A Grande preview was promised and here it is
Past Velogames Spain:
Velogames 2020
The best possible team from Calum Lonie:
If you’re making your @velogames team for Spain 2021, here’s last year’s best possible team, in case it helps:
AR: Primoz Roglic, Marc Soler
C: Richard Carapaz, Dan Martin, Hugh Carthy (Wildcard)
S: Jasper Philipsen
U: Tim Wellens, Felix Großschartner, Max Kanter
15406pts, 100cts— Calum Lonie 🇮🇪🇨🇵🇪🇺 (@CalumLonie) August 11, 2021
Primož Roglič 3733
Richard Carapaz 2877
Marc Soler 1226
Hugh Carthy 1910
Dan Martin 2211
Tim Wellens 838
Jasper Philipsen 880
Felix Großschartner 1282
Max Kanter 449 (unclassed sprinter!)
Score: 15406
Cost: 100
You can check the pricing and detailed velogames points here
Velogames 2021
Here is the best possible team courtesy of Jeremad awesome algorithm
Best possible team for La Vuelta ciclista a España:
Primož Roglič 3403
Adam Yates 1611
Miguel Ángel López 1385
Enric Mas 2267
Fabio Jakobsen 1420
Jack Haig 1720
Magnus Cort 1254
Michael Storer 855
Odd Christian Eiking 733
Score: 14648
Cost: 100— Jeremad (@jeremader) September 5, 2021
The detailed pricing and points allocated
Velogames Spain 2022
There is no better way to get acquainted with the Riders and prices than watching Paddy Blake’s from Ow do cycling.
One of my favourite moments of grand tour Velogames. Make sure to subscribe to his youtube channel Ow do Cycling
A LeadOut’s Velogames Spain 2022 guide
ALL-ROUNDERS
| Primož Roglič | 26 | The 3 times defending Vuelta is healing from a crash. This should hinder him as well as the fact that he is not well surrounded and will be exposed to multitudes of attacks. But he has experience on his side. |
| Remco Evenepoel | 22 | A outright winner according to his fans. He can alternate from terrorising opponents. He has yet to complete a three weeks race. |
| Richard Carapaz | 18 | He came very close to beating Roglic last year. He looked invincible at the Giro until Hindley went for him. He is surrounded by a very very strong team which could turn out that he is not the strongest. |
| João Almeida | 16 | Big expectations of winning the giro were placed on him. With no teammates to really support him, a horrible descending skill and an impending covid, he was still theateninf at fourth. He comes to his first vuelta with a course thst suits him, a much stronger team and he look way in shape! Podium for the least ! |
| Enric Mas | 14 | The Spanish always seems to find some form when it comes to the vuelta. A podium will however be difficult for him given the field he faces. |
| Pavel Sivakov | 12 | The Dark Horse. He was been quietly been growing after a good 2021 Vuelta. Second to Remco at the San Sebastián and imperial a week ago at Burgos, he will dethrone Carapaz as the team leadsr. |
| Alexey Lutsenko | 10 | He has been improving year after year. A crash in early season affected his programme but he finally seemed to be back in track during the last week of the Tour. |
| Wilco Kelderman | 10 | He will have the same role as in the Giro. He will hanging within the top places if the classifications until he will finally be used if needed to set out something for Hindley or Higuita |
| Alejandro Valverde | 10 | The reduced numer of cruel climbs, the short punchy finish could make it a perfect farewell for the Spaniard. A podium is not even impossible . |
| Juan Ayuso | 10 | Young, Insolent , brutal. If freeed and unleashed he could win some stages.. Joao Almeida is the designated leader, but knowing the spanish character, we can expect more that lieutenant duty from him |
| Brandon McNulty | 10 | Will he again sacrifice himself for his leaders ? He will be hanging with the best until the climbs get electric. |
| Bob Jungels | 8 | The resurgent Luxembourg man is looking better than he ever was. He will be aiming for top 10. Should he be distanced early, he is serious candidate to multiple stage win |
| David De La Cruz | 8 | Not the best climber on paper for Astana. But we know how things change quickly and he can find himself breakaway way too often |
| Tao Geoghegan Hart | 8 | This is the closest he has been to his giro 2020 form. But he is not even considered as an option for the final win by Ineos |
