Velogames Preview – VELOGAME 2023

The time is nigh! Vingegaard versus Pogačar at the Tour de France round 2! Or 3 if you count 2021. This feels like the start of a long and healthy rivalry and one we can hope to enjoy at the Tour for many years. I’m glad Pogačar has some decent competition because I was worried after the 2020 Tour that he was going to dominate, but up stepped Jonas Vingegaard and boy has he developed into a top tier grand tour racer. On top of the duel for the Yellow Jersey, this edition of the Tour represents a huge opportunity for so many riders. I feel the race is wide open in the hunt for top general classification (GC) positions and the king of the mountains (KOM) competition. The Green Jersey fight is a whole other battle we’ll dive into later on, but there are questions to answer there too! Add a whole army of eager stage hunters to all of the above and we’ve got one tasty dish to feast on for the next three weeks. Let’s crack on with the guide!

The Route

A hilly opening in Northern Spain; bags of interesting climbing; plenty of sprint opportunities; and a good looking time trial and we’ve got ourselves a spicy race. Overall, I can see four summit finishes spread across the first two weeks with the final week being defined by two high mountain stages and a challenging individual time trial on stage 16. The sprinters will have up to four opportunities in the first week, a lean second week with only one, and then three potential sprints close to the end including the traditional Paris finish. Here’s a look at the stages you won’t want to miss!

Stage 1: A day of short sharp climbing around Bilbao kicks off the race.
Stage 2: Another chance for a punchy attacker to try and gain time early on.
Stage 3: Should be the first sprint showdown.
Stage 6: The first summit finish of the race after a trip over the Tourmalet.
Stage 9: Week one ends with a gruelling final ascent up the Puy de Dôme.

Stage 13: The race arrives in the Alps with a summit finish on the Grand Colombier.
Stage 14: A shark’s tooth profile through the French Alps finishing in Morzine.
Stage 15: The week two finale is the final summit finish of the race on Mont-Blanc.
Stage 16: The time trial kicks off week three and takes in 22.4km of hilly terrain.
Stage 17: The highest point of the race over the Col de la Loze.

Stage 20: The 2023 Tour de France will be decided in the east of France.
Stage 21: The traditional sprint procession stage on the Champs-Élysées!

Velogames Category Guide

In a repeat of the Giro d’Italia Velogames rider pricing, the two clear favourites are way ahead of the rest and with lots of options around the 10 and 8 credit mark, there are plenty of possible team compositions you could go with. The double favourites strategy wasn’t the play at the Giro in the end, but who can see it backfiring here with the two big dogs of the peloton racing? Are you brave enough to leave one of them out? Which one do you leave out so you can take a more expensive climber or Sprinter? These are questions I’ll be mulling over extensively over the next few days.

All Rounders

Before we dive into the rest of the riders in this category, I felt a good old head-to-head comparison between Vingegaard and Pogačar would set the mood, so here it is!

This graphic shows you the scale of your task in choosing between them. Both are imperious and both are in great form. There are only two caveats to the above information. The first is that Pogačar outscored Vingegaard in 2022 despite finishing 2nd overall. The second is that Pogačar broke his wrist in Liege-Bastogne-Liege, but he did make his comeback at the Slovenian nationals where he obliterated the competition. So make of that what you will. On we go with the rest of the all rounders!

Ben O’Connor, 14 Credits: Coming in for another tilt at the podium and with a strong 3rd place at the Dauphiné under his belt.
Mattias Skjelmose, 14 Credits: 22 years old, he’s just won the Tour de Suisse, and he’s having a fantastic year. This is his first proper crack at a good GC at a grand tour.
Enric Mas, 14 Credits: He’s had a mixed year and tends to go much better at the Vuelta than here at the Tour.
Richard Carapaz, 12 Credits: New team and he’s raring to go. Not a great deal of success this year, but he does historically score bucket loads of Velogames points.
Adam Yates, 12 Credits: Pogačar’s new right hand man who should prove valuable in the high mountains. He’s in cracking form and if he can hold a good GC place and help his leader, he’ll score good points.
Egan Bernal, 10 Credits: Making his grand tour return after last year’s horror accident. I really hope he goes well and I wish him all the best, but he’d be a very sentimental pick. I’ll probably pick him if I wake up on Saturday morning in a really good mood.
Pello Bilbao, 8 Credits: Quite cheap for a rider as solid as he is. The last time he went into a grand tour as back up for Landa, he ended up coming 5th and scoring 1312 Velogames points. The Tour starts in his backyard as well.
Neilson Powless, 8 Credits: He will be incredibly motivated to finally pick up that stage win after trying so hard last year. He’s been one of the form riders of the year so far too.
Matteo Jorgenson, 8 Credits: Another interesting budget all rounder who is also enjoying good form this year.

There are a handful of other interesting riders in this category, but the points should be scored primarily by those mentioned above. If you didn’t fancy any of these then you have the likes of Lutsenko, Urán, Kelderman, Izagirre, Soler, and new kid on the block, Tobias Halland Johannessen to choose from.

