Tour de France

[Rupert]

It sucks having this stage today because you can't really trade for it without screwing up your team for the rest of the week.

I thought I had it all planned:
trade Cavendish -> Valverde for the next 2 stages and then Valverde -> Cavendish for the sprint stages after.
trade-in Degenkolb.
Managed the first part OK.
Unfortunately by changing my team to Etixx I stuffed up my Degenkolb trade. Not enough cash. So I fiddled with this combination and that combination and didn't like any. Then I went back later and discovered that I had saved my team with Kwiakowski traded out for Degenkolb.

So I hope that you are right about Kwiak, Grater.

 

[Rupert]

I've also re-checked the rules to see how your chosen team, ie Etixx, gets points. It is pretty pitiful compared to the rider points.
They only give points for the first 5 places: 10, 8, 6, 4, 2.
So even if your chosen team has all of the first 5 finishers, totally unlikely, you will still only get 30 points.
A rider has to only end up 11th (cat.1) or 6th (cat.2) to get 30 points.
Yesterday I got 36 points for Cav finishing 4th and just 4 points for him being in my chosen team Etixx.

So I reckon spending points on teams isn't worth it.
Am I understanding this correctly?

 

[Prospector]

I thought I had it all planned:
...Then I went back later and discovered that I had saved my team with Kwiakowski traded out for Degenkolb.

So I hope that you are right about Kwiak, Grater.

Planning is an SCC strength!

 

[Grater]

I'm right about Kwiatkowski. Not worth the money.

 

[Grater]

And I also agree re: teams.

Spending 8 million for potentially 10 points, is it worth it? You know Ettix won't be doing anything in the mountains unless Uran is on song.

In the SBS one last year I predominantly had a lesser team. I'm not going to spend much on the teams. I'm most likely going to keep Lotto Soudal for the rest of the tour because they are cheap and they have riders who will attack in a lot of stages that could go to breaks in the 2nd and 3rd week.

 

[Rupert]

Good idea about the teams, Grater.
I'll have to do a bit of research about the cheaper teams as I'm not that familiar with them.

 

[Grater]

Europcar is probably a good team to have for the last 2 weeks. Teams like that who will attack a lot.

 

[Fitzroy Guerrilla]

Thought you'd be into Taxo-Stinkoff, @Grater

 

[Grater]

Those crashes were huge

 

[Prospector]

Very nasty business. Can these Frogs even organise a root in a brothel?

 

[Rupert]

Bad luck, Grater. Dumoulin withdrawn after crash.
Also Gerrans. Cancellara a good chance of withdrawing also.

 

[doddy2731]

Broom Broom Froome! About the only thing i have done right thus far.
Fascinated about the cheap team theory guys, any chance to elaborate more?

 

[Grater]

Your team doesn't score you much basically so why spend lots on it?

 

[Fitzroy Guerrilla]

Unfortunately @Grater and I have both tested positive to EPO and have been disqualified. That probably puts and end to the league, I'm afraid?

 

[Prospector]

I'm afraid?

What of? Evening Primrose Oil?

 

[Fitzroy Guerrilla]

What of? Evening Primrose Oil?

I'll let you discuss your beauty routine with someone else, Prospy.

 

[Prospector]

tested positive to EPO

Enough said?

 

[doddy2731]

Big jump in the ranks last night pretty chuffed up over 900 spots and into the top 900.
After a little advice from you guys, i have $4m in the bank and i've been disappointed with Bennett, should i upgrade him if so who to? Or hold.

 

[Rupert]

Big jump in the ranks last night pretty chuffed up over 900 spots and into the top 900.
After a little advice from you guys, i have $4m in the bank and i've been disappointed with Bennett, should i upgrade him if so who to? Or hold.

Well done, doddy.
I'd hold him for the moment as he's a chance in the sprint stage tonight.

 

[Fitzroy Guerrilla]

Some funny names in this comp. The team in 20th place is called "Grifter Smifter". Sounds like the sort of terms used to describe farts when you were in Grade 5.

I might change my team name to Taxo-Stinkoff.