The 2026 CQ Ranking Manager Thread

[RedheadDane]

Valgren (bumped into, I think, his brother in Zwift races a lot; lets' hope for more Amstel magic)

Unfortunately, I think those days are behind him...
I should probably be honest and admit that I mostly picked him out of nostalgia.

 

[Shakes]

Unfortunately, I think those days are behind him...
I should probably be honest and admit that I mostly picked him out of nostalgia.

Im at least hoping he will go for top placing every race.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Valgren (bumped into, I think, his brother in Zwift races a lot

I am not sure he has a brother of his own, but I guess it's possible you have raced against his brother in-law and former teammate André Steensen.

 

[ingsve]

Has anyone ever tried making an anti-CQ manager team? One where you try to pick riders who you think will under perform in the coming year so you want them to score as few points as possible.

There would have to be a very strict set of rules I imagine otherwise you just pick retired riders. So lets say if a rider retires then their score is automatically doubled just as a disincentive. I would also put the budget of the team to 15000 points since ideally you want to start higher to go low.

I'll think I'll try putting a team together to see how hard it is.

 

[RedheadDane]

Has anyone ever tried making an anti-CQ manager team? One where you try to pick riders who you think will under perform in the coming year so you want them to score as few points as possible.

Not intentionally...

 

[del1962]

Has anyone ever tried making an anti-CQ manager team? One where you try to pick riders who you think will under perform in the coming year so you want them to score as few points as possible.

There would have to be a very strict set of rules I imagine otherwise you just pick retired riders. So lets say if a rider retires then their score is automatically doubled just as a disincentive. I would also put the budget of the team to 15000 points since ideally you want to start higher to go low.

I'll think I'll try putting a team together to see how hard it is.

This was tried some time ago Carreer in decline game I don't think people enjoyed it enough for a repeat

 

[DJ Sprtsch]

This was tried some time ago Carreer in decline game I don't think people enjoyed it enough for a repeat

Have to say I really enjoyed the carreer in decline game. Can't believe it's over ten years ago.

 

[del1962]

Have to say I really enjoyed the carreer in decline game. Can't believe it's over ten years ago.

oops I mispelled career

 

[Earns1985]

So schedule of Bisiaux is out:
06.04 Itzulia Basque Country
17.04 Classic Grand Besançon Doubs
18.04 Tour du Jura Cycliste
01.05 Eschborn-Frankfurt
07.06 Tour Auvergne - Rhône-Alpes
01.08 DSSK (Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa)
04.08 Vuelta a Burgos
22.08 La Vuelta Ciclista a España

Again a pretty late start to the season, which was known.
So my second pick together with Nys, where I will not get any points from the first three month of the game.

I like the two french races in april in his schedule and hope, that the Tour Auvergne (Dauphine) will not be the only race between Eschborn and Burgos...

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Have to say I really enjoyed the carreer in decline game. Can't believe it's over ten years ago.

I ran it twice: 2014 and 2015 (Ingsve, who asked whether such a thing had ever happened, was on the podium in the first edition) 15 riders, 5000 points, and penalised pro-rata for riders that raced fewer than 20 days. One manager in each edition actually managed to get a team that made a net gain.

It was a lot of work because it necessitated checking that riders had done more than a minimum number of days, which was very much non-automated. I think I found it more interesting in principle than in the execution.

Also, by 2016 there were three rounds of the Emerging Riders' game going.

Talking of the Emerging Riders' game: Monday night people...

 

[ingsve]

Ingsve, who asked whether such a thing had ever happened, was on the podium in the first edition

Imagine that. I have no recollection of that at all.

 

[Earns1985]

Lafay´s schedule is also out:

That´s really a schedule I have hoped for! Go on farming Victor!
13.02 Vuelta a la Región de Murcia “Costa Cálida”
21.02 Classic Var
22.02 Tour des Alpes-Maritimes
28.02 Faun-Ardèche Classic
01.03 Faun Drome Classic
04.03 Trofeo Laigueglia
04.04 NXT Classic
17.04 Classic Grand Besançon Doubs
18.04 Tour du Jura Cycliste
26.04 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye
18.06 La Route d'Occitanie - CIC

 

[armchairclimber]

Anyone alse impatiently opened all their TDU/season start advent calendar chocolates already?

