Panache p/b Gregario

From time to time featured writer Gregario Forza brings his signature panache to the Wiskota blog.

We all know that when it comes to the group ride Luke loves to draft, but how well did he do in the fantasy draft?  Feel free to comment.

 2012 Draft

The Commish may wish he had the Neo pro’s team but ended up with a good squad himself. This team looks to be tough all season long. However, he may need some help in le Tour. The most confusing part of the draft was the attempted trade for the second overall pick.  The pick ended up being Joaquim Rodriguez and according to this expert, it was the right pick. El Purito is a points machine and primed for another big year. He will challenge Gilbert (good luck) in the Ardennes and may even make a run at the Giro and Vuelta. Levi Leipheimer may have been a reach but in the Wiskota Fantasy League the American races carry as much weight as Paris-Nice and the Tour de Swiss. I really like Levi with his new team, Omega Pharma-Quickstep, and he seems to already be in good form. The Eggtimer could also be a factor at this year’s Tour. With all the time trialing and fewer steep climbs this could be his opportunity to make a run at a podium. The Commish may have made the best pick in the draft by taking Valverde with his 3^rd pick. The Green Bullet may be a doper but he has come back from his two year suspension el fuego.  He already is back to his point taking ways. Good thing for us, they don’t count yet.  Peter Sagan was another very good pick. I was hoping he would slide one more slot to Gregario but he was swiped up by the Commish. This may be the year where the young talent becomes a super star. For our sake lets hope it happens next year.  Andre Greipel, aka the Vanilla Gorilla is a tough sprinter for this squad and probably the Manx Mouth’s biggest threat. The Gorilla may also be used in the flatter classics as Lotto-Bellisol isn’t carrying many riders who can win in Belgium, which is sort of a big deal for a Belgium based team. Look for the Grape Ape to start this weekend at Kuurne.  The biggest surprise for me was the Commish taking Tyler Farrar. He doesn’t like the guy; however, he knows that the American is primed for some big wins. Another surprise pick, not because of talent but because of comments made by the Commish in prior seasons, was Il Piccolo Principe, Damiano Cunego. I like Cunego but it is hard to say what his objectives will be. The Little Prince is always a threat when he lines up. The Commish took Juan Antonio Flecha with his final rider pick. The Spanish Flandrian is a beast in the cobbled classics but may be lost on the Sky super team. His best chance for a win may be this weekend at the Omloop.  The Commish rounded out his club by picking Omega Pharma-Quickstep, chapeau, and Spain as his country, which gives him the opportunity to cheer for Euskatel-Euskadi and Movistar, his two favorite teams.

Best Rider: Joaquim Rodriguez   Best Value Pick: Alejandro Valverde   Biggest Reach: Levi Leipheimer   

X Factor: Andre Greipel