Very belatedly, my team. Has been fascinating reading the comments and already regretting a few of my choices and omissions. Last year was a disaster, so have tried to be a bit more conservative, and cut back on the number of neo-pros. Helped by the fact that there seems to be a lot potential bounce-back riders this year, and those that might improve at a new team? In the end though, my bias towards one-day/versatile riders over pure GC/sprinters resulted in quite a few rare picks.
| AYUSO PESQUERA Juan |
| JOHANNESSEN Tobias Halland |
| VAUQUELIN Kévin |
| CARAPAZ MONTENEGRO Richard Antonio |
| HAYTER Ethan |
| POOLE Max |
| PLAPP Lucas |
| ARENSMAN Thymen |
| MARTINEZ POVEDA Daniel Felipe |
| LOUVEL Matis |
| BATTISTELLA Samuele |
| SIMMONS Quinn |
| SCHELLING Ide |
| SEGAERT Alec |
| LAURANCE Axel |
| RICCITELLO Matthew |
| TURNER Ben |
| CHARMIG Anthon |
| LOPEZ PEREZ Juan Pedro |
| GACHIGNARD Thomas |
| OLDANI Stefano |
| VLIEGEN Loïc |
| THOMAS Benjamin |
| STAUNE-MITTET Johannes |
| PICCOLO Andrea |
| VALGREN HUNDAHL (ANDERSEN) Michael |
| TRONCHON Bastien |
| QUINTANA ROJAS Nairo Alexander |
| RYAN Archie |
| LEEMREIZE Gijs |
| WALLS Matthew |
| CAPIOT Amaury |
| VANDENABEELE Henri |
Tobias Johanessen - Really impressed by his performances on a variety of parcours in the last two months of the season, when he was a point machine. The concern is he's likely to be Uno's main GC rider, which probaby won't be so profitable, but who knows? Just too much potential for me to resist.
Kevin Vauqelin - This could be a mistake as I'd forgotten Barguil had left, so he's likely to ride a lot of WT stage races where he's far from proven. But he has a nice French calendar to start his season and Arkea are good at maximising points. Hopefully, won't be a terrible pick at least.
Matis Louvel - Not sure what happened to him last year, but he's a rider I really like for his versatility and at 50% of his 2022 price, he was always going to be in my team.
Quinn Simmons - Having had him last year, I do know what happened, but he seems to be in a much better place psychologically at least. He's an interesting rider for me and am hoping this is his long-awaited breakout year.
Thomas Gachignard - Got top tens in Tro-Bro and Denain riding for Auber, and now has a chance to develop with Total. I like the watching the French and Belgian one-day races.
Loic Vliegen - Has got top tens (and wins) in a lot of races, and now has a chance to lead at Bingoal. I like watching the French and Belgian one-day...
Stefano Oldani - Much discussed already, and I agree with everyone who has picked him.
Juan Pedro Lopez - Sometimes you have riders who just stay in your team without you really noticing them? I'd forgotten he was there until I saw the TDU startlist. Not really that interested in following him and certainly can't take any credit if he somehow recreates his Giro 2021 form.
Bastien Tronchon - Similar, as remember liking his aggression in a couple of races, but don't really know much else about him, or what type of rider he could become. Am blaming both of the both above picks on nacking my laptop just before Christmas (so losing my longlist), and having to compile the team from what passes for my memory these days.
Astana:
Samuele Battistella
Anton Charmig
Ide Schelling
Can't use that excuse here as this is something of calculated gamble. I like all these riders and hoping for a bounce-year for Battistella, and the other two to make the most of increased opportunities. Additionaly, my presumption is that Astana will be doing a lot more points farming this year, and all three will benefit.
Max Poole - Came so close to selecting him last year as was already a bit of fanboy. A little concerning that he didn't really do much in the second half of last year? Unlikely to be a bad pick, and will be nice to follow a young Brit who seems to thrive in the high mountains.
And a couple of my very popular, less certain picks.
Ethan Hayter - Love his skillset and a potential upside, but as others have said, absolutely hate the way he hangs round the back of the peleton waiting for crashes. Likely to be a very, very nervy rider to follow.
Dani Martinez - Not sure why he seemed to regress last year(?), and a rider I'm fairly ambivalent about. Could have chosen Fred Wright or Hagenes in the same points range, so really hoping he can return to his 2022 level.
Good luck everyone!
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