So ToB 2015 has finished and I didn't manage to defend my overall victory in the competition from last year. Quite frankly, I don't think anybody expected me too. I sure didn't. It was pretty much a mission impossible.
With that said, I still finished 2nd in our league and just inside the overall Top100. It was far from perfect, but I can't be too disappointed.
So what went wrong? Well, Greipel's DSQ on the last stage and Teuns dropping out after a crash a couple of days ago, basically ended my aspirations for Top50. However, there were things that went wrong before that. I had a feeling that picking Swift was very risky, especially since he had unknown form. If he did show up in form on home grounds though, he was perfect for this race. He failed.
I had hoped that De Bie would have success in a stage or two where it didn't end in a bunch sprint. He didn't exactly have many opportunities though, so he failed as well.
Finally, I chose between Opie and Doull. I picked Opie...instead of the biggest revelation of the race. Let's leave it at that.
Congratulations to ember for the league win and the 14th overall. Quite an impressive and crystal clear victory.
Congratulations as well to Gargatouf for the 3rd position in the league and the last podium spots.
Not as good as last year's edition, but 13th is almost at the halfway point of the league, so better than the Vuelta
EBH was the star performer obviously, Cavendish decent until he had his DNF and Greipel a little disappointing but was 10th highest scorer overall. I'm very thankful that Swift's team-mates were decent or else he would have been a waste of money.
Of the climbers, Kruijswijk did enough to score well and Anton didn't but got some points thanks to Lobato. Hart and Downing were also a bit below what I'd hoped for but not too bad considering their price. If Rick Zabel had started I could've gone close to the top 10, but lots of other people had him too and at least I didn't waste money on Wiggins as well.
Well done to new champ ember and to DiLego and Gargatouf who also picked brilliantly.
Hells 500 Crew and 6 x Everester
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