Grand prize - Cervelo Soloist Carbon CSC team replica bicycle
If you are lucky enough to come first in this year's Le Tour Fantasy game you could soon be riding a Cervelo Soloist Carbon CSC team replica bicycle equipped with Shimano Ultegra 10-speed, R-550 wheels, FSA cranks, bars and stem, Selle Italia Marco Ponza saddle, Cervelo aero carbon seatpost and Vittoria Diamante Pro Lite tyres. Retail value $4750 USD.
The evolution of the Soloist Carbon began in 2001, when long before Cervélo's affiliation with Team CSC, they initiated a project called FM28, which ultimately became the Soloist Carbon. The first years of the project were earmarked for aerodynamic testing. With the aero features settled on, focus switched to the structural design of the frame. Developments in carbon fibre frame design go very rapidly at Cervélo, so the design goals were adjusted several times along the way. When they started to supply frames to Team CSC, it became apparent that their ultimate frame closely matched what they were working on for FM28.
By 2005 their relationship with the team was so close that they were comfortable enough to test the first FM28 prototypes in one of the biggest races of the year, the 2005 Giro d'Italia. Seven iterations later, the frame was picked for pilot production (nine frames of which went to the team for the Tour de France where Jens Voigt put his Soloist Carbon to good use in his Stage 9 breakaway and to capture the yellow jersey) and feedback from the Tour was so positive that they went into full production without any further changes.
Even if you don't win the Grand Prize, the Fantasy Le Tour game is a great way to follow the Tour each day here at Cyclingnews. It's free to play the first three stages - try it out today. You don't need to be a cycling expert to win prizes. Registration has already begun.
What's the Fantasy Le Tour game?
The online game allows you to assume the role of a professional team manager for the 2007 Le Tour and create your own dream team from any of the real life riders in this year's Tour. In what's set to be the most open Tour in decades, based on the live racing action, you will take up the challenge of using your knowledge and tactical skill as a race team manager to compete with other virtual managers from around the world. Follow the races live and use your skill and knowledge to win some great prizes.
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Le Tour Fantasy Game prize list
Prize summary: From one grand prize and one first runner-up to three each second, third, and fourth runner-up prize packages, there are 11 chances for you to win based on your overall performance in the 2007 Le Tour Fantasy Game. There are also 21 daily prizes for each stage's top performer. All prizes are as listed (substitution requests cannot be honoured). The roster of prizes so far is as follows:
Grand prize from Cervelo Soloist Carbon CSC team replica bicycle worth $4750 USD. Equipped with Shimano Ultegra 10-speed, R-550 wheels, FSA cranks, bars and stem, Selle Italia Marco Ponza saddle, Cervelo aero carbon seatpost, and Vittoria Diamante Pro Lite tyres.
Daily prize from BBB Parts - 21 pairs of BSG-23 Winner Quickstep World Champion glasses designed for Tom Boonen.
10x runners-up prizes
Set of Shimano Dura Ace WH-7801-SL Wheels - three sets on offer
Maxxis Courchevel road tyres - 10 sets on offer
Descente Classic Chevron design clothing - four sets on offer
PRO Carbon Bottle Cage - x10 on offer
Giro Atmos Helmet - x3 Giro Atmos Helmet
BBB's BSG-23 Winner Team Quickstep glasses - one for each day of tour
More prizes will be announced in the coming days. To find out more visit the prizes page.
Play for free in the Fantasy Le Tour 2007 game
Remember you can play for free for the first three stages! Try the game out and see how best to play. It's easy to play the Tour games - all you need to do is pick your dream team of 15 from the riders racing in this year's Le Tour start list.
Then each day pick nine riders to race for your fantasy team from these 15. You'll need a good combination of climbers, sprinters, and general classification riders.
For more details go to the rules section of the site. There's also some great tips and tricks in the downloads and winners sections of the site. It's a great way to follow Le Tour 2007.