 

[armchairclimber]

Lafay´s schedule is also out:

That´s really a schedule I have hoped for! Go on farming Victor!
13.02 Vuelta a la Región de Murcia “Costa Cálida”
21.02 Classic Var
22.02 Tour des Alpes-Maritimes
28.02 Faun-Ardèche Classic
01.03 Faun Drome Classic
04.03 Trofeo Laigueglia
04.04 NXT Classic
17.04 Classic Grand Besançon Doubs
18.04 Tour du Jura Cycliste
26.04 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye
18.06 La Route d'Occitanie - CIC

This is the one rider I am truly miffed that I didn't pick, He is, as I have said before, a big fave in our house. So I will still cheer for him. I was just not confident that he'd continue his career if things went west early this season.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Lafay´s schedule is also out:

That´s really a schedule I have hoped for! Go on farming Victor!
13.02 Vuelta a la Región de Murcia “Costa Cálida”
21.02 Classic Var
22.02 Tour des Alpes-Maritimes
28.02 Faun-Ardèche Classic
01.03 Faun Drome Classic
04.03 Trofeo Laigueglia
04.04 NXT Classic
17.04 Classic Grand Besançon Doubs
18.04 Tour du Jura Cycliste
26.04 Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkiye
18.06 La Route d'Occitanie - CIC

Doesn't leave a lot of time for selling cheese in Japan...

 

[postmanhat]

Always a busy start to the year, so apologies for my lack of contribution and belated post. The discussion has been fascinating to read. Thank you to everyone!

BRENNAN Matthew
Was looking for excuses to include Brennan so the TDU start, plus WVA's injury decided it. Assumed the latter would be out for a while, and that he'd be racing Cadel. Also not that keen on his initial schedule, but there's scope for adding races between the classics and Vuelta. Just really wanted to follow his progression this year, and still hopeful he can become a good +1000 pick

GEE-WEST Derek
You can time the exact moment my brain broke on deadline day, when Gee's transfer was announced. Tired of endlessly swapping riders I had doubts about, went for a reliable albeit , very expensive option. Hoping he can be somewhere near parity by then of the Giro, and then obviously, have a near perfect season after.

SEIXAS Paul

O'CONNOR Ben
Had read he was doing a different build-up this year, and again, The TDU start was the decider. IF (?) he's also riding some of the Middle-Eastern races then he should be well on his way before the European WT begins.

NYS Thibau
Was relieved that didn't him include last year at 700 points, so thought 423 was a good price as he can only improve. But if I'd known he wasn't starting till April again... He's going to have to have a much better few months.

BERCKMOES Jenno
One of the first on my team, and then constantly considered taking him out given all the options this year. But I'm always a big fan of a rider who will score steadily throughout the season, if not spectacularly. Big potential upside given his career trajectory and the way 2025 panned out.

GAUDU David
The rider that stays in your team after juggling everything about, and forgot they're there. So many better choices at the price with much more potential/excitement. Hope he proves me wrong!

MOHORIC Matej
Have looked for reasons to include Mohoric in the past and not quite found them. According to his interviews, over-trained last winter, then had bad luck with injuries/illnesses at inopportune moments. Not expecting a huge return, but looking forward to following him.

LAPORTE Christophe
COSNEFROY Benoit
RODRIGUEZ CANO Carlos
WIDAR Jarno
POOLE Max

VLASOV Aleksandr
Ultimate defensive pick. Should have gone with my instincts and a more interesting option. So far down the pecking order now at Bora that he's unlikely to be given many chances, if any?