| Thymen Arensman | 8 | The revelation of the season. Good climber and excellent time trial, he looks untouchable at the Tournde Pologne again. But remember that he faltered during the Giro second week only to find some forma gain the last week and made the breakaway everyday |
| Marc Soler | 8 | This is not Pogacar he will be working for. Just like Ayuso and McNulty, he will want some freedom to have a go at stage win |
CLIMBERS
| Jai Hindley | 18 | His striking 18 coins, make him an option to consider. Had he been cheaper he would have easily got lost as an option. But Jai Hindley is a grand tour winner and the calm and composure with which he rides makes him a big favorite for the win. He is will be as well supported if not even more than at the Giro. |
| Simon Yates | 14 | Never trust a Yates. We keep saying it. But he could take red from the opening TTT itself with that team he comes with. Pure climber, he has improved massively in time trial. This Vuelta is his to lose. |
| Miguel Ángel López | 12 | Even without his recent issues, Superman often disappear under the radar and appear to put in some performances that tempt us into forging him as a Grand tour winner only to falter and fade again. And the cycle goes on |
| Sergio Higuita | 12 | He has been enjoying his transfer to Bora. He will not be happy about the decrease number of infinite climbs. |
| Carlos Rodriguez | 12 | Part of the Ineos super team, that will try to finally win a Grand tour this year by demolishing the other teams |
| Julian Alaphilippe | 12 | Not the typical lieutenant, he will supporting Remco as much he csn. But they work better the other way round with Remco pulling in massice leadout for punchy sprints. He will be aiming for some stage glory in his own |
| Ben O’Connor | 10 | He looked the next best thing to Team Jumbo Visma at the Dauphiné. Had he nit crashed out, there is a very strong possibility that he would have beaten Thomas for third. 6 weeks is sometimes not enough to heal from crashes and get back to form. |
| Mikel Landa | 10 | 3rd at the Giro. Can it happen. ? Can Landa finally win a grand tour. NO. |
| Hugh Carthy | 10 | The Tall British rider prefers longer, darker, sharper climbs but he he will aiming a for stage win and a final top 10 |
| Michael Woods | 10 | At 36, he chooses his fight and has a couple interesting hilltop finish that could interest him |
| Sepp Kuss | 10 | He has the ability to win some mountain stages but at which point will he be freed ? It all depends on Roglic’s form. |
| Nairo Quintana | 10 | The little Colombian is back at it and he will be doing a decent Vuelta. Surely he would want a stage win. |
| Vincenzo Nibali | 8 | After some blank years at Trek Segafredo, the shark has suddenly found someTeeth at the giro. He will be doing a decent. All we need is one final desent for the eyes ! |
| Santiago Buitrago | 8 | The new ColombiamSensation. He can proved to be stronger than his designated leaders. Will be given freesom to chase a couple of stages. |
| Gino Mäder | 8 | Both will be alternating role and also be given freedom to chase ambitions such as stages or Kom points |
| Wout Poels | 8 | |
| Matteo Fabbro | 8 | A last minute swap for buchmann. He is a different type of rider that combines power and combativity. |
| Esteban Chaves | 8 | Stage hunter duty |
| Thibaut Pinot | 8 | A surprise late addition that will strictly be chasing stage wins. He cannot handle more. |
| Jan Hirt | 8 | How much of the big team can theh control. They let Jan Hirt go in several breakaways in the giro and he will be doing the same. |
| Louis Meintjes | 8 | Has been enjoying an excellent return to form but Tour fatigue will be here |
| Domenico Pozzovivo | 8 | Strictly here for top 10Final |
| Ilan Van Wilder | 8 | Back from injury, he looked good at Burgos but his main duty is toLook after remco |
| Lucas Hamilton | 8 | Will be taking care of Simon Yates |
| Clément Champoussin | 6 | Will be aiming for mountain breakaway wins. But he can also climb with the ekite |
| Jay Vine | 6 | The classic breakaway guy |
| José Manuel Díaz | 6 | He can climb decentlt. Top 20 at best |
| Jesús Herrada | 6 | Will want to win a stage. |
