Fantasy TdF 2026

[LM240]

It’s that time year again for The Tour and fantasy competition. Waste away far too much time thinking of who to pick throughout the three weeks!

Think I’ve settled on my starting order.

If you fancy joining a couple of pistonheads leagues, here’s a joining link.

Join me in the league now no.60544 : Pistonlegs
Password : ASUQO
By clicking on this link : https://fantasybytissot.letour.fr/#welcome/registe...

Join me in the league now no.7189 : PHUK
Pistonheads Pedal Powered
By clicking on this link : https://fantasybytissot.letour.fr/#welcome/registe...

[Discendo Discimus]

Not going well, it won't translate from French and I can't find translations of England, British, UK etc in the dropdown

[oddball1313]

did my team yesterday, didn't have any issues using Firefox with the language

[tt601]

Both links offered me a drop down link language in the right end of the white bar at the top of the page. Safari.

[johnpsanderson]

I’m in; I don’t follow pro cycling closely enough to know who the best picks might be, but the Tour always throws up surprises in some form - so I guess even the best informed might have their plans derailed at some point!

[LM240]

johnpsanderson said:

I m in; I don t follow pro cycling closely enough to know who the best picks might be, but the Tour always throws up surprises in some form - so I guess even the best informed might have their plans derailed at some point!

Absolutely. So many variables. But some riders will make more sense than others.

You can study the form from 2026 races, look at stage profiles, team dynamics etc etc, but things still have to fall your way. And riders can drop out which will hit credits hard.

Don’t rush in too fast to make changes from the first couple of stages. You’ll quickly run out of credits. I try to evaluate any changes each rest day or around a run of specific stage profiles. Look how the points are allocated in the rules also as this will help with selections toward the end.

It can soak up a lot of thought process to make selections and changes!

[HughG]

I’m in! No password for the second one and it won’t let me select it so not sure I’ve done it properly/what the difference is.

[lauda]

I’ve just done my team. I’ve spent quite a lot of credits on the heavy hitters and then had very slim pickings at the arse end of the table to fill out the team!

[LM240]

lauda said:

I ve just done my team. I ve spent quite a lot of credits on the heavy hitters and then had very slim pickings at the arse end of the table to fill out the team!

Last few years I ve always had two 5 pointers to enable a stronger selection of 6 riders. Same this year, and nearly went with three of them. They may feature in a breakaway and if they drop out they’ll never be replaced.

Usual issue of needing just one more spending credit to get the perfect options.

Bit of a last minute change. Going bold for the first stage and then a possible defence of yellow jersey for first 2-3 stages. Roll the dice for a strong start.

I just don t want to burn too many credits swapping out people for when different types of days come around. Always a balance when there a few sprint days but a GC day or two mixed in with them.

Got an idea in my head, see how it goes. Hoping for another strong year!

Edited by LM240 on Saturday 4th July 11:15

Edited by LM240 on Saturday 4th July 12:20

[LM240]

HughG said:

I m in! No password for the second one and it won t let me select it so not sure I ve done it properly/what the difference is.

I’m guessing team name is ‘Hugh’?

You’re showing in both leagues.

PHUK was original league then Pistonlegs was created one year. One was invite only and other is open league to join. Just how it was done whoever set them up.

Pretty much same people in each. Looks like majority are in PHUK league.

[LM240]

Stage 1 turned out okay. Pretty close between everyone and scoring points in different ways.

I gambled on a really strong Ineos, thinking they’d put Vauquelin into yellow. Then defend it for a few days. But it didn’t quite pan out like that.

Stuck with selection rather than knee jerk change. I’ve done it before where I’ve burnt credits way too quickly.

[LM240]

Oh my god, last 3 days haven t gone my way. Need to claw back some points in the coming days.

Entered panic mode a bit and maybe drastic rethink!

Edited by LM240 on Monday 6th July 18:39

[JPJ]

In years gone by, the leader on day 1 isn't necessarily a favourite and it often passed around between riders/teams in the first week. Last year and even more so this year, the main contenders just seem to be knocking proverbial lumps out of each other, over some tricky stages and in considerable heat.

[johnpsanderson]

Arnaud De Lie didn’t turn out to be the best choice then…! That’s a few credits used now…

[lauda]

I’ve had a good run of form in the last few days with Merlier and van der Poel. I have been playing fast and loose with the credits though, so need to be a bit more conservative over the final couple of weeks.

[LM240]

lauda said:

I ve had a good run of form in the last few days with Merlier and van der Poel. I have been playing fast and loose with the credits though, so need to be a bit more conservative over the final couple of weeks.

Sprint days didn’t go as planned, or stage 9.

Had hoped Kooij and Philipsen were going to produce more points.

In good position at first rest day.

Couple more sprints I think. Few days where I’m not sure whether they’ll be GC days or the sort of days where anyone could go off in a break.

Tried to be conservative with credits rather than react to unexpected form.

Got a plan leading into the big GC block and have a couple of credits for final week adjustments.

[LM240]

Could be a painful couple of days with sprints, but I want to retain more credits.

Thought VIN would be a clear 2nd best. Today (stage 10) didn’t look so good.

I don’t know how to read Remco. Dropped then finished 2nd on stage 10. Is he actually strong or going to disappear come the really big mountains?!

De Toro not looking quite as strong on 10 also.

Hard to read who’s going to fill the remaining spaces.

Going to tough to gauge the mountain days where it could be strong breakaway rather than big GC day.

[LM240]

Still tight in the league into 2nd rest day.

Got away with some of the days with different people scoring highly on various days.

Wasn’t expecting to have to replace VIN. A few people with Merlier also.

Some tough choices to make with limited credits left. Replacing VIN has taken a bit of the flexibility away. TT and one possible sprint day, is it worth the credits to get a sprinter back in for one day.

May have to sacrifice a day or two to focus on GC points and just see how that goes.

[HughG]

Yes I was caught out there too, only swapped Vinegaard in yesterday morning to pivot more towards GC and had him as my winners bonus thinking it was one he might go for! No points left now after swapping him back out and removing some under performers early on.

[LM240]

Not knowing how many bonus credits they had, but looks like others are close, if not already used up their credits.

Got a little wriggle room. Going to have to be compromises along the way. Will be rough if credit used and good points aren’t gained.

Want to hold back one change for final stage. After last year I think one rider in particular will be gunning for it. No longer a pure sprinters stage now. In fact if 2nd and 3rd are still up for grabs, it could be explosive.

This takes up too much of my time each year!