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 the Cobblestone Dilemma

                                                      <img width="299" height="168" src="https://sproson.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/tobias.jpeg" alt="" />                                                                                                        <img width="275" height="183" src="https://sproson.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/jayvine.jpeg" alt="" />                                                    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.

Prologue stage of the Tour Down Under was the first point scoring event for a new season of Cobblestone Fantasy Cycling.  Four Aussies in the top ten but UK pairing Watson and Vernon stole the day,

I have been keeping myself amused for the last few years by competing in the Cobblestone Fantasy Cycling League.  This season kicks off with the Tour Down Under and the Cadel Evans in Australia.  The web site ProCyclingStats and the live and highlight coverage on Discovery Plus keeps me up to date with riders, teams, results, and entries.