CyclistCyclist Revisited: If cycling did an American-style draft, what would happen?In 2021, when I was just a few months into my time at Cyclist I wrote an article mocking up what might happen if the mens WorldTour did an American-style draft to sign young talent.Now, I wasnt exactly a scout so I cheated slightly and took a pool of the youngest riders already in the WorldTour, but lets just equate that to college players already being well-known and forgive me in the name of #content.Three years on, on the night of the NFL Draft which hopefully will mean I wake up to pictures of Drake Maye in New York Giants blue and now with the keys to this here website, I thought it might be fun to revisit my selections and see how its shaping up. The best players in that years NFL draft are starting to get their first big contract extensions, so the timeline should be a good indicator of who is actually good. Though of course there should be plenty of time in cycling for a few late bloomers.Have a skim, let me know how I did in the comments or on social media. Pre-warning, yes I missed Carlos Rodrguez, I think about that every day, but remember Tom Brady didnt get picked until the 199th pick. Related Posts Opinion: Mens cycling has never been more bleak for fans Opinion: Tadej Pogaar is the Greatest Of All Time Mauri Vansevenant and the rise of the heavy metal cyclist Giro dItalia 2024: Stage-by-stage preview and how to watch Picture it: teams, fans and prospects gather at the Roubaix velodrome. Topless Belgian fans cradling their beers are chanting Remco! Remco! Remco! David Lappartient steps up to the podium and begins, With the first pick of the 2021 UCI WorldTour draft, Israel Start-Up Nation selectIts absolutely bonkers, but thats American sports and given last night was the first round of the NFL Draft, we thought it would be fun to imagine what it might look like if mens cycling had a draft.For the purpose of the exercise, lets just forget everything thats plausible or realistic yes, if this actually happened an actual Tour de France winner wouldnt be involved.To have some semblance of realism, we used the UCIs team rankings from the end of the 2020 season in reverse order for parity and a list of the 100 youngest WorldTour ridersand off we go.1. Israel Start-Up Nation Tadej PogaarDario Belingheri via GettyMuch toCyclistdigital editor Joe Robinsons disgust (big Remco guy), Pogaar is the only selection here. He already has a Tour de France and a Monument under his belt and looks almost unbeatable every time he gets on the bike.A sensation with the potential to win any race on the calendar.2. Qhubeka-Assos Remco EvenepoelLaurie Dieffembacq/Getty ImagesThe fact that young Remco hasnt yet been fully unleashed onto the WorldTour is a travesty, were praying that his recovery has gone well enough that he can compete at the Giro dItalia.Not only does he think hes the GOAT but Joe is adamant he would be picked first in any draft.3. Intermarch-Wanty-Gobert Matriaux Tom PidcockHis potential was no secret before the season began, but the longer it goes on the more Pidcock cements himself as GB cyclings next hero. A win and a half in the Classics only scratches the surface of what he can do, lets see how he goes at the Vuelta a Espana.Hed rock Intermarchs fluorescent kit too.4. Cofidis Marc HirschiHirschis stock is plummeting as the days go by, if this had been done in January then he couldve been higher. An outstanding 2020 season showed Hirschi as an immense talent in the Classics and as a breakawayartiste,his big move to UAE Team Emirates hasnt exactly gone well so far results-wise but theres still time.Cofidis would be wise to take the punt.5. Movistar Joo AlmeidaGonzalo Arroya Morena via Getty ImagesThe Portuguese youngster thrilled the hearts and minds of cycling fans everywhere with his performance at the Giro last year. Not only did he hold onto themaglia rosafor most of the race, he fought for every sprint and showed out in the time-trials. Massive potential and would suit Movistar well one more contender cant hurt.6. Lotto-Soudal Brandon McNultyThe next American GC prospect, McNulty has already shown that he can compete at the highest level with a couple of standout performances at last years Giro. He almost didthe business at the Itzulia Basque Country but blew up on the final stage.He might not be as Belgian as Lotto-Soudal but competing in the general classification would keep the sponsors happy.7. AG2R-Citron Mauri VansevenantAG2R are going all in for one-day racing, and Mauri Vansevenant is a heavy metal cyclist. Enough said.8. Bahrain Victorious Ivan SosaThis will either push Mikel Landa over the edge or just add another big talent to that mountains train thats yet to get a big result. Sosa has proven his climbing credentials with a couple of wins in the Tour de la Provence, he just needs to take the next step.9. Team BikeExchange Robert StannardNot only is he Australian (and rides for BikeExchange in real life) but hes stood out in the Classics this year. While a podium is yet to come, hes got legs. Plus hes called Stannard, he must be good.10. EF Education-Nippo Ide SchellingLike Stannard, Schelling has had a good start to the year in the one-day races including a fourth at De Brabantse Pijl. EF are the most stylish team, both in kit and the way they race, Ide would fit right in.11. Groupama-FDJ Clment ChampoussinHes the best French talent on the list.12. Trek-Segafredo Stefan BisseggerTrek-Segafredo have a dual threat in the Classics, several talented climbers includingLo Squalo.Its time to win a TT or two.13. Astana-Premier Tech Vadim PronskiyPlace of birth: Astana. Say no more.14. Bora-Hansgrohe Ethan HayterASO/Aurelien VialatteHayters versatility and pedigree mean hes destined for a few big wins. Bora could strengthen both their Classics and stage racing squads.15. Team DSM Max KanterSprinters are the running backs of cycling, a necessity for the top teams but not necessarily valued as highly as your GC contenders, therefore they only start to pop up at the end of the first round. Plus hes called Max Kanter and hes a sprinter!16. Ineos Grenadiers Jake StewartA huge British talent, Ineos would need mere seconds to make this call. Stewart announced himself in a big way bagging second at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and that was only the beginning.17. UAE Team Emirates Quinn SimmonsControversial? Yes. Talented? Yes.18. Deceuninck-QuickStep Mikkel BjergBjergs engine would get Lefevere another win or two. Despite not being Belgain, several U23 World titles in the TT more than show his talent. In real life they would trade all their picks for the next three years to move up and bag Remco though, its the only way.19. Jumbo-Visma Matteo JorgensonLets give the Killer Bees another rider with big GC potential to close out the first round. The high mountains would be like that episode of Black Mirror, Pogaar swarmed by yellow and black. Roglic, Van Aert, Kuss, Bennett, Vingegaard, Gesink, Kruijswijk, Jorgenson. (Please come back Dumoulin, we miss you.) Related Posts Opinion: Mens cycling has never been more bleak for fans Opinion: Tadej Pogaar is the Greatest Of All Time Mauri Vansevenant and the rise of the heavy metal cyclist Giro dItalia 2024: Stage-by-stage preview and how to watch The post Cyclist Revisited: If cycling did an American-style draft, what would happen? appeared first on Cyclist.