Wittenberg

The Talossan Cycling Association Tour is about to start.

Over the next three weeks four teams of 9 riders will compete for points, which they can gather over 3328 km, starting in Copenhagen and ending in Paris. (The orginal finish was planned to be on Cézembre of course, until the organisation realised there isn't a bridge going there from the mainland).

Whichever team has scored the most points when the riders arrive at the legendary Champs-Élysées will be declared the winner of the first Talossan Cycling Association Tour and receive eternal glory. Points are scored individually by the riders, for example by stage results, intermediate sprints and difficult climbs, but also by classification standings and also importantly by ensuring their teammates do well.

Registered teams:
-Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT (Cézembre)
-Naziun Cjovani (Benito)
-Gordon Hiatus Support Team (Benito)
-Kinetic Racing (Fiôvâ)

Your commentator will try to provide frequent updates in this topics. Perhaps not daily, but as frequently as doable.

Meanwhile the first riders are off for the first stage, a 13 km individual time trial in Copenhagen. It's far too early (and too short) to be decisive yet, but we might get a first impression of where everyone stands.

Meanwhile all teams have presented themselves

Gordon Hiatus Support Team (GHS)
1. C. Froome
2. P. Roglič
3. N. Quintana
4. A. Yates
5. A. Kristoff
6. F. Ganna
7. M. van der Poel
8. A. Bettiol
9. R. Bardet

Naziun Cjovani (CJO)
11. T. Pogačar
12. C. Froome
13. N. Quintana
14. W. Barguil
15. A. Capiot
16. J. Castroviejo
17. F. Felline
18. M. Cort
19. J. Vingegaard

Kinetic Racing (KIN)
21. C. Froome
22. J. Fuglsang
23. N. Quintana
24. W. Barguil
25. W. van Aert
26. M. van der Poel
27. T. Pidcock
28. F. Ganna
29. G. Thomas

Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT (BDC)
31. T. Pogačar
32. R. Urán
33. B. Mollema
34. T. Pinot
35. W. van Aert
36. N. van Hooydonck
37. M. van der Poel
38. T. Gallopin
39. P. Sagan

And we're off.

Van Aert (KIN/BDC), Pogacar (CJO/BDC), Ganna (GHS/KIN) and Van der Poel (GHS/KIN/BDC) all did very well in the time trial, resulting in a strong start for Banqeu Cézembre and Kinetic Racing in particular.

Of course Paris is still very far. In particular today's result is unlikely to affect the gc very much because of the very small differences. (Also most upcoming stage will have more points to distribute as there were no team points given out and also no intermediate sprint and no mountains yet). That said, I can say the morale at Cézembre HQ is quite high at the moment.  8)

Standing after stage 1.

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 622
2. Kinetic Racing - 560
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 436
4. Naziun Cjovani - 357

Tomorrow: Roskilde - Nyborg, which should be good for the sprinters presumably.

Morale for Naziun Cjovani is quite low. Showed my friend (the Tour aficionado) my picks for my fantasy team. "Eh, well, that's not the guys I would have picked." !!!

Kinetic Racing is quite pleased with the results. Still a lot of racing to go.

Magnus Cort (CJO) is in the breakaway. Obviously it would be great for Naziun Cjovani if he won, but even if that is unlikely, there are points to be gained during the stage as well.

So Cort did score some points halfway and will also be wearing the polkadot jersey tomorrow, but in the end its the finishline that matters most. As expected it was a day for the sprinters and among those in the selected teams van Aert (KIN/BDC) was the strongest (and also will be wearing yellow tomorrow). Sagan (BDC) and Kristoff (GHS) scored some points as well. There were several accidents today. At least Uran (BDC) and Ganna (GHS/KIN) were involved in crashes I think. Thankfully the damage in the end was limited.

Standings after stage 2:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 1065 (+443)
2. Kinetic Racing - 860 (+300)
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 580 (+144)
4. Naziun Cjovani - 476 (+119)

I will say though, Cézembre was the only team to include a sprinter at the wildcard position and also spent relatively few points on climbers, so perhaps that means we need to have a strong start as things may change very much when we get to the mountains. It will take a while until we get there and before then we can't really tell where things will go in the end. Still hard to not be pleased with how the scores are looking right now...

