FSA Directeur Sportif: How's It Coming?
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 9:02 AM EST
in FSA Directeur Sportif
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Last week we launched the 2012 version of our in-house Directeur Sportif yearlong fantasy game, welcoming our new sponsor, Full Speed Ahead. A week into the competition, I can't reveal too much, but I can tell you a few things:
- There are some 400 teams either submitted or in progress so far. That's mostly on the dudes side. Don't forget, once you have set up a login, you don't need anything more to make a women's team too.
- Of the 1156 riders listed, y'all have collectively picked 437 different dudes from 42 countries. On the women's side, you've gone with 146 of the 809 riders listed.
- Team Somarriba leads the women's competition in the Past Performance is No Indication category, with Revolutions out to an early lead on the dudes side. Smy Team holds the distinction of having 18 guys in the 1-2 point category, a record (for now).
- The Contador Affair will have no impact on the game. I suppose we could have reconsidered his price, but it's too late, and honestly I don't know that it would come down much. The salient point is, unlike the UCI, once we launch our competitions, we're not too inclined to revise the rules.
- Deadline Day for the Men's FSA-DS is February 24 at
Noon9pm Pacific time. That's two weeks from this Friday, a/k/a Omloop Eve. For the Women it's February 22, 9pm Pacific owing to the first event of the calendar happening on the 23rd. Plenty of time if you haven't gotten started, but don't snooze too long. Remember, just because you made your roster doesn't mean you're in. For that, you have to take the formal step of submitting it. - Any other questions? Read more in our intro post or check out the rules page.
Here's my Men's team so far:
Not too shabby, huh? Next I gotta get started on the vrouwen...
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Coming along quite well, thanks.
Just waiting for closer to the deadline in case one of my homies gets injured or whatnot. I made decent notes throughout last year so that made it easier. I only have about 2 guys I’m on the fence with. PLUS, my lurker buddy has created an account & is working on his team.
I’m struggling to organize my women’s team…which is a slight reflection of my life if I think about it.
I have to say it is a good day.
I'm working on the "do it all in one go just before the deadline" strategy
Since when I did detailed planning it resulted in a team which virtually stopped racing after the Giro.
This is my approach as well
I use enough math and stats in real life too. Gonna play this by feel.
I NEED MOAR MUD
by Douglas Ansel on Feb 9, 2012 9:34 AM EST up reply actions
Heh. Me too.
Probably a lot of people here who by temperament or education might try to select a team as rationally as possible. I knew it’d get crazy if I tried, and so instead vowed to make selections only after a six pack of beer. No principles or rules for selection unless obvious or plausible and easily applied while inebriated.
you risk a season-long hangover, but then again you have a great excuse : )
Something, somewhere was bound to [make sense] -- Jens
I believe Majope was considering organizing a “night before the deadline, pick your team while drunk” thread
moo
It will be a free-for-all smackdown happy hour
and anyone who still needs advice will get much of it.
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 will also play much Violent Femmes
because I’m not sure anyone got my Kiss Off comment.
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
oh, similar to helping megabeth pick a team for tdf special game?
that was hilarious. we must do.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
the first year i played, i chose the team while hyped up on painkillers, and finished in the top 100.
the second year, after much thought, i tanked into just below the halfway point on the list.
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
bedankt
Had five last year. Do I ever learn my lessons? No. No I don’t.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 12:50 PM EST up reply actions
We just have to figure out which corner
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 1:40 PM EST up reply actions
or
http://www.thepcmanwebsite.com/media/pacman_flash/
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 9, 2012 2:02 PM EST up reply actions
Hm
My QR Reader directs me to a Swedish porn site…
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 2:07 PM EST up reply actions
A likely excuse.
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 like that VDS prices don't consider looming or realized doping bans
Keep the VDS speculation about points on road, not the courts.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
I'm appealing that before a Swiss courts
I expect to win last year’s VDS before this year’s TdF starts
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
3rd of 4th peruse through the list
and I’m at about 50-60 on the shortlist. Making decision is hard for me, can you tell? :D
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 9:25 AM EST reply actions
As I think I may have mentioned before,
I’m not quite sure you’ve quite grasped the concept of “short”.
