Five Newbies to Watch for 2012
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 8, 2012 9:30 PM EST
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I'm sure many of you might be struggling with your FSA DS rosters at the moment, especially with some of those pesky 1-2 point riders. As painful and frustrating as it was for people who had Peter Velits (74 points at a cost of 10) or Glorious Heinrich Haussler (290 points at 12 points) last year, you can mitigate some of that pain by making a sweet 1 or 2 points pick. The focus here is on newbies...guys that are wet behind the ears still in the sink or swim world that is cycling. There will be a breakdown of newbies from the past and then 5 (or so) guys that I'll
Now, let's do this...
To just make this blatantly clear...any success I have at FSA DS is pretty much limited to young riders. I did a U-26 team in 2010 with mild success (123rd out of 446...nothing spectacular but I was satisfied) but for some reason, I decided not to last year...and I got creamed. Like 601st out of 682 bad. Anyways, that won't be happening again since I'm going back to the U-26 route. Anyways, I'm getting distracted.
Last year was a huge year for newbies...Marcel Kittel (923 points), John Degenkolb (477 at 2 pts.), Michael Matthews (300 at 2 pts.) were some of the names that came out. There also was Giacomo Nizzolo (395), Pim Ligthart (370), Alex Dowsett (365) and Jesse Sergent (330). Hell, even Leo König, Navardauskus and Michal Kwiatkowski all scored over 200 pts. in their rookie sessions...so how does this year stack up?
Here are 5 on my radar (that are in no specific order by the way)...
1. Andy Fenn (Omega Pharma-Quick Step)
The 20-year old Brit at OPQS has all ready turned heads at his first few races this year and barring injury, he shouldn't be slowing down at all. Just look at these videos from Trofeo Palma and Trofeo Migjorn. Gerald Ciolek said that Fenn was turning the pedals over smoothly at Tour Down Under, which should be quite a compliment in your first WT race. He has quite the sprint on him. Now he will be Boonen's lacky at some races but there are small Belgian classics where Fenn can shine. Winner of the junior Paris-Roubaix in '08 (over a one, Peter Sagan) and 3rd last year at the U-23 Worlds, he could pick up some nice results this year.
2. Rüdiger Selig (Katusha)
Selig made his presence felt last year with some big rides at ProRace Berlin (4th), U23 World (4th), 8th place overall at Circuit Franco-Belge and then a big win at the Franck VDB Memorial. Passed over by Leopard-Trek, Katusha jumped on him with Erik Zabel's signing as a coach not hurting things. He made the big split on Stage 3 of the Tour of Qatar and got 7th place in the sprint after having some terrible position coming into the sprint. With the results he all ready showed against WT racers last year and with some open air at Katusha, there is a chance for him.
3. Salvatore Puccio (SKY)
Puccio had a big year last year on the U23 scene with wins in the U23 Ronde van Vlaanderen and a stage in the Toscana -Terra Di Ciclismo along with high stage finishes in the Baby Giro. All ready with a strong ride at the hily Trofeo Inca, I think that Puccio will be a dark horse for SKY in some races, especially if they get any invites to some smaller Italian classics.
4. Enrico Battaglin (Colnago-CSF Inox)
After 2 big years on the U23 circuit, Battaglin is moving up to the Pro Conti team that he stagiaired for last year. His crowning achievement last year was winning the Coppa Sabatini, beating...wait for it...Davide Rebbelin, Dani Moreno, Giovanni Visconti and Simon Gerrans in the sprint from the breakaway. *Jaw meet floor...floor, jaw* So the kid has shown what kind of talent he has. He will be sticking to Italian soil for the majority of the year so some results in the smaller Italian classics will be expected and maybe some bigger ones.
5. Romain Bardet (Ag2r La Mondiale)
Bardet was one of the stars last year on the U23 circuit with lots of high finishes in hilly races. 2nd in U23 LBL, 2 stage wins in Tour des Pays de Savoie, mountain stage in the Tour de l'Avenir and some high finishes at the hilly Tour de l'Ain. He showed some early strength with making the break at GP Marseillaise and should make his presence felt in the hills over the course of this year, stage races and one-day races alike.
