The 2025 CQ Ranking Manager Thread

[Earns1985]

But he has also added Jaén and Algarve. I thought he would start his season at Omloop when I submitted my team. Anyway, I would be confident in my Vingegaard pick over him pretty much regardless. And Kooij is confirmed for the Giro, and the Giro has a lot of Kooij stages.

Yeah, at the giro Visma will have Simon Yates for GC and Kooij for the sprint. The question really is, how much van Aert will score there. If the team would ride for him and he is in top form, I could also see him wearing the leaders jersey until stage 15. But the question really is, what will be van Aert´s role in the race.

 

[Netserk]

Yeah, at the giro Visma will have Simon Yates for GC and Kooij for the sprint. The question really is, how much van Aert will score there. If the team would ride for him and he is in top form, I could also see him wearing the leaders jersey until stage 15. But the question really is, what will be van Aert´s role in the race.

I hope Yates won't have to pull on the flat, trying unsuccessfully to control a stage finish for Van Aert like what Kuss did in the Vuelta last year.

 

[Earns1985]

I hope Yates won't have to pull on the flat, trying unsuccessfully to control a stage finish for Van Aert like what Kuss did in the Vuelta last year.

For me as a van Aert and not Simon Yates owner, I don´t have any objections on that..

 

[repre]

I hope Yates won't have to pull on the flat, trying unsuccessfully to control a stage finish for Van Aert like what Kuss did in the Vuelta last year.

Kuss sucked last year, so it was no brainer to sacrifice himself on this stage. Hopefully for him, Yates will be better.

Kuss i one race wonder and never ever will be as lucky as he was during Vuelta-2023.

 

[Earns1985]

Another important rider´s spring schedule for this game is out!

Paul Magnier:
01.03 Omloop Nieuwsblad
04.03 Ename Samyn Classic
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
22.03 Milano-Sanremo
30.03 Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04 Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre
09.05 Giro d'Italia

What do you think about his schedule? Would have wished, that he will start a bit earlier, last time his first points were already in Mallorca. On the other hand in february there are mostly only stage races, which means that scoring for a sprinter is limited anyway.
Aout his participaticion in the cobble classics. Well, if he is doing well there, could be a really good schedule. But if not, it´s not so good for us Magnier owners. So I am a bit uncertain, what I should think about this schedule..

 

[Netserk]

Do QS not ride Almeria? Some Spanish one-day races could have generated a lot of points, but I guess the focus is on the bigger races.

 

[repre]

Another important rider´s spring schedule for this game is out!

Paul Magnier:
01.03 Omloop Nieuwsblad
04.03 Ename Samyn Classic
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
22.03 Milano-Sanremo
30.03 Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04 Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre
09.05 Giro d'Italia

What do you think about his schedule? Would have wished, that he will start a bit earlier, last time his first points were already in Mallorca. On the other hand in february there are mostly only stage races, which means that scoring for a sprinter is limited anyway.
Aout his participaticion in the cobble classics. Well, if he is doing well there, could be a really good schedule. But if not, it´s not so good for us Magnier owners. So I am a bit uncertain, what I should think about this schedule..

Not good for cq imo. Wasted race days at giro, big classics where he will dom, not lead. Not many chances to score, only if he has not improver greatly.

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Another important rider´s spring schedule for this game is out!

Paul Magnier:
01.03 Omloop Nieuwsblad
04.03 Ename Samyn Classic
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
22.03 Milano-Sanremo
30.03 Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04 Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre
09.05 Giro d'Italia

What do you think about his schedule? Would have wished, that he will start a bit earlier, last time his first points were already in Mallorca. On the other hand in february there are mostly only stage races, which means that scoring for a sprinter is limited anyway.
Aout his participaticion in the cobble classics. Well, if he is doing well there, could be a really good schedule. But if not, it´s not so good for us Magnier owners. So I am a bit uncertain, what I should think about this schedule..

The source for this is Sporza, who are explicitly only listing his program for the classics period. So I would expect one or two prep races before Omloop. Even with those, it's more of a sink or swim schedule than I would like...

