Rather late to the show, but here's an analysis of my team.
MOSCON Gianni
It's a gamble and i quite like it. He had a bad spring last year and obviously with him slated to ride the Giro as a super dom there will be concerns whether he can be in good form for the spring classics.
But last year showed what an amazing talent he is and he could be points scoring machine with his all terrain abaility.
It came down to him vs Quintana for the expensive rider's pick and went for the high risk high reward pick rather than chosing one of my favourite riders. Last year I went for Fanboy pick Gaviria over Alaphillippe and it cost me dearly. This time i've reversed it. Hoping for 2000 points or somewhere close to it.
NIBALI Vincenzo
Had to pick him since i am a big fan. Bit of a risky pick and if i wasn't such a fan might not have even picked him.
Will he be back to his best in the GT's? I have serious doubts. There's a packed field in the Giro, he'll have to really master his voodoo talents to even get on the podium. :lol: He's highly unlikely to repeat his MSR win.
There are more questions than answers but he's lo squalo the champion, never to be underestimated.
Hoping for 1000+
BOASSON HAGEN Edvald
Surprised that only 8 others have picked him. Would've thought he would be a safe bet to score over 1000 points.
He suffered an injury early last season, but probably did not put him off much during the classics season.
Riding for DD isn't problem, he's scored more than 1000 points for three consecutive seasons prior to last season.
World's course should suit him well. No reason not to expect another 1000 point season.
GAVIRIA RENDON Fernando
Third staright year of picking him and if you picked him at 1250, why not at 600?
Obviously there are concerns in going to a team like UAE, but with Neil Stepehens and Alan Peiper on board it looks like they are moderninsing. There have been a host of changes in the support staff and they''ve even added Frrome's pyscho doc. Hoping he can stay on his bike and if so, should deliver at least 1200 points.
GALLOPIN Tony
Another pick I'm pleased with, only 7 others have picked him, so he'll play an important role on where i'll finish in the game.
Last year he had a horrendous classics campaign and pulled out of the Tour early, even though he made amends in the Vuelta.
Will he be wasted being a domestique for Bardet or will he get his chances in the classics and the short stage races? That's the dilemma with him, but I'm thinking he should have enough freedom for him to perform in races and score around 1000 points. World's RR could also suit him.
ZAKARIN Ilnur
A return to the Giro & Vuelta should see him at least doubling his points. A bit wary of Russians burning out too quickly though, hopefully Zakarin's time is not yet up.
BOUHANNI Nacer
Had his worse season since 2011, but even though we've seen the rise of Laporte, Coffidis do need him.
Believe he'll sort out his differences with the team and be back scoring over 1000 points.
ARU Fabio
A bit wary of picking him, but if he returns to form should easily score around 1200 points. Figured out he'll be very popular so less of an impact on the game. Playing it safe.
GAUDU David
Probably the pick i'm most worried about.
Hoped that he'll get to lead the Vuelta and some smaller French races. Seems to be a decent hilly one day racer too. Expected at least 800 poitns when i picked him, but a bit worried that in a recent interview he siad that he'll most ride the same races as Pinot, which isn't too good for CQ scoring. If he scores about 500 pts might be a waste of a pick
KITTEL Marcel
Being the most popluar pick, his impact would be minimized, and the merger of DUbai & Abu Dhabi Tour takes away some of his most likely high scoring opportunities.
Still a return to winning LS's most favourite race and a couple of stage wins at the Tour along with some high placings in the sprinter's one day races should see him score atleast 600 points. 1000+ would be bonus.
FELLINE Fabio
Late season results last year seems to indicate that he has gotten over his illness. Has the all terrain ability and if he truly hits form can score over 1000 points.
VAN KEIRSBULCK Guillaume
My unique pick, and will be cheering him madly. Had a look at Team CCC's line up and there's not much quality other than GVA there. Figured out he'll be the last man standing for GVA and should get a decent chance of scoring points for himself. A interview with him later, has confirmed the fact. My team was also a little light on cobbled classics riders, so went for him.
THEUNS Edward
Back to Trek, where he has done well in the past. Obviously Stuyven, Mads P & Degenkold should all be higher in the pecking order than him but he has a fast finish and 600 points is not out of the question.
PADUN Mark
Excting yougster who i'm hoping will improve a lot. Should get his fair share of chances at Bahrain.
Looking for around 500 points.
DURBRIDGE Luke
Looked like a beast in the cobbled classics in 2017, had an early season injury last year resulting in an underwhelming classics campaign. I' like to pick a couple of Aussies in my team to have the nice early feeling of getting some points on the board and he has not dissapointed so far this year.
With the start he's got, if he doesn't score 500 + i'll be dissapointed.
MEINTJES Louis
Boring rider and boring pick. But should at least Zubeldia his way to a top in a weak field at the Tour.
Looking for around 500 points.
PÖSTLBERGER Lukas
Another rider picked on promise though he's now 27.
Might get wasted on domestique duties but has that rouleur skills to score some decent points.
Will be satisfied with 300 points.
SEPULVEDA Eduardo
A returnee from last year. Dissapointing first season with Movistar but wanted couple of riders who could score in the small spanish stage races and went with him over other Movistar guys such as Carretero, Valls and Castrillo. Some points from San Juan would be nice too.
DE LA PARTE GONZALEZ Victor
Picked after looking at Team CCC line up. Should get his chance at some one week stage races with only Antunes and Pauwels being the other likely leaders.
SWIFT Ben
Back to Sky and with MSR and a home World's with a course that should suit him , at 72 points why not?
Luke Rowe
Recovered from injuries. Decent classics campaign should see him score at least 200.
RODRIGUEZ MARTIN Cristian
Selected for the small Spanish stage races.
ATAPUMA HURTADO Jhon Darwin
At Coffidis he should have opportunity to go in breakaways and will get to ride the Tour and Vuelta.
If he gets lucky with a couple of stage wins could score at least 400.
BETTIOL Alberto
Back with JV. No reason why shouldn't score at least 300 points.
PARET-PEINTRE Aurélien
My french Neo Pro pick this year. Hope he'll follow in the footsteps of Cosnefroy and Madouas.
ALBANESE Vincenzo
Picked him again. Surely now's the time to live up to the hype.
BOOM Lars
Hope he'll perform in some of the smaller cobbled races.
KÄMNA Lennard
Big Talent and hope he'll bounce back, but did not know about his motivational issues when i picked the team.
Probably would have left him if I did.
VANHOUCKE Harm
Had injury problems last year. Lambrecht scored 300 points in his debut season, so expecting him to do well too.
VAN STAEYEN Michael
At Roompot and sprinting for himself. Looking for at least 200 points here.
RIVERA SERRANO Kevin
Another returnee. Believed in the hype last year and picked him at 155. So why not at 20?
Could be the next Bernal/Sosa or dissapear back to Costa Rica.
SCOTSON Callum
Another Aussie pick. Looked for Points at the Nationals and the Hammer Series. So far so Good with 14.
Evenepoel
Already Discussed.
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram