[Andy]

What are your opinions on Orbea rider Romain Sicard, born 1988?

No mention on this thread, but a few weeks back, he slayed Spanish pros to win Subida al Naranco (from a breakaway, I think). Is he any good or just lucky?

[Jokke]

What are your opinions on Orbea rider Romain Sicard, born 1988?

No mention on this thread, but a few weeks back, he slayed Spanish pros to win Subida al Naranco (from a breakaway, I think). Is he any good or just lucky?

Hardly lucky. Sicard just won the l'Avenir with 2+ min gap to second.

[Gamblor]

Very strong team you have ended up with Jakob, but I'm quite satisfied myself. My final team is:
(note we decided to allow one more switcgh, where Jakob will change Davide Malacarne, so I have taken him on to my team instaed of E. Alafaci)
1. Angel Madrazo 30/7 1988

Wins: stage Circuito Montanes 2.2

Top 10s:

3. Overall VUELTA PALENCIA **
3. 3. 5. 6. and 8. stages VUELTA PALENCIA
2. XX MEMORIAL AVELINO CAMACHO
8. Overall Circuioto MOntanes 2.2
5. overall BIZKAIKO BIRA
2. stage 4 and 10 stage 1 BIZKAIKO BIRA
2. spanish u23 tt championship
10. MEMORIAL ANGEL MANTECON CORRALES DE BUELNA
6. stage 3 VUELTA CICICLISTA ISLA TENERIFE
2. Arturo Mora Ortiz, 24/3 1987

Wins: Spanish u23 championship TT
stage 5 + Overall VUELTA PALENCIA ***

Top 10s: 7. stage Circuito Montanes 2.2
9+3+6 stages VUELTA PALENCIA
3. Miguel Angel Lucena 02/01 1990

Wins: 2 stages and the overall GC in Vuelta A Besaya 2.1 JR ***

Top 10s:
3. stages 3A and 4 in Vuelta A Besaya 2.1 JR
3. stage 2b + 10 stage 2a + 5 stage 3 CICLISTA CIUDAD DE VALLADOLID
4. Victor Cabedo Cardo 15/6 1989

Wins:
Top 10s: 4. spanish u23 tt championship
8. stage vuelta a toledo
5. Luis Guillermo Mas Bonet 15/1 1989

Wins:
Top 10s: 5. overall Vuelta A Toledo,
5. 5. and 8. stages Vuelta a Toledo

Time now for another very young italian talent, very strong in the time trials and with a background in cyclecross he has huge potential
6. Adriano Malori 28/1 1988
Wins:
*** World Championships u23 Time Trial ***
Italian u23 tt-championship
U23 Time Trial European Championships
Due Giorni Marchigiana - 1.2
TROFEO CITTA' DI CASTELFIDARDO

Top 10s: 7. GIRO DELLE VALLI ARETINE
3. MEMORIAL DAVIDE FARDELLI (CRONOMETRO INDIVIDUALE)
3. G.P.FOLIGNANO
8. G.P.COLLI ROVESCALESI
3. G.P. EZIO DEL ROSSO
9. MEM.VITTIME DEL VAJONT
7. Ivan Rovny 30/9 1987

Wins:
Top 10s:

8. Diego Ullissi 15/7 1989

Wins:
Giro della Provincia Biella

Top 10s:
5. TROFEO ENZO SACCHI
6. COPPA GUINIGI

9. Michal Kwiatkowski, 2/6 1990

Wins: Junior Time Trial European Championships
Junor Time Trial WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
Top 10s: 9. Junior Road Race European Championships

10. Timofey Kritskey, 24/1 1987

Wins: GP TELL, stage 1 + Overall ***
Top 10s: 2. stage 2 and 3. stage 3 GP Tell
2. U23 Time Trial European Championships,
3. U23 Road Race Trial European Championships
8. Châteauroux Classic de l'Indre Trophée Fenioux - 1.1
11.. Jacobo Guarnieri 14/8 1987

Wins: G.P.CITTA' DI VERBANIA
TROFEO MARMORTREPPEN

Top 10s:
2. G.P.RIVAROLO DEL RE
2. COPPA SAN VITO

12. Jonathan Camargo 21/7 1988

Wins:
Top 10s:

13. Johan Le Bon 3/10 1990

Wins: stage 1 Ronde des Vallées - 1.1 MJU
Top 10s: 3. stage 1, 10. stage 2 and 3. overall Kroz Istru / Tour d'Istrie - 2.Ncup (MJ)

14. Jaroslaw Marycz, 30/7 17/4 1987

Wins: Polish u23 time trial championship,
GRAN PREMIO INDA - TROFEO ARAS FRATTINI
MEMORIAL P.FORNERO
Top 10s: 7. G.P.CITTA' DI VERBANIA
3. Grand Prix Cristal Energie (1.2)
9. TROFEO BASTIANELLI
4. Gran Premio Capodarco 1.2
4. GP CAPODARCO
9. Gara Montappone "Marini Silvano Cappelli Sportivi" - 1.2
9. GARA MILIONARIA
15. Francesco Manuel Bongiorno 1/9 1990

Wins: stage 3. GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA

Top 10s: 8. GP CITTA' DI PIETRASANTA
5. overall GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA
7. stage 2 GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA
2. TROFEO COMMERCIO INDUSTRIA ARTIGIANATO
3. MEMORIAL PAOLO BATIGNANI

16. Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle 29/12 1988

Wins: la prueba de Plencia
Top 10s: 9. MEMORIAL ANGEL MANTECON CORRALES DE BUELN
8. XX MEMORIAL AVELINO CAMACHO

17. Jesus Herrada Lopez 26/7 1990

Wins:
stage 1 Kroz Istru / Tour d'Istrie nations cup
stage 2 VUELTA CICLISTA A TALAVERA

Top 10s:
18. Egor Silin 25/6 1988

Wins: G.P.CITTA' DI FELINO
G.P.COLLI ROVESCALESI
TROFEO FILTRI MP - 14 TROFEO GLAVANICA IVO

Top 10s:
7. U23 World Championship road race
6. PICCOLO GIRO DI LOMBARDIA
2. Gara Montappone "Marini Silvano Cappelli Sportivi" - 1.2
5. LOMBARDIA TOUR
5. TROFEO MARCO RUSCONI

19. Giorgio Cecchinel 24/6 1989

Wins:
Top 10s: 7. place Trofeo Erboristeria
4. S.ANNA D'ALFAEDO
20. Mattia Cattaneo 25/10 1990

Wins: GP PIAN CAMUNO
TROFEO EMILIO PAGANESSI

Top 10s: 8. overall Giorni Orobica
3. stage 3 GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA
2. TROFEO DON BOSCO
9. Borgo a Buggiano
9. COPPA LINARI
3. TROFEO BIGIO L'OSTER
8. overall GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA
21. Sascha Modolo 19/6 1987
Wins: G.P.CEMENTI ZILLO
G.P.INDUSTRIA CUOIO E PELLI (NAZIONALE)
Top 10s: 2. TROFEO CITTA' DI CONEGLIANO
2. CIRCUITO DELL'ASSUNTA
3. Giro delle Valli Aretine - 1.2
4. stage 2 GIRO VALLE CUNEESI
8. G.P.SPORTIVI DI POGGIANA
6. TROFEO SPORTIVI DI BRIGA
3. TROFEO MARMORTREPPEN
2. G.P.COLLI ROVESCALESI
2. COPPA COMUNE DI COLLECCHIO (NAZIONALE)
2. TROFEO MARCO RUSCONI
4. Giro del Canavese - 1.2 (U23)
10. MEM.VITTIME DEL VAJONT

22. Enrico Barbin 4/3 1990

Wins: SERIATE - VIGOLO
Top 10s: 6. TROFEO EMILIO PAGANESSI

23. Antonj Orsani 12/2 1991

Wins:
Top 10s: 5. stage 4, 3. stage 2, 3. stage 3 and 3 overall TRITTICO VENETO

24. Jan Bakelants 14/02 1986
Wins: Flèche Ardennaise, Tour de la Province de Liège overall + stage 6 and stage 4
stage 5 and overall TOUR L'AVENIR ****

Top 10s:
9. stage 1, 3. stage 2, 2. stage 3 and 5 in Tour de la Province de Liège
4. overall and 6. 6. and 7. on stages Tour des Pyrénées - 2.2
9. stage 6 and 10 stage 8 Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup

25. Salvador Gonzalvez, 17/7 1992

Wins:
Top 10s: 5. and 8. stages VUELTA AL BAJO ARAGON

26. Damiano Caruso 12/10 1987

Wins:
Top 10s:
9. overall Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup
3 stage 1 and 6 stage 8 Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup
5. Bassano Montegrappa,
2. Overall + 2. stage 4. and 3. stage 2. and 8. stge 5 in GIRO VALLE CUNEESI
3. G.P.CHIANTI COLLINE D'ELSA
6. TROFEO ENZO SACCHI
6. Giro del Canavese - 1.2 (U23)
10. U23 World Championship road race
8. G.P. EZIO DEL ROSSO

27. Juan Carlos (Gerardo) Rienda Segura 5/4 1990

Wins:

Top 10:
6. stage 1 VOLTA CICLISTA IVAJ

28. Domenique Nerz 25/8 1989

Wins:
Top 10s:
29. Arnoud Jouffroy 21/2 1990
Wins:
Top 10s:
30. Sergio-Luis Henao Montoya, 10/12 1987

Wins:
Top 10s:
31. Rafael Serrano Fernandez 15/7 1987

Wins:
Top 10s: 7. Spanish senior TT Championship,
5. U23 Time Trial European Championships
32. John Degenkolb 7/1 1989
Wins: U23-Bundesliga-Rennen in Velbert
*** OVERALL BUNDESLIGA ***

Top 10s:

3. *** U23 World Championship road race ***
7. German u23 road race championship
5. german u23 time trail championship
6. Erzgebirgs-Rundfahrt
33. Alberto Petitto, 27/6 1991