Well that is my five...there are some very big notable omissions on this list that I know will be mentioned in the comments but I don't wanna talk about them until after the 25th :P
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Dude
I thought I asked nicely…
"I’m pretty disappointed, but if this is what people want to see, a race decided on a downhill," Andy Schleck said. "I don’t think that. A finish like this should not be allowed."
*cries*
First 3 fine, they’ve been mentioned heaps. The last 2? Way to drive the stake into the heart of those who researched and have noticed these gems a long way out! Oh well, at least you waited until after prices were announced to hype this lot up :D
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 2:30 AM EST reply actions
Since you weren't around to tell us what to do.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
we I had hoped the ":D" at the end indicated how serious my comment was
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 4:26 AM EST up reply actions
well selfishly i'd like them to remain unannouced
but really its just a game, who cares
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 4:35 AM EST up reply actions
exactly
teams are going to be varied anyway, be it the low scorers or the high scorers
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 4:51 AM EST up reply actions
But he's left out Cookie's new best friend :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Kruopis?
He’s old compared to these guys, And perhaps not a newbie either.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 3:42 AM EST up reply actions
He's a newbie in the Big Leagues as i'm sure you know.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I don't know what Vlaanderen90 means by newbie
But Kruopis was on a professional continental team last year.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 4:25 AM EST up reply actions
i interpret it as someone new to the top level. I'm sure that you're aware that as readers we create meaning.
That our meanings are different comes as no surprise.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Battaglin is on the list
Colnago is Pro Conti.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 4:46 AM EST up reply actions
I know! See his sig ;)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
for some reason sigs are invisible to me (not literally)
I only realized a half hour ago that Sarah Connolly was pigeons when you called her that in your post. Makes total sense now ha.
I should have defined "newbie" better...hasn't been on a prof conti or WT team and is U-26
and Henao…well he could have been on there but a lot more people know him
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 9, 2012 11:40 AM EST up reply actions
Novikov is too unpredictable in terms of his riding...he will have the ride of the season and then blow up
and lose the G.C. because he is hurting from his spectacular ride. In the big leagues, I can see that coming back to bite him in the ass. Ellissonde was someone I could have possibly put on there…but I think Bardet will do better. Cattaneo is still amatuer this year (I think he all ready has his stagiaire lined up. Barguil is the same deal
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 9, 2012 11:37 AM EST up reply actions
I should say that Novikov is extremely talented and will (probably) do great things
he had great races this year like Pays de Savoie where he won a stage then finished 2nd on all the other stages and of course at Valle d’Aosta…I guess what I’m trying to say with him is that I see him as a lot of the other climbers that have shined at those types of races like Egor Silin…he crushed a huge mountains stage at Aosta and was a huge talent but hasn’t been able to adjust to the pro peloton quite yet.
I’m going into this in way too much detail that it needs
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
Great, but I see.. a lack of Dutchies!
Wilco Keldermann. You can put him in the row: Gesink, Mollema. Outclimbed Rasmussen last year in Tour of Norway, Outsprinted 60 guys in a sprint, outtime trialed Coppel and Peraud in a prologue. Can do everything. Too bad he was in the wrong echelons in the TDU to show his promise already.
At least one!
Matteo Pelucchi
Last year Geux-TMC. This year Europcar. One of the few non Frenchies there. He got some nice sprinting results there last year outside Europe. I will be curious if he can higher his game. Already was third in a Trofeo. But well. After Porsev and Fenn
Oh and great article like I said. Always curious who to watch for in a season. And not only VDS speaking
The biggest problem with young new sprinters is the sheer number that are up and coming.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Wilco is a great name as well.
In aviation talk it means “Will Comply”.
by blitzer maloney on Feb 9, 2012 5:13 PM EST up reply actions
Cool people never say "okay".
They say “Roger”, “affirmative”, or “Wilco”.
And when I say cool – that’s not, erm, in the sense of having a girlfriend or anything.
How could you leave out Jack Bauer?
