Just read the Dave Millar article (the fool obviously included himself) and thought it would be funny to make one myself. Since I'm a lazy, lets play with the same rules as the great Dave did: Road captain, sprinter, team leader for GC, co-captain, climber and 4 doms.
Road captain:
Luis Leon was one of my favourite riders on Caisse d' Epargne. He was a absolute monster for some years and won many stages in the Tour before signing with Rabobank and regressing. Seems like he has picked up the dom role at Astana to perfection and he needs to be on my team.
Sprinter:
It has to be Freire. One of the most durable sprinters, 3 time world champion and a legend. If I had a team focused on GC-riders, he would be the obvious pick since he didn't need much help to succeed and could win many different races.
Team leader:
Obviously Valverde. I was afraid that he would never be the same after the ban, but it seems that the opposite has happened at times. Despite him failing at the Tour many times, lets not forget he has been one of the best Ardennes-riders ever along with challenging at the Vuelta year in and year out. You always know what you get from him.
Co-captain:
Samuel Sanchez. I had my huge Euskaltel-chrush in the 2010-2011 seasons when Valverde was banned and Sanchez and Anton were some of the most lethal climbers in the peloton. I specifically remember the stage he won to Luz Ardiden in 2011, watching it with my daddy in Italy in a bar with my Euskadi kit on after a good ride. That was glorious.
Climber:
I so wanted to put either Mayo, Quintana or Anton here, but I gotta stay true to my homeland. Michael Rasmussen is the purest climber since Pantani, more or less only targeting the Tour and attacking whenever the road rose. My best cycling memories comes from watching Rasmussen in a bar in France with a dutch guy, battling with Contador and ultimately winning on Aubisque before getting kicked out. The dislike for Rabobank was born.
Doms:
Coming over from Euskaltel, Ion Izaguirre has rapidly become one of my absolute favourite riders. Excels at one week stage races, he isn't a classic domestique by any means, but he is super versatile and a nice addition to any team's depths in smaller stage races.
I also to have to include Malori. An absolute beast on the ITT and TTT he can gain advantages for my leaders on the increasingly TTT's in GT's and pick up some wins in major races by himself.
After realising his ceiling is 4th places and take a step back from the sprints, Rojas is becoming a superdomestique for Valverde. Super versatile and good in every terrain, Rojas seems to be at this disposal whenever he needs him to be. I enjoyed his 2011 run at the Green Jersey, but everyone knew, including himself, that it wasn't meant to be.
Altho Rolland isn't a domestique by any means, I'll still remember his 2011-Tour in the services of Thomas Voeckler, finally breaking free on the last stage to Alpe d' Huez and beasting it, winning ahead of Sami Sanchez and Contador. Definitely one of my favourite riders to watch in the Tour de France every year.
watching Rasmussen in a bar in France with a dutch guy, battling with Contador and ultimately winning on Aubisque before getting kicked out. The dislike for Rabobank was born
Classic drunk Rijs.
Very cool idea for the thread. All-time, boy we have to dig deep for that. Kudos for smart selection of Freire and Rolland.
Millar even picked himself not only as a simple rider but as road captain in a team half full with dopers - so much for new credible spokesperson for british cycling https://www.cyclin...ream-team/Edited by Shonak on 18-02-2016 15:02
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
watching Rasmussen in a bar in France with a dutch guy, battling with Contador and ultimately winning on Aubisque before getting kicked out. The dislike for Rabobank was born
Classic drunk Rijs.
Very cool idea for the thread. All-time, boy we have to dig deep for that. Kudos for smart selection of Freire and Rolland.
Yeah, man, its so hard. Especially since you specifically have to pick riders for certain roles, I had to leave so many riders out. Sorry Quinco, Andy, Mancebo, Rui Costa and Anton.
Yup. He is a jerk, but I gotta admit his team is well thought out, altho its obviously super Garmin-heavy.
Well when the rules are you must pick riders you've also ridden with, then it's easy to see why Millar picked a Garmin-GB heavy squad. What was his other choice, pick the super badly doped riders from his Cofidis days?