Tomorrow another flat Danish stage, without long windy bridges this time: Vejle - Sonderborg
Don't think I will be able to catch any of it, but hopefully I will still be able to give an update on the points later.

If anyone is interested in seeing TdF highlights, I highly recommend GCN Racing on YouTube. I generally watch GCN Tech because I personally like bicycles more than racing.  ;D

Based on the results it looks like today was nearly identical to yesterday. Van Aert will be annoyed at getting his third second place in three stages, but he's definitely bringing in the points for Kinetic Racing and BdC.

Standings after stage 3:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 1525 (+460)
2. Kinetic Racing - 1158 (+298)
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 704 (+124)
4. Naziun Cjovani - 589 (+113)

Tomorrow will be a transfer/rest day, after that the Talossan Cycling Association Tour will finally arrive in France. Sadly, that doesn't mean we're getting to the mountains soon, but at least the terrain should be a little bit more challenging and more likely to bring surprises. That said, for stage 4 (Dunkerque-Calais) a sprint finish still seems quite plausible.

This is BS. Hoping my dudes do better once in France.

GHST is aghast at our ghastly performance.

Information for the teams on the stagehunter competition. (https://wittenberg.talossa.com/index.php?topic=1511.msg12940#msg12940)

No sprint today, but Van Aert, who has dominated the first week so far, continues to carry his team and showed he can also win by attacking, winning the stage in impressive fashion.

Standings after stage 4:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 2016 (+491)
2. Kinetic Racing - 1498 (+340)
3. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 925 (+221)
4. Naziun Cjovani - 704 (+115)

Tomorrow should be one of the most interesting stages of the tour: the dreaded cobblestage between Lille and Arenberg. This is not a stage for any gc contender to win the tour, but a good opportunity for one of the favourites to lose. That said, the stage itself may again favour the teams already in the lead. There is room for surprises of course but also a good chance BdC will keep increasing its lead until we get to the first real mountain stage on friday.

Wish UCI would have saved the cobbles for Paris Roubaix. Too risky for the TdF.

Lots of things happening at the moment. Most of BdC is falling behind or literally fell or both. Meanwhile Cort Nielsen is trying again for Cjovani. Fortunes may be shifting.

Edit:
Barguil, Quintana, Pogacar all still there with so many others getting dropped. This could be a very good day for Naziun Cjovani (and very bad for GHST, because Roglic is far behind.)

Edit:
Well that was something. Pogacar the big winner as far as the GC is concerned. Roglic the big loser. No idea what this will do for the standings.

So Audrada's concerns proved correct as there were many incidents today. While everyone managed to finish, many did so battered and bruised. (Although to be honest, I also thought it was by far the most interesting stage to watch so far.)

So for the first time the daily ordering is different. How the turntables for Naziun Cjovani, who not only scored the most points today, but also greatly improved their GC prospects, with Pogacar solidifying his role as the favourite and Vingegaard overcoming some bad luck, managing to hang on and, importantly, improving his position vis-a-vis Roglic. The only thing that could have made the day better would have been if Cort Nielsen actually managing to win the stage, but that proved too much of a challenge after having been in the breakaway every single day so far. On the other hand, it was a disastrous day for the Gordon Hiatus Support Team, scoring very few points, dropping to 4th in the standings, but worst of all, losing Roglic, who sadly was caught by a displaced haystack, as a genuine GC contender.

Standings after stage 5:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 2235 (+219)
2. Kinetic Racing - 1678 (+180)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 1075 (+371)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 1017 (+92)

Tomorrow is the last stage before we get to the mountains (Binche - Longwy). Should be a lot less chaotic then today, but the finish should be exciting as they will have to climb a bit, so it won't come down to a mass sprint.

I knew that stage was going to be risky, didn't think it would be that bonkers.

Hard not to be impressed by Van Aert. After dominating the first week of the tour and having to do lots of work yesterday, he bravely choose the attack today, first with some others, eventually on his own, spending more than 100 km ahead of the peloton. Seeing the yellow jersey on the attack on a flat stage, without any teammates is not something you see very often. It would have been an insane achievement had he succeeded on his mission. Sadly, he didn't and lost his first place in the standings. Instead, it was mostly the gc favourites that fought for the stage win in the end, with Pogacar showing why he is the favourite, taking the stage and the Maillot Jaune.