Then again, most men would estimate the length of a typical pencil to be about 18 inches.
What I though pencils were standardised to 20 inches? :D
Yeah, sure its not much of a shortlist but once I’m happy with it, I’ll have sub-100 names to play with, as opposed to the 1100-odd available from the start.
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 5:23 AM EST up reply actions
I'm considering re-naming my squad Team Kiss Off.
They’ll hurt me bad, but I won’t mind. They’ll hurt me bad—they do it all the time.
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
Nice team Chris, how much did it all costa?
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 9, 2012 9:28 AM EST reply actions
I always
use 150 points. ATM I have 27 guys at 155, so that’s two quick cuts. But I’m still pondering. I seem to remember getting all excited about a bunch of kids in the Offseason Capsules — gotta go back and look up those names.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 1:24 PM EST up reply actions
Chicchi and Ciolek, I think.
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
Devolder!
Ha! My daughter still thinks it is a curse word.
In loving memory of the HTC- Highroad
.
by holmovka on Feb 9, 2012 2:17 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
Not only her...!
I kept hearing in my dreams some Russian words + Devolver..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
not a single frog on your team?
you might actually have a chance to win.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Argentinian Gauchos & Co. Ready at the starting line...
I believe I have a few guys in the break already….
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Hope they're not using it all up before the FSA DS season actually starts...
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
Naaa... just testing the waters....checking the mood of the peloton...
I bet I got 1 guy that no one else has on their team again this year.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I heard so much about him...
Wasn’t around when the hole Ricco thing was on….
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I keep changing my mind
and I can’t think of a good team name.
My women’s team was easy, I just picked names that I thought I had heard of and hit submit! That strategy with the men landed me mid-table last year but now I know too much to allow myself to do it this year!
Name is my problem too
I don’t want something that is going to sound lame at the victory-announcement.
the overoptimists might be a good name then.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
You have to roll into the competition on a high
You will never feel as good about your team as you do on Feb 23
Indeed
You probably want to think about what you’re going to wear to the coronation too. Might want your name to reflect that.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 1:23 PM EST up reply actions
Good thinking
This is why you run this place. Always remembering all the little but important details.
For me it is hardest two weeks of the season.
Follows by saddest 30 or so weeks
In loving memory of the HTC- Highroad
.
Done and Done
Never competed before, now have men’s AND women’s teams!
The Orthopedic Ward and Surgical Strike Team
I’m pretty much convinced that you’re all batshit insane there. ~gavia~
I hope you picked the only Uruguayan guy of the VDS....???
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
is an ok 1 pointer, last year he was only in my team... 15 points if i remember correctly he scored.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
forgot to look at nationalities. Did pick Caleb Fairly, Amarillo home boy.
Nice kid, I really like his parents too.
I’m pretty much convinced that you’re all batshit insane there. ~gavia~
That is how mine starts...!
Argentinians first… I look at others from South America but I want to finish higher this year. So more Euros.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I also have ditched most of my self imposed rules
in an effort to do better this year. This is how the pressure on DS leads to doping right. I need one of those little pictures that says I lost my principles and picked Valverde
I was told there'd be no math.
yeah,
i’ve been saving up euros too. i figure bribing Ted is my only hope.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Eh? Oh noooo...!
Let me run to the bank..! How come he doesn’t take dollars?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
his name is not solaar
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Got my team in already
I tried to be methodical this year, making a short list of 50 desired riders and actually tweaking my roster a couple of times once i made it. Maybe I spent too much time on it, but I have a squad I’m satisfied with.
Being for the Benefit of Mr. McQuaid! is building along nicely
Team name has been found (keeping with my relatively obscure Beatles songs theme), my shortlist is done, now it’s time to cut the team down to a smaller number of riders.
