Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Breaking News: As a leading provider of telecommunication services in Serbia, and one of the leading companies in the Balkans, Serbian Telecom (Telekom Srbija) has decided to back up the first Serbian professional cycling team that is starting in the CT2 Division in 2012. season.
Team goals, rider profiles and schedule for the next season will be decided on the executive board meeting this afternoon.
More to follow!
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
1. Official press release
Novi Sad, 06.07.2011.
Head of the Serbia's biggest telecommunications provider, Telekom Srbija, has made a surprise announcement this morning after an executive board meeting. Although things like budget cuts and expansion strategies were expected to be the focus of the debate, Telekom's CEO Branko Radujko had other ideas in his mind. Among others, one in particular has made a lot of happy faces in the Serbian sports community.
"Serbian Telecom has always held a pivotal role in an ongoing campaign that focuses on a large scale of social initiatives like recycling, preserving ecosystems, and of course, making it possible for people to lead a healthy life in growing metropolitan areas. After taking part in many eco-friendly projects, we have decided to go one step forward. Sponsoring a cycling team will be a good way to show people that we truly believe in the idea of a better future for everyone. Once in a while, we organize a day when our workers commute by bikes, and similar projects will continue to be on our agenda in the years to come." - Said Branko Radujko in a press conference this afternoon.
The role of General manager of Team Serbian Telecom was handed to the most experienced PCM expert from Serbia, one Mladen Lukic, aka Deda.
His years of mastering the PCM ways were the main reason for his appointment, It is expected that with a group of top local riders, and an addition of experienced team mates from other Balkan countries, Team Serbian Telecom brings a lot of joy and happiness to it's fans all across the world.
About Serbian Telecom:
Telekom Srbija A.D. is a telecommunications company with a seat in Belgrade, Takovska 2, founded the Public Enterprise PTT Traffic Srbija (PTT is an abbreviation of post-telephone-telegraph) as a single-member joint stock company at the end of May 1997, in a procedure of structural and ownership transformation of Serbia’s PTT system. It is a leading provider of telecommunication services in the ex-Yugoslav countries, with it's subsidiaries and partners in Bosnia&Herzegovina - "Republic of Srpska m:tel", and Montenegro - "m:tel of Montenegro".
Mission New services that we introduce, technologies that we apply, each change of the Company and its continuous adjustment are oriented towards our customers, their needs for communication and entertainment. With our employees as a driving force.
To the satisfaction of our Shareholders.
Vision We wish to enrich and improve people’s lives, offering them global connectivity and excellent communications, as a regional leader in the future information society.
Corporate responsibility
Telekom Srbija perceives its contribution to the development of society both as a commitment and as a privilege. We are trying to recognize the needs of the community in which we operate and to act accordingly, by providing support to the initiatives of the broadest social impact. Telekom Srbija supports projects, initiatives and individuals that are in connection with the Company’s corporate values. The support to young talents, healthcare and education projects, as well as donations, make an inseparable part of the Company's corporate responsibility and an important investment segment in the future.
Edited by Deda on 06-07-2011 17:08
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Jersey presentation:
We are very glad to announce that besides Serbian Telecom, two other sponsors have reserved their place on our 2012 jersey: NIS - Gazprom Neft, A cooperation of leading Russian and Serbian petrochemical companies
Mercator, one of the leading chains of shopping malls in the Southeastern Europe.
Everybody is hoping for a good season, at least our riders will look good:
Edited by Deda on 08-07-2011 17:28
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Season goals:
#1 The win goal: Dubai Grand Prix
This race will be the focus of our sprinter orientated team. Not very long, but tough course will prove a tricky challenge. Focus of our transfer season efforts will be a sprinter who can win this race long way from home.
#2 The top10 goal: Tour of San Juan
Tour of San Juan will be our biggest challenge. In a sprinter-orientated team, a rider capable of doing a good TT and staying in front in the mountain stage will probably be left without any real support. We will therefore have to focus on individual qualities when searching for a candidate to win this one.