This means another good day for Naziun Cjovani with Pogacar and Vingegaard delivering the second day in a row where they scored the most points.

Meanwhile, BdC should be getting worried that they really don't have that many riders who are competing in the group of favourites, resulting for the first time in the last place of the day. We are still ahead, but I fear there may be more similar results coming, and Kinetic Racing is gaining ground due to Pidcock, Thomas and Quintana.

Standings after stage 6:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 2575 (+340)
2. Kinetic Racing - 2136 (+458)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 1604 (+529)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 1373 (+356)

Tomorrow, the Talossan Cycling Association Tour starts in Tomblaine and then finally makes it to the mountains. Well, one mountain really, the somewhat ridiculously named "Super Planche des Belles Filles", where the finish lies. This is the first big test for the climbers and may tell us a lot about the results to come...

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/tdf22-et07-pp-super-planche-des-belles-filles-hommes/37241/0:0,1500:1000-960-0-90/20276)(from letour.fr)

Another good Cjovani score incoming

The first major climb of the tour, ending on a challenging gravel path with a 24% gradient, made clear who is still in the race for the gc and who isn't. Strongest again: Pogacar, but Vingegaard managed to stay close and score more points for Naziun Cjovani.

Standings after stage 7:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 2941 (+366) [sh: 3163]
2. Kinetic Racing - 2413 (+277)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 2171 (+567)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 1803 (+430)

Tomorrow the TCAT arrives in Switzerland: Dole - Lausanne. Somewhat of a transitional stage without any climbs like today. Feels like this could be an opportunity for a breakaway group to make it to the finish for once, so maybe we'll have some surprises.

A bit early maybe, but as the first contours of the various classifications start to somewhat take shape I decide to quickly calculate a virtual standing.

That is many points will be awarded at the end of the tour based on the various classifications (obviously most points go to the winner of general classification). In the meantime, various points will be also be awarded on a daily basis to whoever is leading at that point. That means that even if a team hasnt scored that many stage points yet, they might still be doing well if they can expect to receive a lot of points for winning overall, so having a look at this could put the current standing in quite a different perspective.

So assuming the current standings stay the same (they won't, but it still tells us something)

Expected end of tour classification points based on the standings after stage 7:
CJO - 1720
BDC - 1185
KIN - 1115
GHS - 1070

Expected daily classification points (stage 8-21) based on the standings after stage 7:
CJO - 1470
KIN - 1316
GHS - 1162
BDC - 1106

Virtual standing (Current standing + Expected end of tour + Expected daily) after stage 7:
1. Naziun Cjovani - 5361
2. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 5232
3. Kinetic Racing - 4844
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4035

So basically if Pogacar holds on to the yellow jersey, Vingegaard takes second place and Cort Nielsen keeps his place in the King of the Mountains ranking (which is maybe not so likely, but we'll see) Naziun Cjovani can expect to gain enough points to overcome its current deficit and win the Talossan Cycling Association Tour. Of course there are still more than enough possibilities for the other teams to shake things up and none of this is considering all the stage results that are yet to come.

The expected surprise never came to be in stage 8. The peloton never gave the breakaway a chance. In particular BdC's Nathan van Hooydonck pulled hard all day for his team captains, ensuring the attackers never got too far away. This strategy resulted in success for BdC as Van Aert managed to win another stage, with Pogacar not far behind.

Standings after stage 8:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 3414 (+473) [sh: 3784]
2. Kinetic Racing - 2868 (+455)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 2559 (+388)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 2087 (+284)

Tomorrow (Aigle, Switzerland -> Châtel Les Portes du Soleil, France) we get a proper mountain stage with plenty of climbing kilometers and an uphill finish (though no HC yet). An important opportunity for all the teams to score big.

Yesterday was another good day for Naziun Cjovani, due in part to Castroviejo, who was the first TCAT rider across the finish. We hadn't seen much of him in earlier stages, but yesterday he proved to be very valuable. Kinetic Racing still managed to hold on to second place for now, but it's very close.