Sastre's is even worse though
Road captain: Eric Vanderaerden : For his experience and allround skill
Sprinter - Rik Van Looy : A sprinter that can also handle any classic
Team leader - Eddy Merckx : Can't be much of a question
Co leader - Freddy Maertens : Obvious choice, looking at my team leader
Climber - Lucien Van Impe : The last true climber
Dom 1 - Jempi Monsere : a huge talent
Dom 2 - Fred De Bruyne : Horribly underestimated rider
Dom 3 - Eric Leman : Has to be on the list for 3x RvV
Dom 4 - Stijn Devolder : Just to have a still active rider
Edited by Ollfardh on 19-02-2016 14:20
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/
Making my selection on the grounds of this being a Grand Tour squad..
Road Captain: Bettini - Smartest guy back in the day and easily the most accomplished too. World Cup dominator, champion of World Championships and Olympic Games but most of all, always there when needed, putting in the work when needed and always up there for his captains in the Grand Tours. Later on put his coordination and team skills to good use at national coach of Italy.
Sprinter: Freire - Much like Riis stated. Does not need much lead-out, but gives you wins. Legend with 3 WC and MSR titles to his name.
Team leader: Contador - who else? In his hayday the best Grand Tour rider I've seen live on TV, marvellous in all aspects but most notable the man of the great attacks and glorious moments that make history, as seen in Fuente De, Alpe d'Huez, Mortirolo or that Tirreno stage. Those moments you tune in to watch cycling. He makes my dream team sponsor very happy.
Co-leader: Gilberto Simoni - Ah yes, the climber of my young years and winner of two Giros plus multiple podiums, his climbing only surpassed by his big mouth and leader arrogance. Plus one of the best feuds ever with young Cunego back then. I wish he'd return to the peloton.
Climber: Igor Anton - Basque climbing esprit outweights Pirata's and Van Impe's legacy. Inspirational when at his best. Could and should have won much more but the basque has been up till his move to Movistar an 'ever-attacking, but most often times caught in the end anyway' danger in the mountains and thus a man of my sympathy and taste. Oh well, Vuelta should have been his. ;(
Dom 1 - J.A. Flecha.. Experienced, sympathic, beast on the flat.
Dom 2 - Erik Dekker.. Triple Dekker, stage hunter galore!
Dom 3 - Stybar - Well he has to play second fiddle to Terpstra and Boonen still so I have no shame in putting him here as a dom.. Great czech champion of Cyclo-Cross and the road and a guy with great humour too, to follow on social media.
Dom 4 - Adam Hansen - great guy and that GT streak is for the ages
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Leader: Charly Gaul
I just love him. A great climber with a fantastic style and panache.
Free Role: Tom Simpson
Strong and agressive rider, one of the best in his day. Could challenge on most terrains and could pop in a good GC to boot given some luck. A great all-round kind of guy.
Sprinter: Andre Darigarde
I would've gone with Cav's but he needs a serious lead-out. Andre is fast as f*ck but can go solo and use his smarts. A true sprinting legend that opens up some good possiblities in the rest of the team.
Road Captain: George Hincapie
A greatly knowledgable rider who is a strong domestique. George is a beast all-rounder and when you've won that many TDFs you learn a lot.
Domestiques: Adam Hansen, Geraint Thomas, Tony Martin, Sean Yates, Rene Vietto
Adam is just strong and never ending, as well as a good upbeat personality. Geraint is strong on all terrains, just what you want. Tony is a flat beast but can give climbing support early on in big stages. Yates is known as one of the hardest men ever, on the flat he's stronger than a train. Vietto is oft regarded as the best domestique ever, a climber good enough he could've won himself.
Leader:Alberto Contador
Road Captain:Fabian Cancellara
Co-Leader:Laurent Fignon
Sprinter:Sean Kelly
Climber:Lucho Herrera
Dom 1:Melcior Mauri:Winner of Vuelta 1991.A great TTist and also a pretty good climber on his day.
Dom 2:Mikel Nieve
Dom 3: Pierrick Fedrigo
Dom 4:Lars Bak
Edited by Forever the Best on 19-02-2016 06:39
Road Captain: George Hincapie - Really crucial to Armstrong and Evans winning all there TDFs (don't know about Contador), has a really good eye for where to be in the pack.
Team Leader: Hugo Koblet - In 1950 and 1951 he was amazing, especially stage 11 of the 1951 where he held off a group containing all the best cyclists of the time to only lose 30 seconds over 100km, really a great time trialist and quite a good climber
Dom 1: Vasil Kiryienka Can power a peloton for hours, literally.
