OK, lets start thinking about the tdf. . . . who is the best value DS?

I haven't even thought about it yet, might even wait until after the Eurosport team intro. Actually I haven't a clue, and I now know that I am tres weak at the start of races, hence my magnificent 7 points in the Giro, which dropped me 1000 places and has taken me till now to get back up to where I am.

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I haven't even picked a team cause i dont know if others can see it

nope, they can't

haha fair enough Gkam, ive got my DS sprint ace up my sleeve anyway (fingers crossed)

I can tell you now, Cav will not be in my team for the 1st stage, just now worth the cost when everyone else is the team will be scoring the same points give or take a few if they win, plus they aint gonna put Cav in the leaders jersey off the 1st stage anyways, thats just asking for hassle that other teams will give him anyways

i could tell you who i think the big DS sprint sensation will be, but it will come at a cost.

Well cav will be in my team, at least for the first sprint and TTT.

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i dont suppose there is leeway on the categories people are in?

nope

Right i know its a provisional list, but i dont suppose there is leeway on the categories people are in?

Its just cause i see Radioshack have 4 GC, 1 KM and 4 DS Can a couple of the GC not be classes as All Rounders?

first provisional list will be up today...

Some bargains to be had at Vacansoleil.

Ahh right, but his team isnt racing

I think my actual team is pretty decent but we shall see

Garzelli is in the list, thats why i picked him

I know its not the final startlist, but i think thats a decent team Swift for some points altho he'll not will a sprint, Cancellara for TT, Gilbert and Schleck for GC. Neyens and Vermeltfoort for break aways and Wilson for last place in GC points

I think you've all been a bit spoilt by your healthy lines of credit. Time to start making those hard decisions and earn your corn as a virtual DS

yeh Gkam you managed it, but i wouldnt call it an overall balanced team. plus garzelli isnt racing

and i very much doubt you can afford that team Andrew Hill

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I do think the value you have slapped on some riders is a bit high and others is far to low

well that's all part of the fun, no? those values were assigned back in December, so some people should look like pretty good value right now

The fact that the majority of the first week is gonna be sprint stages along with the TTT makes it slightly easier in terms of what domestiques to pick, but will get a better idea after the first stage anyway

Put it this way, no team will be able to afford have gilbert and cancellara in it along with a good GC contender

I've kicked out the teams not in the tour this morning, so the list is a bit shorter. still 444 domestiques to choose from right now though

The provisional start list should be up on letour.fr this week.

TERatcliffe26 - yup, the same for everyone, egalité and all that. you can still make some money by picking the riders that perform. the changes aren't as drastic as they have been in the past though, so people won't be reaching the heady heights of 220+ credits that they were up until now...

Fair enough Gkam,

although im finding it really difficult to pick any resemblance of a decent team due to the credit reset from 16 credits spare to my team being 18 credits over was not great, so my domestiques have been hit alot and so have my all rounders.

but im guessing its the same for all

On another note, see these cards??

They are being held close to my chest, none of this "minor" race i have him, him and him in my team

only these teams there and he aint going to be at the Vuelta either

The following 18 teams have been selected in compliance with International Cycling Union rules:

OMEGA PHARMA-LOTTO (BEL)
QUICKSTEP CYCLING TEAM (BEL)
SAXO BANK SUNGARD (DEN)
EUSKALTEL-EUSKADI (ESP)
MOVISTAR TEAM (ESP)
AG2R LA MONDIALE (FRA)
SKY PROCYCLING (GBR)
LAMPRE - ISD (ITA)
LIQUIGAS-CANNONDALE (ITA)
PRO TEAM ASTANA (KAZ)
TEAM LEOPARD - TREK (LUX)
RABOBANK CYCLING TEAM (HOL)
VACANSOLEIL-DCM PRO CYCLING TEAM (HOL)
KATUSHA TEAM (RUS)
BMC RACING TEAM (USA)
HTC-HIGHROAD (USA)
TEAM GARMIN-CERVELO (USA)
TEAM RADIOSHACK (USA)

4 other teams, invited by the organisers, will make up the field for the 98th edition of Le Tour:

COFIDIS, LE CREDIT EN LIGNE (FRA)
FDJ (FRA)
SAUR - SOJASUN (FRA)
TEAM EUROPCAR (FRA)

rujano's team are not in it i can confirm

Rujano, if his team are in it (I need to check that). He was the only one close to holding El Beef Cheat in the Giro