Wins:
stage 2 + overall Giro di Basilicata - 2.1 (MJ

Top 10s:

6. TROFEO COMMERCIO INDUSTRIA ARTIGIANATO
6. GRAN PREMIO MEDRI CASALINGHI
8. Trofeo Pedale Bresciano
9. stage 3Giro di Basilicata - 2.1 (MJ
34. Eric Pedrosa Ramal 10/3 1990

Wins:
Top 10s:
3. Overall + 4. stage 1 + 4 stage 2 + 2. stage 3 + 6 stage 4 VOLTA CICLISTA IVAJ
35. Colin Walczak 24/4 1990

Wins:
Trofeo Luciano Rossi
MEMORIAL LEONARDO MASSARO

Top 10s:
3. TROFEO COMMERCIO INDUSTRIA ARTIGIANATO
7. stage 2 and 10. overall Po Stajerski - 2.1
6. stage 1 GIRO DELLA LUNIGIANA

36. Pedro Macia Rivas 26/3 1990
Wins:
Top 10s:
4. overall + 4. stage 1 + 3 stage 2a + 8 stage 2b CICLISTA CIUDAD DE VALLADOLID
37. Kristjan Koren 25/11 1986

Wins:
Top 10s:
2. stage 0 + 10 stage 5 Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup
7. u23 World Championships time trial
2. Slovenian u23 road race championship,
10. U23 Time Trial European Championships,
6. U23 Road Race Trial European Championships
3. Tour de Rijke - 1.1
38. Carlos Galviz, 27/10 1989

Wins:
Top "11"s: 3. stage 9 Vuelta Ciclista a Venezuela - 2.2
11. overall - Vuelta Ciclista a Venezuela - 2.2

39. Omar Lombardi 16/9 1989

Wins:
Top 10s:
5. PICCOLO GIRO DELL'EMILIA
8. MEMORIAL DAVIDE FARDELLI (CRONOMETRO INDIVIDUALE)
40. Davide Malacarne 11/7 1987

Wins:
Top 10s:
41. Rui-Alberto Costa 5/10 1986

Wins:

Top 10s:
2. overall Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup **
3. stage 6 + 3 stage 8 + 6 stage 4 + 7 stage 0 + 8 stage 7 Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup
5. U23 World Championship road race
8. u23 World Championships time trial
42. Marcel Kittel 11/5 1988

Wins: MEMORIAL DAVIDE FARDELLI (TT)
Top 10s: 4. german u23 time trail championship
43. Vitaly Buts, 24/10 1986

Wins:
Top 10s: 2. in M.O. Consorzio Marmisti Valpantena - Stallavena,
2. in M.O.PAGANI LANDONI
6. LOMBARDIA TOUR
3. TROFEO RAFFAELE MARCOLI
3. TROFEO PAMA PREF.
3. TROFEO S.C.MARCALLO - 15 TROFEO CASONE
5. Trofeo Lampre
44. Dennis Van Winden 2/12 1987
Wins:
Top 10s:
9. U23 World Championship road race
10. GP de la Somme - 1.1
3. Dutch u23 road race championship
5 stage 0 Tour de l'Avenir - 2.Ncup

45. Thomas Vedel-Kvist 18/8 1987

Wins: stage Tour De Liege, stage 2 Tour de la Province de Liège,
Top 10s: 3. overall Tour de la Province de Liège, 5. stage 6 and 3
46. Thomas De Gendt 6/11 1986

Wins:
Top 10s:

47. Jose Luis Cano Losa 28/4 1988
Wins:
Top 10s: 9. spanish u23 road race championship
4. stage Vuelta A Toledo
4. stage 5 VUELTA CICICLISTA ISLA TENERIFE
48. Massimo Colledan 17/8 1990

Wins:
Top 10s: 2. stage 4 QUARTA TAPPA - TRITTICO VENETO
6. MEMORIAL DAVIDE FARDELLI
2. stage 4 - TRITTICO VENETO
49. Nikita Novikov 10/11 1989

Wins:
Top 10s:
50. Raymond Kreder 26/11 1989

Wins:
Top 10s:

A couple of years ago me and Jakob started picking our talentsquads with riders born later 1986 or later. Now we have decided to add 10 more riders, two yeras later so now born 1988 or later.

So far I must admit Jakobs team has had most of the succes, with riders like Sagan and Felline for instance shinning strongly this year, and my own team has had a hard time with some dissapointments (Mora for instance) and has even suffered the death of the very talented Anton Orsani in a traffic acident. However I still have hope that in some years my team will have outperformed Jakobs.

Anyways the first of the new picks will be mine, and I start out with:

Enrico Battaglin 17/11 1989

The dominant rider of the italian u23 scene so far this year, winning the shortened Regioni and severel other races. A complete rider.

[Jakob]

.

This post has been edited by Jakob: 02 June 2012 - 12:43 AM

[crockett]

Looking at performances to date, this "common" cycling fan has to give the edge to Jakob. That said, it is still early in all their careers, and my focus is purely on the PT and .1 races. I'll leave it to Mantus or other more learned posters to analyze the teams in depth. It will be very interesting to take a look at these lists again in 3 or 4 more years.

