Edit (8th July): You should also check out Lorkan's photos from Stage 4, from just after a feed zone - including some great shots of the breakaway and the peloton.
Update, 01:00: The Expansion Pack file was updated at 23:40 to include the Crash Patch. If you have downloaded the file before 23:40, you need to download the Crash Patch. If not, you got what you need. You can determine which version you have by looking at the names of the database files: If "BetaFix" is mentioned in the database name, you have the correct files.
A little later than promised, it's now time to release the Public Beta of PCM.daily's Expansion Pack for Pro Cycling Manager 2010.
We've added lots of extras to the original game. There's now 76 teams, 16 new races, around 1.000 new National Champion shirts, c. 500 pieces of selectable equipment --- well, and a lot more. Instead of rambling here, there's a full list of features in the forum. You can also find the list of teams there.
What didn't we add? There's plenty of room for improvement. We didn't convert the scouting zones from the PCM09 DBs to PCM10 - there's several reasons for that, but there's no reason to bore you with it here. There's no British teams as you'd normally expect from PCM.daily DBs. The reasoning behind that choice can be found in the list of teams that I referred to before. We also want to revise the equipment section, so it only includes 2010 equipment -- in general, there's plenty of work ahead of us.
Lastly, keep in mind that this is a Public Beta. The DB is released for those of you who'd like to help us find and correct bugs before the final release (which is due for c. a week, perhaps later depending on Cyanide's patch plans). You can report the bugs that you find in this thread. Before doing so, please read the FAQ.
Update, 01:30: Just a short update on the situation: The problem has now been solved, meaning that the DB should be available tomorrow before the start of the Tour de France 2010 Prologue.
Throughout the day, I have been running some final tests on the Public Beta version of the PCM.daily DB. Unfortunately, one of them failed. The good news is that the problem has been located and is being solved during the evening.
For those interested, the problem lies in PCM.daily's way of setting up the equipment. In PCM09, it was possible to use numbers ranging from 128 to -128. PCM10, however, doesn't 'accept' the minus numbers which means that the teams currently choose equipment randomly (except the equipment which is not assigned with minus numbers, obviously).
I'm now going through the minus numbers and trying to fit them into the range of plus numbers. While the DB may possibly be done today, I don't want to rush things too much, therefore the release has been postponed until tomorrow. I expect it to be out before the start of the Tour de France prologue.
Just a quick reminder to all those with a fantasy team, the deadline for making changes ahead of July is tonight. To submit any changes, go to the news article posted last week.
As every year, the Tour de France is the highlight of the season for a majority of our members. With just a couple of days more of waiting, we've lined up a few things for you to do mean-while.
First of all, PCM.daily member Crommy has set up a PCM.daily Mini League at Velogames. Make a team and join the rest of us in what seems to be becoming a PCM.daily tradition. You can read more about it here. Don't forget to post a picture of Didi ;)
Second of all, it's also time for placing your fantasy money (PCM$) on the Overall Winner or perhaps the best sprinter. Four bets are up, and more will come during the Tour.
Don't know who to bet for? Don't worry, Deadpool has written a guide and preview of this year's Tour de France. Deadpool guides you through the potential winners, the parcours and the teams - basically everything you need to know before the start of the Tour. Enjoy the great read here.