The remaining steps are
-Going through the list of rider one more time. Or two more times. Or three… or more…
-Changing my mind and replace good riders with overvalued riders
-Listening to Albertina and take 4 Euskaltel riders
-Forgetting a couple of obvious 2 pointers that everyone else will have
-Remaining completely unaware of 1 pointers with a bright future
-Dropping a rider I had last year in favor of another who will do much less points (last year I dropped Rolland for Gauthier)
-Second guessing my decision to take or not Gilbert (Martin, of course).
-Regretting from March to October.
Sounds like our team selection process is very similar.
Albertina has a lot to answer for and listening to Holmovka seems to have given me a few Eastern Europeans too. Chris has to answer for the dutchmen (but I hired and then cut EBH so I guess I am responsible for some things.)
I was told there'd be no math.
going welll
Almost done and again I rather stupidly picked a nearly 1/3 vacansoleil squad.
Sminer: I blame KARMA for everything.
Jens: I've heard it's a bitch
Water Girl: I heard it ran over your dogma
Crap the more I read the more I want to go look and see what can I change..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Work has seriously interupted my team picking this week
Of course I prioritised and put the work off until there was some shoulder tapping.
At least I’m down to 3 different team versions now, which with any luck, should mean less than 40 changes to be made…
Thanks for organizing, first time playing here
can’t decide yet on picking Gilbert, he has by far the lowest price / last-years-points, but it might be overly chauvinistic to expect him to do anywhere near as well as last year.
Overly patriotic
i seem to have misjudged the connotation in english
by bvl on Feb 9, 2012 4:24 PM EST up reply actions
nah, I got it
but counting your flags, the team seems pretty diverse
Something, somewhere was bound to [make sense] -- Jens
no you used the term perfectly – fanatical patriotism
But in North America the term Chauvinism is “usually” used as a “belief in the superiority of men over women.”
moo
yep...after I posted I discovered a whole new meaning.
I plan on being chauvinistic just to make amends.
by JustJoshinYa on Feb 10, 2012 7:59 AM EST up reply actions
As it stands, my team scored 11111 points last year
So I can’t really see how it could lose.
"Gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal; for me, potato." - Emil Zatopek
Wrong
And now very wrong since I went and messed everything up. Gah! I do have three of those guys. I’m going to leave it for two weeks now and wait for injuries to happen. Won’t have Langkawi results to influence decisions this year with its later start – I never would have picked Kittel last year if he hadn’t won that Langkawi stage in January.
"Gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal; for me, potato." - Emil Zatopek
he is a cheap 2 pointer... due to bounce back..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Past performance is not an indicator of future performance.
I, for one, hope this goes for DSs.
Something, somewhere was bound to [make sense] -- Jens
No, I expect they'll do much better
"Gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal; for me, potato." - Emil Zatopek
Five in my women's team!
Even though home-town girl Erinne is on the sidelines this year.
I’m down to two Canucks in my men’s team after the latest re-jig.
"Gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal; for me, potato." - Emil Zatopek
I methodically selected my team
just now, took 10 minutes. “Team waiting for August 5th” led by Alberto " Imma go ape shit on this muthafuckin Vuelta" Contador. Is it smart? Ha
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
No
I even picked a Schleck! Not the whiny one though
"Weltmeister!!" Zwei mal: 2010-2011...und weiter gehts
I'm very scared
I picked my team in 15 minutes.
I found a (imo) great name the day after.
I keep going back to see if my selection process wasn’t totally messed up, but I keep leaving that page happy with the guys I’ve got.
WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON?
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
At least you will go out with a "boom"
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
and is not Lars...
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
The more I know
the more I know I don’t know. :-(
"Frankly it's a bit depressing that year after year you see teams and riders disappearing. All the while you see the governing body regulating saddle angles and what colour overshoes you're allowed to wear." Emma Pooley on the UCI
My current line-up scored 11k+ last year
Since both my teams in the last two VDS seasons scored only 7k+ the previous year and managed to improve by 4-5k I think I have this competition sealed up. All your base are belong to me!