Well done, fellas!

[Patrick B. Penguin]

Looking at performances to date, this "common" cycling fan has to give the edge to Jakob. That said, it is still early in all their careers, and my focus is purely on the PT and .1 races. I'll leave it to Mantus or other more learned posters to analyze the teams in depth. It will be very interesting to take a look at these lists again in 3 or 4 more years.

Well done, fellas!

This list should be standard reading for all Wielerprono players!!

[Gamblor]

I have so much respect for your amazing knowledge Gamblor, in all aspects of life, but when it comes to this talent shi!, your Shane Mosley and I am Floyd Mayweather .

And since Branislau Samoilau wont podium at this year’s edition of Giro d’Italia as I predicted in another thread, at least allow me to break-down my 75 man talent squad from two years ago to prove why I am currently solid ahead on points in our little competition.

1). Daniel Martin = Proven competitor, with a great career ahead of him.

2). John-Lee Auggustyn = Excellent climber who have stagnated a bit the past 2 seasons, but still possesses a great deal of talent.

3). Taylor Phinney = U/23 Paris-Roubaix winner, showing heaps of potential.

4). Tejay Van Garderen = One of the biggest revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

5). Daniele Ratto = Just won GP Industria & Artigianato - Larciano.

6). Stefano Locatelli = Still pound for pound the best climber by far on the U/23 scene.

7). Rafael Valls = One of the big revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

8). Higinio Fernandez = Best climber under age 23 in Spain at the moment.

9). Garikoitz Bravo = Basque boy-wonder making his way through the ranks slowly but securely.

10). Mikel Landa = The next Igor Anton.

11). Coen Vermelfoort = Just signed a 2 year contract with Rabobank today, after a 2009 season hampered by sickness.

12). Andrei Amador = Yet to make his mark among the professionals, but possesses all the qualities needed to do so.

13. Jack Bobridge =World U/23 TT champ, starting to make a name of himself already.

14). Leigh Howard = Talented sprinter, who already have won on the pro circuit this season.

15). Nathan Brown = 7th in La Côte Picarde, looking very very promising.

16). Michael Matthews = 2nd in U/23 Tour of Flanders and 2nd in GP della Liberazione, having a superb year so far.

17). Pablo Lechuga = One of the youngest riders on the pro circuit.

18). Jordi Simon = Raw diamond, absolutely flying in the recent Vuelta Bidasoa.

19). Ramon Domene = Dominate rider on the Spanish U/23 scene so far this season.

20). Igor Merino = Fantastic year so far, excels in every race he enters.

21). Fabio Felline = One of the biggest revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

22). Moreno Moser = A little quiet this season, but still showing glimpse of his potential.

23). Jan Ghyselinck = Disappointing so far this season, but a dominant U/23 figure in 2009.

24). Rasmus Guldhammer = Disappointing so far this season, but a dominant U/23 figure in 2009.

25). Robert Kiserlovski = One of the biggest revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

26). Dale Parker = Amazingly gifted athlete on his way to big achievements in the future.

27). Fernando Grijalba = The next Alejandro Valverde. Great season so far.

28). David Diáñez = 18 years old and absolutely flying this season.

29). Efren Carazo= Winner of the Spanish junior rankings in 2009.

30). Juan Carlos Riutort = Huge talent who keeps on progressing.

31). Davide Cimolai = Great start to the year by the talented Italian.

32). Giorgio Brambilla = Solid start to the year by the young Italian.

33). Paolo Locatelli = Next youngster to secure a pro contract.

34). Alfredo Balloni = = Disappointing so far this season, but a dominant U/23 figure in 2009.

35). Peter Sagan = One of the biggest revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

36). Tosh Van Der Sande = Huge disspointment, but starting slowly to come along as of late.

37). Barry Markus = Coming man for the future.

38). Mario Gonzalez Salas = Dominate rider on the Spanish junior scene so far this season.

39). Jose Manuel Gonzalez Salas = Huge disappointment so far.

40). Darwin Atapuma = Young climbing sensation who is ready for Europe.

41). Jarlinson Pantano = Quiet season so far for the little Colombian.

42). Gregory Brenes = Solid start to the year.

43). Daniel Oss = One of the biggest revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

44). Guillaume Van Keirsbulck = Junior Paris-Roubaix winner. Going places fast.

45). Julien Vermote= Big talent who continues to impress.

46). Sep Vanmarcke= One of the big revelations on the pro circuit so far in 2010.

47). Elia Favilli = Next youngster to secure a pro contract.

48). Dimitry Ignatyev = Disappointing so far this season, but a dominant U/23 figure in 2009.

49). Alexander Ryabkin = Disappointing so far this season, but a dominant U/23 figure in 2009.

50). Gatis Smukulis= Huge disappointment so far.

51). Cole House = Huge disappointment so far.

52). Sebastian Lander = Up and coming talent who looks very promising.