TV adds quite a bit of size, I mean Kiefer Sutherland is just tiny, so his climbing potential is unlimited. And during a grand tour when there is some sort of bomb threat and he only has one day do defuse the situation, you are going to want him on your squad. There are VDS points available for terrorist plots thwarted, correct?
ROFL. Well played.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
But whenever race radios are banned
he’s just completely clueless.
by straw dog on Feb 11, 2012 10:08 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
I'd already hired and fired Fenn a couple of times.
I guess it’s time to do the same to the rest, and see if any of them stick.
The only thing that’s going to finalize my team is the deadline.
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
Are you toying with your boys again?
Careful you don’t go blind.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Oh. I thought that was from toying with my girls.
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
Silly Unicorn
Also, I think it’s high time you started working on a graphic novel.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Some of my novels are more graphic than others.
I understand there are many people in Norway who wanted me to go with yellow shoes, but it's okay to try something else--Edvald Boasson Hagen
I call those 'Best sellers'
I think you need one comprised entirely of cyclists.
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
by Drew Davis on Feb 9, 2012 10:21 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs
But they're all fabulous!
Dear majope, please write more books, lots of love, pigeons
(heading off for some re-reading fun!)
Aka Pigeons!
by Sarah Connolly on Feb 9, 2012 4:32 PM EST up reply actions
Me too, a bit disappointed he got mentioned here, but I chose him because
of the look on his face in a WC podium photo – he is really hungry.
I was told there'd be no math.
I've actually done a little research but Fenn is one of - I'm sure many - guys I've missed.
The others mentioned have all been on my team at one time or another and might be again. There are so many good 1-2 pointers. I’m trying to find room for Demare but I just don’t know… Maybe I’ll put all the guys named Jesus on my team and call it 4 Jesus’s and a Hail Mary.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 9, 2012 2:22 PM EST reply actions
We could pick 5 man teams and compare point totals at the end of the year.
That would be easy/simple enough.
That is so easy that it would be excrutiating for me
I really like the idea…would be an fun informal side league and manageable with Excel
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 9, 2012 10:46 PM EST up reply actions
Go on, do it, do it..
It’d be awesome.
by blitzer maloney on Feb 10, 2012 12:38 AM EST up reply actions
Made the spreadsheet...Included all riders born after 10/15/1987 (must be U-25 for the whole cycling season)
on World Tour teams and Pro Conti teams. Will add others on Conti teams if someone wants too
I’ll post something later about potential rules…Thinking of including requirements about needing riders from at least 2-3 different countries among other things
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 10, 2012 12:05 PM EST up reply actions
sounds interesting
I’m up for it too!
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 1:47 PM EST up reply actions
That's brilliant!
I’m looking forward to this game almost as the mens game.
I’d also be interested in hearing about how much time the organising committee have put in to getting the game up and running, how long it took ted to design it all and the amount of time spent entering the points from each race. (the thankless hours of work that 99% of us know nothing about)
by blitzer maloney on Feb 10, 2012 2:53 PM EST up reply actions
I'd be very happy to donate a tenner
if there was a “buy ted a beer” fund, setup
by blitzer maloney on Feb 10, 2012 3:19 PM EST up reply actions
Porsev
I wasn’t going to mention him, but now that Frinking has thrown the name out there, I’ll say this. He’s on my team; I’m always itchy to take him off, but I haven’t yet. But I’m a big fan of Zabel and he certainly got results with Cavendish.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 9, 2012 3:11 PM EST reply actions
I really wished you did these things after VDS deadline Vlaanderen
Just thank god you don’t know about the Belgies.
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
I read your mind...but my lips are sealed from now til the 25th
and then I will incessantly blame you for why some young Belgians haven’t performed up to my liking
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
Hopefully some of them will give up the road for cross
All I've had today is, like, six gummy bears and some scotch.
Next?
There can be only one.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 5:25 PM EST up reply actions
Any year now
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 10, 2012 2:29 AM EST up reply actions
oh, tempting
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 10, 2012 2:29 AM EST up reply actions
From what I’ve heard, Tosh was never stronger than the rest in the U23 category. He managed to hang on in the harder races and beat the rest at the line. I try to look for guys who were physically exceptional;
That was probably one of the truest U23->Pro talent spotting tips I've seen (no sandbag)
Of course the downside is that method sometimes misses the exceptional cases like Cavendish for instance.