| Jonathan Klever Caicedo | 6 | Will be aiming to be in as many breakaways as possible |
| Mark Padun | 6 | What an enigmatic rider. No idea what to expect from him |
| Sébastien Reichenbach | 6 | Will be doing his race and breakaways |
| Alessandro De Marchi | 6 | Both will be in duty to get as manag uci points as possible. Stage wins, kom jerseys… |
| Sam Oomen | 6 | Will be watching out for Roglic |
| Harm Vanhoucke | 6 | Am really good climber, that prefers stage wins than general. He willBe in a lot of successful breakaways. Good 6 points options |
| Carlos Verona | 6 | He has been good at the tour, got even better once he was relieved of Mas Duty |
| Kenny Elissonde | 6 | King Kenny will be getting in as many mountain breakaway l as possible. Another good options. |
Sprinters
| Tim Merlier | 12 | The fastest man by a margin. He has a proper sprint train and will collect Stage victories |
| Mads Pedersen | 12 | Slower but more versatile than Merlier, he can grab stage victories by the neck as witnessed in the Tour. He claimed tonhave eyes on 8 potential stages |
| Sam Bennett | 10 | Besides a sprint win in Frankfurt, the Irishman is just the shadown of his own self |
| Pascal Ackermann | 10 | How Team UAE managed to fit him is unbelievable |
| Danny Van Poppel | 8 | Has a Tour in the leg. Only an abandon from Bennett will give him his chance. |
| Bryan Coquard | 8 | The frenchman loves uphill sprints and there are some here |
| Gerben Thijssen | 8 | New Intermarcher m sprinter already grabbed a win in pologne |
| Kaden Groves | 8 | Yes ! He will be in the mix for all sprint finishes |
| Juan Sebastián Molano | 8 | An aggressive leadout who will have his chance if Ack fades |
| Andrea Vendrame | 6 | More of a punchy sprinter. He will also be in breakaway. |
| Manuel Peñalver | 6 | Couple of top 10’sprint finishes |
| Davide Cimolai | 6 | Will hardly be able to have his chance with Coquard |
| Itamar Einhorn | 6 | Not sure he is the straight sprinter with bevin and Impey aslo presenr |
| Daniel McLay | 6 | Team Arkea Samsic have an interesting powerhouse leadout that could help british take a first grand tour win. |
UNCLASSED
| Ethan Hayter | 10 | He can sprint, he can time trial and he is a good mountain asset. Mini Wout indeed |
| Luke Plapp | 8 | Team Ineos just keep on showing off. An her excellent time trialist and climbsr |
| Rohan Dennis | 8 | Primoz Roglic will be depending heavily in him for the TTT and the mountain |
| Fausto Masnada | 8 | The Italian will be on strict domestique duty for Remco |
| Dorian Godon | 6 | Both are expert baroudeurs puncheurs aiming for stage wins |
| Nans Peters | 6 | |
| Xandro Meurisse | 6 | Baroudeurs who will be forcing stage wins. But there are a lotnof extra assist points available from Merlier |
| Robert Stannard | 6 | |
| Gianni Vermeersch | 6 | |
| Samuele Battistella | 6 | He can climb and sprint |
| Harold Tejada | 6 | Decent climb |
| Hermann Pernsteiner | 6 | Difficult to see him snatching a stage win |
| Jonas Koch | 6 | Will aiming to snatch a stage win from distance |
| Jetse Bol | 6 | Will his teamMain sprinter |
| Óscar Cabedo | 6 | Break away potential |
| Daniel Navarro | 6 | Enjoy climbs |
| Simon Carr | 6 | He can climb really wellon a good day |
| Odd Christian Eiking | 6 | Can he repeat his feat of holding to Red Jersey. |
| Mikel Bizkarra | 6 | Has climbed with the very best. Can aim for Gc top spot |
| Quentin Pacher | 6 | A puncheur that willhas been a a bi far from his best form |
| Jake Stewart | 6 | What !!! With 6 sprint stages expected and a decent team, the British sprinter is a steal at 6 points. |
| Ben Turner | 6 | Will have the duty of patrolling the peloton. All day long |
| Dylan Van Baarle | 6 | Assist point . |
| Jan Bakelants | 6 | Baroudeur |
| Patrick Bevin | 6 | Hmm. A interesting point for a rider that tt well, sprints well and climbs ok |
| Chris Froome | 6 | with the form shown on the tour. He will be trying to get into breakaways and might even get successful. A firm Yes ! |
| Daryl Impey | 6 | He will a go a some punchy sorint for the least. |
| Edoardo Affini | 6 | In roglic we trust |
| Robert Gesink | 6 | |
| Chris Harper | 6 | |
| Mike Teunissen | 6 | |