Me like bike, no?
Anyone else has this open somewhere in the screen??
http://www.podiumcafevds.com/deadline.php?mw=1&y=2012
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
2 weeks, 1 day, 7 hours, 45 minutes, 31 seconds.
That means my team will change another 314,5 times
Pfff, Parijs is nog ver.
That short? Oooh that is why someone called him angry gnome?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I will never finish learning..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
The day you quit learning is the day you die!
I’m pretty much convinced that you’re all batshit insane there. ~gavia~
Working through the checklist
1. Only French speakers allowed
2. Check which Spanish, Italian, Belgian, and Dutchies speak French
3. Only the good Feillu this year
4. Pick every Canadian
5. Order the team kit
6. Renew Jerome Coppel Fan Club membership
7. Buy wife Valentine’s Day Gift
moo
You know he does ride a little (commute) but doesn't turn his GPS on during commute rides.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I like the team I've got together
Gonna wait until submission eve (Omloop Eve Eve?) to submit it, just in case someone may be ruled out for some reason or another. I suppose I’ve been doing the same with the women, but I may forget to submit it if submission closes before the men. I really have no idea what I’m doing with the women (didn’t even pick Vos!) so there will probably be no tinkering between now and then.
Same here so far from the beginning to now 4 changes.
Kicked Valverde out and had 6 extra points to use, so 3 2 pointers became 4 pointers. Other then that everything is smooth…..
My formula is very easy, from their cost 1=100 in return, or that is what I am hoping to get in return from every guy,…. Hope no one gets hurt or suspended for something they ate 300 years ago..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Let me see... Argentinian Gauchos & Co,
Damn took me forever but there it is…!!!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Is there an easy way to get the flags horizontal?
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
Buy'em some beers and don't be afraid to show some flesh.
by broerie on Feb 9, 2012 5:24 PM EST up reply actions 3 recs
I buy some beer but who would want to see my flesh?
I am screwed.. I better go and buy more beer…
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
If there is some let me know...
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
No broerie... Just don't fit in my team... Are you in the draft? Then I make room.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Damn...! But you are there..! Good job..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Hmm... you seem to have set your price at the exact number of grams of clenbuterol
per milliliter of Contador’s blood. Is 50pg/ml now a metaphor for “a very small number”?
Or are you implying that your results this year may initially appear indetectable,
but turn out to be of world-shattering significance?
I'm not smart enough to use such complicated metaphors,
It’s just a subtle form of protest against the Contador verdict.
Hey this is not Belgium..! (pro cyclist don't grow on trees here)
He is the only pro I know, and talk, and actually talks back to me…! Ha..! He is a cool guy and his wife too.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
No no, I think it's very cool that you know him
just stupid from my part. Should’ve realised you’d pick him :)
Coffee cures all. ~ Gav
is ok.. I forgive you..! Most likely after Giro they will take a few weeks off
this year I will take pics of him.. Promise..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Ok...! I can do that..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Cav? No thanks..! Is a 2 pointer from UK, hoping he will have a break out year
Hope he does well during classics, if not he can just repeat his last season, I will be happy with that.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Geraint? or who?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
but he's more focusing on olympic track this year (geraint), isn't he?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
Don't know
Going to focus on leading out Cavendish though.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
I've done the flags thing a couple of times already
But suffice it to say I’ve got:
2 Aussies
5 Belgians
2 Czechs
3 French
1 German
3 Italians
2 Dutch
2 Russians
2 Spaniards
2 Brits
1 American
Ehhhhhh
Depends a bit on the definition :p One definitely (gee wonder who that is), one’s kind of a Freire-type sprinter, and 2 or 3 who wouldn’t ever win a TdF stage or anything, but could probably win a 20 or 30 man sprint at the end of a semi-classic or SSSR.