#3 The season goal: Going global
Winning is everything, and winning away from home is something which makes the taste of success even sweeter, because of the hard work and willpower needed to make it possible.
Edited by Deda on 10-07-2011 17:34
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Roster
Ivan Stevic - protected rider (sprinter) Goran Smelcerovic - protected rider (climber) Dragan Spasic - luxury team mate Gabor Kasa - team mate Filip Rada - young rider Drazen Krneta - young rider Borislav Puric - young rider Aleksandr Arekejev - absolute leader (time trialist) Tamás Lengyel - protected rider (stage racer) Arturs Ansons - protected rider (sprinter, classics rider) Yauhen Sobal - absolute leader (puncheur) Maxime Debusschere - team mate (classics)
Edited by Deda on 20-07-2011 13:56
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Season Calendar:
Dubai Grand Prix
Tour of Geelong
Kuurne-Bruxelles-Kuurne
Strade Appia Antica
Tour of San Juan
Championships of Zurich
GP Marseille
Ronde van Belgia
Delta Tour Zeeland
Dutch Food Valley Classic
GP Miguel Indurain
Klassika Sniezka
Tour de Picardie
Neussenclassics
GP Kranj
Univest GP
Vuelta a Asturias
Tour de Maroc
Settimenta Bartali
Gp Reunion
Tour of Pendle
Tour of the Lowveld
Tour of the South China Sea
Tour of Utah
Chrono Gatineau
GP Industria
Edited by Deda on 30-07-2011 11:24
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Results
Dubai Grand Prix
Spoiler:
11th Yauhen Sobal 15th Maxime Debuscherre 50th Ivan Stevic 97th Aleksandr Arekejev 106th Dragan Spasic
CTDiv2 Rankings
Individual:
Spoiler:
After Tour of San Juan
14th Tamás Lengyel 67 15th Ivan Stevic 67 20th Aleksandr Arekejev 58 33rd Maxime Debusschere 44 59th Filip Rada 24 66th Yauhen sobal 20 155th Gabor Kasa 1
Team:
Spoiler:
5th S-Telecom 283
Sharing the success - Team Serbian Telecom
Edited by Deda on 05-11-2011 10:43
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Thanks, wasn't sure about it as I kinda downloaded the database before the CT transfer season was over, so a bit of tough luck for me, yeah.
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Transfer news:
* Our first and primary transfer target, Ivan Stevic has signed a contract with Team S-Telecom.
Sponsors and managers are happy to welcome him into our squad, and we all hope that this will mark the beginning of a successful season, in the transfer market, as well as on the roads all over the world.
* Alongside Stevic, a group of 6 Serbian riders, both experienced and young, have also joined the team. Two of them will be adding experience to the team, while the others are young, and even though they need a lot to learn, they are more than eager to give everything they can for the future of Serbian cycling.
- Dragan Spasic (a valuable team mate for the flat races)
- Goran Smelcerovic (he will be the road captain in the stage races, and an invaluable assistance for the leaders because of his climbing abilities)
* We are also proud to announce that the first international rider has become a part of Team Serbian Telecom.
His name is Tamás Lengyel, current Hungarian road champion, and a good time-trialist, who will hopefully be an instrumental part in many of this team's future successes.
His above average climbing skill will allow this rider to aim at the top of the leaderboard in stage races, so all in all, this is a very good capture for the team of our calibre and ambitions.
* It is now official, Alexandr Arekejev is the newest acquisition of Team Serbian Telecom! As one of the best TT riders in the Continental Division 2, Alexandr will be an absolute leader for the stage races, as he is very capable of battling on smaller climbs against puncheur/climber type riders.
Our experienced staff will ensure that Arekejev has all the resources he needs, all the right team mates, and very carefully planned race schedule, so his undoubted skills can be put to real use and produce some good results.
And as we all know, good results make everybody happy.
* !Breaking news!: Yauhen Sobal is confirmed as another invaluable addition to the Team Serbian Telecom roster. More information to follow!