53). Andrea Guardini = Most winning rider on the Italian U/23 scene this season.

54). Elia Viviani = Talented sprinter, who already have won on the pro circuit this season.

55). Matthias Brändle = Solid start to the year.

56). Pello Bilbao = The next Mikel Landa.

57). Francesco Sedaboni = Super talent who have shined brightly the last 12months.

58). Mirko Ulivieri = Solid start to the year.

59). Jorne Carolus = Solid start to the year.

60). Yannick Eijssen= Good start to the year by the talented Belgian.

61). Wout Poels = Solid start to the year.

62). Niek Van Geffen = Huge disappointment so far.

63). Pedro Garcia Penarrubia = Huge disappointment so far.

64). Roberto Mendez Carro = Promising youngster who have started off the 2010 season well.

65). Yaroslav Rubakma = Solid start to the year.

66). Noel Martin = Solid start to the year.

67). Haritz Obre = Strong riding all year long from the little Spaniard.

68). Jens Debusschere = Solid start to the year.

69). Marcel Wyss = Solid start to the year.

70). Cyril Gautier = Good start to the year by the Frenchmen.

71). Marko Kump = Signed with Rabobank, fantastic start to the year.

72). Andrea Manfredi = Leader of the Italian junior rankings, fantastic start to the year.

73). Gianluca Remondi = Solid start to the year.

74). Stefano Pirazzi = Huge disappointment so far.

75). Guillaume Bonnafond = Solid start to the year.

I think if you look at the names, it proofs that I have had a pretty good hit-factor so far, and that most of my 75 guys are still in contention to become quality riders in the future. Anyway, we need a neutral referee to judge this. I vote for Mantus, he knows his cycling and I have a feeling that he shares our U/23 passion at least to a certain degree .

I will pick my next rider shortly.

Your clearly ahead on points Jakob, I admit, but I still hope my team is just a bit slower in their development but will in the end deliver the knockout punch. For instance when Madrazo wins the TDF in 5 years (one is allowed to dream)

I better post my own team also then as it looks now:


1. Angel Madrazo 30/7 1988 (stage racer, both strong in climbs and tt)

Looks a lot stronger this season, but still needs to step it up a lot. Still huge potential

2. Adriano Malori 28/1 1988 (phenomenon in tt and also a decent climber with lots of potential for stager)

Doing well so far as a pro, results will soon come

3. Miguel Angel Lucena 02/01 1990 (complete rider, Valverde-type, strong, fast, great climber and strong in tts and a winnertype)

Beginning to show some fine results this season

4. Michal Kwiatkowski, 2/6 1990 (complete rider, very strong tt)

5. Francesco Manuel Bongiorno 1/9 1990 (pure climber)

Had a hard time last year but is beginning to show some of his huge talent this season amongst the italian u23 riders

6. Wilco Kelderman 25/3 1991 - (the next dutch superstar, a great climber/stageracer

7. Cameron Meyer (complete rider, huge talent, very strong in time trials most of all)

8. Sascha Modolo 19/6 1987 (sprinter who climbs pretty well, great in 1-day races, will ride for Navigara next year)

1 of the biggest revelations this season. The rider doing best on my team.

9. Simone Ponzi 17/1 1987 (fast sprinter also very capable in the climbs and particulary strong in 1-day races)

Dissapointment so far as a pro

10. Rui-Alberto Costa 5/10 1986 (complete stageracer)

Doing well amongst the pros, despite some unlucky crash-setbacks

11. Arturo Mora Ortiz, 24/3 1987 (stageracer, good in the climbs and very strong tt)

Biggest dissapointment of my team by far, still havent given up hope

12. Jhonathan Monsalve 28/6 1989 - (great climber/stageracer, also pretty fast and definetly a future star)

13. Luis Guillermo Mas Bonet 15/1 1989 (another great complete stageracer)

14. Jacobo Guarnieri 14/8 1987 (Petacchi-style sprinter, very talented)

Dissapointing so far as a pro, but has still won a protourrace, more will come. Too bad he is on Liquigas

15. John Degenkolb 7/1 1989 (huge talent very complete rider)

16. Luca Wackermann 13/2 1992 Very strong allround rider, and a winnertype, huge talent

17. Davide Apollonio - great in climbs and hilly 1-day races very talented

Doing well as a neo

18. Johan Le Bon 3/10 1990 (complete rider, strong in 1-day races, clims and time trials, very talented)

19. Egor Silin 25/6 1988 (very strong 1-day rider)

Great talent

20. Sergio-Luis Henao Montoya, 10/12 1987 (climber)

Where the h... is he?