Picks decided by the TDU startlist
BRENNER Marco - After his great start last year, was annoyed with myself for not including him. Assuming he's over his injury issues, looking forward to seeing how he develops.
DINHAM Matthew - Completely missed him in 2025, and based on his performance in the Aussie Nationals, might have got lucky choosing him this time
KRON Andreas Lorentz - Was going to pass then saw he had bib 1 and took the chance. Great fun rider to have on your team when on form, if frustrating at times?

ZINGLE Axel

MARTINEZ POVEDA Daniel Felipe
Another Bora defensive pick at 121 points and just about willing to risk that this is one of his yo-yo years. Rather than him joining the growing list of Colombian riders in decline.

VANSEVENANT Mauri - Have had him before and did not enjoy watching his riding 'style' more than was necessary, though at least he's easy to identify. Should be more opportunities for him across various races with Evenepoel's departure, and 113 points looks very cheap in the circumstances.

HAGENES Per Strand - Still convinced he has a good, or at least decent season in him. More than happy to take the bet at this price on a young rider with his potential.

VERSTRYNGE Emiel - Impressed me with some of his rides last year, and with little competition in the team, should get plenty of opportunities to progress. Have been following him in CX which might have biased my decision.

Selected, once I'd panic-bought Gee-West
STEINHAUSER Georg
L'HOTE Antoine
TRATNIK Jan
KRIJNSEN Jelte
VAN GESTEL Dries

CARR Simon - IF he's back on form, will need a tractor to farm his schedule.

JAKOBSEN Fabio
WILLIAMS Stephen
SANCHEZ MAYO Pelayo

HUDSON Harry - Could be on a lot of teams next year, and just wanted to get in early.

Given the options, have ended up with a far more conservative team than I'd like, but there were just too many choices this year, and will he more than happy with a top 20 finish. Hopefully, will have time tomorrow to post the roll-call of shame of riders I missed, or stupidly excluded.

TDU startlist. Ridiculous, as usually only have a couple of riders. Think the first couple of months could be disproportionately important for my team's chances this year.

Brennan
Brenner
O'Connor
Hagenes
Kron
Van Eetvelt
Dinham
L'Hote

 

[Squire]

Always a busy start to the year, so apologies for my lack of contribution and belated post. The discussion has been fascinating to read. Thank you to everyone!

BRENNAN Matthew
Was looking for excuses to include Brennan so the TDU start, plus WVA's injury decided it. Assumed the latter would be out for a while, and that he'd be racing Cadel. Also not that keen on his initial schedule, but there's scope for adding races between the classics and Vuelta. Just really wanted to follow his progression this year, and still hopeful he can become a good +1000 pick

GEE-WEST Derek
You can time the exact moment my brain broke on deadline day, when Gee's transfer was announced. Tired of endlessly swapping riders I had doubts about, went for a reliable albeit , very expensive option. Hoping he can be somewhere near parity by then of the Giro, and then obviously, have a near perfect season after.

SEIXAS Paul

O'CONNOR Ben
Had read he was doing a different build-up this year, and again, The TDU start was the decider. IF (?) he's also riding some of the Middle-Eastern races then he should be well on his way before the European WT begins.

NYS Thibau
Was relieved that didn't him include last year at 700 points, so thought 423 was a good price as he can only improve. But if I'd known he wasn't starting till April again... He's going to have to have a much better few months.

BERCKMOES Jenno
One of the first on my team, and then constantly considered taking him out given all the options this year. But I'm always a big fan of a rider who will score steadily throughout the season, if not spectacularly. Big potential upside given his career trajectory and the way 2025 panned out.

GAUDU David
The rider that stays in your team after juggling everything about, and forgot they're there. So many better choices at the price with much more potential/excitement. Hope he proves me wrong!

MOHORIC Matej
Have looked for reasons to include Mohoric in the past and not quite found them. According to his interviews, over-trained last winter, then had bad luck with injuries/illnesses at inopportune moments. Not expecting a huge return, but looking forward to following him.

LAPORTE Christophe
COSNEFROY Benoit
RODRIGUEZ CANO Carlos
WIDAR Jarno
POOLE Max

VLASOV Aleksandr
Ultimate defensive pick. Should have gone with my instincts and a more interesting option. So far down the pecking order now at Bora that he's unlikely to be given many chances, if any?

