Yep, it’s that time again. The next 3 weeks are a great time to be your own Directeur Sportif with a fantasy cycling team.
If you have not had a go, fantasy cycling involves picking a virtual team of real-life professional cyclists who earn points based on their performance in the race.
AI kindly made me a summary of Web-Based Choices
| Platform | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Velogames | Casual / Global Pools | Classic, simple, no-transfer Grand Tour mini-games. |
| Scorito | Hardcore / Tactical Play | 20-man rosters with daily 9-rider active lineups and captains. |
| Virtual Bike Race | Kiwi Clubs / Custom Leagues | Web-based manager with active budget-capped mid-race transfers. |
Virtual Bike Race is a notable New Zealand-focused, web-based fantasy cycling platform. It has historically been a popular alternative for local Kiwi cycling clubs—such as BikeManawatu—to run their own custom leagues during major UCI WorldTour events.
- The Format: A traditional web-based browser game where you step into the shoes of a Directeur Sportif (Sporting Manager). [1]
- Gameplay: You select a dream team of real professional riders while strictly adhering to a designated team budget. [1]
- Dynamic Transfers: Unlike pure “set-and-forget” platforms, Virtual Bike Race allows you to make active tactical transfers throughout the duration of a race, letting you react to real-time form, crashes, or changing stage terrain. [1]
- Local Appeal: Because of its deep roots in the New Zealand cycling community, it is highly favored by local riders and clubs looking to set up private, competitive leagues against friends and family without dealing with mass global pools. [1]