Climbers

Just like the Giro, there’s plenty of cheaper options to toy with here as well as a few pricier riders who are aiming to contend for the podium. If you’re going for both favourites, there are bargains here to be had to compliment your team. Trying to predict who’s scoring the points here is such a difficult task however. I have some ideas, but I doubt I’ll be confident in my choices. I may just have some fun with this category and pin my hopes on riders elsewhere!

Jai Hindley, 16 Credits: I feel like his form is building nicely for this race after 4th in the Dauphiné. I think he’s possibly the favourite for the final podium step, but he has some serious competition.
David Gaudu, 14 Credits: Last year’s leading scorer in this category. He looked brilliant earlier this season before illness ruined his Ardennes week. He completed Dauphiné, but he’ll be hoping his form picks up during the Tour.
Romain Bardet, 12 Credits: He’s been having a solid if unspectacular year so far. More of the same in the Tour and he’ll be on for a decent, but not massive points haul.
Mikel Landa, 10 Credits: He’s set his sights firmly on the podium, and like so many others, he started the year in scintillating form, but had a quiet Dauphiné.
Thibaut Pinot, 10 Credits: He might be fatigued from the Giro and Gaudu is his leader. If he’s given freedom and his legs aren’t toast, then he’ll be an interesting pick. I’d be surprised if he reaches the same lofty heights he did in the Giro.
Carlos Rodriguez, 10 Credits: Will Carlos be the main GC threat for Ineos? I wouldn’t put it past him, but he’d be a bit of a gamble.
Guilio Ciccone, 10 Credits: He’s back after missing out on the Giro due to Covid, and he warmed up with a stage win and the KOM jersey at the Dauphiné. His goals will be more of the same at the Tour.
Julian Alaphilippe, 10 Credits: Back to the Tour in a leaders role after missing last year’s race. A stage win at the Dauphiné proves he’s got what it takes.
Simon Yates, 10 Credits: He’s not going for GC. Instead the plan is to hunt stages in the mountains and maybe go for the KOM jersey.
Felix Gall, 8 Credits: His Velogames record is against him, but players might have newfound optimism from his form at the recent Tour de Suisse. He can’t time trial, but he can climb.
Guillaume Martin, 8 Credits: Is he finally going to have a really good Tour? I think he deserves it.
Louis Meintjes, 8 Credits: He won’t score huge points, but he may just be a solid budget pick.
Michael Woods, 8 Credits: Woods comes to the Tour with his teammate Dylan Teuns in stage hunting mood. The latter doesn’t have any specific form to speak of, but Woods did just win the Route d’Occitanie and will be on the attack in the hills.
Esteban Chaves, 6 Credits: It’ll be in hope rather than expectation if I select Chaves, but if he seriously goes for the KOM like he’s hinted at, I want to be at that party.
Maxim Van Gils, 6 Credits: Lotto Destny’s hope for the hilly stages and he’s in some good form.
Ruben Guerreiro, 6 Credits: He’s had a fairly interesting year, but will he have freedom with Jorgenson and Mas in his team?

Obviously there are more riders to tickle your fancy here, but I’ll leave you to peruse those at your leisure as I have nothing specific to say about them or just don’t think they’re going to score massive points. I also want to get to bed at some point today, ha!

Sprinters

Is Wout seriously not going for the Green Jersey? Even if he isn’t I still think he can win the points competition cycling with his hands he’s that good. However, if he doesn’t contest many sprints then the door is wide open for a competitor to step up.

Wout Van Aert, 18 Credits: He and his team have said he’s not going to push as hard for intermediate sprints so he has more energy left at stage finishes. If he’s going for more stage wins, then god help everyone else. His wife is expecting so there’s a small chance he leaves the race early.
Jasper Philipsen, 14 Credits: The fastest sprinter in the world, 6 wins this year and going full tilt for Green. Should be a fun battle!
Mads Pedersen, 14 Credits: He’ll be in bullish mood after being forced to leave the Giro early and it might be a good route for him. Whatever he can do, Philipsen can do better though.
Biniam Girmay, 12 Credits: Girmay’s 2nd grand tour and first Tour. I’m itching to see how he goes, and hopefully no one hands him champagne if he wins a stage.
Fabio Jakobsen, 12 Credits: Quick-Steps hope in the flat stages once again. 5 wins so far this season.
Caleb Ewan, 10 Credits: Never quite worth it, even though he’s still fast. Either he’s unlucky, or there’s something else going on.
Dylan Groenewegen, 10 Credits: Also never quite worth it. I reckon he’ll win a stage, but he won’t score massive points.
Mark Cavendish, 8 Credits: Gunning for that record breaking stage win. I hope he gets it, but man, does he have a mountain to climb.
Phil Bauhaus, 8 Credits: Can he emulate his teammate, Milan’s performance from the Giro? I’m not betting on it.
Jordi Meeus, 8 Credits: Has the best lead out man in the business so may be worth a punt if you want a cheaper option.
Sam Welsford, 8 Credits: Also could be worth a punt with 3 wins this year. If anyone is going to be the Milan of the Tour, this is the man, but it is his grand tour debut and he’s not a huge fan of mountains.
Bryan Coquard, 6 Credits: The first of the super budget sprinters and probably the fastest of them.
Corbin Strong, 6 Credits: Grand tour debut and worth a shot if you want a fun gamble. Don’t be surprised if he only scores 200 points though.
Alex Aranburu, 6 Credits: Never quite hit the heights at a grand tour and isn’t fast enough to trouble the pure sprinters.
Luca Mozzato, 6 Credits: Scored 440 points last year and I’ll expect him to better that, but perhaps not by much.
Alexander Kristoff, 6 Credits: The main sprinter for Uno-X, possibly a really safe budget option if you fancy it, but who’d want safe? His teammate, Wærenskjold, would be much more fun.