 

[SafeBet]

As there are now 8 days until the next important race takes place and the season really kicks off, I would like to have your opinion on a rider, that I kicked out of my team in my last draft for Magnier.

- STEINHAUSER Georg (284 points, 4 teams): He was impressive in the last week in the high mountains of last years Giro. He didn´t score that much more during the season due to illness issues. So defenitly see a lot of potential (but also a bit of a risk) in him. I am bit surprised, that he is so rare.

I talked to him extensively last year during the Giro. He definitely has the right mindset to become a GC rider but there are question marks regarding his recovery. Tends to get sick a lot too.

 

[Berflamand]

Not good for cq imo. Wasted race days at giro, big classics where he will dom, not lead. Not many chances to score, only if he has not improver greatly.

I'm not so sure about that. The team are actually hoping (maybe even expecting?) him to take another big step in the classics and to be able to lead the team.

Quotes from Sporza articles:

Soudal Quick-Step: "We start the spring classics with a squad of free agents (don't really know how to translate "vrijbuiters") but if Magnier continues to develop rapidly we will ride for him as our leader."

Paul Magnier himself: "I don't come to the classics just to discover them. I can do that on training too. Of course my ambition is to be in the wheel of the top riders. If I can follow Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pedersen, that's a good sign. Then it is not up to me to make the race, but to wait for the final sprint."

Yves Lampaert: "We are not doing as well in the classics as we used to, but thanks to a few young guys, we can start the classics again with more courage. I am thinking of Paul Magnier, who has a lot of potential. As a neo pro, he finished 2nd in Plouay. Then you can also compete in Kuurne or Wevelgem. In those smaller classics, we should definitely be competitive."

 

[Netserk]

Yeah, I read his schedule as him being the sprint option in all the races that are too hard for Merlier.

 

[Squire]

Another important rider´s spring schedule for this game is out!

Paul Magnier:
01.03 Omloop Nieuwsblad
04.03 Ename Samyn Classic
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
22.03 Milano-Sanremo
30.03 Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04 Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre
09.05 Giro d'Italia

What do you think about his schedule? Would have wished, that he will start a bit earlier, last time his first points were already in Mallorca. On the other hand in february there are mostly only stage races, which means that scoring for a sprinter is limited anyway.
Aout his participaticion in the cobble classics. Well, if he is doing well there, could be a really good schedule. But if not, it´s not so good for us Magnier owners. So I am a bit uncertain, what I should think about this schedule..

I like it. Was hoping for some prep races before Omloop (might still happen?), and I would have preferred Kuurne over Omloop, but other than that it's pretty much as expected. Looking forward to seeing him in Sanremo. I picked him because I believe he will have a proper breakthrough, so I think he can score well in the Giro too. And he will probably have an easier and less hotly contested calendar later in the year, so I expect some good points after the Giro too.

I talked to him extensively last year during the Giro. He definitely has the right mindset to become a GC rider but there are question marks regarding his recovery. Tends to get sick a lot too.

Interesting. When looking at his results, it's easy to think that recovery is his one and only strength, so it's cool getting these 'inside' perspectives. I know he wasn't a full-time dedicated pro cyclist (school things, I believe) until recently, so he might have a good deal of development left in him as Vaughters was keen to point out during the Giro. But he also disappeared for the rest of 2024, so I don't know what to think about him. Too risky for me to pick for my team at that price. And EF do a lot of strange things with their riders sometimes.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Another important rider´s spring schedule for this game is out!

Paul Magnier:
01.03 Omloop Nieuwsblad
04.03 Ename Samyn Classic
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
22.03 Milano-Sanremo
30.03 Gent-Wevelgem in Flanders Fields
02.04 Dwars door Vlaanderen - A travers la Flandre
09.05 Giro d'Italia

What do you think about his schedule? Would have wished, that he will start a bit earlier, last time his first points were already in Mallorca. On the other hand in february there are mostly only stage races, which means that scoring for a sprinter is limited anyway.
Aout his participaticion in the cobble classics. Well, if he is doing well there, could be a really good schedule. But if not, it´s not so good for us Magnier owners. So I am a bit uncertain, what I should think about this schedule..