| Steff Cras | 6 | More of a rider than likes to hang out till he last than get into breakawaysLotto soudal needs points and will be throwing man into breakaway everyday for stage wins |
| Jasper De Buyst | 6 | |
| Thomas De Gendt | 6 | |
| Matthew Holmes | 6 | |
| Harry Sweeny | 6 | |
| Maxim Van Gils | 6 | |
| Nelson Oliveira | 6 | Will be sent on duties for their leaders |
| José Joaquín Rojas | 6 | |
| Rémi Cavagna | 6 | Will enjoy the stage 10 TT |
| Louis Vervaeke | 6 | Will be working hard to try to minimise Remco’s loss |
| Anthony Delaplace | 6 | Will try to get in breakaways |
| Élie Gesbert | 6 | A very good climber who deserves a stage win |
| Lawson Craddock | 6 | Could win opening itt |
| Luke Durbridge | 6 | |
| Julien Bernard | 6 | Will be free to get into as many breakaways as possible |
| Juan Pedro López | 6 | His main aim is a stage win while finishing highest possible in GC. EL Patrone 😊 |
| Antonio Tiberi | 6 | All rounder who Is expected to have a good vuelta. He fan climb fairly well a top 25 is a reasonable achievement |
| Jan Polanc | 6 | The main machine for the UAE team |
| Nicolas Prodhomme | 4 | Breakaways |
| Ryan Mullen | 4 | Bennett leadout |
| Thomas Champion | 4 | Benjamin Thomas style sneaker |
| Daan Hoole | 4 | A good itt and a powerful rider who finished 2nd in the Netherlands Nationals |
| Alex Kirsch | 4 |
After a year’s of long work, some of the best velogames expert gives their views for the last Grand tour of the year:
1. Jeremader, famous for his algorithm on the best velogame team Post Mortem
Usually the optimal strategy here is to pick only one sprinter, this year won’t be an exception as I expect 4 or 5 pure sprints. A couple more stages can be a reduced group sprint. That’s why I will be picking a cheap sprinter, probably Coquard, and Hayter.
On the top end, I am really worried about Roglic’s vertebrae, I won’t be picking him, especially for 26. I will pick evenpoel, and Almeida.
The climbers pool is nice and deep, it’s hard to pick. I love Carlos Rodriguez, even at 12, but that’s a risky pick considering the depth of Ineos. The other one will be a 6 pointer.
On the Unclassified, as already said Hayter is a lock, Plapp is a nice 8 pointer, but probably on domestic duty. I like Pacher, Turner (Ineos again!), Bevin and Juanpe
With that structure I can pick a strong GC WC in the likes of Mas, Yates, Higuita, O’Connor.
Carapaz looked kind of gases recently, that’s why I won’t be picking him
2. Patrick Blake Owner of @OwDoCyclingHere are some of the things I’m thinking:
1: Could Ayuso be underrated at 10? He is really good and could do a Pogacar 2019 Vuelta
2: Ellisonde, Verona and Champoussin are all very good 6 point climbers
3: Groves is the best value for money sprinter
4: Hayter doesn’t seem to get involved in pure bunch sprints but he will still score highly in the TT, assist points and the reduced sprints
5: IMO the best 6 and 4 point riders are Adria (puncheur for Kern Pharma), Molars (good at l’Ain recently), Degenkolb (not in the sprinter category this time), Hanninen (good at l’Ain too) and Berrade (climber for Kern Pharma)
Video on Youtube will also be up shortly…….!
3. Dan Deakins , 28 | Executive Chauffeur | Social Media for @itvcycling | Production team at VSquaredTV for ITV Cycling.
Roglic is expensive but almost essential. Remco could win overall but is untested over 3 weeks.
I like Kuss as a 2nd Jumbo option. Will be high on GC after the TTT so will get GC points early on.
Go for a cheap sprinter. There are only 3 nailed on sprint stages. Groves 8 or McLay 6 would be my picks – both will get assist points for Yates and Quintana.
Hayter is my pick of the unclassifieds. Could win the points jersey and is one of the best allround riders in the race.
Go cheap with the other two unclassifieds and try to either pick climbers who won’t be doing GC (FDJ, Cofidis, Trek, Movistar) or domestiques for GC riders (Jumbo, Ineos, Quick Step, UAE, Bike Exchange, Bora).
I have Higuita as my current wildcard pick.
4.Dave, from letourdeDAVE, Yorskhiremen with plenty of bad takes
Roglic – Whilst his form is unsure following his injury – if he remains crash-free he is normally a safe bet! His form pre-injury was superb – which hopefully augurs well in the Vuelta.