Or the ones who become stronger on a later age (like Gilbert)
It also works in the other direction: Jurgen Van Goolen was exceptional as an U23, but never did anything out of the ordinary as a pro
Playing the odds though
A u23 with a half decent sprint and exceptional power will probably 8 times out of 10 make a more successful pro than an exceptional sprinter with half decent power.
BTW can't say I have any idea of Gilbert's U23 record
But he was touted as quite the wonderchild right from the first year at FDJ. I’m not sure what the basis for it was (U23 or early pro results?) it just took him a few years to get the results that matched the hype. Much of that I think was the same “problem” as they have with EBH, not quite knowing what races he should actually focus on.
I remember PG’s early attempts at the Ardennes were sort of disappointing, probably stemming from the fact that it doesn’t matter who you are, success in those races rarely comes to young riders. They favor those with many many km of training and experience.
He was good as an U23
but I was referring to his firs years as a pro. I’d never thought he’d become this good.
I have never thought anyone would become this good
at least in cycling. In basketball, Lebron probably managed to be one of the few athletes I have ever seen be hyped up as one of the greatest ever (from the time he was like 15!) and then live up to it. And I believed it at the time as well. But for cycling, I think every neo-pro who has been successful from the start has been over-hyped.
Because of the nature of the sport?
With people peaking at 28-30 because of the sheer volume of training required to be top-top level there are bound to be a huge number of riders that peak early and then falter under the workload while there is room for riders that naturally peak late. As long as they are “decent” and hang on to a spot on a team until they come into their own.
yeah, mostly that
but also because of the nature of hype in general. Everyone is always looking for the next ______. How many Maradona’s were there before Messi? And there have been a number of great Brazilians, but could anyone really compare to Pele at this point the way we have built him up?
But I do think it is particularly true in cycling, especially in the current era. Peaks have been extended to later in careers as careers have lengthened and the sport has changed. You don’t see as many dominant 23 year olds as you used to or as you still do in other sports. We always talk about riders that “could win the Tour someday”. But very rarely have I seen a neo-pro or young rider and thought “that kid probably will win a Tour some day or get very close”. This also applies to other big races and areas of road racing in addition to GTs/TdF obviously.
Gilbert had a big year in his last year as a U23 before he signed with FDJ in '03
De Weert was the big man but Gilbert got some wins and a lot of podiums.
You are right, FDJ definitely did not know what to do with him when they got him…but FDJ also suffers from the problem of not really developing talent well
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 10, 2012 4:37 AM EST up reply actions
General french problem I get the feeling that is
Just throw riders into random races without a ton of longterm strategy behind it seems to be their MO often times.
Of course sometimes it’ s hard knowing when they’re “just” generally talented with a big engine. The story of Ballan finding his niche is telling. Just putting his hand in the air at a “who are the poor bastards we send on a pointless mission to Flanders” Lampre meeting just because he saw that not many of the bigs would be there and he may have an opportunity to ride for himself.
I think Gilbert matured a lot tactically as well
not long ago he was launching Terpstra attacks. How much of this was the DS’ fault I do not know.
FdJ did a great scouting job, and then in a way helped their young riders
by throwing them in the deep end at times.
But many riders have then needed to leave there in order to get more structure to their preparation, in order to really succeed.
I think FdJ is actually a good starting point, in part because you much have promise for them to sign, but to reach potential the rider needs to move on. I seriously wonder what Offredo would be capable of at somewhere like Garmin or Saxo…
Which QuickSteppie was it that was so good as a U23
that he never learned to ride in the peloton (he was always up the road), and really had trouble just riding with the pack with the pros?