I think the way QuickStep are making progress in his career is a bit weird. Last year he did a whole bunch of U23 races and this year he's all of a sudden supposed to lead the biggest races (to some extend at least). But that's mainly a 2024 WTF and not a 2025 WTF.

From a CQ perspective it's kinda what I expected (I suppose they'll send Lamperti to some of the easier races like that Mallorcan ones etc.). I do hope for a a few races before Omloop, and I expect a lot of opportunities to score in the second half of the year, where there's a lot of races that suit him.

 

[Earns1985]

I think the way QuickStep are making progress in his career is a bit weird. Last year he did a whole bunch of U23 races and this year he's all of a sudden supposed to lead the biggest races (to some extend at least). But that's mainly a 2024 WTF and not a 2025 WTF.

From a CQ perspective it's kinda what I expected (I suppose they'll send Lamperti to some of the easier races like that Mallorcan ones etc.). I do hope for a a few races before Omloop, and I expect a lot of opportunities to score in the second half of the year, where there's a lot of races that suit him.

Yeah, according to PCS QuickStep is not riding this year in Mallorca, at least they are not present in the provisional startlist. After that we really don´t have a lot of one-day races, where Magnier could score. Perhaps Muscat Classic. Quick Step is also not listed for Murcia and Almeria. All the other races are basically stage races or too difficult one-day races for Magnier, so even if he rides something, score will be pretty limited from him in February.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Yeah, according to PCS QuickStep is not riding this year in Mallorca, at least they are not present in the provisional startlist. After that we really don´t have a lot of one-day races, where Magnier could score. Perhaps Muscat Classic. Quick Step is also not listed for Murcia and Almeria. All the other races are basically stage races or too difficult one-day races for Magnier, so even if he rides something, score will be pretty limited from him in February.

Ah okay, I didn't know that. Muscat was indeed a race I was looking at for Magnier, and as mentioned, I would have thought they would send Lamperti to Mallorca and Almeria, but that's obviously not relevant now 🙂

 

[Earns1985]

So also the schedule of the most popular pick in this game is out:

Cian Uijtdebroeks:​

07.02 Muscat Classic
08.02 Tour of Oman
10.03 Tirreno-Adriatico
29.04 Tour de Romandie
15.06 Tour de Suisse

Good schedule for him to score, if he finds his form back, as it seems, that Visma has still faith in him. Because he is so popular, he will not be an absolutely dececeive pick, but there are still 16 players, who doesn´t have him, so..

By the way: I really like, how we discuss here all the teams and now also the schedules of the riders and the impact to this game. We are now already on page 23 in this thread and the season didn´t really started yet. The whole 2021 thread for example had only 31 pages.

 

[repre]

I'm not so sure about that. The team are actually hoping (maybe even expecting?) him to take another big step in the classics and to be able to lead the team.

Quotes from Sporza articles:

Soudal Quick-Step: "We start the spring classics with a squad of free agents (don't really know how to translate "vrijbuiters") but if Magnier continues to develop rapidly we will ride for him as our leader."

Paul Magnier himself: "I don't come to the classics just to discover them. I can do that on training too. Of course my ambition is to be in the wheel of the top riders. If I can follow Van Aert, Van der Poel and Pedersen, that's a good sign. Then it is not up to me to make the race, but to wait for the final sprint."

Yves Lampaert: "We are not doing as well in the classics as we used to, but thanks to a few young guys, we can start the classics again with more courage. I am thinking of Paul Magnier, who has a lot of potential. As a neo pro, he finished 2nd in Plouay. Then you can also compete in Kuurne or Wevelgem. In those smaller classics, we should definitely be competitive."

Pretty standart pep up talk. Everybody in their best form before the season.

Let's see what comes next. Guy has a talent, but nothing is given at the top level.