Almeida – I expect him to be consistent in the GC – with a podium place well in the cards. He looked impressive in the Vuelta a Burgos – with his stage win there.
Hirt- at 8 points is a bargain considering his great Giro. Whilst, I don’t think he will repeat his feats in the Vuelta – he is worth the risk on the chance that he will. If not I do expect a top 10 on GC, at least.
Landa – whilst, he has not raced much since his 3rd place in the Giro. I expect him to seek to impress his home fans – expecting consistent top 10s throughout the tour.
Pedersen – He has proven himself as one of the best and most consistent sprinters in the World this year. He got his first GT stage win in the Tour – hopefully he can double up!
Hayter – If he is not chained to Carapaz he will be lethal on sprint and hilly stages – and (hopefully) will pick up points there. Either way, I am a huge fan of him and could not live with myself if I didn’t choose him and he did well!
Sweeney – He had a decent tour last year – expecting him to be active in breakaways – and at 6 points he could pull of a stage win!
Eiking – Expecting him to be active in breakaways and hopefully stay up there on GC like he did last year. He will also be fresh having not competed in any GTs this year.
Juanpe Lopez – He was the story of the Giro this year – hoping that he can repeat his heroics in the Vuelta. He may even pull off a stage win!
5. John Maguire. one of the most prominent figure of the cycling twitter community who has never claimed to be paid by any team.
Why everyone should include at least 8 Trek riders in their vg team?
I may be a bit biased, but hear me out.. Race starts with TTT, this year
the new Speed Concept has been on fire for time trials, previuosly, have
always been middle of the peloton with the old bike, this year is
different.. Mads 6th in Copenhagen at the tour, 2nd at Baloise
Alex, 8th at Baloise, 21st ParisNice
Bauke isnt riding, but 1st time in Dutch (!) nationals and he wins The
bike is brilliant!
That should set the team up for the next stages in Netherlands, 2 flat
stages and so chances for Mads to excel
Then to the Basque country, where Daan Hoole can use his height to see
over the peloton and what lies ahead on each climb over 6 days
Next to Valencia and ITT to Alicant, enough said (see above) and half
way through the race. Madrid is in sight! Even if only for Daan so far!
and still 5 Vuelta flat TM stages still ahead
Add in Julien, who loves a bit of climbing, King Kenny, Dario and
Antonio none of whom dislike climbing and thats 1 good team to get some
results during the 3 weeks.
Maybe not set the race on fire every day, but plenty of options
throughout to go for results. Whther Juanpe can add to his wardrobe of
pink jerseys with a few red ones may be a bit beyond him, but who
thought he’d wear pink for 10 days?
6. Pedro . the man behind everything. owner of velogames fanatics. the man behind what you are reading!Velogames the beautiful cycling game where all choices are questioned until 1 minutes before the deadline. That being said, let’s see who I might choose.
All-Rounders: In this category I’ll probably leave Roglic out, I don’t feel comfortable with his form, my choices should be Almeida, Carapaz or Remco(unlikely). Arensman I’d a good cheap one also.
Climbers: Here I’ll probably take one rider who might fight for GC and one rider to go for stage wins, so Yates, Higuita, Buitrago, Elissonde and maybe one other rider should be the ones filling these two spots.Sprinter: In my opinion you have two options, the big man Merlier, or save a few points (Coquard, Groves, …) to go for better GC guy or Climber on the Wildcard spot.
Unclassified: There’s a ton of good riders here, it’s all about the tactics you wanna follow, Hayter, Affini, Dennis, Plapp, Bevin, are some strong riders. The 4 pointers don’t really appeal to me, if I have to get one I’d probably go for assist points.
Wildcard: How many points do you have left? GC guy, or Climber? It’s all about your tactics. That’s as much help I can give you.
Good pickings, and have fun “Velogamers”
Special Game: A special Velogames Spain 2022 league has been created. Deadline for entry will be as the one for game Friday 19th August at 18 15 ( central European time). GREGARIO MEMBERSHIP FOR NEXT SEASON WILL BE AWARDED TO THE TOP 3! ( Courtesy of Velogames ! )
League name : FanaticsDeOro
League code: 373932113
And finally if you want to do some shopping, you can check out this Mark Cavendish ‘s signed green jersey tour de france 2021.
I wish you all a great Vuelta, and thank you all for your continuous support!You can also follow A LeadOut on Twitter or Blogger You can also support my work by donating via buying A LeadOut a Pizza.
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