Velogames Preview – VELOGAME XXIII

Plenty of intrigue surrounding the peloton before we hit the start line in Brest. Will the yellow jersey battle be a two horse race? Who can take the race to the top dogs? Who wants the green jersey the most with Sam Bennett’s absence? So much to decipher and pick over and I’ll cover everything here. Read on for a rundown on the route, and then we’ll hit the main players for the real battle, the quest for fantasy glory on Velogames! After my spectacularly poor performance at the Giro, I’m determined to make amends. This time I’m keen to think outside the box and address alternative strategies so I’ve covered every possible eventuality. Can’t win them all though! On with the guide.

The Route

We begin our lap of France with two really spicy looking stages in the North West. We then fire diagonally across the country to end week one in the Alps. Week two is a transition from the Alps to the Pyrenees, before the final trip into the Pyrenean mountains in week three, and then the customary final stage in Paris. Once again the Tour will be decided on the penultimate stage in an individual time trial, but this time it doesn’t end up a massive climb. There are fewer mountain top finishes this year, and definitely fewer compared to the Giro. Expect more out and out sprints as well so I may be recommending a two sprinter strategy. The start is the really interesting thing here though, two very up-and-down stages finishing in short, sharp climbs. It’s a real chance for the punchier riders to lay their hands on yellow and hold it for a few days. The only other individual time trial comes on stage 5, so perhaps some punchy time trial specialists will be wanting to keep themselves in the mix until then. The first mountains arrive at the end of the first week with two huge back-to-back days that’ll set the scene for the rest of the race. After that, there are bags of stages that suit the breakaway, and the GC battle will really come to a head early in the third week with two massive consecutive summit finishes. Here are all the stages you’ll want to bookmark for the best action.

Stage 1: 3km 5.7% finish in Landerneau to decide the first yellow jersey.
Stage 2: A finish atop the famous Mûr-de-Bretagne.
Stage 5: 27.2km individual time trial.
Stage 8: The first serious day in the mountains, three category one climbs before a downhill finish.
Stage 9: A finish above 2000m after another serious day in the mountains.
Stage 11: The double ascent of Mont Ventoux stage.
Stage 14: A really interesting day with little flat and a multitude of short, steep tests.
Stage 15: Highest point of the Tour at 2406m before a finish in Andorra.
Stage 17: Two quick category ones precede a giant summit finish on the Col du Portet.
Stage 18: Another summit finish and the last climbing of the Tour. The Col du Tourmalet is on the menu in the middle of this stage.
Stage 20: 30.8km flat individual time trial to decide the Tour.

Velogames Category Guide

To simplify things here, there’s a lot of talk that this race is a head-to-head between Tadej Pogačar (all rounder, 24 credits) and Primož Roglič (all rounder, 22 credits). Basically speaking, they are the two favourites, but there are many scenarios that could put a spanner in the works, especially if certain teams and riders animate the race. Pogačar has entered four stage races this year, won three of them and was 3rd in the other. Roglič has entered two, beating Pogačar in one, and lost the other thanks to a final stage crash. Not much to choose between them honestly and I wouldn’t want to take a punt on who’ll score more points, but expect them both to score a hat full, as long as they avoid misfortune. A strategy where you take both is perfectly viable, doubly so with the bargains that exist elsewhere. Speaking of elsewhere, here we go.