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
Grabovskyy? Won U23 RR and 2nd in U23 TT in '05...didn't develop worth anything
eventually developed a drinking problem and nearly died when he was on ISD-Neri
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 10, 2012 4:39 AM EST up reply actions
No, he's riding now
I’m sorry. I wished I remembered his name, but I just remember Wuyts telling the story :)
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
I was going to say De Weert now that I think about it
was the darling of his class
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 10, 2012 4:55 AM EST up reply actions
I think that shows determination and a really big will to succeed
perhaps more important than just talent
(I love pre-VDS season)
(and I hate it at the same time)
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
van Keirsbluck had a PT/WT contract last year
and was a stagaire the year before that. He has an English-language wikipedia page (rare for obscure Belgian cyclists)! Not nearly obscure enough. Pfft.
I appreciate this
I needed to pick a bunch of 1 pointers for my VDS and was far too lazy to look through all those names. So I picked the top two guys from this list
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
Schumacher.. Astarloza, Kascheskin, Aurelien Duval, Fofonov, Rasmussen, Ricco
And if you look 2 more.. Keisse and Popo
This is what I see.. But the list is not to surprisiing
Question to you V90...
What did you hear about Moyano Josue? Caja Rural new sign, he is going to be in my team no matter what but would like a pro like you to give the opinion… he qualifies U-26 he he
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
To be honest, I heard his name but never looked into him much...
Caja Rural had a really strong amateur squad last year and brought up a bunch of the guys onto the pro team. I’m looking at his results right now and he has had some good success in Spain so I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get some results in Spain this year. I’m not sure if he will get points in FSA DS though just because I don’t know how much Caja Rural will be racing, if they will get invites to all the Spanish races…but he is definitely talented
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
They just missed last year Vuelta because of who knows what...
This year they want to make sure they will be there…. This kid is supposed to have a bright future.. Is a donut that I am willing to eat…
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I am 95% heart, 5% knowledge.... :o)
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I thought many see Caja Rural as Movistar's local feeder?
Hence why both wouldn’t be in the Vuelta.
Isn't Caja the feeder for Andalucia?
At least, there’s a sponsor connection (Caja) between the two teams, I presume they must have links to each other.
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 11, 2012 7:41 PM EST up reply actions
Caja just means Bank
So Caja Rural and Caja Granada that was co-sponsoring Andalucia last year are just different banks
SuperTed, if you see this...
Caja Rural: Delete Hinigio Fernandez (not on UCI roster) and add Yelko Gomez (Panama 9 March 1989)
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
Moreno Moser
what do you experts think of him?
he's yummy
(oh… you meant vds wise, didn’t you?)
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Outstanding all-arounder...I was going to put him on the list but then I was thinking...I don't know how much opportunities he'll
get at Liquigas this year with everyone there
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
Meet Aidis Kruopis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2×2wNuR_KLA
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I know...especially when he blushes at having beaten Boonen :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Jordi Simon at Caja
Will impress at some SSR?
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 7:12 AM EST reply actions
I know, right
how to neutralize riders for VDS
"It's a lovely thing, feeling that momentum. If you're lucky, it's also about grace." Tim Winton
Anybody wondering about that U-25 VDS...
I ran into a problem…scoring. I think it would be boring if we went by normal VDS points because totals would be pretty low by seasons end (I wanna keep it to low point riders so no Sagan, Phinney, TVG…still deciding about 4 point riders). I’m trying to come up with an alternative solution quick so if anyone has any ideas…
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
How about giving out points
for merely being selected to race? More points if your kid gets to race RVV then if he’s selected for some SSSR.
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
Good idea. Vlaanderen, what if you included the baby trackies and scored them for a World Cup or Olympics win
in any discipline? It would increase your pool of riders who can ‘mess’ with the big boys…like Sagan.
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I like both of those ideas! =]
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 12, 2012 6:53 PM EST up reply actions
That's gonna be confusing, I think
if we have to start considering multiple disciplines. Also, in this case I’d like to pick Tommeke Meeusen and get cx points from him.
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
You're telling me you get confused? Pull the other one, it's got bells on ;)
And when I last checked, the track wasn’t CX, or am I missing something? Wouldn’t the time frame make CX a no can do anyway?
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Good idea...I was thinking something like that all ready
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 12, 2012 6:52 PM EST up reply actions
I like it--appropriately white-jerseyish.