Unclassed

I’ve already written about too many riders in this guide, haha, but what’s the use in stopping now! Here are all the unclassed I’ve thought about over the last day or so.

10 Credits

Mathieu van der Poel: Doesn’t have the Giro in his legs this year. Whenever the stage isn’t for Philipsen, it’ll be for van der Poel.
Tom Pidcock: Without a clear Ineos strategy, Pidcock will have freedom to chase stages. It might be another successful year for the Brit.

8 Credits

Fred Wright: He’s been given a free role to chase stages by Bahrain and he’ll be rocking the British champions jersey whilst doing so.
Magnus Cort: EF are always a fun team to watch and Cort wants more stage wins.
Christophe Laporte: He’ll mainly be in a helping role, perhaps pursuing his own success later on in the race like last year. He still might be worth a few points though.
Valentin Madouas: Newly crowned French champion, when he’s not helping Gaudu, he’ll have some freedom of his own.

6 Credits

Søren Kragh Andersen: I guess he’ll be stage hunting when van der Poel and Philipsen aren’t, but that might be a case of too many cooks.
Harold Tejada: Astana’s only potential GC threat, but a fairly tame one.
Matej Mohorič: Also stage hunting for Bahrain and seems to be in good form.
Bob Jungels: Hard to say whether he’ll repeat last year’s stage win, he may be helping out Hindley in his new team.
Simon Geschke: Had the freedom last year to go for the KOM, but that was after Martin left the race.
Axel Zingle: When Coquard isn’t sprinting for Cofidis, this guy will be. Grand tour debut for the 24 year old.
Alberto Bettiol: Another part of the EF stage hunting legion.
Stefan Küng: Only the one time trial and not one that suits him.
Quentin Pacher: Historically scores better in grand tours than his teammate, Küng.
Ben Turner: He’s had injury problems this year and yet he still lines up. Ineos must know something we don’t. He scored 422 points in the Vuelta last year.
Mike Teunissen: He may be Girmay’s main lead out man, but might get his own chances.
Rui Costa: Started the year superbly, but has gone off the boil recently.
Dylan Van Baarle: Very much in a domestique role, but could still pick up some points.
Pascal Eenkhoorn: Recently won the KOM at the Tour de Suisse, so he has attacking racing in his legs.
Clément Champoussin: One of Arkea’s main hopes for a potential stage win.
Mathieu Burgaudeau: Hasn’t quite had it happen in grand tours yet, maybe this is his year.
Valentin Ferron: One win and a 13th place at Amstel Gold show he’s no slouch.
Anthon Charmig: One of a number of Uno-X riders who might fancy their chances.
Rasmus Tiller: I think we’ll see Uno-X in the breaks a lot and Tiller is one for the rolling stages.
Torstein Træen: He may try and hang on to a good GC place as long as possible.

4 Credits

Nans Peters: He’s won a stage at the Tour before.
Anthony Perez: Started the year strongly, will undoubtebly be in the breaks.
Lilian Calmejane: Also has Tour pedigree with a stage win.
Frederik Frison: Has impressed for Lotto this year, a cheeky outside bet.
Florian Vermeersch: Another Lotto classics specialist.
Tony Gallopin: Recently showed good form at the French nationals.
Alex Kirsch: Luxembourg’s new road race and time trial national champion.

So there you have it! I’ve covered a lot of riders there, which has hopefully given you food for thought. Many strategies will work here once again. It’s harder to squeeze in all three superstars, but not impossible. Do you go top heavy or spread the cost out? Who do you leave out? I see lot’s of fun options to compliment the main players, so that’s what I’ll probably do. The code for the league is 986859730 if you fancy pitting your skills against other readers. I have a plan to stream a Velogames fantasy planning session Thursday night on Twitch if I set everything up on time. I’ll announce this on Twitter if it’s going ahead. Otherwise, enjoy your picking and enjoy the Tour!