Okay Then. Found a few minutes to summarize my team. Although i still lack confidence in my knowledge, I have played for a few years now so hopefully my assessments aren't too far off. Interesting reading everyones summaries and making me feel a little stupid. Lets start off with who i didn't pick.
I made a last day change to my roster which caused me to move several guys. Like another on this forum, Lantern Rouge convinced me that Baroncini was awesome and maybe just had too many injuries to succeed so far. So i had to bring him in, which meant moving 5-6 people around to make it work.
TRAEEN Torstein - I really like what I saw last year and was thinking the team change and recovery from injury would give him some upside. Since nobody else picked him, maybe i dodged a bullet there.
CAMPENAERTS Victor - Another i was really impressed with that did lose some racing time last year. Since only two people picked him, I guess he was not that popular. I think I also saw a pretty flat line on his CQ ranking over the years.
SCHELLING Ide - i think this guy has the potential to really improve his results. But didnt like the move to Astana. Was on 3 of my 5 itrrations, but had to drop to make budget work.
HUBY Antoine - I really liked what i read about this guy and one pundit listed him as his most exciting rider to follow this year. But you can only have so many neo-pros eh?
ARRIETA LIZARRAGA Igor - was on 4 of 5 of my iterations, and way too early to give up on him. Didn;t he miss some racing time last year as well. May not see many chances this year though so felt safe dropping him.
ROMEO ABAD Ivan - Was on all 5 of my drafts as I liked him last year. Could see a big boost this year so risky leaving him off, but this isn't the Emerging Riders league
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WALLS Matthew - This one hurts. One of the first guys i chose for all 5 of my drafts. Like many here, saw great potential for a big leap in his new role. Somehow, when making my last day changes, I decided no thank you. I have no idea why. His popularity in your picks is making me really nervous.
So, I'll start my team with the 7 guys i put in at last minute in place of the above:
MARTINEZ POVEDA Daniel Felipe - I watched a lot of duds last year when he was racing. Really didn't seem to have it. But his history before that was really good. So this is the first of many many picks that goes against the theory "Pick nobody that didn't have a good reason for a bad last year".
LUND ANDRESEN Tobias - Wasn't on any of my 5 drafts. Price seemed too high. But for some reason I grabbed him at the last moment. I think I just like him as a rider. If given a chance (fabio!) I think he can get a few more points.
VANSEVENANT Mauri - Another guy that was on zero of my 5 drafts. I always liked him but doesn't seem really consistent. But if any of you have ADHD, you'll know that impulsive decisions are our forte. Like ordering the burrito when the waiter comes, when all you talked about for 5 minutes was getting a juicy burger.
BARONCINI Filippo - The reason i made all the last minute changes. I try to get people in this price range that can potentially triple their points. Thats not Filippo. But what Lantern Rouge says, Bob does. Even though they burned me last year (Madhis Mikels!).
VALGREN HUNDAHL (ANDERSEN) Michael - What the heck. Won;t get back to his best but his words say he could triple his points.
LEONARD Michael - I'm going with a year at Ineos should get him experience and confidence for this year. Did he even race last year? Mostly a budget fill in.
AUGUST Andrew - I'm going with who needs a year to gain experience, I'm ready now (a la Tarling). Took him because i didn;t have quite enough points to keep Walls on the roster.
The rest of my team in order of popularity:
QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander - Obvious. Even if he is a domestique. He says he's not at his same level but he is here to get them some points.
CARAPAZ MONTENEGRO Richard Antonio - Couldn't leave him off. finish a grand tour and we are all set!
ARENSMAN Thymen - Like many of us, i see him as a leader at multiple races this year for Ineos. Plus he still has great talent. Maybe better for 1 week races?
RYAN Archie - I guess he is everyones favorite neopro. i know nothing about his knees, but my knees would hurt too with all those miles.
TURNER Ben - Had him last year but got burned. Tullett is gone so less confusion for some of us less knowledgeable. So much bad luck last year that cannot happen again. Ineos will have him ready.
STAUNE-MITTET Johannes - May be a year early, but i doubt it. Read to many good things to wait on him.
GIRMAY HAILU Biniam - I really thought I wasn't going to take him. I dont think he had any really good excuses for last year. But you need to find 500 pointers that have the potential to go 1000+. He is one of them.
PICCOLO Andrea - Did not pick him last year (Thank Zeus) but at this budget point, well worth the risk. The talent still has to be there. Right?
HAYTER Ethan - Same as Girmay. 500 pointer who has gone 1000 in the past (those looking for a breakout? It already happened dude. See 2021 an 2022). I didnt see any excuses for last year so another guess.
UIJTDEBROEKS Cian - I just like the guy and see no reason why he couldnt improve with his focus and attention to detail. Don't like contract jumpers but I'll ignore the business side of things. Sign a contract, ride hard until the very last day of your contract. None of this "he already signed with EF for next year so we can't take him to the Vuelta because he might not try very hard".
PLAPP Lucas - New team, multiple chances for good points Down Under. Still room to get even better. Had to take him.
GLOAG Thomas - This guy is a good looking climber. And another guy that lost time to injury. Those are the best guys to get.
LAURANCE Axel - Based solely on his performance at the worlds. He has another level in him and hopefully ready for full time WT.
NYS Thibau - I did not see that he is waiting for Romandie to start his road season. That hurts quite a bit. Stop wasting time on XC. I don't watch it so it shouldn't be important to anybody else either
. But great sprint action on this guy. You should always bet on talent winning out.
RODRIGUEZ CANO Carlos - First guy on my team. Great talent and top of the heap at Ineos (sorry G) and still young enough to get better. Cheaper than Ayuso. I really wanted both but i am a cheap basturd.
COVI Alessandro - I dont know why he performed like shite last year, but one good race and he equals his total. Then its all gravy from there. A stage in the Giro maybe?
SHEFFIELD Magnus - Another must have. So talented and lost race days due to injury last year. It's still him over Tarling in the one-day races. Plus, I like my Americans.
WRIGHT Fred - He was in and out of my line up all month. Thought last year was the year but it just didn't happen. Is he not going to get chances in multi stage races? he can climb and small group sprint so there has to be a win or two this year.
RICCITELLO Matthew - Another American. Superb climber. I think there are a lot of races where young climber can do well. He may not be Lenny but he is also a lot cheaper.
LEEMREIZE Gijs - Last minute budget filler, but also potential for huge gains. I forget what team he went to but there has to be more chances for him there.\
SEGAERT Alec - Didnt really know the name, but liked what I saw in the PCS race summaries. And young and will likely be in some easier races.
SIMMONS Quinn - Another American. I know, I know, he has flat lined for three years. But there is still potential for maturity and chances to win a race or two.
HODEG CHAGUI Alvaro Jose - Budget filler. Not excited at all. But at 42 points it is either him or a young buck and i have enough of those (and no, I didnt know Capiot had injuries last year. Totally missed out on him).
LECERF William Junior - High price for this youngster but he seems really talented and on a team that i think will give him chances. He was my highest rated Neopro.
SVRCEK Martin - I've been on his side for four years. Now is the time. Stay healthy and see 300 points this year.
KRUIJSWIJK Steven - Thought maybe he'd be a unique pick. yes he is GT domestique, but he'll get points just by accident at this low price. He didnt suck last year, he just wiped out. So he is not done (like some bird song dude i know).
That's it gang. I feel a top ten coming on, unless Ayuso puts up 2500. good luck!
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