21. Victor Cabedo Cardo 15/6 1989 (another great complete stageracer)

Beginning to do well on the sapnish u23 scene this season, looks promissing

22. Jaroslaw Marycz, 30/7 17/4 1987 (complete rider)

Riding well this year, results will come soon

23. Stefan Mair 2/6 1990 - great climber/stageracer

24. Francesco Masciarelli 5/5 1986 Strong climber with a good finish

Doing well as a pro

25. Sonny Colbrelli 17/5 1990 - strong 1-day racer with a fast finish

26. Timofey Kritskey, 24/1 1987 (complete rider, very good in tt)

27. Jan Bakelants 14/02 1986 (specialist in the Ardennes-races)

28. Diego Ullissi 15/7 1989 (complete rider, strong in hilly 1-day races)

29. Eric Pedrosa Ramal 10/3 1990 (climber)

30. Ivan Rovny 30/9 1987 (complete rider, huge potential)

Continues to dissapoint this season

31. Enrico Barbin 4/3 1990 (complete stageracer)

32. Colin Walczak 24/4 1990 (complete stageracer)

33. Antonj Orsani 12/2 1991 (complete stageracer)

Sadly died in training accident

34. Alberto Petitto, 27/6 1991 (complete rider, fast and strong in 1-day races)

35. Elia Ongaretto 10/1 1991 - (very talented young sprinter)

36. Luke Rowe 10/3 1990 - (very strong allround rider, complete)

37. Carlos Galviz, 27/10 1989 (stageracer)

38. Fabien Taillefer 21/8 1989 (pure powerrider, strong in tt and races like Paris-Roubaix)

39. Mattia Cattaneo 25/10 1990 (complete rider, strong in hilly 1-day races)

40. Thomas Op De Beeck 25/6 1990 - Very strong allrounder, another winnertype

41. Davide Malacarne 11/7 1987 (good climber with a fast finish)

Has done well as a pro. Some fine wins.

42. Jesus Herrada Lopez 26/7 1990 (complete rider)

Doing very well this season

43. Carlos Barbero (1992) Strong allrounder, fast and strong in tt most of all

Already winning amongst the u23 riders

44. Arnoud Jouffroy 21/2 1990 (climber)

45. Federico Rizza 3/6 1990 - (climber)

46. Juan Jose Lobato Del Valle 29/12 1988 (Freire-style 1-day rider)

47. Dennis Van Winden 2/12 1987 (super complete rider, can sprint, climb and time trial)

48. Jonathan Camargo 21/7 1988 (climber)

49. Giorgio Cecchinel 24/6 1989 (climber)

50. Vitaly Buts, 24/10 1986 (very strong allrounder, complete)

51. Andrea Trovato (3/11 - 1991) (sprinter)

52. Cristian Rossi (1991) Strong allround type, lots of potential

53. Kristjan Koren 25/11 1986 (complete stageracer, strong in tts and also strong in 1-day races)

Doing well this season

54. Pedro Macia Rivas 26/3 1990 (stageracer)

55. Domenique Nerz 25/8 1989 (complete rider)

56. Angelo Pagani 4/8 1988 (stageracer)

57. Damiano Caruso 12/10 1987 (strong rider for the hilly 1-day races)

Doing very well this season amongst the pros

58. Eugenio Alafaci 9/8 1990 - Strong 1-day rider with a fast finish, solid in tts too.

59. Omar Lombardi 16/9 1989 (Complete rider, good climber)

60. Daniel Sanchez Cidoncha - 11/8 1992 – Very strong allrounder, fast and strong in tt most of all

61. Nicolas Marini 29/7/1993 Very fast

62. Tom David 31/3 1990 - great complete stageracer

63. Nesc Kosir 10/7 1990 - Very strong allrounder, good climber

64. Ibai Salas (1991) – Climber

65. Marcel Kittel 11/5 1988 (time trail specialist, only guy to beat Malori last year in a time trial)

66. Diego Palencia 1990 - solid climber and a agressive winnertype

67. Artur Ershov 7/3 1990 - Strong allround rider + strong tt rider

68. Massimo Colledan 17/8 1990 (strong in tts and can also climb)

69. Andrea Palini 16/6 1989 - great stageracer + hilly 1 day races

70. Dominik Eberle 21/3 1990 Complete rider, strong in stageraces

71. Zico Waeytens (1991) - Climber

72. Jan Tratnik (1991) - complete rider

73. Ruben Cuesta 1990 - strong climber

74. Mattia Marcelli (1991) Well suited for 1-day races with a fast finish

75. Juan Carlos (Gerardo) Rienda Segura 5/4 1990 (complete rider, strong in 1-day races)

76. Guiseppe Fonzi (august 91), complete rider

77. Johan Van Zyl (2/2 1991), stageracer

78. Javier Sanchez (1991) climber

79. Kevin De Jonghe (4/12/91), complete with strong tt

80. Enrico Battaglin (1989)- complete rider

This post has been edited by Gamblor: 03 July 2010 - 11:13 AM

[The Rake]

Seriously guys, you can't have missed that many with a squad of 75. Even Rafa Benitez can win something with a squad that big.

However, I didn't see Peter Kennaugh in there. Your thoughts?

[Mantus]

I think if you look at the names, it proofs that I have had a pretty good hit-factor so far, and that most of my 75 guys are still in contention to become quality riders in the future. Anyway, we need a neutral referee to judge this. I vote for Mantus, he knows his cycling and I have a feeling that he shares our U/23 passion at least to a certain degree .