Standings after stage 9:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 3844 (+430)
2. Kinetic Racing - 3215 (+347)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 3170 (+611)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 2387 (+300)

Today was a rest day. Tomorrow (Morzine les Portes du Soleil -> Megève) will be another hilly stage, which should be good for attackers, but due to the long uphill finish the gc riders may also show themselves again.

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/pinot/40847/0:0,1200:800-1000-0-70/986d3)
Jonathan Castroviejo (Naziun Cjovani) and Thibaut Pinot (Banqeu da Cézembre) riding in the breakaway in stage 9 of the Talossan Cycling Association Tour. Somewhere in Switzerland presumably. Source: letour.fr

Quote from: Iason Taiwos on July 01, 2022, 02:30:16 PM
Morale for Naziun Cjovani is quite low. Showed my friend (the Tour aficionado) my picks for my fantasy team. "Eh, well, that's not the guys I would have picked." !!!

Starting to think your friend may have been mistaken. Cort Nielsen in particular turned out to be a great pick for 8 points.

Another stagewin for Naziun Cjovani. This time it's finally Magnus Cort Nielsen, who has been in the attack many times so far. As a result, Naziun Cjovani overtakes Kinetic Racing for second place and may well be on track to overtake BdC as well in the coming week if it keeps getting these results.

Standings after stage 10:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 3924 (+80)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 3511 (+341)
3. Kinetic Racing - 3317 (+102)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 2536 (+149)

Big day tomorrow as we get a major mountainstage (Albertville -> Col du Granon Serre Chevalier). Several 1st and Hors category climbs are on the menu, including an absolute tour classic, the highest point in the TCAT: the Col du Galibier. Cycling history has been written on the Galibier many times, so this should be exciting.

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/tdf22-et11-pp-galibier/37229/0:0,1500:1250-960-0-90/d8b17) (source: letour.fr)

Ok, just saw the results and wow is my team useless in mountain stages...

Holy crap! I wasn't expecting that!

Vingegaard takes the lead! And so does Naziun Cjovani! A major setback for BdC, GHST and Kinetic as Van der Poel withdraws, adding to  a pretty disastrous day for BdC overall as Pogacar loses to Vingegaard and none of the other BdC riders are anywhere to be seen.

Standings after stage 10:

1. Naziun Cjovani - 4307 (+796)
2. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 4204 (+280)
3. Kinetic Racing - 3996 (+679)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 3157 (+621)

A major plottwist today and it doesn't look like things will calm down tomorrow as the TCAT will climb the Galibier again(!) and then move on to another tour classic, the finish at the Alpe d'Huez (which btw is sometimes called the Dutch mountain, partly because Dutch riders have often been succesful here, partly because Dutch tourists on their summer holiday in France tend to go watch this stage, sadly not always behaving well). Another big mountain stage and another important chance for the teams to score big (or in the case of BdC, probably not).

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/tdf22-et12-pp-alpe-huez/37246/0:0,1500:1000-960-0-90/4a15d) (from letour.fr)

Speaking of fans misbehaving, I was genuinely upset by the behaviour of the onlookers towards the end of today's stage. We don't want nor need another "Allez Opi-Omi" situation.

Just got home. Looks like it was a great day for Kinetic Racing

Edit: and more confirmation that BdC is useless in the mountains

An impressive victory for Pidcock on the Alpe d'Huez results in Kinetic Racing scoring the most points today and overtaking BdC for the second place overall.

Standings after stage 12:

1. Naziun Cjovani - 4910 (+603)
2. Kinetic Racing - 4745 (+749)
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 4394 (+210)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 3600 (+443)

Tomorrow (Le Bourg d'Oisans -> St Étienne) looks like it could be a day for the sprinters. BdC will be relieved to leave the alps behind after a disastrous performance there.

Honestly, I'm shocked by how well Kinetic did today. Hopefully we can get some serious points tomorrow as well.

Quote from: Audrada Roibeardet on July 14, 2022, 08:23:41 PM
Honestly, I'm shocked by how well Kinetic did today. Hopefully we can get some serious points tomorrow as well.

Looks like you did...

Having to do a double update today. Will also do an update on the virtual standings later.

We have a new leader! Somewhat to my surprise, the sprinters let the attack get away yesterday. This included KIN/GHS rider Ganna. Combined with Van Aert leading the Peloton in the sprint this resulted in another good day for Kinetic Racing. Good enough to overtake Naziun Cjovani in the standings.

