|
Barbados Cycling Festival Discussion
|
| ember |
Posted on 11-12-2021 08:48
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
|
Good to see us join the breakaway. Obviously hoped for some late action as well when sending this team herre, but it looks like that simply isn’t possible in flat stage races in this PCM edition. That’s fair, as I pay the price of not having the game and testing the game myself.
Fingers crossed we join the breakaway again on the final stage. It would be a nice race for us if we can run away with the KoM jersey  |
| |
|
|
| quadsas |
Posted on 11-12-2021 15:38
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
That was an oof, but we still leave with around 100 points so I'd say this was a success regardless of awful last two stages
AND top 2 GC are CT teams, so even better
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 11-12-2021 15:44
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
Did anyone predict this top 3? Obviously happy with this result, although a GC win was possible here. Thanks for the reports and my congratulations to the CT teams!
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 11-12-2021 15:50
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
|
Bam! 
Huge win for AKA. He was positioned perfectly going into the final few km (in PCM world), and I knew if he just timed it normally from there he had a chance for a top 5. But I didn't expect a win there in any realm. His top speed at the end was really impressive. Thought he might get boxed in, but he fought to the outside and just went straight to the front.
That moved him up to 9th (tied for 8th) in GC, and with a stage win, I'll definitely take that top 10. Sucks that he was disappointing enough on the earlier stages to not get near the top 5 despite the stage win, but 9th and that win are good results in this field. Barbados is always one of those pure flat races where every sprinter is here, and you're not even guaranteed to gets scraps (i.e. Manninen) depending on luck. To score a nice chunk of points with a second tier guy is a success. And a win has intangible value to me too.
AKA has really stepped up this year. Somehow better in PCT than CT, which is what I hoped for but didn't predict. Biggest thing is that PCM is treating him like a sprinter all the time. He still gets caught behind in the lottery occasionally, like anyone, but he's not just opting entirely out of races like he would on occasion last year.
On the other hand, sprint AI is still sprint AI. Comisserations to all those with favorites who just decided not to hold the wheels today.
But big congrats to Volcanica! Huge performance by Boivin to get their season back on track in a huge way. Very rare to see a CT team take an HC GC.
Thanks for the awesome reports roturn!
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
| |
|
|
| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 11-12-2021 15:58
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
|
Didn't expect much but wanted at least a top 10 from Afewerki in one or two stages. Looked alright in stage 1 and 2, but after that it just seems like he stopped sprinting.
Thanks for the reporting Roturn
|
| |
|
|
| Nemolito |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:07
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
|
Really didn't excpect a 15th place on stage 1 was going to be Manninen's best result. Our survival hopes definitely took a big hit, but we're going to keep giving it all until the end and try to have as much fun as possible. Races likes these are not fun  Can't always have the sprint AI gods on our side, but I sure hope we don't see the same thing in Juarez soon...
Congratulations to all stage winners and to our hermanos from Costa Rica on the GC! Thanks for the reports roturn
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:33
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
|
Surprising results! We got some points for shared 1st and 3rd in the KoM classification, and that was about it. Can not ask for much more, though, as written before.
Big congratulations on a big, big win, Volcanica! |
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:43
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
I'm pretty sure Vesely was cursed...
Thanks for the reports roturn, even though I didn't enjoy the results
Congrats DarkWolf!
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 15:37
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:48
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
A stage win and Top5 GC should make me happy. And i am happy with the eventual winner in Volcania!
But f*ck me that was an awful race for us really. Two stages outside the Top10, whatever weridness hit us on day one... We got a lucky lottery result on Stage 2 and enough other lottery randomness to allow us what looks like a good overall result. But this was not a good race for us or the AI. PCM 20 has definitely not improved sprinting, in fact it might somehow be a worse lottery.
