Sag Wagon News
2009 Big Steamer Preview Edition
The quest for the most coveted jersey in Dallas/Ft. Worth
begins in earnest on June 2nd when the Big Steamer Series kicks off.
Betting lines in
In an effort to bring all BS fans as much information as
possible, Sag Wagon News has used a symbol to indicate the movement of each
rider the last few days. The symbols
and explanations of each are below:
↓ -
Indicates a
downward trend usually caused by injury or fatigue.
↑ -
Indicates
an upward trend. Rider is riding
strong in recent training rides, attacking or dictating pace.
↔
- Indicates
stabilization. Rider has not lost
form or shown much improvement over the course of the last few days.
2009
Big Steamer Contenders
The Cannibal _1-1 ↓ 2008 Big Steamer Champion and is
always fit. Strong rider who sits on
the front and tries to pound you into submission.
Doesn't posses the fastest sprint, but his endurance is legendary.
Loves to chase down any break for any reason but will too much work on
the front cause fatigue on the line? Loves to
deeply sigh after finishing off tough efforts usually started by
himself. Back trouble heading into Big Steamer Series has
bettors worried.
Grizzly _1-1 ↔ A late comer last season, Grizzly is on
spectacular form. Loves to attack
but is just as quick to pull a Leipheimer and sit on the back if the attack
doesn't stick. One of the fastest
sprinters in the field but is just as likely to be DQ'ed for running a stop
sign as he is to KO the field on the line. Clearly
a favorite in Vegas right now and the tattoo is most intimidating.
The Torrent _6-5 ↔ This
string bean's engine runs hot and has initial acceleration that few are able
to match. Has been training like a mad man after recent trip to Splitsville left
him with free time most men only dream of. The
tifosi and some cycling insiders do question the motivation of Double T and
wonder if he can carry his form later on this summer.
OBS _3-1 ↑ Big Steamer Champion in 2007 and finished 2nd
in 2008. One of the most powerful
riders in the peleton who uses brawn over speed to rack up points.
Big Rick is usually good for one or two attacks during the BS to try and
rattle some looseys off the back. Using
the Lance training method, OBS has ridden himself into form during the Big
Steamer prep rides and seems primed for the jersey quest. Summer plans to
drive across country and visit Walley World could cut into point earning
chances.
D.C. _3-1 ↔
Coming off a full winter of
riding, D.C appears to be on terrific form which was validated by his recent win
at the Matrix Challenge. Relatively
new to bike racing, DC is learning fast and is always around at the finish.
Will he will able to hold on to that excellent form for the entire
summer? Finished 4th in 2008. The
fact that he has started wearing white shorts indicates that he thinks he is
fast.
The Closer _10-1 ↑
Arguably the fastest finisher in the Big Steamer Series.
The Closer loves to sit on until the very end before raising the rate on
the group and turning on the afterburners. However,
a knee injury shut The Closer down this spring and he is big question mark
heading into June. The injury and
booming refinance market make him a high risk/high reward pick.
Der Kasier _10-1 ↔ Despite limited participation last season, the big German still managed a top five finish in the overall standings. Recently upgraded to Cat 3 level and is one of the soldiers on the GS Tenzing squad, which limits opportunities for BS points and the overall title.
Noah _12-1 ↔ The most decorated rider in the Big Steamer
series. This teen velo pusher has
won countless races and is one of the premier juniors in the country.
Teammate in the BS Series is his own father, C ya Williams who also
happens to be one of the most accomplished racers in
Monsieur
LaSuer _12-1 ↔
One of the most experienced and explosive racers in the Big Steamer
series. This faithful Bicycle Path
employee loves to hammer and is capable of kicking it into another gear when the
money line comes into view. Distractions
on TWU campus, a full time job and the pursuit of a master's degree could all
come back to haunt this Ragin Cajun and put the overall title out of reach.
Producer_15-1 ↔ Rides on one of the best bicycles in the
world and uses wheels that cost more than most competitors' complete bikes. Very
consistent rider who has also started racing competitively.
Fascination with only wearing Specialized cycling gear has caused some in
the press to wonder if Little Red has a sponsorship deal in the works of if he
just has money to burn. Speed to
burn is what LR needs to win the title.
The Boss 15-1 ↑ 2nd place finish in 2007 and 6th
place finish in 2008 has The Boss headed in the wrong direction.
Critics have pointed out that "El Honcho" needs to focus more on
training and a little less on his literary career.
Heads into BS series coming off a terrible spring in which he didn't
ride and continued to eat. Heady
rider who loves to follow wheels and picks and chooses when to stick his nose
into the wind.
