diphthong

hay there fantasy bois n gurls...it's that time again. the giro d'italia finally upon us and, with that, the first gt of the year.
should you choose to willfully parcel away a not insignificant portion of your springtime sanity, here is the plunge:

https://www.velogames.com
league name: bike forums
league code: 230144811

if you've been conscripted previously in fantasyland with the bike forums league, your entry should automatically be enrolled.
if not, post that here and we'll figure it out. as always with the grand tours, any bragging rights/no-prizes are only for those enrolled in the bf league
before the start of stage #4 for both the "classic" and the "stage hunter" games.

deadline is 13:45 cest (central european summer time) on saturday, may 4th 2024. that is 12:45 in the uk and 07:45 us east coast.
get your team in now and all 23 changes before the deadline. don't forget to sneak a peek at your team on friday night/verry early saturday morning
to avoid no-shows/last minute substitutions/questionable uci hemocrit levels.
we'll see how dynamic the maglia nera competition is this year. have at it!

also...there is the second chance for romance with the "stage hunter" game that starts after stage one and goes to the end of the giro. i always forget about this one
when setting the table at the beginning of the gt's. will be recognizing results for both the "classic" and "stage hunter" games. here are the rules in case you are unfamiliar:

https://www.velogames.com/italy/2024/rules.php

there will be plenty of spoilage within these pages/this thread so if you don't wanna know, don't have a go.

Shadco 

Webeguessin

diphthong

^cian haș a pretty decent team around him but wondering if they can cover all the sprinter, rouleur and grimpeur stages. my bet is no. he may be favored to come in 2nd tho.

USAZorro

I wonder if anyone will pass up Tadej.

Personally, Cian seems a good call for young rider and decent placing on GC. Not long of a wait to see.

Shadco 

Made a couple of changes after Zorro posted the parcours.

diphthong

"it's (the two sprinter stragedy) a bold strategy, cotton. let's see if it pays off..."

GrainBrain

Still a bit in flux. Kooij is a fantastic pick, so is Groves. Very tough to leave them off. For sure, Bardet all the way.

diphthong

giro starts early tomorrow so don't forget to join or finalize/double check those squads!

diphthong

we haz number nine number nine number nine...was cautiously praying for twenty ridiculous individuals but, alas, the lance effect daze are longo gonzo. forge ahead!

diphthong

it be on.

USAZorro

I have learned to not trust sprinters. Am glad Jasper isn't in this, as I'd almost feel compelled to put his loathesome carcass on my team

I went with Arensman because I don't have a good feeling about Geraint in this one.

GrainBrain

I'm sitting here drinking coffee and watching Fiorelli kicking butt while Calmejane expertly directs the break. Thinking I'm glad I don't gamble on any of this! Man I even had Fiorelli as a pick in some earlier VG I think.

USAZorro

Where is it showing? Used to be able to get the RAI stream years ago, but the geographically restricted it.

dmark 

Peacock in the US I believe.(and hope since I subscribe)
Edit: nope, disappointed now

GrainBrain

I'm using a VPN to Canada and Flobikes. HBO Max has rights here in the states, Peacock isn't streaming the Giro but they are doing the Ladies Vuelta.

Absolutely despise Warner Bros-HBO Max and the carnage they've delt to GCN and many shows and projects under their umbrella.

Using a VPN is kind of annoying, for some reason BF won't display in Canada? So you are all left without my keen insight while I stream . Don't worry I'll dig out the laptop tomorrow maybe.

slcbob

I had sincere notions of going Tadej-free and aiming to scoop up 4 of the top 5 GC plus a sprinter and puncheur or two. But never got back around to the computer to make it so.

O'Connor, Martinez, et al shall benefit from my negligence. I am left with a bunch of hasty deep picks and assist point hoes. Abandon all hope, aye.

USAZorro

I hear you. If Geraint makes the podium, I expect he'll call me offering his thanks.

diphthong

took the stage hunter plunge today with woodsie bouncing. ugh. too soon.

slcbob

SHAME

GrainBrain

Well done semroc! 146/19055!!?? With quite a variety of teammates to boot. Speaking of shameful situations (looking above me!) was my un-inclusion of Mr. Danny Martinez. Oof he had a great TT today. Gosh darn it. I'm looking forward to tomorrow where semroc's Vermaerke will tow Bardet back into GC contention while taking a stage win. Deal? Deal.

USAZorro

Took the stage hunter plunge yesterday. Storer for Woods.

semroc

I’ve really liked Martinez because of this climb in 2021. Such a team guy. Really glad he’s the number one on Bora. Great Giro so far. The Giro never disappoints.

USAZorro

I'm done.

Changing team name to Ketamine and Quitters. Fortunately, the inability to watch has me feeling remarkably uninvested in this event.

Shadco 

Based on their luck I should have avoided Visma

.