ok, just checking, because I didn't think Pierre would chase that, but I realized there was a slight wording error in his tactics.

Okay, to keep you in the loop:
Tomorrow I'm spending most of the day in the studio, recording an album. I've no idea when I'll leave or when I'll be home. But I'll try to post the race preview before I leave or when I get home.
As said before, I hope to do the next race on Wednesday or on Christmas Day. I don't feel the pace is too high now. I see a lot of active users and that's just great. Also, the pace will slow down naturally in the next few weeks, so a relatively quick start is a welcome sight, I think.

Also, I'm too damn excited to let it rest for too long Can't wait to read more of these stories/interviews/posts you come up with!


EDIT: fun fact. The first team to win is the only 1-man team in the peloton. So this already proves that you can do well even without (a lot of) teammates in cyclo-cross

Yeah, quick start is good to get the ball rolling and even if races won't be posted for some time we can still update on our riders. Great activity all around the place so far and we should enjoy it for as long as it lasts. Like you said, it'll get slower naturally.

Indeed. And the site is quite slow in these months so let's bring some life back to the place

Very excited about the next race because the Blaarmeersen is a recreational center only 5 km from my home in real life. It's a great recreational center / park to organize a cross, with a very tough hill in it. There is some sand but expect a first race for those riders who pack a real punch uphill! Also it's the start of the Superprestige, which makes it double interesting. Riders will have to ride for points now, too, not just for the victory of the day. Will come into play in tactcs, I reckon. Teams will have to make a choice early on. Put all on one leader or not?
At least the Bank of Ireland - Guinness won't have that problem

See you at the preview tomorrow
Keep the interviews/reports... coming, I've enjoyed reading every single one of them. I think I've read the game thread about 4 times over now already

I thought my Blaarmeersen was my Ghent route because I didn't compare the technical information. This one suits Sylvain more than the other so I'm good. Although it made me go through and check which of my races were in it. but I don't think SAP will care about the points in their race there. I can't wait for it though.

This post if intended for Cycleman123

Hehe. Just finished writing the Starc version of my post. And hey now, I was watching the cricket while making my riders. I have Michael Bollinger as well

There are enough races of yours that made the calendar, I think I'll also be looking at some extra for the next season but that's too long into the future to worry about now


UPDATE: Some technical information on some routes. Some history on most of the races. Those information will be posted gradually, though, race per race.

Don't be surprised if some technical information changes lightly from the overview in the second post. These will never be big changes, though. For example: I just edited the Blaarmeersen cross to 4 technical, instead of 5. This is only a small change and the winner will still need some bike handling, but this brings the emphasis more on the climbing, too, which suits the real life recreational center more, with that big climb.

You know, plus the weather has a big impact, too. A profile can be 3 technical and 4 climbing but with plenty of rain turn into 5 technical, only 3 uphill and a lot of running, if the main climb is unridable and has to be climbed on foot things like that. A sand profile can be almost completely frozen and gone is most of the tricky sand

Didn't want to break format at the Game Thread and if I start to work with pictures, I'll have to always include them and they may not always be available.
For those interested, some pictures on the upcoming race (preview will be up a little later, working on it)

Beach:



Uphill:



Narrow roads (don't slip here, tricky to overtake another cyclist):

Wow, looks like a really good course, in real-life.

Also I just wanted to say I haven't had any problems and things like when I said I thought it was my course wasn't a complaint, it was just saying, oh I was stupid there.

Looking forward to the next race because I actually have riders who can do something.

Yeah, I'm always amazed they don't organise a cross there annually

A question for all of you with the first racing weekend coming up:

Which of the following 2 formats do you prefer for a weekend with 2 races?

Format 1
- preview race A
- report race A
- preview race B
- report race B

OR

Format 2
- preview race A
- preview race B
- report race A
- report race B

Format 2 would make more sense realistically. Well, not necessarily but with only one night and morning between the two races, there isn't so much time for interviews/statements etc etc
But maybe for the role-playing aspect and game it's better to use format 1? each race at the time?

Looks like this will actually be a cross that suits Matt perfectly, let's see how it goes

EDIT: Format 2 looks more realistic

Format 1 would be cleaner and suit the game better. But yes Format 2 would be more realisitic (he says looking ahead to the race in Oman and inside a building)

Yes it seems to suit him fine. He's a technical, uphill and powerful rider, so seems like the perfect race for him

For those who missed it, preview is up here!


TMM: I am keen to agree. Format 1 will probably take it, also to keep the overview better.
And excellent point

I prefer Format 1, give each race some time for spotlight.

I prefer 1, so you only have to focus on 1 race at a time

Prefer 1 as well.

Okay so it's one
Race to be reported tomorrow!

Also glad we had that interview with last race's winner! Now we can truly look forward to the start of the Superprestige.

Nice, Ian brings the presents to christmas.