In his mind
But in at least four cases someone will have stolen his win.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 9, 2012 6:22 PM EST via mobile up reply actions
Upon further inspection, two of my Belgies are definitely redundant to one another
So one of ’ems gonna get the heave-ho
Well, they're redundant to one another in the sense that they'd be going for points at the Nationale Sluitingsprijs or the Tour de Rijke or something like that
I think I can aim a little higher when going for second place p(o)ints.
OK, bad examples, since those races aren't on the calendar
But you know what I mean. Races at that level of (non) prestige.
The two Czechs are probably redundant to one another as well
They’re also teammates (and now you probably know who they are!), but I can’t decide which of them I would favor if I needed to choose one or the other.
And I also just realized they're probably not doing the Tour of California this year
(it’s Barta and Konig from NetApp, if I haven’t given enough clues :p )
The team has only 17 riders, so to do Cali and Italia would require every rider the team has. Has that ever happened before?
Hey, at the risk of giving away no important secrets whatsoever...
…does anybody know wtf happened to Iglinskiy last season?
He kept riding, finishing races, but just vanished off the face of the earth as far as results go.
I can’t find any story that he was sick or injured.
Are we to conclude that he was probably juiced up in 2010, and just decided he couldn’t risk it any longer?
This is the unknown for Valverde also
How many points did HWMNBN get in his comeback year?
I was told there'd be no math.
I'm not arguing about the uncertainty (I'm not picking him)
but the depth and consistency of Piti’s wins are evidence of immense natural talent.
Of course there was almost certainly some enhancement on occasion, but you can’t dope yourself to that many wins in throughout an entire season without getting caught.
With results like Iglinskiy, on the other hand, he may have “peaked” for certain races.
(I know of absolutely no evidence, don’t want to badmouth the guy – may well have been sick, I just can’t find any news story)
He crashed in one of the classics, but then went straight over to Spain
Being forced to race despite not feeling fit reduced his results?
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 6:33 AM EST up reply actions
And rather embarrassingly
The most notable thing about my team, is that my team name is
“Ooh la la la la la la la la! Balen, we have no problem.”
But I have now decided to fire Tommeke.
I just cannot make that flag thing work!
Much more international than last time though, but sharing a few of the favourite riders of my friends so we can cheer together. I think I have a rather surprising team leader this year.
Four 4 pointers, ten 2 pointers and four 1 pointers. No Gilbert.
I was told there'd be no math.
My goal is to have less doughnuts
needless to say Krispy Kreme is not getting my faith for another year.
I was told there'd be no math.
Not trying to change your mind... (but playing with it)
He is due to have a good year after a disaster year….
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Uh huh. That's exactly why I took Haussler in 2011.
I forget why I’m taking him again this year…
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
Me too, with Haussler
The upside is that at some point he becomes a bargain. And he is, as of now, one of two riders who have been on my team all three years. Sorry EBH. Sorry Rein.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 10, 2012 12:01 PM EST up reply actions
So far-27 riders
4 Spanish
1 Norwegian
2 Italians
I Irish
1 Russian
2 Germans
1 Slovenian
2 Aussies
2 Dutch
1 Canadian
1 Czech
2 Belgians
1 English
2 Danes
1 Portugese
1 Pole
1 Argentinian
1 Oregonian
Currently:
Australia x 2
Austria
Belgium x 2
Curacao
France
Germany x 3
Lithuania
Nederlands x 6 (hegemony, baby!)
Norway x 2
UK x 2
US x 4
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
For me (pending)
1 Australia
4 Belgium
1 Colombia
1 Czech Rep.
5 French
1 German
2 Italy
2 Lithuania
3 Netherlands
1 Norway
1 Poland
2 Russia
1 Slovakia
I’m going to dump at least 1 Frenchie…maybe
KRUoPIS!!!1!!
I pray to god that we have no riders in common
Cause that would automatically make them mediocre.
As in, “Majope and ursula Cioleked again.”
Oh, She-bear.