All Rounders

Geraint Thomas, 18 Credits: INEOS are going for aggressive racing and he is on some super form, but I think he’s overpriced and he won’t get close to the two favourites. In my opinion, there is only one rider who’ll challenge them if they’re all on top form and I’ll mention him later.
Richie Porte, 14 Credits: Similar story to Thomas, great form, yet to be really be tested against the top two. Both he a Thomas would be risky and slightly expensive picks.
Rigoberto Urán, 12 Credits: Exploded into everyone’s thoughts with an impressive 2nd place at the recent Tour de Suisse. If he can keep it going then he’s a great option if you don’t want to go double favourites.
Miguel Ángel López, 12 Credits: Cheap for a remarkably consistent performer at grand tours. He’s 6th on my list of top points-per-game riders at grand tours (over the past four years). The time trials will hurt him and so will the lack of summit finishes. There might be better value lying around, but he’s worth thinking about.
Jakob Fuglsang, 10 Credits: This is really cheap for him, but Astana are here for stages and have no GC ambitions at all. His teammates Alexey Lutsenko and Ion Izagirre are also in here, but I don’t think any will be worth huge points, though they will probably win a stage or two between them. He’s also using the Tour to prepare for the Olympics.
Wilco Kelderman, 10 Credits: BORA – hansgohe’s main GC hope and he’s had decent preparation. His Dauphiné was particularly impressive with 4th place overall and three top 5 stage results. Probably won’t score enormous points, but is another great cheap alternative.
Alejandro Valverde, 10 Credits: Might be the cheapest I’ve ever seen him at a grand tour, but he does come here after some promising results. He will be helping Mas and López for the GC, but he’ll possibly have a cheeky eye on yellow in the opening two stages.

The rest here are helpers or hopeful stage hunters and some could score alright points. Ben O’Connor is interesting at only 8 points, expect to see him active in the mountains. Some old favourites here a spectacularly cheap, Nibali and Mollema for instance. Vingegaard and McNulty are both excellent prospects, but they have team leaders to look after. Froome is also here at 8 points and he is here supporting Michael Woods in his tilt at the yellow jersey.

Climbers

There’s no one massively expensive in here and a lot of potential bargains. Outside GC hopes aplenty and intriguing attacking riders to pour over. This is why a Pogačar Roglič strategy is more than viable, and it’s potentially risky to leave one of them out. So here are the riders you could pair with them.

Julian Alaphilippe, 16 Credits: His main goal is to win a stage in the rainbow jersey. Expect him to be active in the first couple of stages and in the mountains later on. He’ll score good points, but not top-5 on GC level points.
Richard Carapaz, 16 Credits: The only other expensive climber and another part of the INEOS strategy. They’ll be wanting to keep as many of their leaders as high up the leader board as possible to give them more options, but Carapaz is the guy who has the best chance of finishing the job. Warmed up with victory in the Tour de Suisse.
Tao Geoghegan Hart, 12 Credits: Another back up for INEOS, but a lot needs to happen to his three leaders before he’d get his chance.
Simon Yates, 12 Credits: Team Bike Exchange is primarily here for stage wins and Yates is a good bet for one or two. Again, won’t score massive points and I think there are better options here.
Jack Haig, 10 Credits: Trying his hand at grand tour leadership for the first time. A top 10 isn’t out of the question. 5th at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné.
Guillaume Martin, 10 Credits: Part one of the main French hopes. Patchy form recently, might have been holding back for this race. Scored well at La Vuelta last year, he’s yet to really shine at the Tour though.
David Gaudu, 10 Credits: 24 years old and part two of this year’s French quest for yellow. No Pinot here this year, and also no Bardet. Gaudu represents their best hope in my opinion. He’s had a solid year, he’s climbing well, and I think he’s great value.
Michael Woods, 10 Credits: This guy can win stages and has had a really solid year. He’s going for GC so could be worth quite a few points. Woods and Gaudu look like two great cheaper options if you’re going for the expensive all rounders.

Still a lot more names to consider including a few at 6 credits if you really fancy a budget option. Lucas Hamilton is another trying his hand at GC, but it’s see what happens and gain experience and with the team hunting stages he’s probably not a great option. Sepp Kuss, Patrick Konrad, Dan Martin, Marc Soler, Rafal Majka are all solid riders helping out their team leaders. Other riders here with their own objectives include Esteban Chaves who’s looked really good this year and is only 8 credits. Another young Frenchman coming here with a point to prove is Aurélien Paret-Peintre, although might not score too many points if he goes for GC.