To say that after probably our best looking Barbados is not good, and the growing frequency of weird results and poor AI is rapidly draining my enthusiasm for this season. If i hadn't prepared myself mentally for another poor year & pivoted the team hard to a purely fun set-up i'd be really frustrated 
F*ck i forgot i made this a Top5 Goal race No way should we be also completing a Goal based on that racing
|
| |
|
|
| beagle |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:52
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4200
Joined: 06-10-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
Guerao fell out of Top10, still I take12th happily. Massive win for Boivin, big congrats DarkWolf!
Also, nice to see Nych doing his job finally despite od zero result.
Thanks roturn for great and steady reporting.
Manager of Polar in Man-Game
|
| |
|
|
| whitejersey |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:57
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
|
Obviously happy to see Boivin take the win, would have been even happier to if he was racing for a PCT outfit! But still massive congrats to Volcanica and DW who gets some needed tailwind after a few suckerpunches early in the season!
|
| |
|
|
| TinxiaS |
Posted on 11-12-2021 16:59
|
Domestique
Posts: 504
Joined: 17-08-2020
PCM$: 400.00
|
Omg CT teams are on fire for taking most important jersyes GC and KOM.
Finally I'm super exceited I mean PCT teams took a lot of points in C2 races.
CT teams basicly didn't had any other chance then to go to HC race and take them back mostly Volcanica - Fox an Aramco and small amount my team with surpricing 15. place in GC and shared Win in KOM classification.
The only thing that I expected from my team it was to bebhard last in all classifications but this result just keft me speachles 
______________________________________________
  |
| |
|
|
| quadsas |
Posted on 11-12-2021 17:06
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
TheManxMissile wrote:
A stage win and Top5 GC should make me happy. And i am happy with the eventual winner in Volcania!
But f*ck me that was an awful race for us really. Two stages outside the Top10, whatever weridness hit us on day one... We got a lucky lottery result on Stage 2 and enough other lottery randomness to allow us what looks like a good overall result. But this was not a good race for us or the AI. PCM 20 has definitely not improved sprinting, in fact it might somehow be a worse lottery.
To say that after probably our best looking Barbados is not good, and the growing frequency of weird results and poor AI is rapidly draining my enthusiasm for this season. If i hadn't prepared myself mentally for another poor year & pivoted the team hard to a purely fun set-up i'd be really frustrated
F*ck i forgot i made this a Top5 Goal race No way should we be also completing a Goal based on that racing
|
| |
|
|
| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 11-12-2021 17:22
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
|
Congrats to BBL and DarkWolf.
Zabel again in the lead with 500m to go, do I need to get his eyes tested to make sure he can see where the finish line is?
GC 10th place for him is pretty good considering the AI RNG and seeing as there are some decent sprinters behind him.
Thanks again for the great reports roturn.
|
| |
|
|
| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 11-12-2021 18:16
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
|
Amazing performance from Jakobsen! In the end a real pity that he couldn’t win that final stage as that would have meant winning the GC too but I can’t complain 
Two 2nd places on stages, 2nd in the GC, 1st in U25 and 1st in Points. Huge huge race points wise in an HC race.
Also great to see Jakobsen competitive in this AI at PCT level. Promising signs for the rest of the season and for the future!
|
| |
|
|
| Eden95 |
Posted on 11-12-2021 23:21
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4505
Joined: 05-10-2010
PCM$: 900.00
|
TheManxMissile wrote:
A stage win and Top5 GC should make me happy. And i am happy with the eventual winner in Volcania!
But f*ck me that was an awful race for us really. Two stages outside the Top10, whatever weridness hit us on day one... We got a lucky lottery result on Stage 2 and enough other lottery randomness to allow us what looks like a good overall result. But this was not a good race for us or the AI. PCM 20 has definitely not improved sprinting, in fact it might somehow be a worse lottery.