Looking at performances to date, this "common" cycling fan has to give the edge to Jakob. That said, it is still early in all their careers, and my focus is purely on the PT and .1 races. I'll leave it to Mantus or other more learned posters to analyze the teams in depth. It will be very interesting to take a look at these lists again in 3 or 4 more years.

Well done, fellas!

Your clearly ahead on points Jakob, I admit, but I still hope my team is just a bit slower in their development but will in the end deliver the knockout punch. For instance when Madrazo wins the TDF in 5 years (one is allowed to dream)

I thank your for the belief shown in me. I do share your passion, but only to that certain degree - you two are the masters. The wonderful thing about reading your various picks is that they also reveal two very different sensibilities. Gamblor is obviously the big Iberian expert, whilst Jakob shows more belief riders from Benelux and a lot of Anglo riders. But, generally, I think both of your lists show a very 'cosmopolitan' outlook - there is a nice geographical spread in both your picks, I think.

Obviously, at the moment it looks like Jakob is ahead on points. Then again, Gamblor has many climbers, and these typically take a bit longer to develop. But nothing is over yet. A rider like Michal Kwiatkowski (4th on Gamblor's list) is gonna be pro next year for Liquigas, and I certainly believe he is more than capable of breaking through in a way similar to P. Sagan, for instance. It will certainly be interesting re-visiting these teams trough the years.

I will be back with a more complete evaluation of your teams a bit later, however. A lot of data to process!

Seriously guys, you can't have missed that many with a squad of 75. Even Rafa Benitez can win something with a squad that big.

However, I didn't see Peter Kennaugh in there. Your thoughts?

Well, since they have decided to expand their rosters, I think a rider like Peter Kennaugh is bound to be picked eventually (disappointing start with Sky, nonetheless).

It does raise a question, though: do any of you guys feel like you totally missed some bright, young star?

One note though: great catch on Michael Matthews, Jakob. He is having a totally fantastic year. I can't remember an as promising sprinter since... well, Ciolek or Cavendish.

[Gamblor]

Seriously guys, you can't have missed that many with a squad of 75. Even Rafa Benitez can win something with a squad that big.

However, I didn't see Peter Kennaugh in there. Your thoughts?

Kennaugh is definetly a big talent. Not a super super talent I think, but clearly a big talent that will do very well in the future. I think the main reason none of us has picked him, is that in the start a 3. guy picked him, and then we kind of forgot about his riders, and later on we switched to only picking juniors where he was not a possibility. I suppose one of us might pick him soon though. Same propably also goes for Romain Sicard who surpricingly blossomed after our orriginal picks, and then was not a junior in the later picks, but I guess he is choosable now. But I think maybe we will decide not choose him anyways as he is kind of too obvious a supertalent to pick as a "spot" now..

[Jakob]

.

This post has been edited by Jakob: 02 June 2012 - 12:42 AM

[Mantus]

Once again Jakob's riders are prevailing. First pro win for Fabio Felline who just won an uphill sprint against experienced riders like Matteo Carrera and Bert de Waele in Circuit de Lorraine. Impressive.

[Gamblor]

Once again Jakob's riders are prevailing. First pro win for Fabio Felline who just won an uphill sprint against experienced riders like Matteo Carrera and Bert de Waele in Circuit de Lorraine. Impressive.

Felline has surtenly been awsome this season, and even won again today in a bunchsprint ahead of riders like Hutarovich.

Perhaps most impressive of all this seasons strong riding in classics and sprints, is that Felline also has huge potential in stageraces with good tt and climbingpotential. Hopefully he will still develop those skills also even if he looks set to become a classics superstar with the riding this season. A bit like Jakobs other pick Sagan also..

Too bad (for me) Jakob had the picking-turn after Fellines "amateur-breakthrough" in Tre Giorni Orobica (I know he had done very well before that also for instance in Trittico del Veneto as a 1-year junior, but still that was the "pick me"-moment), and I got stuck with runner up in that race Colin Walscak in my next pick, that has not done that much since. At least compared to Felline.

Anyways, looking much forward to your next pick Jakob. And then I better get some research done so I can begin to give you a little more competition..

Btw. funny btw that Jakobs top 2 picks D. Martin and Augustyn has both severely dissapointed and that so has my toppicks Arturo Mora and Victor Cabedo (even worse). Hopefully in 5 years though they will have shown why they were toppicks.

Btw. concerning Kenaugh, Sicard; Keukeleire etc. I think we had a rule not to pick riders allready on pro-teams. Otherwice Geisnk for instance would have been obvious. So they are not possible to choose anymore.

This post has been edited by Gamblor: 21 May 2010 - 06:50 PM

[Gamblor]

Hi Jakob

Concerning our teams I recall we sometiem last year picked some juniors by mail, that we have forgot to add to our teams here.

Do you recall those riders, I have digged out that I had picked Guiseppe Fonzi (august 91), Johan Van Zyl 2/2 1991) and Javier Sanchez (1991) Kevin De Jonghe (4/12/91) and you had picked: Santiago Ramirez Medina, Dylan Van Baarle, Matey Zubov an Gennadiy Tatarinov. Do you remember others?