Some of my riders do quite well. It’s just that the 20 or so who don’t sort of pull the average down.
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
JJ is going to be in a lot of teams...!!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
He is in my boat..!
Shit I hope it doesn’t sink..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
The most interesting thing about Roche this year
is whether he will be called upon to give up his wheel to a Frenchman.
(Ok, I know he’s sort of French himself, but you know what I mean)
My conclusion also
fired my beloved Sagan for the same reason. Think he will have a great year but too expensive
I was told there'd be no math.
My tentative
line up by country
2 Aussies
1 Belgium
2 Frenchmen
4 Germans
4 Italians
1 Lithuanian
2 Luxembourg
1 Norway
1 Slovenia
3 Spanish(Albertina has a lot to answer for)
1 Swiss
2 Brits
I don’t have all my favorites in here but I am pretty happy with the line up.That said there may be last minute changes.And I still feel a bit disloyal for not having even 1 American,may have to put Ted King on.I do like his writing.
Okay, but if the Coming Dutch Hegemony arrives this year, you're geen geluk.
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
The odds
of it being this year go up substantially with not having anyone.You should thank me.
If it happens, I'll be happy to give you all due credit.
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
currently pending (this is the 4th or 5th rendition)
australia – 1
belgium – 4
denmark – 1
france – 1
germany – 3
italy – 2
nederlands – 3
poland – 1
russia – 1
slovenia – 1
spain – 3
sweden – 1
usa – 2
uzbekistan – 1
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
or, for those textually challenged
"/>
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
you missing an Argentinian in that mix...! he he
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Robbie McEwen interviews Aidis Kruopis here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2×2wNuR_KLA
What a sweetie…and he even blushes :)
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
I need my glasses..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I added a "copy the flags" feature!
Go to your team page and copy the HTML code from the text box, paste here:
Good lord, you're good!
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
The one who kept getting beaten last year by Tony Martin, and isn't even doing the Tour this year?
Suckers.
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
no amount of sand bagging can stop this flood
you know that
Something, somewhere was bound to [make sense] -- Jens
Women's World Championships
are here in Ottawa next year. Willj’s team has a good chance there. Maybe not so much in WVDS.
Here’s mine so far. I have to do better than last year’s debacle.
"Gold medal, silver medal, bronze medal; for me, potato." - Emil Zatopek
Missing a verb there..."fear"?
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
Awesome!
One less team for me to worry about.
De cross gaat out that door.
by Chris Fontecchio on Feb 10, 2012 8:10 PM EST up reply actions
Anyways I think the Argentinian flag is JJ..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I predict that at least one of the Swedes is Tommy Love.
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
Well, one of them has the same initials. And one doesn't.
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
JJ FTW...!!!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Only if you don't mind people snatching up all your bestest picks.
Most people wait, but you don’t have to.
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
Excellent result!
"How strange it was to see men doing something beautiful. Something pointless and elegant." Tim Winton, 'Breath'
Actually, think I'm struggling to find any Belgians to pick
There’s 2 “under-priced” riders which I think are obvious, 2 others I could see in my squad but no young “roughies”. Italians (or French even) though, its like a gold mine.
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 2:10 PM EST reply actions
Sorry forgot to add at the start of my sentence:
“Maybe its the lack of beer-glasses to look through…”
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 2:11 PM EST up reply actions
Bad year for Belgians.
Even tgsgirl could barely scrape up 11.
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
2 underpriced Belgians
Boonen, I guess? I couldn’t tell you the other one. Some might say De Gendt is a steal at 2. VDB? He’s good, but 6 points seems about right. Sep, of course, is a bargain at any price.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 10, 2012 3:03 PM EST up reply actions
Yep that's pretty much 3 out of the 4
So I’m glad I know a little :D
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 10, 2012 4:15 PM EST up reply actions
I like that 4th guy too.
he’s going to get his opportunities and that’s what you want. I just don’t quite believe in him. But wow, I could be so wrong.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 11, 2012 1:17 PM EST up reply actions
Since Ted made the effort to allow it
"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."