Dang it Dake 15-1 ↔ An accomplished triathlete, DiD enjoys
dabbling in the road racing scene. Dake
has power to burn which allows him to always be in contention when the finish
line approaches. His lack of road
racing experience sometimes leaves him hanging out to dry on the Parkway.
Nevertheless, this power hitter always goes down swinging.
Gentle Ben - 25-1 ↑
There isn't much gentle about this rider.
Loves to jump onto the front of the group and dish out some
pain. He has no regard for racing
tactics and just rides hard whenever he feels like it.
GB is a rider that must be watched because if he sneaks off the front,
his excellent time trialing skills make him tough to track down.
The Shield - 25-1 ↑
During the Big Steamer prep rides
this spring, the Shield has been one of the most improved from 2008.
The muscular frame that comes in handy when on patrol can sometimes be a
hindrance on an incline, but The Shield makes it work.
More race experience will benefit Mr. Popo and the potential for good
results is there. Hairiest legs in
the peleton do shave off some of his closing speed.
Man Of Steel - 25-1 ↑
One of the few riders in the peloton still riding a steel bike, the son of
Tornado Tom is on fantastic form. Routinely
spit out the back in 2008, MOS has
usually been found on the front using his tree trunk legs and dictating the pace
during the Steamer prep rides. The
fact that his bikes weighs more than some scooters hurts his sprint chances.
Tornado Tom - 30-1 ↔
One of the steadiest and most reliable wheels in the Big Steamer Series.
The Tornado can usually be found towards the front of the pack using his
diesel engine to keep the pace high. Lacks
the closing speed of some of the contenders but always around at the end.
Scooter - 30-1 ↔
Has the body of a corn farmer and
the attention span of a mosquito, but Scooter is one of the stronger riders
around. Very capable of riding
comfortably at high speeds although he does begin to suffer when the road tilts
up. Participation is often affected
by American Idol and or Heehaw reruns.
Big 12 - 30-1 ↔
Without a doubt the most powerful rider in the peloton.
When this former offensive tackle winds it up for a sprint, you can
almost see his wheels begging for mercy. Routinely
dropped when he first started the series, he now can usually be found mixing it
up on the finish line. In addition
to needing more race experience, Big 12 also needs to find a way to drop about
30 pounds of muscle to lighten his load.
Ty
Chi - 35-1 ↔
The kid is quickly learning how to
handle himself in a road race. Long
and lanky, he has the classic European body type that most cyclists can only
wish they had. Already an
accomplished mountain bike racer, Rose Pedaler has no trouble sticking with
roadies. Getting more aggressive and
adding some leg strength just might be enough to put the kid in victory lane on
occasion.
Little Scottie - 35-1 ↔ Another one of the juniors that can motor. Lacks formal racing experience but isn't afraid of riding in a pack with old people. Needs to learn how to conserve his energy for when it matters, but has a ton of potential.
Wrench - 35-1 ↔ This financial wizard is one of the elder statesman in the bunch but he can ride like guys 20 years his junior. When not making his clients money, Wrench is on his new machine using his slender build to slice through the wind. Happy to sit in the bunch, Wrench is not one to shy away from a hard pace. A fascination with girl's softball has cut into training which could cause BS issues.
Chidder - 35-1 ↔ If the Big Steamer was being ridden on dirt bikes, Chidder would be a heavy favorite. Well it isn't and he ain't. However, the father of Ty Chi is more than capable of holding his own in the bunch. Still relatively new to the road riding scene, Chidder is one tough cookie to crack. Speaking of cookies, Chidder must not eat many because he is one of the leanest riders around.
2008 Final Standings
Cannibal - 44 points
OBS - 37 points
Deuce - 21 points
DC - 20.5 points
Der Kaiser - 18 points
The Boss - 16 points
Dang It Dake - 15.5 points
Mexican Professor - 14 points
CW - 11 points
The Closer - 9 points
Grizzly - 8 points
Hollywood - 7 points
Stearns - 5 points
Ricky Bobby - 3 points
Sherwin - 3 points
Jack The Ripper - 3 points
Torrent - 3 points
Scooter - 3 points
Spin City - 3 points
I'm Lovin It - 3 points
Scroggs -3 points
Tornado Tom - 2 points
Big & Rich - 2 points
China Man - 2 points
White Walls - 2 points
Bianchi Ben - 2 points
John Doe - 2 points
Blinded Me With Science - 1 point
Thrasher - 1 point
Dice - 1 point
What About Bob - 1 point
Mean Green - 1 point
Stewie - 1 point
Paper Boy - 1 point
Danimal - 1 point
Big 12 - 1 point
PBK Is An Official Supplier Of The Big Steamer!
