degenkolb: He’s GOTTA be the most picked rider this year. Enormous scoring potential at rather bargain price. Potential: 2000+, realistic 1500+
Fabio Aru: I was sold on Aru before discovering how many elite stage racers will line up at the Giro this year. I decided to let my initial instincts rule due to his clear leader status at Astana now. With two great GT’s and drips along the way he will be a great pick. Potential: 1500+, realistic 1000+
Elia Viviani: Even though Sky is not known for supporting sprinters, Viviani will get plenty of chances to shine. Potential: 700+, realistic 500+
Already Approved-on-WT-levels:
Michal Kwiatkowski: Sky is the limit for this guy – unfortunately also figuratively it seems:-( He’s every bit as talented as Peter Sagan, but quite haven’t flourished yet. This oughta be the year he breaks the Sky-spell, and if not he’s a secure point scorer. Potential: 1500+, realistic 800+
Tiesj Bennot: The next Phenomenon of the Northern Classics? He’s just impressive in all perspectives. Potential: 1000+, realistic 700+
Stefan Küng: Already shown he’s the next big thing out of Switzerland. Got parts of 2016 destroyed by an injury. Potential: 600+, realistic 400+
Tony Martin: Back to basics, Tony. His time trial skills must be honoured, in that case he will be back to his old CQ scores. Potential: 1000+, realistic 1000+
Niccolo Bonifazio: Impressive at times, pack fodder at others. Needs concistency, but will be supported greatly at Bahrain-Merida. Potential: 800+, realistic 500+
Lars Boom: Might be a top15 pick in general consensus, and his value does not represent his skill set. Now he’s back in Holland, and as a clear-cut leader he should have more luck in the Nothern Classics this year. Potential: 700+, realistic 500+
Matteo Pelucchi: He’s as inconsistent as they come, but a guy that’s beaten the likes of Kittel and Nizzolo with a bargain price? I say bring him on! Potential: 400+, realistic 200+
New Now-it’s-time-to-step-ups:
Dylan Teuns: It seems like he’s drowned a bit in the BMC talent pool, but the Belgian is still one of these riders, I love to watch race. Opportunistic in his own ways, and if the stars align, this will be the year he breaks through. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Victor Campenaerts: A young Belgian time trailer on a Dutch team – isn’t that a recipe for a catastrophe? I still see a lot of development potential in Campenaerts, and even though he’s one of my latest additions, I’m sure he’ll continue his TT progress in 2017. Potential: 400+, realistic 200+
Guillaume Van Keirsbulck: Finally GVK gets a chance to lead after switching for Wanty Group. After this spring we’ll now if he deserved it. I think he will prove his worth. Potential: 600+, realistic 400+
Mike Teunissen: A surprising team change probably won’t hurt Teunissens chance to shine. I watched him race on several occasions last year, and he races like a champion in the making. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Matvey Mamykin: As second fiddle to only Zakarin in the GC hierarchy he should continue to thrive in the mountains. Hopefully he’ll time his efforts better this year, but his racing style is what cycling lovers want. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Young You-hope-to-succeeds:
Enzo Wouters: With a recent inflammation issue he starts the season later than expected, but Sergeant has already given him free sprinting status for a lot of races, and Belgium needs a young sprinter. Potential: 300+, realistic 200+
Riccardo Minali: A very fast young Italian, and he'll hopefully take over for Guardini. Should get plenty of chances. Potential: 400+, realistic 200+
Vincenzo Albanese: One of the most exciting neo-pro’s according to what I’ve read. He’s fast, aggressive and not afraid to put on his work gloves. Let’s see if he can fill the void left by Colbrelli at Bardiani. Might need another year though. Potential: 500+, realistic 200+
Egan Bernal: A super impressive climber, who got unlucky on several occasions last year. Rides on a team that’ll give him full support and plenty of less-competitive races to shine in. Potential: 600+, realistic 400+
Robert Power: After a rare leg disease he’s ready to show his power(pun intended) now. He just needs to remember the race time (hint: Lombardia ;-). Potential: 400+, realistic 200+
Richard Carapaz: A wildcard, considering I don’t have any knowledge of the guy, but the reports look great. Might need a year or two to settle in at WT level. Will hopefully not be another Argiro Ospina history. Potential: ??
Filippo Ganna: A big engine is always a good trait for a pro rider. Great potential in cobble races, but perhaps not quite ready for the big scene yet. Is the only one at UAE with promising TT skills, so he might get to lead some minor stage races. Potential: 200+, realistic 100+
Boring Break-or-busts:
Phillipe Gilbert: I know a lot of people say he’s over the top, but he himself doesn’t seem to think so. It’s a high-risk gamble, especially on a team with that many quality classics riders. If a team change was all the Gilbert needed to find back his old self, I’m happy to be on board. Potential: 1500+, realistic 800+
Carlos Betancur: Well, Carlito has been on my team for so many seasons, so why stop now? I’m sure at this price he’s still got a lot of backers out there, but Betancur is an Enigma with a point ceiling so high that I won’t miss out if he decides this is the year the “Fat Cat” returns. Potential: 800+, realistic 200+
Julian Arredondo: Almost as big a mystery as his countryman above, but he gets a final real life chance at Nippo, which’ll give him the potential to score big in the odd Asian races. That’s good enough for me. Potential: 400+, Realistic 100+
Stijn Devolder: Respect the elderly! Devolder actually showed some glimpse of his golden years last season riding as a backup. Now he gets his last chance as a leader at PCT level, which might suit him: Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Matti Breschel: The sole countryman of mine. Has a career marred by injuries, so I’ll cross fingers that “Mr. Glass” can go a year without a serious injury. His price is way lower than his point ceiling, despite his age. Potential: 500+, realistic 300+
Yury Trofimov: If the Meldonium ban isn’t the reason for his sudden demise in results, he’s almost a perfect fit at Caja Rural. There’s a lot of cheap GC points to get in smaller stage races, and though boring to watch, Trofimov has shown he’s as steady as they come. Potential: 400+, realistic 200+
Late Left-outs:
Luke Durbridge: Was on my team until I discovered my mistake of making a team of riders below 7000 point and decided for the easy solution. Would have loved for him to be on my team. He is ready to step up in the cobbled classics and might also rediscover his time trial skills. Potential: 500+
Sven-Erik Bystrøm: I really like his riding style, but he might take another year as Kristoffs watch dog before fully realizing his pro potential. Potential: 500+, but this year (hopefully) only 200+
Edward Planckaert: There’s always some guys at Topsport/Sport Vlaanderen that shows up and make 500+ seasons. I decided it was Planckaerts turn as a cheap buy. He’s been sweeping up top10’s before getting, and hopefully it’s not translating to a lot of top3’s this year at PCT level. Potential: 200+
Jasper De Buyst: One of my favorite track riders with focus on the road in 2017. Actually don’t know what he’ll be capable of, so left him out for Ganna, who’s shown more on asphalt. Potential: ??
Zero-pointers (not picked):
Daan Olivier: A big talent at U23 level, but I would like to see if he’s back mentally before picking him. His omission and the inclusion of Malori/Arredondo is one of my biggest brain battles this year. Decided to pick based on latest merits, since all have big question marks. Also Oliver will first be able to race in April.
Erwann Corbel: After the sudden and sad retirement of Meersman, I scouted Fortuneo for his replacement sprinter and found Corbel. Of course McLay’s gonna be their primary fast guy, but there’s a big hole left to fill in the multiple French sprint races, and Corbel have mixed it up with a.o. Kittel and Coquard in his former years.
Good luck to everyone this year!
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