The Broom Wagon

Cleaning up after the weeks events.

Now that the draft is complete let’s take a look at how the teams have rounded out. Who did the best? Who got the biggest steal of the draft, who reached? Whose team is Luke most jealous of?

 Recap:

Greg didn’t surprise anyone (not even Mike I think) by taking Gilbert with the first overall. His run on Italian cyclists insures Gregario some quality points in the Giro and will possibly help him to retain the Maglia Rose. Basso is past his prime, but for where he was drafted he has pretty good value. The later part of Greg’s draft is where there may be some questions. Can Bauke (Bartakomis) Mollema score enough points in the mountains to warrant such a high pick? I’m a huge fan of Luis Leon Sanchez having watched him win at Issoire in Le Tour, but this was his only real win last year. I’m rooting for a return to his form of a few seasons ago, but I think Rabobank just doesn’t work for him. He showed no form at the Tour Down Under and if he doesn’t podium at Paris Nice his season could be over before it starts. Horner was a solid pick and will get Greg some points in the American races. Voekler is hardcore and that’s all there is too it. As for Greg’s team pick no one can deny that Nissan Trek is going to be a force to be reckoned with, but if they put all their hopes and dreams in Andy at Le Tour they might miss out on a lot of other points. Although U.S.A is probably the weakest country selected there is a good chance that could all change this year. Look for an American riders blog later this season. It must be reiterated Greg has Gilbert. Gilbert had over 700 points last year. That’s nuts. Even half that many points is a top 5 finish many seasons. I doubt he can have a repeat performance of last year but nonetheless he is a great pick.

Best Rider: Gilbert    Best Value Pick: Nibali     Biggest Reach: Mollema   X Factor: Voekler

Luke obviously has the best most well thought out team coming out of the draft. Well, that may not be true, but he was very confident in his pulled pork sandwiches. I will let Gregario write a review of my team (or leave a comment, seriously write some comments guys, get into this shit) however I will explain a few things. I built a team heavily based on the classics with a hope to make a few tweaks for the tours. Also, I avoided the super teams for the most part; I’m not sure how that is going to work out. It was hard to see other riders I really like (Tony Big Mouthed Martin, Suave Sammy Sanchez) go to other teams but that’s the draft right. Let me know what you think.

Patrick picked with his heart. Now that doesn’t mean he didn’t make good picks. His top three should strike fear in the hearts of all the team managers. If Boonen is half as good going forward as he’s been so far this season, not to mention in seasons past, he could be the steal of the draft. But let’s return to Patrick’s top three. Evans is tough, a solid first pick. I like him in the tour again, but my question is will he win another race. Last year it was Tirreno Adriatico, admittedly a surprise win for Evans. A loss of that kind of points this year and anything less than a win at Le Tour and he might not be a top 5 guy. Cancellara has to win in the Classics in order for Patrick to get big points. Fortunately for Patrick I see this happening. Less of an emphasis on time trials and a refocus on the cobbles, awesome. I also love BoHaug and everyone knows this. My concern is the super team factor. Cav will take away some of the sprints that Eddie was getting, yet BoHaug seems strong enough to win on his own. I’m thinking a stage at Le Tour, Vattenfall classics and a few other wins here and there. I have a hard time getting behind the rest of Patrick’s picks. Dan Martin is a proven point getter but I don’t see it. Jerkin Hand on Cock obviously has potential, is this the year? Uran and Nyuns could be good picks but have the potential to be huge busts. Pat is all in for his limey compatriots. Team Sky is a great pickup. Great Britain, meh…maybe.

 Best Rider: Evans   Best Value Pick: Van Den Broeck    Biggest Reach: Dan Martin    X Factor: Boonen

Mike’s team is comprised of solid stage winners. Mike benefited from many of the other team directors dislike of good riders. Namely, Cavendish, obviously the best sprinter. Can he repeat at the Worlds? How about the Olympics? Add to that possible double digit stage wins in the Grand Tours and he could have some serious points. Thor was awesome in Le Tour last year and maybe with the help of Big George Hincapie he can get another classics win. Also, Matt Goss is touted as the Aussie outfit Green Edge’s best chance for stage wins or perhaps Milan San Remo or another classic. Sammy Sanchez and Frank Schleck have both podiumed at Le Tour. My main man Sammy will be good all year, classics and Grand Tours. Also, don’t forget who is wearing the gold helmet, will he repeat? Gesink has been on the brink for a while now and he should provide some action in the Grand Tours. Millar and Fuglsang are classic Mikey picks. Team Garmin may not get the points Mike would like, but Italy has a chance to finish first.

 Best Rider: Sammy Sanchez    Best Value Pick: Cavendish   Biggest Reach: Millar   X Factor: Thor

Bill was, hands down, the most infuriating drafter. To put it bluntly his team scares me. Everybody knows I like Tony Martin. He should win every time trial he enters. That means big points at the Olympics and Worlds. Don’t look for him to repeat at Paris Nice this year, too much climbing for the big German. That could be a hit in points. Some say that with all the time trialing at Le Tour Martin has a chance to podium. I feel, and he has said, that he does not have tour aspirations, those mountains are very high. Leave that up to Bill’s top pick Bradley Wiggins. He actually just beat Martin in a time trial and has shown that he can hang in the mountains. If he can get another big win (Paris Nice? Dauphine?) and a podium at Le Tour it could be a good pick. In any other league there is no way Andy Schleck would have lasted that long. Kudos to Bill for picking him, however you must now endure the wrath of the Commish. I hope he’s worth it. Contador was a bold pick. Going to be waiting a long while till he has a chance to earn some points. Vino is by far my favorite cheater. He is also a points magnet. Will he race beyond the classics or is he going to run for political office in Kazakhstan (true story). Froom, one hit wonder or new phenom? Kreuziger once again looks poised to be not quite as good as we would like him to be. I still think he has a chance at the Giro and I was hoping to pick him up in free agency (add it to the reasons why Bill’s draft made me mad). Bill’s most bold move of course was taking BMC and Belgium back to back. Bill showed some of his draft experience with these wiley moves.

Best Rider: Tony Martin   Best Value Pick: Andy Schleck   Biggest Reach: Wiggins    X Factor: Contador

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