Sprinters

Wout Van Aert, 16 Credits: Sagan has finally been dethroned as the most expensive sprinter at the Tour. He was recovering from appendicitis not long ago, then went to the Belgian nationals and won the road race. Roglič is once again the priority, but still expect him to score points.
Peter Sagan, 14 Credits: A stage win and the points jersey achieved at the Giro, he’s back to reclaim his crown at the Tour. Preferred to Ackermann who the team said wasn’t quite ready. Not much more you can say about Sagan, he’s nearly always worth over 1000 points.
Mathieu van der Poel, 12 Credits: One of the most exciting riders on the planet makes his grand tour debut. Expect the unexpected where he’s concerned, normal racing isn’t something this guy does. Several stages suit him and he’ll be happiest when the racing is hard. He does have one eye on the Olympic mountain bike race and there are other sprinters in his team.
Caleb Ewan, 12 Credits: Continuing his mission of a stage win in every grand tour this year. In that regard, I don’t think he’s worth the cost. He’ll win one or two stages, but he won’t be going for green.
Arnaud Démare, 10 Credits: One man who is going for green is this guy. Won four stages and the points jersey at his last grand tour, the 2020 Giro. He has eight wins so far this year.
Sonny Colbrelli, 10 Credits: The recently crowned Italian national champion is in fine form. Was immensely impressive at the Dauphiné and should go well over the lumpy stuff as well as the pure sprints.
Michael Matthews, 10 Credits: Fairly average year so far with a few decent results in the Spring classics. Similar to Colbrelli, he should get more opportunities than just the pure sprints, but does he lack some top end speed to compete with the others?
Jasper Philipsen, 8 Credits: Mentioning him over Tim Merlier, because it should be his turn. Merlier had his chance at the Giro and Philipsen is in some good form and he’s only 23 years old. I hope he gets his chance.
Mark Cavendish, 8 Credits: He’s back! And he’s winning stages this year against top opposition. He’ll be glued to Morkov’s wheel so fingers crossed for at least one stage win.

There are so many riders to get through here and a lot of them will be hopeful of achieving success at this race. If the riders mentioned above don’t tickle your fancy then have a look at Cees Bol, Christophe Laporte, and Alex Aranburu for 8 credits; and last year’s dream team member Bryan Coquard for 6 credits.

Unclassed

8 Credits
Marc Hirschi: This year’s only 8 credit unclassed. He’s had a really quiet year after last year’s heroics, so I really don’t know what to expect. There are probably more consistent options among the 6 pointers that could be a better shout.

6 Credits
Greg Van Avermaet: Excellent value for a rider who is always among the top unclassed scorers at the Tour. 3rd, 1st, 1st, and 6th in unclassed in his last 4 Tours.
Omar Fraile: Won his maiden Spanish national title at the weekend.
Matej Mohorič: Bounced back strongly after his crash at the Giro.
Kasper Asgreen: Several stages suit him, as well as the time trials.
Mattia Cattaneo: In some great form.
Stefan Bissegger: Great time trial and a powerful sprint as well.
Magnus Cort: Could be a coin toss between him and Bissegger. Or just take both if you’re an EF fan.
Stefan Küng: Watch for him in the time trials.
Thomas De Gendt: Obligatory De Gendt mention.
Philippe Gilbert: Also have to mention him.
Søren Kragh Andersen: Two time stage winner from last year.

4 Credits
Fred Wright: Was in breaks a lot at the Tour de Suisse.
Nils Politt: Strong rider for classics type stages.
Michael Mørkøv: Last man standing for Cavendish, might accidentally score a few points.
Brent Van Moer: Impressive breakaway win in the Dauphiné.
Nils Eekhoff: Exciting young prospect.

Oh boy, that was a lot to get through. It seems nearly everyone is here. I’ve still probably overlocked one of the top scorers. Who have you seen who looks good? Who would you rather leave out, Pogačar or Roglič? Does anyone fancy gambling and not going for either? And remember, if you want to test yourself against other readers then join with this code – 985978721. If you joined for the Giro then you’ll already be in there. As always the ultimate goal is for someone reading this to win the whole thing. So good luck and happy picking!