Phrases like “start of the spring classics” might resonate now but we’re already one quarter of the way through the season now with 145 days of racing done so far. Here’s a look at the stats and some of the stories behind them like whether FDJ’s surprise success this season is going to cost them financially or some musings on whether the Pro Conti ranks have any must-have teams to award a wildcard.
What do you see in the picture above. Etixx-Quickstep forced to chase after missing the move in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad? Or the most successful team in the sport so far this year?
As February ends some 15% of the season’s race days have been raced. Here’s a look at the victory rankings for teams and some of the stories behind them.
Everyone wants to win and pressure mounts on teams that have yet to win. Do early season victories matter? Does getting off to a good start in the season help a team’s results through the rest of the year and does having a poor start mean the rest of the year is going to suffer? Here’s a statistical analysis and some thoughts on the matter.
A final look at the victory rankings for the teams. With the season finished it’s time to look back at the wins and also look deeper within them. Which months are the best time to win? Does starting off well ensure a team rides well all year? Which teams had the most podium places but the fewest wins? Which teams are the most reliant on one rider?
With the UCI calendar for 2016 out, a chance to look at the stats behind it. Which is the busiest month, which countries have the most race days and more.
Alexander Kristoff finishes the season as the most efficient rider in the peloton, winning close to one in every four races he started: 20 wins for 82 race days. It’s an incredible rate when you consider he’s had a few training races and some mountain stages along the way too. Here’s a look at the win rates of the top riders, why it pays to be a sprinter and a look at those who slid down the rankings this year too.
2015 is drawing to a close you might think that excluding the World Championships and its national team format there are only a few races to go like Paris-Tours and the Tour of Lombardy but there are still 66 days of racing left on the pro calendar, although half of these come from Chinese races where few World Tour teams venture.
For now Etixx-Quickstep lead the rankings and look set to stay at the top thanks because they’re so far ahead of the others. Scanning the chart Lotto-Soudal’s excellent season is visible and Marcel Kittel’s absence for much of the season is visible for Giant-Alpecin. As we’re well into the transfer season you can start to see some teams trying to change trajectory for 2016.
Patrick Lefevere described his Tour de France as one of highs and lows with wins and woes alike, typified by Zdeněk Štybar’s stage win in Le Havre. As he was raising his arms in celebration Tony Martin was floored on the tarmac with a broken collarbone. Lefevere said it was better than flatlining around France. The story of Etixx-Quickstep’s season is one of consistency with wins on all terrains and they top the table so far this season with 39 wins.
We’re now approaching the halfway point of the season as measured by racing days with close to 300 days of racing done of the 606 on the calendar.
With the Giro starting tomorrow a quick chance to check the lie of the land across all teams with the victory rankings. After the busy month of April we’re now one third of the way through the season as measured by race days.