Frosty

Time is up. Entries are closed.

According to Cyclingnews.com Lars Boom is still riding... http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astana-confirms-boom-wil-start-tour-de-france

750 entries... 40 mins left to enter

And picking a losing team is not that easy...

STAGE 01 – ITT How will you be scoring points today? http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_victoire_etape.png Stage finish 3 points per rider if your chosen riders cross the finish line and are classified as a finisher. The ITT is rated 6/6, so the daily points are worth 3 for this stage. http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_maillot_jaune.png GC Classification Assuming all 198 riders finish the stage, 19.8 points to the stage winner, and rider in yellow. Everyone else gets points based on their time relative to the winning time. The formula to calculate the points is as follows: {(1-(((RiderTime/LeaderTime)-1)*10))*Riders*BETA}, where: · RiderTime Rider’s current overall race time · LeaderTime Current race leader’s overall race time · Riders number of riders completing the stage · BETAYellow 0.1 http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_maillot_blanc.png Young Rider Classification There are 32 young riders, and assuming all finish the stage, 22.4 points to the stage winner, and rider in the white jersey. Everyone else gets points based on their time relative to the winning time. The formula to calculate the points is as follows: {(1-(((RiderTime/LeaderTime)-1)*10))*Riders*BETA}, where: · RiderTime Rider’s current overall race time · LeaderTime Current race leader’s overall race time · Riders number of riders completing the stage · BETAYellow 0.7 http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_maillot_vert.png Sprinter’s Classification There doesn’t appear to be an intermediate sprint point on this stage, so no points on offer. There are however points available at the finish line to the 15 fastest times on the day, with points as follows: 20 – 17 – 15 – 13 – 11 – 10 – 9 – 8 – 7 – 6 – 5 – 4 – 3 – 2 – 1 http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_maillot_a_pois.png KOM Classification No points on offer today. http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_dossard_combativite-antargaz.png Most Aggressive No points on offer today. http://www.letour.fr/le-tour/img/page-reglements/enjeux_dossard_equipes-ragt.png Team Classification Points are awarded to the top 4 teams at the end of the stage. Points available are as follows: 7 – 4 – 2 – 1 Bonus Points 1 point is awarded if one or more of your riders is wearing one of the category jerseys, i.e. Yellow, White or Green, as well as the Best Team. If a rider wins more than one jersey, the less important jersey is worn by the next rider on the standing (this rider does not qualify to score points). Breakaway No points on offer today. Daily Prize Everyone that picks the winner of today’s stage will go into the draw to select a winner. If the winning rider was not selected, we move down the stage classification until we get the first selected rider. Everyone that picks that rider will go into the draw. The prize for stage is a BELL STAR PRO helmet.

30,000 on Velogames... this would be a dream the Hub team and I can hopefully one day realise. our peloton is already 7 times bigger than ever before... #TDF2015

The start order for tomorrow's ITT http://www.biciciclismo.com/es/tour-de-francia-orden-de-salida-de-la-cri-03-07-2015 Who's your favourite for the win?

Stage 1 Profile http://www.procyclingstats.com/uploads/uploads00001/original/Stage-1432647203.jpeg Route map http://www.procyclingstats.com/uploads/uploads00001/original/Stage-1432648107.jpeg

For next year, there may be a mini-league option. This year is the start of a BIG step up.

Nope, I believe it's due to better advertising and fantastic prizes.

Yes, Admin has revealed that you will be able to see other contestant's picks once the entries are locked (12:00 tomorrow). I do usually post some statistics, but it's the first time (ever) that the game has exceeded 100 participants. It's a little more work compared to previous editions, but it will be posted here throughout the three weeks.

Not as easy as you think... I'll reveal all tomorrow afternoon

Two edit: and a free entry into next year's competition

As long as they attack each other stukkend, I'm happy for anyone to win. Although I'd like to see 'Berto give the double a really good go.

627 entries... http://www.daynawallace.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/24-hours-countdown-masthead.jpg to lock down your team start list for the competition.

611 entries...

Does open another set of questions. For me, the best return on an investment is a happy customer base - not making plenty moola. Sure, the shop would need to sustain the families involved in running it, but the satisfaction of helping other people with a new bike, gear, or a simple repair is (for me) a million times more satisfying than a healthy bank balance. One example is my pending new bike build - the bike owner said he can't charge me for the build, it's not something he does. But I am supplying all components except for the frame and one or two other bits and pieces. I think it's fair that in this case, that I pay for the frame and the build - otherwise how does he make a living.

I know the scoring better than most and I'm not sure of the perfect combination. I am testing various combinations this year to see which yields the best results: 9x GC 9x Sprinters (some punchers included) 9x breakaway riders (that's not even known) 9x normal picks (which is my team submitted for the comp, although no prizes for me). If you want send me a PM with you alternative picks and I'll run it with these. Don't worry, has nothing to do with the comp and won't be revealed until after the Tour is over.

No, only once.

The MTN-Qhubeka shirt needed some time to get used to, but their bike for the Tour... http://cdn.media.cyclingnews.com/2015/07/02/1/mtn_qhubeka_23_tdf_presentation_gruber_images_670.jpg

598 entries on the leaderboard

Most of the bike shops I've supported are owner-managed, with virtually no sales people. They work 9-6, Monday - Friday and a 3/4 day on Saturday. Moderately stocked, with the most common parts in stock. All of them know their products, and have been trading for a number of years. Their prices are not the cheapest, but they're not over the top. Maybe that's the secret to them still trading - they do the hard work and don't leave it to others.

Excellent - is it safe to think about starting a happy dance? [emoji1] [emoji12]

565 entries... a little under 44 hours to the deadline for entries (and to confirm your start list).

Any further news on the arrival date Shamus?