I am curious who the non-Northern European is
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
Only two riders from Northern Europe
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 10, 2012 3:27 PM EST up reply actions
Well the north half.
Switzerland is neutral.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
Something that's been said before in Belgium.
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
by majope on Feb 10, 2012 4:35 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs
Pozzato!
"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."
Ted gives PdCers a new toy and they play with it!
Look at all those flags.
Something, somewhere was bound to [make sense] -- Jens
Revsion!
I fired Frank and hired Oscar and Vino,still not 100% sure,love the flags though,thank you Super Ted!
Some modifications here
And only god knows how much time you saved us with this Ted..! Thanks for the flags..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I am not going to even be close to the times
the other guys make, I do it for the sport, and I keep trying to make them work longer before they overlap me..!
I never did this circuit before, but right next to it is a route I like to climb… about 2 km long and you gain like 100 meters. Nice area..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
6 points? are you nuts?
Not paying that for him… He is not going to score 600 points. And that is my formula. 1=100.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Hey I almost, almost took Thomas De Gent
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Oh man, Pablo, you should definitely take Thomas De Gendt.
He is VERY underpriced. :)
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 10, 2012 5:43 PM EST up reply actions
there... happy?
<img src=“”http://www.podiumcafevds.com/riders.php?mw=1&y=2012&nat=SVK" title=“Slovakia” target="winVDS"> "/>
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
a guy from Netherlands, forget my spelling something like Breammier? 2 pointer last year had 225 points.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
That one..! Good catch..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Well, in all seriousness,
De Gendt for Brammeier is, I think, a good choice.
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 11, 2012 10:22 AM EST up reply actions
no one MADE you submit before the deadline, did they?
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
I didn't yet..! Are you crazy!!!
With all this doping going on who knows who will be next… I will wait till the end to submit… Besides all this warm ups races can hurt.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Everyone is picking JJ this year???
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I like Vino a lot..!
But this year I will..stick to the beer instead… Na he is good for half a season only, he will retire I heard… (politics)
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
yell at him "previet" or dobre utra in the morning..!
Might land you an autograph
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Must be nice... Wait, it is Nice right?? he he
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
you never know what races
he might buy a win in.
"Ants don’t worry, they operate like a fantastic team, they accept obstacles and deal with them in a positive manner, they don’t complain and remain positive. An ant doesn’t work on emotion, is proactive and always chooses the ant role."
Roots?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
similar in Spanish.
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
he prefers to go to France so .... He picks frenchs>>>?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
naaaaaa...!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
but who would you have as an american?
horner? was dissing on my man contador during the tdf the year conta was kicking LA’s ass and LA was fighting his little tweety war. So, nah.
farrar’s ok, but meh.
Levi? bof.
hincapie? had him on the team a couple of years ago when i only knew a few riders names
phinney? ??
ted king, brookwalter, etc? I kinda like them but they don’t score. I think i had ted king on the team last year.
sorry... Levi what?
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Oh... I have hopes for him this year.. My only american..
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Farrar is fairly cheap this year
And there’s a few cheap Americans who I think could be great buys.
I’m American and I have exactly 1 on my team.
"Oh man, it’s going to take days to kill all these people!"
Yeah, you have to consider their role in the team too
I’m sad to say that Horner will not be given many opportunities this year….
Ditto for the young guns on BMC.
Ted King? As Much as I love to follow him, his job is very well defined, and it rarely involves crossing the line first…
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
talansky
"Wizard's first rule. People are stupid. They will believe anything they want to be true or fear to be true." -- Terry Goodkind
ok, i'll look
but normally it’s better to stay away from riders you hear about from his fans from the same country. If ip goes on about how great some irish guy is, or frinking about a dutch, i’ve learned from bitter experience to run the other way.
I think I've settled on this, but reluctant to submit just yet...