Standings after stage 13:

1. Kinetic Racing - 5095 (+350)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 5086 (+176)
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 4620 (+226)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 3865 (+265)

Today was a hilly stage in the Massif Central (Saint-Étienne -> Mende), which always seemed like a great opportunity for attackers, and indeed we got a large breakaway, consisting of three BdC riders (Pinot, Uran, Mollema), one GHS rider (Bettiol) and one KIN rider (Fuglsang). In the end Bettiol was the first to the finish of the five, but it was BdC scoring the most points with Kinetic racing expanding their lead over Naziun Cjovani.

Standings after stage 14:

1. Kinetic Racing - 5326 (+231)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 5189 (+103)
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 4980 (+360)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4146 (+281)

Yesterday BdC may have let the attack get away, but tomorrow surely is an opportunity they don't want to miss, as it's the last flat stage before the Pyrenees and opportunities for sprinters overall are rare this tour. In his current form this may be another opportunity for van Aert and an opportunity for BdC and Kinetic to score some more points before we get to the mountains again.

Ok, did another virtual standing calculation again

Expected end of tour classification points based on the standings after stage 14:
CJO - 1685 (-35)
KIN - 1175 (+60)
GHS - 1105 (+35)
BDC - 965 (-220)

Expected daily classification points (stage 15-21) based on the standings after stage 14:
KIN - 707
CJO - 686
GHS - 567
BDC - 518

Virtual standing after stage 14:
1. Naziun Cjovani - 7560
2. Kinetic Racing - 7208
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 6463
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 5818


So BdC didnt just score few stage points in the alps, we also got a big hit in the classification standings, and it might get even worse in the Pyrenees.

Meanwhile, despite being overtaken by Kinetic Racing the current standings, Naziun Cjovani is still on course to win the TCAT, because of the many end of tour points they will receive.
However, the last three stages should be very good for Van Aert in his current form, which may score Kinetic Racing a lot of points, which could compensate for the classification points Naziun Cjovani will get, so it will be important for Naziun Cjovani to score big in the Pyrenees (which I expect will happen, with Pogacar and Vingegaard both in the team).

It's a long ride to Cézembre Paris, and not everyone survives the journey. GHST and Naziun Cjovani suffered setbacks as Roglic's shoulder problems that started after his crash in the cobblestage caused him to withdraw and Cort Nielsen, one of the most memorable riders this TCAT, tested positive for Covid. I failed to mention Barguil (Kinetic Racing) faced the same misfortune a few stages earlier and also withdrew. Meanwhile Vingegaard himself was one of several riders to crash yesterday, but was thankfully able to continue, unlike one of his most important teammates, meaning he will be more isolated as we go into the Pyrenees. For now he is still comfortably in the Maillot Jaune though.

Stage 15 ended more or less as expected as BdC (pretty much the sprintteam of TCAT) ensured their riders were present at the finish for a mass sprint, and indeed BdC riders Van Aert and Sagan were the first and second TCAT riders across the finish, allowing BdC to (for now) overtake Naziun Cjovani in the standings again, while Kinetic Racing extended their lead.

Standings after stage 15:

1. Kinetic Racing - 5619 (+293)
2. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 5448 (+468)
3. Naziun Cjovani - 5338 (+149)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4250 (+104)

Sadly for BdC, there wont be much sprinting in the coming days as we enter the mountains again. Tomorrow (Carcassonne -> Foix) is another transitional stage, though with a particularly nasty climb on the way, the Mur de Péguère.

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/tdf22-et16-pp-mur-de-peguere/37249/0:0,1500:1000-960-0-90/5242a)

The day after that  (Saint Gaudens -> Peyragudes) we will have a proper mountain stage again. No Tourmalet this year apparently, but still some pretty challenging climbs, with a finish on the Peyragudes where the fight for the yellow jersey may again get a big shakeup. (Mentioning this stage already because Im not expecting to be able to do an update tomorrow)

Btw, I had to cycle 30 mins from work when it was 33 *C today and I felt like I was dying. Temperatures in France were even higher last week. How they all managed to race for 100s of kilometers under these conditions is completely beyond me.