Edited by Deda on 18-07-2011 15:08
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Thanks, I too hope he'll be worth it.
But I also hope that this is not the end of the good transfer fortune
Edited by Deda on 17-07-2011 09:48
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Latest news:
Team roster is updated with our newest acquisition, Latvian rider Arturs Ansons, who will lead our team in the cobbled races and in the sprints. Battle for his signature hasn't been very hard like we expected at first, which brings us even more joy because his salary will not impose an unneeded pressure on him to bring home some good results.
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Official press conference:
Novi Sad, 01.01.2012.
- Hi, my name is Mladen Lukic, and on the behalf of the Team Serbian Telecom's management team I welcome you all here on this occasion. We are glad that everyone is here, nice to see a lot of new faces. I will try to answer all your questions as good and as thorough as I can, know you've been waiting a long time for this, so let's start.
How excited are you about the coming season?
- Everyone here is really fired up. To be honest, we can't wait for the races to start. Our riders have taken their preparations very seriously, and staff has done everything in their power to ensure our team has the right base for a successful season. Personally, this is one of the most important steps in my career and it brings me great pleasure to be awarded with an opportunity to lead such a big national sporting project.
Tell us about the idea behind creating Team Serbian Telecom. Was it hard to pull off?
- Well, there was a number of factors that didn't make this the easiest thing in the world. Firstly, you have to consider that cycling isn't one of the most popular sports in Serbia. Luckily, there were people who had a shared vision of making this project come to life, so despite everything we've managed to find common ground both with the financial providers, and with the riders who are to take part in this project. So obviously, the idea behind this is an ambition to make cycling a more popular sport and enjoy a healthy competition between small teams who are striving for success in their first year.
How hard was finding such a major sponsor?
- We are obviously very happy that Serbian Telecom has seen the potential of sponsoring a cycling team. They were the first to respond to our offer, and the deal was struck very fast, to everybody's delight. Our team is very proud to wear the Telecom logo on their jerseys.
How pleased are you with the riders at your disposal?
- Before the transfer season, we weren't really sure where we stand on the recruitment policy issue. There were thoughts about acquiring a top division2 sprinter (undisclosed) and building our team around him. After a thorough review of riders available for hire, it was decided that this team can achieve much more if we brought more different specialists for different types of races. The end result is that we now feel that our riders are able to be competitive in all competitions, be it cobbles, hills or time trials. We've signed almost all of our shortlisted priorities, and to sum things up, we think this transfer season was a huge success. Our goals are to be met by our top riders which makes both us and our sponsors very happy.
A few words about the stars of your team?
- If you mean the riders who cost a lot of money, we think that also the riders who we paid little could also be top10 material. I wouldn't call any of them real stars. Obviously none of them are top in their field, but we are counting on a lot of teamwork and support from our helpers. We've put together a team, and we will all act like a team, all for one - one for all. So no stars in our team.
Ok, let me rephrase. Who will be your leaders?
- That much is pretty obvious. Yauhen Sobal will work his way to the podiums of hilly races and classics. Our hopes are that his explosive nature translates to some explosive performances on the road. Aleksandr Arekejev and Tamás Lengyel will aim for the stage races. Arekejev will be riding the hills, Lengyel will be up there in the mountains. Arturs Ansons and Maxime Debusschere will head our classics squad, while Ansons and Ivan Stevic will try to do something in the sprints.
All other riders will ride in support. Most notably, Goran Smelcerovic and his climbing abilities will be of the utmost importance for the good positioning of our leaders. Dragan Spasic will try and do the same in the flat races for Ansons and Stevic.
What about the young riders?
- We also have some young up-and-coming riders, but the time will tell what becomes of them. There are a lot of fish in the sea, hence why they will have to work even more. Their job this season will be to act in support of the protected riders and leaders. Considering the tasks before them, we are sure that they will be an instrumental part of Team S-Telecom's successes this season.
