Category: Cycling

Vingegard withdrawal costs me dear

The top riders in Cobblestone League have been slow to make their appearance.  None undertook the long journey to Australia for the Tour Down Under, but in Period 2 Almeida was in Spain and Vingegaard was due to take on the UAE tour.  Almeida was well beaten by Evenepoul in Valencia and my decision to go with the Danish number one looked a good one as I briefly sat in top spot following  my top three full house in the Cadel Evans.  The Visma leader has suffered both illness and injury and his replacement by Kelderman however negated all this.  My week was further spoilt by Milan’s crash yesterday seeing my slip to 8th in the rankings.  My hope now is that Yates climbs better than Del Torro tomorrow.

New Brits on the world tour

Young British riders are well to the fore in UCI rankings with Tom Pidcock and Oscar Onley both in the top 10.  Simon Yates has announced his retirement but Adam hopes to contnue his return to the top after a stunning Giro steal.  Matthew Brennan, Ben Tulet and Samuel Watson will hopefully improve their ranking as the season progresses, Mattie and Sam having already picked up stages ‘Down Under’.

Debutants this season include Oliver Peace for Picnic Post, Noah Hobbs for Easy Post, Callum Thornley for Red Bull and Joshua Giddings for Lotto

Sprinters or Climbers

Sprinters or climbers the Cobblestone Dilemma

Short tours like the current Tour Down Under pose a problem to cycling fantasists.  A climber will probably gain enough time to take the GC but is likely to compete in only one stage.  The other stages will likely be shared amongst the sprinters or a rouleur in a break.  I discarded Jay Vine for Matthew Brennan, a mistake as it turned out but I luckily picked up points from Tobias Andresen to soften the pain.