It's because they are professional athletes and we're mere mortals.  ;D

Naziun Cjovani made a big jump in the standings today as they took a major step towards winning the Talossan Cycling Association Tour.

Yesterday didn't have a particularly interesting result. BdC had a good day due to Van Hooydonck, Gallopin and Van Aert being in the attack and Van Aert leading the group of favourites at the finish. Kinetic Racing had a decent day as well, but this was offset by already the third withdrawal on the team as Jakob Fuglsang didn't start the stage.

Standings after stage 16:

1. Kinetic Racing - 5835 (+216)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 5499 (+161)
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 5706 (+231)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4333 (+83)

Today was big however. Pogacar was the first to reach the finish line at the ski resort of Peyragudes after a day of climbing, but wasn't able to shake off Vingegaard who didn't lose much time. Both riders scored many points for Naziun Cjovani, who are now back in second place. It's very close at the top of the standings with less than 100 points separating the three teams, but the position of Vingegaard and Pogacar in the general classification means that Naziun Cjovani definitely seems to have an edge.

Standings after stage 17:

1. Kinetic Racing - 6160 (+325)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 6127 (+628)
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 6096 (+390)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4571 (+238)

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/mj-mb/42526/0:0,1200:800-1000-0-70/989c2)
The two star riders of the Naziun Cjovani team battling it out in the Pyrenees. From letour.fr

Tomorrow we get another big mountain stage with several climbs, including the legendary Col d'Aubisque and a finish at the Hautacam. This day may turn out to be decisive, both for the individual battle between Pogacar and Vingegaard as for the battle between the TCAT teams. Should Naziun Cjovani manage get a repeat of today's result, that might well be enough to clinch the victory, as even good results by Ganna, Van Aert and Sagan in the final three stages may not be enough to offset the lead Naziun Cjovani would have in the virtual standing. If tomorrow is not as decisive as today however, there may still be some hope for Kinetic or BdC.

Vingegaard wins the tour!

(But TCAT is not decided yet as BdC has a very strong day and may be in a good position to win after all)

Full update later.

Edit: looking at the numbers Naziun Cjovani still the clear favourite...

Right, so the individual classifications are decided. Many riders attacked today, but in the end it was Vingegaard and Pogacar who were left, not for the first time. Pogacar tried to attack several times, but it was Vingegaard who finally got away, winning not just the stage but also the King of the Mountains classification and gaining enough time on Pogacar that there is simply no chance Pogacar will bridge the gap in the time trial. So Naziun Cjovani (Vingegaard) takes both the yellow and the polkadot jersey, while Kinetic Racing and BdC (van Aert) share the green. Despite this it might actually have been BdC who had the best day as Pinot, Mollema and Uran also scored points on the way, allowing BdC to take the lead again.

Standings after stage 18:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 6781 (+712)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 6736 (+609)
3. Kinetic Racing - 6706 (+546)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4712 (+141)

So its very close at the moment. However, many points are still to be awarded based on the final classifications, which is very good news for Naziun Cjovani, being the team with the actual winner of the tour. Now that we have a good idea of how these classifications will look like, lets have a look at the virtual standings again, before we get to the next stage.

Expected end of tour classification points based on the standings after stage 18:
CJO - 1790 (+105)
KIN - 1130 (-45)
BDC - 1045 (+80)
GHS - 760 (-345)

Expected daily classification points (stage 19-21) based on the standings after stage 18:
CJO - 327
KIN - 279
BDC - 219
GHS - 180

Virtual standing after stage 18:
1. Naziun Cjovani - 8853
2. Kinetic Racing - 8115
3. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 8045
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 5652

So where the Alps turned out pretty badly for BdC, we survived the Pyrenees pretty well, unlike GHST.

Either way, the points Naziun Cjovani will be getting from Vingegaard (and Pogacar) mean they are still in a very good position. It will be very difficult for BdC or Kinetic to bridge the gap. Difficult, but maybe not impossible, as there are still two sprint stages and a time trial coming up, in which van Aert may again score well. BdC might also hope for a good result by Sagan, whereas Kinetic Racing might be hoping for Ganna to win the time trial this time. That said, for either team to beat Naziun Cjovani, they need to score big three stages in a row.

