There are just under two months left until racing resumes, but the anticipation for Fantacycling is already being felt. Do you think you are not prepared enough? Have you already changed your squad eight times using the unlimited changes? Know that you are already in our hearts. In any case, don't worry, we are here for you; not only because we can't wait to play and entertain you, but also to give you the right advice to build a team worthy of Team Ineos, Movistar, Deceuninck Quick Step and Jumbo Visma put together.

RULE NUMBER ONE: KEEP CALM

If you play in a private league, getting off to a good start is important, but not essential. Try to build a balanced team from the start, don't just rely on the startlists of the first races. You could make a splash right away, but then you could find yourself in difficulty before the Giro d'Italia (for example) and you would immediately have to use up precious exchanges. In the championship the music changes, build your team by carefully observing the participants in the first four-five races; the objective will be to stay close to the leading group and then wisely use the changes to get the upper hand on Carapaz and outwit everyone at the best moment.

CHANGES WILL MAKE THE DIFFERENCE, USE THEM AT THE RIGHT TIME  

Try not to use up all 30 "fixed" exchange rates right away. It's true that we at Fantacycling have been generous in this regard, but those who use the gearboxes best will accumulate important bonuses over the course of this very compressed season.

BUILD A BALANCED TEAM

Getting the big names right will be fundamental, obviously, but it's not just victories that count; Placements are also very important in Fantacycling. If you want to aim for final success, your roster of thirty riders will have to be as balanced as possible, with the right number of classic men (four or five listed elements) and also of sprinters (at least two first class and another two or three who can achieve placings), as well as two-three big names who can compete for the grand tours.

This will allow you to manage the number of changes well, trying to buy one or two more classic men at the beginning and replacing them with ranking men before the grand tours, for example. If you play in private league mode with the classic upward auction together with your friends, it will be even more important to immediately build a complete and balanced team to face the season in the best possible way (considering that you will decide your transfer sessions and the intra-league exchanges).

GO FOR THE BIG BIG BUT WATCH OUT FOR THE PLACES

Okay, it's right to have Roglic, Alaphilippe and company on the winning team, but it will be very important to choose the riders who will achieve many placings over many races (even if they never win). They could be the ones who make the difference in the end.

IF A RUNNER DISAPPOINTS, EXPECT HIM, BUT NOT TOO MUCH

There are runners you should never change, even if at the beginning they do not reap the expected results based on your investment. Let's base ourselves for example on the last year of Van Avermaet and Sagan; in the first months of 2019 they didn't shine, but they still achieved placings and continued throughout the season. So, in these cases, maximum patience. However, the opposite is also true: if you see that a highly paid rider is not going through his best year, take a risk and change him: if you get the Pogačar of the situation right in the change, you could make a splash and take home the victory.

IN FANTACYCLING WE ALSO REWARD SPECIALISTS

You can sacrifice the Fantacycling absolute champion's cup to throw yourself at the intermediate trophies: so no one is stopping you from building a team full of classic men to win the monument trophy (the highest overall score in the five monument classics), a very strong team for the World Championship or a team specialized in the grand tours to win the triple crown trophy (overall score of the Giro, Tour and Vuelta). It will be a way to bring home more trophies, but you will have fewer chances to compete for final success: the choice is yours, the beauty of Fantacycling is also this.

GREAT TOURS, REALITY BLENDS WITH IMAGINATION

If you decide to aim for the triple crown, try to build a team as similar as possible to the real ones. Three-four ranking men will be needed, three sprinters (including at least two top sprinters) and breakaway men. You will choose the right mix based on your sensation, but you should feel as much as possible as if you were driving the flagship of a great World Tour team.

STUDY THE STATISTICS AND LOOK FOR A COUPLE OF REVELATIONS

In championship mode it is mandatory to have at least three under 25s in the squad. Recruiting promising young players to your fantasy team will not only be stimulating, but also very convenient. That will be a lot of points for a minimal investment, with the possibility, if you play in a private league, of throwing your talent scout instincts on your friends/rivals. Do you want to bring satisfaction?

BEWARE OF ENEMIES, BUT EVEN MORE OF FRIENDS

If you play in championship mode you can calmly build your team, doing all the necessary calculations. If, as we hope, there will be many of you also fighting in private leagues: maximum attention. Your friends will smile at you, they will tell you: “don't worry! I won't raise Sagan to you, Roglic is yours, I'm not interested in Viviani at Cofidis", but then they will do everything to put you in difficulty. Behind their mocking smiles, there is only one thought: that of cheating you.

And be careful of your seat neighbor who unexpectedly benevolently pours beer for you every half second. He doesn't love you, he's trying to distract you to steal the champion you've been aiming for since the start of the auction. So stay hungry....but be careful how thirsty you are and if your “cursed” friend succeeded in getting you drunk, make sure you don't have to drive afterwards. Have fun, but with your head, this is what matters most to us.

The Fantacycling Team