[Jakob]

.

This post has been edited by Jakob: 02 June 2012 - 12:42 AM

[Mantus]

You have Michał Kwiatkowski though; he will turn pro next year with Caisse d'Epargne well from what I read anyway, I saw Mantus named him as a Liquigas rider in 2011, so maybe he has several options.

My memory might be playing tricks with me and I may have confused Liquigas with Caisse. Really, it makes sense: Kwiatkowski stays one year at Caja Rural and then goes pro. But I'm sure he has received several offers.

[Gamblor]

Let’s arrange to 5 transfers each Gamblor, that way, our squads doesn’t get any bigger yet; at the same time, we have the opportunity to bring in a bit of fresh air. You have just picked Enrico Battaglin whom I suspect will replace the late Antonj Orsani... right? May he rest in peace by the way.

In regards to Sergio Henao, he is still riding here in Colombia, he turned down an offer this year to ride for Caja Rural (Feeder team of Caisse d'Epargne) and have previously turned down Footon and Tinkoff a few years back. I don’t think his mind is cut out for the pro scene in Europe; also he is supposedly earning a good deal of money over here as well, so I think it’s highly doubtful that we ever get to see him perform on the international circuit. Such a shame because on his day he really is one hell of a climber.

You have Michał Kwiatkowski though; he will turn pro next year with Caisse d'Epargne well from what I read anyway, I saw Mantus named him as a Liquigas rider in 2011, so maybe he has several options.

In terms of my own squad, out goes Niek Van Geffen. The young Dutchman has been a huge disappointment the past 2 seasons and has recently been dropped by Rabobank CT as well. As his replacement in comes the super talented Spaniard Carlos Verona Quintanilla.

Carlos Verona Quintanilla, 04/11/1992. (Carlos Verona is an all-rounder, with climbing and time trial abilities, capable of becoming a contender for the General Classification in stage races. 1.83cm - 65kg).

Interesting young pick. Is he related to Jesus Quintanilla, that is also quite talented?

I will indeed cut Orsani as the first rider for Battaglin, and then my second change is young slovenian Jan Tratnik (23/2 1990) that replaces spanish classics-rider Jose Luis Cano, who despite being a decent rider is developing too slowly, and will propably have a hard time getting a procontract after this season. Tratnik is a good climber and also a pretty strong and complete rider that can also do well in 1-day races.

Thanks for the info on Henao btw. Too bad though.

This post has been edited by Gamblor: 27 May 2010 - 01:42 PM

[Jakob]

.

This post has been edited by Jakob: 02 June 2012 - 12:42 AM

[Mantus]

No they are not related .

My next rider to get cut is Marcel Wyss, he was a somewhat safe and conservative pick back in the day and thereby also a bit boring.

True, but he has actually done better than I would have expected. Very constant if, yes, a bit boring - we won't see him winning something huge in the next couple of years.

Michael Matthews is continuing his impressive streak in Norway. Across the ocean Sebastian Lander (1991 and 52nd Jakob's list) has won the first stage of u23 Nations Cup Ville Saguenay in a bunch sprint no less. Very talented guy. I always knew he was fast but not THAT fast. Considering his podium in LBL and top-10 place in the Nations Cup in Portugal he really is going great. It's his first year as u23 rider, and Danes don't really tend to make their mark so early.

On Gamblor's list I am really digging John Degenkolb whose big races are coming up, especially Thüringer Rundfahrt. I also like the addition of J. Tratnik, but that may just be my preference for riders from Slovakia and Slovenia - some good things coming up thereabouts these last years. But generally Giro delle Regionni is always a good place to spot talent.

Edit: Regarding Matthews, I know Garmin sort of have an arrangement with Team Jayco-Skins, but does that mean he will necessarily go there? Any rumours? Columbia typically start hand-picking the biggest talents around this time (I know Degenkolb and M. Kittel already has a pre-contract with HTC-Columbia so they can't really have room for that many riders)

This post has been edited by Mantus: 04 June 2010 - 06:11 AM

[Gamblor]

No they are not related .

My next rider to get cut is Marcel Wyss, he was a somewhat safe and conservative pick back in the day and thereby also a bit boring.

Instead I welcome Bob Jungels to my squad.

Bob Jungels, 22/09/1992. (Bob Jungels is currently one of the most exciting prospects on the entire junior scene and in general one of the most prodigious talents to emerge from Luxemburg since the Schleck brothers. B. Jungels are a talented time-trialist as well as climber, well suited to perform in stages-races in the future).

A strong rider you skipped there, but an interesting replacement you have spotted for sure.

My next sacrifice will be young Salvador Gonzalvez, that has not done so much since his strong results 2008, and also seems too have pointed to much focus on boring track cycling..

My replacement is the very talented young belgian climber Zico Waeytens 29/9 1991

This post has been edited by Gamblor: 04 June 2010 - 08:31 PM