Tomorrow is the first chance to do so, in a very flat stage (Castelnau -> Magnoac), that will almost certainly end in a mass sprint. Chances for Van Aert and Sagan hopefully.

Not having vd Poel in the time trial is a big miss for Kinetic and BdC.

Kinetic Racing has been particularly unlucky wrt withdrawals this edition. Barguil, van der Poel, Fuglsang, and now Froome...

Is it time to congratulate Iason yet?

Guess we should wait until the result is definitive, but after today's stage, I don't see a path for either BdC or Kinetic. The race for second place isn't over yet, but something pretty disastrous needs to happen for Naziun Cjovani not to win the first Talossan Cycling Association Tour

Full update tomorrow after the time trial probably.

Quote from: Glüc da Dhi S.H. on July 22, 2022, 01:16:48 PM
Is it time to congratulate Iason yet?

Yeah, this one is done and dusted. Chapeau, Iason.

Today's stage (Paris La Defense -> Champs Elysees) traditionally doesn't feature much racing until the very end. As I write this, Jonas Vingegaard and his teammates from Naziun Cjovani have already celebrated their victory with a glass of champaign.

Friday Kinetic Racing and BdC needed the stage to end in a sprint won by van Aert and score big to keep their already slim hopes of winning alive. This didn't happen. Instead, Pogacar went for a desparate attempt to dethrone Vingegaard and while this didn't succeed, he did succeed in ensuring his team secured the overall victory.

Standings after stage 19:

1. Naziun Cjovani - 7115 (+379)
2. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 7003 (+222)
3. Kinetic Racing - 6842 (+136)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 4849 (+137)

As we got to the time trial stage, the most important result was already decided. Still, many riders went for it. In the end it was Van Aert who performed the best, closely followed by Vingegaard. A fitting result, considering how these two names have dominated this years TCAT. The race for second place had not yet been decided however. Other than van Aert, Kinetic Racing was also  counting on Thomas and Ganna to do well, and they did. However, BdC's Mollema and Pogacar also did well, giving BdC the most points on the stage and a very strong position in the race for second. It also was just enough for BdC to overtake Naziun Cjovani by a single point (!), allowing BdC to enter the Champs Elysees as the overall leader. Sadly, it won't last.

I haven't calculated the virtual standings again, but assuming the classifications stayed roughly the same, BdC may have about a 100 point lead over Kinetic Racing at the moment (not entirely sure tbh, perhaps the unfortunate withdrawal of Van Hooydonck means the gap is even smaller). That should be enough for second place, provided Pidcock, Thomas, Quintana or Ganna dont score today, which would be surprising, but surprises do happen...

Standings after stage 20:

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 7552 (+549)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 7551 (+436)
3. Kinetic Racing - 7377 (+535)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 5039 (+190)

Meanwhile the riders have Paris for the legendary final sprint at the Champs Elysees. Let's hope for a nice finish to the Talossan Association Cycling Tour.

Kristoff first TCAT rider across the line, so GHST should finally get the most stagepoints today. Also, Sagan's position should confirm BdC gets second place overall.

Edit: yup

Standings after stage 21 (Without Final Classification points!)

1. Banqeu da Cézembre KLüP TMT - 7747 (+195)
2. Naziun Cjovani - 7685 (+134)
3. Kinetic Racing - 7495 (+118)
4. Gordon Hiatus Support Team - 5284 (+245)

Working on final results post, this may take a while...

Team:
Pogacar 3412
Vingegaard 3199
Quintana 1109
Cort Nielsen 706 (abandon: stage 15)
Castroviejo 434
Froome 236 (abandon: stage 18)
Capiot 155
Barguil 154 (abandon: stage 13)
Felline 0 (abandon: stage 17)

Stage points	5071
Daily GC points	1304	Final GC points	1360	Overall GC points	2664
Daily PC points	146	Final PC points	100	Overall PC points	246
Daily KOM points	239	Final KOM points	180	Overall KOM points	419
Intermediate Sprint points	83
Summit points	290
Breakaway points	180
Daily assist points	372	Final assist points	80	Total assist points	452
Total daily points	7682	Total final classification points	1720	Total points	9405