I’m quite convinced that I’ve put far more effort into this than the outcome will reflect,and yet I still can’t hit submit just yet…
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
hmmmmm....
JJ, Cadel, Sergey after that no clue who did you pick…
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
I've just realised
No Italians!
Wow, how did I do that?
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
I think it was the 6 Australians :)
by sebastiandeluded on Feb 11, 2012 1:14 PM EST up reply actions
Guilty
Upon reflection I might be a tad guilty of a little bit of over enthusiastic patriotism, perhaps ….
Mind you, it is soooo awesome to have so many high quality Aussies to choose from.
"Age and treachery will overcome youth and skill" - Fausto Coppi
and the gals! (somewhat / incredibly more transparent!)
Dirk Hofman Motorhomes
by professorfate on Feb 10, 2012 7:42 PM EST up reply actions
Sigh. I was just about ready to submit, then heard the UCI approved an additional day for the Tour of Poland.
Back to the drawing board.
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
In 2013
You really plan ahead.
Badger, badger, badger, badger, badger, badger...
by TheFigurehead on Feb 11, 2012 5:59 AM EST up reply actions
??
<img src=“”http://www.podiumcafevds.com/riders.php?mw=1&y=2012&nat=ESP" title=“Spain” target="winVDS"> "/>
"If Peyton Manning crashed onto a barbed-wire fence and returned to a game, you’d never hear the end of it for the rest of your life." Jason Gay
lots o spainards in there now... how'd that happen?
"If Peyton Manning crashed onto a barbed-wire fence and returned to a game, you’d never hear the end of it for the rest of your life." Jason Gay
This really should be my final lineup!
I decided to go for the easy national champ points with de Maar, and now that he’s a big-ish fish (though the Unitedhealthcare team has quite a few former ProTour riders on it) he might have freer reign to stomp at a race like the Tour of California. And who knows, that excellent ensemble cast could result in them getting wildcards to bigger races all the same. I’m pretty sure I’ve got wildcards covered for all three Grand Tours (got riders from Colnago, NetApp, Cofidis, and Andalucia), so go breakaway!
And the girls
Though, seriously, at the end of picking this team I just went with riders who have the same first name as me (or something like it)
Hey, I've said lots of times I don't know what I'm doing
I was happy just to get 10 or 11 riders I’d actually heard of
How are team time trials scored?
There’s one in the Giro and one in the Vuelta, and there’s one or two throughout the year at SSSR’s. How are the points decided in those stages?
All the riders that finish with the team
get 20% of the points for the placing they get. So in the GTs they each get 16p for winning the TTT stage (80p total).
Well after a short night sleep....
We have decide on this with my wife,
Argentinian Gauchos & Co. will look like this:
And The German Express (already submit) looks like this:
The only result that I am sure of is that if you put this two groups of young people together you end up having some great looking kids with a huge potential to be great athletes..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
Viviani keeps winning
Meaning I have to keep him in the team, even if is planning to go to track for the next 6 months
If think it would be for the greater good
If someone sabotaged his track bike :P
by RollinRollinRolland on Feb 11, 2012 4:17 PM EST up reply actions
Changed my team again...
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 bet
you kept The Honey Badger and not this year’s Great Equalizer. I’m still hesitating. Where will he grab points? Ah well, nats probably.
And TTTs.
Maybe.
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
Although looking at my team again (not on the FSA DS page, unfortunately, as Pablo broke it)
there are a couple I might try to offload to my Ed’s League team and replace with people I like better.
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
Heeeyyyyyy...!!! Stop blaming me...!
Just wait until Ted comes back from riding and he will fix it in a heart bit..!
Strava...? We are going for the TOP 10 this year...! Are you going to be part of something great or not?
my first attempt at VDS is changing a fair amount but here's a current snapshot
Unicorns proving singularly unhelpful so far
One descision I'm not sure about it picking Larsson fro 4 pts.
Any thoughts? Looking at who I got for 2 and for 6, he doesn’t look THAT great. I jut needed s/one for that number of points.
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