Please, tell us a bit about your season goals.
- First race of the season, Dubai Grand Prix, is our win goal. If we play our cards right, we'll see our leader on the podium there. Although a sprinters race, those bumps and lumps will favor a more universal finisher. We are fairly confident everything will be ok there.
Next comes the Tour of San Juan. Putting our leader in the good position in the time trial is of the essence. Having in mind we have no real climbers, leader will have to rely on the whole team to support him up the Alto de Colorado.
And who will be your leaders for these races?
- Let that be a little surprise, but looking at our roster the answers are pretty obvious. We'll leave it at that.
Care to comment on your global approach?
- Serbian Telecom is a very large company. Although the services they provide will not be in the spotlight of any international attention, getting known around the world will be much easier carrying their brand on the jersey. A big name for global success, so nothing new there. It is everybody's hope that this cooperation will lead us to recognition in major sports circles, thus we've brought it upon ourselves to prove our worth globally, so we can act better on the local level.
What will be your tactical approach?
- Race planner was made with all the riders present. They know what they're good at, they've told us what kind of support they need, and thus everything else will be up to them. All I can say is that we've tried to make it as easy as possible for our team. One race - one leader policy is something that we've tried to accomplish, and considering the 5 riders per race rule, it is of the utmost importance for a string of good performance and constant competitiveness.
What are your pre-season expectations? How good will your team be?
- I think that being big on words is a way of compensating for the lack of confidence in your team. And confidence is something we don't really lack. Apart from the sprints, I feel that my team has a chance of constantly being there and thereabouts, for the entire season. For the sake of not being pompous or anything, A good top-half finish in the team rankings seems like a realistic prediction.
Anything to say to the fans and the media?
- The management of Team Serbian Telecom, it's riders, and all the people that have made this dream possible, wish for a good and friendly competition in the Continental Division 2 season. We hope that all the fans will enjoy the races, the diversity of the profiles will ensure a good and steady flow of excitement surrounding the races all over the world. Team S-Telecom can promise to take part in the mix and be there in all the important moments of the season, and we hope that this constant exposure will ensure us a good fan base, hopefully in the years to come.
We also wish to thank all the journalists that have graced us with their presence on this occasion, hopefully this will be a start of a tradition in the coming months and years.
Also we wish all the best to all the Division 2 managers, their teams and their riders, and although we seem like a Kindergarten compared to the more established and renowned professional teams, we hope it will not result in this competition being less interesting than top-level. On the contrary, we hope that relative equality of the top riders will present us with even more excitement in the races to come, all the more reason to be eager to start watching our riders charging for victory.
- This concludes the first Team S-Telecom press conference.
For all the other information regarding the dealings and results of S-Telecom, keep reading our media thread and stay with us in what promises to be a great season.
Sharing the success - Team Serbian Telecom
Edited by Deda on 30-07-2011 15:52
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
Posts: 901 Joined: 25.03.09 Location: Novi Sad, Serbia PCM$: 180.00
Dubai Grand Prix squad revealed:
Although it's known that S-Telecom isn't the best in the sprinting department, our squad was formed in respect to the deceptive profile of this race. We've set this race as our win goal for this season, but the transfer season wasn't 100% success as we didn't land a top sprinter for this goal.
S-Telecom line-up:
Ivan Stevic Aleksandr Arekejev Yauhen Sobal Dragan Spasic Maxime Debusschere
Stevic is far from the best sprinter in CTDiv2, but his other abilities will be something his team mates will try to work in our favour. Debuschere and Spasic will do their part of the work in the first half of the stage, then Arekejev and Sobal must do all they can to make it difficult for all the other sprinters in the slightly steeper sections of the race. Stevic will most certainly catch himself a decent wheel, and there we go.
Best of luck to all participating teams, may the best man win!
Sharing the success - Team Serbian Telecom
If offense is the best defence, does it mean that defence is the worst defence?
If I should die before I wake, I pray the Lord will delete my browser history.