I’ll argue against giving points for just showing up—too much dependent on team depth. Sometimes kids go because veterans are out injured. Why reward that?
I hope you get first pick in the Ed's league just so I can witness your breakdown as your brain struggles with ………. ehhh something else over who to pick.--Jens
If it ends up being showing up points, the French teams are going to be a gold mine :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I think a TdF berth is worthy of points...not a ton but something
Now a young Euskie going to Flanders…well that’s a different story
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 12, 2012 7:34 PM EST up reply actions
This is going away from being simple.
Who is going to score each individual race separately?
Isn’t the best indicator of who is a better judge of talent going to be who can pick the riders who have no/almost no professional experience or at least are only in their first year as World Tour team members or second year in Pro Conti?
That’s my two cents. ;-)
I'll be scoring everything
Even if we limited the guys to first or 2nd year riders, there would still be a ton of overlap with guys that are huge talents…I want to find a way for people to not shy away from picking a more obscure Italian guy and still have him win some points (because normally he wouldn’t in FSA DS play) instead of everyone picking Arnaud Demare
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
by Vlaanderen90 on Feb 12, 2012 11:58 PM EST up reply actions
A combination scoring might be most effective
I think they all have to be 1 or 2pt ers in the game, otherwise they’re not suitably obscure enough.
Could use VDS scoring as a starting point, and add to it.
Then do you want to use CQ to fill in the gaps? Would you use results from other races (Langkawi for example, which misses VDS by 1 day but is a proving ground for young riders).
Thing is, what are we trying to reward? Results?
The kid who gets hauled in to carry water as Lotto’s 7th man, does a great job then doesn’t finish – does he get rewarded?
Or does the (hypothetical) Honduran kid riding for Giant Alpaca Soup in Tour of Moldova get more points cos they got 3rd on a stage, over the lad who rode 3/4 of Ronde in the service of a WT team.
If obscure, or under-the-radar isn't a criteria
then we should all just pick Sagan, Kruijswijk etc.
Only way to force people to scout a bit, and back their feelings about a rider’s potential for the coming year, is force us to pick riders with low price.
Are there so many U25 high-rollers?
Or is it about the same distribution as the general rider list? How about lowering the age to U24, would that help or make things worse?
I'd say
Keep it simple. Just stick to the VDS scoring. It will give you a lot of work otherwise. If you keep it the same you can just download the big league results in Excel and do a Vlookup on U-25 rider names. Should be a few minutes. And maybe SuperTed can think of an even better way.
Allow for big team 15 riders with a budget of 20 or so. That will give enough spread in teams. Sure, many people will have the top guns but it is the category just below those future stars that will make things interesting.
Pfff, Parijs is nog ver.
You could always just use CQ ranking for the points and scoring
I mean, we don’t use them for the main game beacause we are not fans of their score everything under the sun method. In this instance though I believe their method is superior to ours. Since they are already doing the work it would lessen the load on you.
'When playing a game, the goal is to win, but it is the goal that is important, not the winning' - Dr. Reiner Knizia
by bought with blood on Feb 13, 2012 10:21 AM EST reply actions
There are too many 1-pointers I like the look of this year
I am really struggling to whittle it down. I currently have 15 of them. And 10 2-pointers also (although definitely cutting that tonight).
Even a separate mini-game where you just pick any 8 1-pters would mix it up.
my 2p would be more than a team of 8
I think 15 like the womens game has would be good as it would help spread the pick of riders.
Personally I’d say all the riders should come from the 1 point pool as some of the 2 pointers are too well known.
by blitzer maloney on Feb 13, 2012 1:28 PM EST up reply actions
Finished everything with the game...scoring will be VDS points plus bonus points (I'll post everything later)
Everything will be posted later so it will be discussed but this game only involves 1 and 2 point riders. It makes everything easier (and better, IMO) to omit everyone above 2 points because of the lack of variety at the top in terms of riders and how it would skew the data.
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
i give you
http://www.velonation.com/News/ID/11185/Moser-grabs-first-pro-win-in-Trofeo-Laigueglia.aspx serious distance too. good prospect methinks.
Rafa's on peds
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