Picks decided by the TDU startlist
BRENNER Marco - After his great start last year, was annoyed with myself for not including him. Assuming he's over his injury issues, looking forward to seeing how he develops.
DINHAM Matthew - Completely missed him in 2025, and based on his performance in the Aussie Nationals, might have got lucky choosing him this time
KRON Andreas Lorentz - Was going to pass then saw he had bib 1 and took the chance. Great fun rider to have on your team when on form, if frustrating at times?

ZINGLE Axel

MARTINEZ POVEDA Daniel Felipe
Another Bora defensive pick at 121 points and just about willing to risk that this is one of his yo-yo years. Rather than him joining the growing list of Colombian riders in decline.

VANSEVENANT Mauri - Have had him before and did not enjoy watching his riding 'style' more than was necessary, though at least he's easy to identify. Should be more opportunities for him across various races with Evenepoel's departure, and 113 points looks very cheap in the circumstances.

HAGENES Per Strand - Still convinced he has a good, or at least decent season in him. More than happy to take the bet at this price on a young rider with his potential.

VERSTRYNGE Emiel - Impressed me with some of his rides last year, and with little competition in the team, should get plenty of opportunities to progress. Have been following him in CX which might have biased my decision.

Selected, once I'd panic-bought Gee-West
STEINHAUSER Georg
L'HOTE Antoine
TRATNIK Jan
KRIJNSEN Jelte
VAN GESTEL Dries

CARR Simon - IF he's back on form, will need a tractor to farm his schedule.

JAKOBSEN Fabio
WILLIAMS Stephen
SANCHEZ MAYO Pelayo

HUDSON Harry - Could be on a lot of teams next year, and just wanted to get in early.

Given the options, have ended up with a far more conservative team than I'd like, but there were just too many choices this year, and will he more than happy with a top 20 finish. Hopefully, will have time tomorrow to post the roll-call of shame of riders I missed, or stupidly excluded.

TDU startlist. Ridiculous, as usually only have a couple of riders. Think the first couple of months could be disproportionately important for my team's chances this year.

Brennan
Brenner
O'Connor
Hagenes
Kron
Van Eetvelt
Dinham
L'Hote

That is an extremely strong team, and I wouldn't be surprised if you finish in the top 10. I was going to say missing Van Eetvelt will maybe hurt you, but you listed him for TDU despite leaving him out of the team presentation, so he's also there after all. You have all the seemingly important picks, and some rarer ones that I don't have myself but really like, f.ex. Verstrynge and L'hote. I put Berckmoes on my longlist, but I wasn't excited enough about him to give him serious consideration. But other people have made a good case for him, and I can certainly see him scoring plenty.

The G-factor could bring you a lot of joy if he delivers. He also didn't excite me that much, but when @Netserk and @tobydawq are actually in agreement about something, there's every reason to be scared.

I'm not quite in agreement with your instincts regarding Vlasov. While he was a bit defensive for me too, and on the face of it he's not that exciting, it won't take much for him to be a good pick. It's not like he's going to do the Tim Declercq job all season. F.ex. Michael Rogers scored 1000+ points while towing Wiggins around for most of the season in one of the most tactically rigid teams ever. Even Kuss has scored 400+ for the last couple of seasons. If Vlasov has a decent level, he will get chances. I'm excited about Paris-Nice for him. And let's say you pick Vermaerke instead, who I've said might be a huge joker this season in his best-case scenario. Betting on Vlasov not having totally fallen off a cliff at age 29 and him returning to a somewhat normal level isn't really that much more far-fetched than Vermaerke suddenly showing an unprecedented level and grabbing plenty of personal chances while (also) having to do a lot of domestique work, I would say.

In other news, my Van Poppel regret keeps increasing. First it was Brennan not showing up for Surf Coast, then Kooij out for some time, now Merlier out. What's next, Jonathan Milan getting struck by lightning?