Team:
Pogacar - 3412 points
Van Aert - 2917 points
Pinot - 769 points
Sagan - 682 points
Mollema - 302 points
Van Hooydonck - 290 points (abandon: stage 20)
Uran - 222 points
Van der Poel - 215 points (abandon: stage 11)
Gallopin - 48 points

Stage points	5080
Daily GC points	819	Final GC points	700	Overall GC points	1519
Daily PC points	382	Final PC points	210	Overall PC points	592
Daily KOM points	90	Final KOM points	130	Overall KOM points	220
Intermediate Sprint points	238
Summit points	232
Breakaway points	320
Daily assist points	586	Final assist points	70	Total assist points	656
Total daily points	7747	Total final classification points	1110	Total points	8857

Team:
Van Aert - 2917 points
Thomas - 2025 points
Quintana - 1109 points
Pidcock - 1080 points
Ganna - 695 points
Froome - 236 points (abandon: stage 18)
Van der Poel - 215 points (abandon: stage 11)
Fuglsang - 194 points (abandon: stage 16)
Barguil - 154 points (abandon: stage 13)

Stage points	4639
Daily GC points	1067	Final GC points	785	Overall GC points	1852
Daily PC points	254	Final PC points	120	Overall PC points	374
Daily KOM points	35	Final KOM points	45	Overall KOM points	80
Intermediate Sprint points	228
Summit points	264
Breakaway points	260
Daily assist points	748	Final assist points	180	Total assist points	928
Total daily points	7495	Total final classification points	1130	Total points	8625

Team:
Quintana - 1109 points
Yates - 1107 points
Bardet - 1015 points
Ganna - 695 points
Roglic - 677 points (abandon: stage 15)
Kristoff - 498 points
Bettiol - 472 points
Froome - 236 points (abandon: stage 18)
Van der Poel - 215 points (abandon: stage 11)

Stage points	3453
Daily GC points	979	Final GC points	640	Overall GC points	1619
Daily PC points	6	Final PC points	0	Overall PC points	6
Daily KOM points	8	Final KOM points	0	Overall KOM points	8
Intermediate Sprint points	56
Summit points	92
Breakaway points	100
Daily assist points	590	Final assist points	100	Total assist points	690
Total daily points	5284	Total final classification points	740	Total points	6024

That was it for the first edition of the Talossan Cycling Association Tour.

Congratulations to Naziun Cjovani, the very deserved winner,  and congratulations to their team leader Iason, the only one to pick Vingegaard, the actual winner of the tour. As for your sceptical friend, maybe you should be telling him how the tour works instead :p

Many thanks to @Audrada Roibeardet, @Lüc and @Iason Taiwos for playing. It was fun. Looking forward to next year's edition...

(https://img.aso.fr/core_app/img-cycling-tdf-jpg/podium-jaune-2/43216/0:0,1200:800-1000-0-70/2fc8c)
Vingegaard (Naziun Cjovani) after having won the Talossan Cycling Association Tour

Thoughts on doing a virtual Vuelta? I really enjoyed this and I'd like us to do all three of the Grand Tours.

I'd be open to doing it. Dont know if I can do as many score updates, but if enough people are willing to participate I could set up a league for the Vuelta I guess.


(As it happens, the Vuelta will not only come within walking distance of my parents house this year, but give out its first summit point there as well. A bit silly for a hill of no more than 69 meters (I've actually done it many times), but that's about the best we can do in the The Netherlands (although weirdly they will come at it from the least challenging side).

Congratulations, Iason ^^

Pretty clear my picks bombed big time and I was never in contention for anything significant - especially as the only team without either Pogacar, Vingegaard or van Aert, and with Roglic and van der Poel  - but I still had fun and got excited about cycling again. And well, finally getting that P1 on the last day is a bit of a consolation prize at least :)

I'd be happy to play again in any future virtual grand tours. Too bad we missed Giro, but hopefully next year we'll be around for that.

Oh, just in case someone was wondering. The name of my team is a reference to Glüc's "Taking a break from Talossa" status, even though he is clearly more active than me.

It would be cool to have a Talossan Cycling Association Triple Crown Winner. I wonder if any of us could accomplish that.

I'm willing to participate in the Vuelta. (I would have responded to everyone's congratulations on my victory before now, but I've been on a celebratory drinking binge. 😁)