Stage 17

Yeah, Castro a wasted transfer but Bonnet is still looking good for 10 points

I only really brought him in as I needed a cheap rider and I figured I could leave him in for stage 21. It's not like any other cheap rider has done much this race.

So looks like Castroviejo was a good pick! Doh!

75 Castroviejo (MOV) 59'38"

What's the deal with bike changes today? Are they allowed to switch as and when they want? Or is there some kind of restriction?

There is one KOM from what I understand after seeing the preview yesterday

Castroviejo waaaay down, Tony Martin 3rd but will obviously drop. Really glad I kept De Gendt over Martin, was a close-run thing...

Just checked current results and can't believe Kittel has obliterated guys like Kadri, Bauer, Cam Meyer and Terpstra! Doubt it means much though.

My cheap outside bets to score a few points today are Monfort and Coppel. I can think of 20 guys who can outscore them but not at that price.

De Gendt first at the first time check, 20-odd seconds up on Westra. I was tempted to drop De Gendt to get Westra in my team but figured it wasn't worth the penalties. Hopefully it pays off

if they're scored in the race they'll be scored in the game. but i don't think they are.

De Gendt just starting, I wonder if he can be arsed today? Hope so...

Oh, and am I right in thinking no KOM points today (other than the overall standings) because it's a TT? I know there are two 2-cat climbs today, but can't remember how that'll work fantasy-wise.

And current last man, 8'10" down is Bonnet

Top 5 so far:

1.WESTRA L. VCD in 54' 02''
2.SICARD R. EUS in 55' 01'' at 0' 59''
3.O'GRADY S. OGE in 55' 24'' at 1' 22''
4.KITTEL M. ARG in 55' 50'' at 1' 48''
5.HIVERT J. SOJ in 55' 56'' at 1' 54''

Solid ride from Westra but wouldn't be surprised to see him outside the top 10 at the end. Impressed with Kittel although, little known fact, he used to be a TT specialist before turning sprinter.

Westra in the lead so far!

I've gone:
Froome
Mollema
Quintana
Chavanel
Nieve
4 x filler

FROOME - has to win on current form
QUINTANA - should go well on the terrain
MOLLEMA - going well and should suit him
NAVARRO - expecting nothing much from him today
SERPA - he may wake up for the following few days
KENNAUGH - 5 points from Froome win
FISCHER - cheapie in from the start, but might as well have stayed on the Copacabana Beach
NIEVE - should have a good final week
GADRET - best climber available at the price, but useless

Made 3 transfers last night, pressed all the right buttons, and this morning they've disappeared

Yep, not a great tour for the French, yesterday was their best chance of a stage win and they got 2,3,4! They'll all be pinning their hopes on Rolland for the Polka-dot, but he'll probably need 2 long breaks in 3 days, one of which stays away. Tough ask...

Gone for

Froome
Castroviejo
Quintana
Kwiatkowski
Westra

I had a real struggle with this one. Not happy with my team but its the best I could come up with. Kwiatkowski or Mollema? Tony Martin in for De Gendt or keep De Gendt and save a transfer? Ended up with...

Froome
Quintana
Mollema (in for Voeckler)
De Gendt (so unpredictable, so saved the transfer just in case. If Martin was nailed-on top 2, I probably would've brought him in)
Monfort (other option was Nieve straight in ready for tomorrow, but wanted to have someone different)
Plus 4 that won't score.

Froome, contador, mollamer, quintana

Gone for a slightly different team with some transfers saved for tommorrow.

Christopher Froome
Richie Porte
Lars Boom
Julien El Fares
Nairo Alexander Quintana Rojas
Michael Rogers
Murilo Antonio Fischer
Maxime Mederel

Out: Voeckler, Gilbert, Bakelandts, Navarro
In: Froome, Mollema, Castroviejo, Bonnet

Froome
Kwiatkowski
Mollema
De Gendt
Castroviejo
Bonnet
Mederel
Fischer
El Fares