To say that after probably our best looking Barbados is not good, and the growing frequency of weird results and poor AI is rapidly draining my enthusiasm for this season. If i hadn't prepared myself mentally for another poor year & pivoted the team hard to a purely fun set-up i'd be really frustrated
F*ck i forgot i made this a Top5 Goal race No way should we be also completing a Goal based on that racing
I feel exactly the same. Howard finished in the top-10 once. First stage was only counted as a GC contender so didn’t sprint, then had a train the three following stages which served as a lead out to the riders behind him each time for him to struggle and finish 18th & 10th (can’t remember other result right now). The top two riders should be waaaaaaay more competitive than this, it’s just broken. I don’t mean to take anything away from the eventual winner either, it’s an amazing result for Boivin and Jakobssen but Boivin coming out on top with Ewan, Howard, Silvestre, Halvorsen etc present is strange. I’m sorry for my constant nit picking, but it’s demoralising at this point having your season totally at the mercy of the worst game AI in a PCM. Howard’s had 12 race days, 10 of those flat stages and he’s managed one 10th and a 9th place finish. That just plain sucks. We may as well just remove sprinters and TT riders next season to avoid the lottery.
Thanks a heap for the reports roturn, it really is appreciated. And congrats again to Boivin and team for a wonderful result.
Indosat - ANZ HQ
"This Schleck sandwich is going to cause serious indigestion for Evans" - Phil Liggett |
| |
|
|
| quadsas |
Posted on 11-12-2021 23:26
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
|
Ah yes 5Head sprints are completely random yet the top scoring sprinters end up being the ones people consider the best. Weird, I thought it's a lottery, I guess it was a lucky year for them.
|
| |
|
|
| DarkWolf |
Posted on 12-12-2021 05:43
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
Joined: 21-09-2020
PCM$: 700.00
|
Thank you all for the congrats!
Sun of the gun, our first victory! And what a victory it is! I mean we won a couple of stages, but not a race. Boivin made sure we can brag about it now.
I didn't think much of this race, it suited our regional focus and therefore it was the only HC I chose. Even the line-up reflects that, 6 riders, with Marin to support Boivin in hope of a good stage result and riders mainly racing for experience. But Boivin did one hell of the race, placing 2nd, 6th, 13th and 3rd. And winning it by 1 second to my total surprise and delight. I hope we can have more such results this season.
Thank you, roturn, for the reports! |
| |
|
|
| redordead |
Posted on 12-12-2021 07:14
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
|
CT domination  Congrats guys
I think our "train" getting blocked screwed us over in the final stage as Saber had to readjust his position at an awkward time. 13th in GC is below what I wanted from this race, but might not be far from where he realistically belongs in this field. Even if his awful OVL has him paid as a top 5 sprinter
One bright spot is Siric doing well on the final stage to score some minor pts. Pretty nice for a lvl 3 rider and hopefully and indication he will be a dangerous flat rider in the future
Thanks for the reports roturn and comisserations to those who got heavily screwed by the random AI.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
|
| |
|
|
| cunego59 |
Posted on 12-12-2021 17:28
|
Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
|
quadsas wrote:
Ah yes 5Head sprints are completely random yet the top scoring sprinters end up being the ones people consider the best. Weird, I thought it's a lottery, I guess it was a lucky year for them.
It's not necessarily a contradiction. Yes, over time the best sprinters accumulate more good results than others, so it's not entirely random, but most sprints individually are really inconsistent. Which I mind less than many others I think, mostly because ultimately the rankings at least partly reflect the stats somewhat well, and also because I think it's nice for weaker sprinters to occasionally have their moments. But it can also be pretty puzzling and to some extent immersion-breaking, I guess.
And it does result in a similar feeling for us as it did for TMM: 6th overall and a stage win is a good haul, but with 3/4 stages outside the Top 7, it does feel like a missed opportunity. Then again, I think it isn't all that surprising - I don't think it's gotten worse compared to PCM18, and the inherent flaws both with our database (in terms of sprinters) and PCM leadouts are what they are.
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