 

[search]

Blake was quick off the mark for me with a solid scoring performance as my only participant in the Aussie nats.

12 points against a year long total of 22 last year is a promising start.

I assume you didn't watch the race, did you?!

Last time Quick was caught by the camera (around 2k to go) he had attacked the chasing group and was 3rd on the road, so while his performance looked quite good, it honestly didn't feel like the result was.

 

[hayneplane]

I assume you didn't watch the race, did you?!

Last time Quick was caught by the camera (around 2k to go) he had attacked the chasing group and was 3rd on the road, so while his performance looked quite good, it honestly didn't feel like the result was.

No, didn’t watch it. Based my feelings off getting a scoring performance compared to a DNF the last 2 editions.

 

[EvansIsTheBest]

Pidcock's program looks pretty good. Now that he has been freed from being on squire's team I think he can finally achieve his potential and have a 2000 points season. Laporte's program is what I wished Van Aert would race.

I think the way QuickStep are making progress in his career is a bit weird. Last year he did a whole bunch of U23 races and this year he's all of a sudden supposed to lead the biggest races (to some extend at least). But that's mainly a 2024 WTF and not a 2025 WTF.

From a CQ perspective it's kinda what I expected (I suppose they'll send Lamperti to some of the easier races like that Mallorcan ones etc.). I do hope for a a few races before Omloop, and I expect a lot of opportunities to score in the second half of the year, where there's a lot of races that suit him.

It makes more sense when you understand that I asked Lefevere to hold him back last year (since I wasn't catching shalgo anyway) so I could afford to pick him again this year.

Pretty standart pep up talk. Everybody in their best form before the season.

Let's see what comes next. Guy has a talent, but nothing is given at the top level.

Don't you remember the last time a young french finished second in Plouay ? Everything is going to be fine.
More seriously though, I wouldn't write off the Giro as a waste of time. You often see guys go to another level after completing their first GT and I could easily see him get points on sprint stages there.

 

[Anderis]

The more I look at my team, the more I am convinced it's not quite good enough to be in the top10 this year.

 

[Earns1985]

The more I look at my team, the more I am convinced it's not quite good enough to be in the top10 this year.

Why? You took like me the conservative strategy with Vinegegaard and van Aert, which could still become the best combination in the end. Your other picks are also quite popular, so I would stay optimistic in your position...

Not having Plapp right now for example doesn´t feel that good, but if you have in mind, that only 4 players have Plapp and Vingegaard together in their team, means that one just have to be patient right now, until the season really starts..

 

[repre]

Why? You took like me the conservative strategy with Vinegegaard and van Aert, which could still become the best combination in the end. Your other picks are also quite popular, so I would stay optimistic in your position...

Not having Plapp right now for example doesn´t feel that good, but if you have in mind, that only 4 players have Plapp and Vingegaard together in their team, means that one just have to be patient right now, until the season really starts..

I have three together, but WvA schedule became worse and Plapp always can DNF any race.

 

[Anderis]

Why? You took like me the conservative strategy with Vinegegaard and van Aert, which could still become the best combination in the end. Your other picks are also quite popular, so I would stay optimistic in your position...

Not having Plapp right now for example doesn´t feel that good, but if you have in mind, that only 4 players have Plapp and Vingegaard together in their team, means that one just have to be patient right now, until the season really starts..

I kinda feel it in my bones that between Hindley and S. Yates at least one of them won't improve compared to their 2024 score and that would already hurt me a lot, then I feel like I lack a bit of a punch among my lower price picks- some kind of a less popular pick that could bring in a lot of points and make a difference in my favour (my least popular picks are exactly the ones I have the least confidence in). And I'm already second guessing if some of my picks really are the best possible picks within their price range.

 

[Kazistuta]

For now Plapp is just doing his usual Plapp things early January. The jury on him will first meet up later this year. No need to get worried about not having him just yet. Actually he's currently 40 points behind last years points right now, but hopefully for us owners he will finish high up in TDU and rectify his "poor" results so far😄