Dom 2: Adam Hansen - Same as Siutsou, also has really nice fighting spirit and can ride GTs endlessly. (plus need an Aussie )
Dom 3: Alessandro De Marchi - I love this guy for his attacks and strength in the mountains.
Dom 4: Gerraint Thomas - Actually picked Rojas first because I like him more but changed to Thomas because of his all-round strength.
By the way, if enough teams are created, we should use Udoi's all time db to race a Tour de France between all the dream teams to see who's is the 'best' so to speak.
EDIT:
TMM zabel'd all my picks...
Edited by trekbmc on 19-02-2016 06:14
Road Captain: Maniel Quinziato - Absolutely love this guy(and his taste in music). One of the most experienced riders in the peleton who reads the race well and also has good abilities(3rd Quatar)
Sprinter: Alexander Kristoff - Possibly the best rider in the word atm(Up there with Sagan and Valverde). Might not be as fast as Kittel or Grepel, but he's the best power sprinter in the world and also has a insane stamina which makes him compete in most races.
Team Leader: Tom Boonen - Best cobble rider off all time. He's the definition of a cycling super star. His win in Paris Roubaix in 2012 will always be a fond memory.
Co-leader: Sylvain Chavanel - Mancrush.
Climber: Fränk Schleck - Man I miss the days when the Schleck brothers dominated. Fränk has always been a classy rider and is for me is one of few good old "climbers".
Dom 1: Vasil Kiryienka - Hard as nails+TT world champion.
Dom 2: Geraint Thomas - Unlike other on here I've always liked the guy. Can do anything and is unselfish.
Dom 3: Daniel Moreno - Extremely talented rider. He could've won loads of races, but never works good as captain, therefore he makes a perfect domestique.
Dom 4: Tanel Kangert - One of the few Astana riders I actually like. Could potentially go for Grand tours himself and compete for 10 tens.
Road Captain: Michael Rodgers - Not actually the biggest fan of him, but when you are looking for a road captain, you can hardly find better, from what i have seen, heard and read over last 10-15years. He organized so much entertainment from this position, like for example many most well-known Tour crosswind stages.
Sprinter: Djamolidine Abdoujaparov - Tashkent terror, you dont want to compete with this man in a sprint, because he will bring you down either with his arms, or his speed. Run away you fool!
Team Leader: Peter Sagan - questions? I dont think so.
Co-leader: Eddy Merckx - worse version of Sagan, so he could race the scraps left by the real slovakian team leader and win the race or two.
Climber: Federico Bahamontes - The eagle of Toledo, flying up the mountains of all GTs and cutting corners in downhill as crippled car rally car. Fast and furious, how i like it.
Dom 1: Tanel Kangert - one of the best GT domestiques i have seen in recent years, perfect rider for any team i guess.
Dom 2: Adam Hansen - Great guy, great rider, undestructible human being. What more you could possibly want from a domestique on your team?
Dom 3: Sylwester Szmyd - He vanished pretty quickly, but in his 2009-2012 Liquigas campaign, he was the best climbing domestique in the world. What he did for Basso, that was incredible and i would like him in my climbing team.
Dom 4: Christophe Bassons - because in cycling, heroism is not only about riding the bike.
Honorable mantions: Jens Voigt, George Hincapie, Andre Greipel, Matteo Tossato
Edited by Avin Wargunnson on 19-02-2016 07:37
Leader: Robert Millar
Ok he'd need a climb heavy route but he was a fantastic climber amongst the best of his time. Back him up well and you could challenge GC, stage and KoM for sure.
Free Role: Tom Simpson
Same reasoning as before, and without pressure of GC leading he'd be even more dangerous.
Sprinter: Mark Cavendish
Close between him and Hoban but The Manx Missile has shown he doesn't always need a full leadout to win. Plus in this team there's enough flat riders to give him some great chances.
Road Captain: David Millar
Like him or not he has the experience and skills to command on the roads. Plus he's a very useful domestique to have on a number of terrains.
Domestiques: Brian Robinson, Max Sciandri, Sean Yates, Michael Wright, Geraint Thomas
Robinson was the first British TDF stage winner. He was a strong climber, winning the Dauphine overall in '61. Leading is a step beyond him but as a climbing dom behind Millar he'd be perfect.
Sciandri is a strong workhorse with good results to his name. A very strong one-day rider he could go down the road himself or pull his teammates nicely. Often overlooked in British cycling history.
Yates, same resoning as above. He's just a beast.
Wright is a quick sprint in his own right and would provide a good leadout to Cav's, as well as being a good option himself if needs be.
Thomas, same reasoning as above. All-round a really good rider to have.
Mentions to Boardman, Goodwin, Denson, Hoban, Hammond and several others. This turned into bit more of a sprinters team that i planned, but with options for other stages as well.
A crazy EPO-filled team of madmen. Menchov is nominated as team leader mainly because he's consistent and will sit in the pack all day while everyone else freewheels away doing their thing. Vino because Vino, enough said. The Tashkent Terror was an incredible, unpredictable and downright crazy sprinter, and he's supported by Tchmil (using his Moldovan nationality that he used for a bit to get him into this team), who can guide the team if there's a cobbled stage, and Ekimov and Honchar, two powerhouses on the flat. Tonkov and Ugrumov are there for sudden attacks to break the race apart and Berzin is there for his crazy TT and climbing combination when he's on song. Raimondas Rumsas is the near-miss for this team, I reasoned we had enough climbing strength already and would benefit from the extra oomph of Ekimov.
It wouldn't win a hypothetical Grand Tour with some of the teams posted above, but damn right this team would give us some entertainment, and they wouldn't be shabby in the TTT either.
Road Captain: Michael Rogers - Incredibly Experienced at what he does as Avin mentioned
Leader: Cadel Evans - Australia's only TDF winner has to get this spot, not much needs to be said.
Co-Leader: Phil Anderson - Spent many days in yellow during the 1981 and 1982 TDFs and came 5th in 1982. Yeah, so he was really talented.
Sprinter: Robbie McEwan - Almost would've picked Caleb Ewan but McEwan already has three green jerseys.
Domestiques: Hubert Opperman, Richie Porte, Adam Hansen, Russel Mockeridge - Opperman, Porte and Hansen for obvious or already mentioned reasons, Mockeridge had incredible potential before he was hit by a bus so it was between O'Grady and him for the final rider, although I picked him in the end.
Also honourable mentions to Mathews and Gerrans who simply didn't fit in.
I'm definetly making these teams in PCM and racing a tour
Road captain: Tommeke just a legend, nothing else needs to be said
Sprinter - Mario Cipollini, amazing sprinter and picked him for his antics
Team leader - Eddy Merckx
Co leader - Nibz, great leader for any team. I love his riding with panache and I'm also a big car enthusiast like he is.
Climber - Andy Schleck. Back in his good days of course.
Dom 1 - Tony Martin.
Dom 2 - Kim Kirchen. Great all rounder. One of my all time favourite riders.
Dom 3 - Bob Jungels
Dom 4 - Yves Lampaert
The last 2 are my current favourite upcoming riders so they would learn from the best.
Road Captain: Michael Rogers - Incredibly Experienced at what he does as Avin mentioned
Leader: Cadel Evans - Australia's only TDF winner has to get this spot, not much needs to be said.
Co-Leader: Phil Anderson - Spent many days in yellow during the 1981 and 1982 TDFs and came 5th in 1982. Yeah, so he was really talented.
Sprinter: Robbie McEwan - Almost would've picked Caleb Ewan but McEwan already has three green jerseys.
Domestiques: Hubert Opperman, Richie Porte, Adam Hansen, Russel Mockeridge - Opperman, Porte and Hansen for obvious or already mentioned reasons, Mockeridge had incredible potential before he was hit by a bus so it was between O'Grady and him for the final rider, although I picked him in the end.
Also honourable mentions to Mathews and Gerrans who simply didn't fit in.
I'm definetly making these teams in PCM and racing a tour
Great list and agree on Mockeridge, very talented rider who never got to fulfill that potential thanks to that accident
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
Don Rd Launching Place
Melbourne Hill Rd Warrandyte
Colby Drive Belgrave South
William Rd The Patch
David Hill Rd Monbulk
Lakeside Drive Emerald https://www.everesting.cc/hall-of-fame/