Great report Ian! Kind of expected this to happen to Milan tbh. As for the rule, it sure does favor my riders but I am worried about some. I'd like the first option of the alternatives. At least UCI bias now includes me and TMM

Ouch I felt that punch myself! Cook returns to Europe with a thud!

Expect a fairly hostile reaction

Bristol preview
Will wait with the race a bit, though. Definitely want to hear Cook's side of the story first

This race sounds exciting.

Will make a post from Sylvain when I get on my computer (probably tonight)

So with about 4 days where I got to do absolutely nothing except work I can truly catch up on this.

Started reading all of this seasons' reports as I had missed them all bar two or three so far (:redface.
Now I remember why I was following this. Jesus this is the most entertaining game of the whole internet

The reports are just as detailed and colorful as they used to be before, if not even more. The usual followers are the good old bunch of lads, the alliances/feuds are mostly still the same and this is gonna make my life easier, at least to get back into this awesome fantasy world. Will try to shrink the size of the posts a little in order not to kill my motivation for writing. At least for the first times.

So back to the racing, expectedly with me not in the whereabouts of the thread, Matt lost a bit of shape. Not that much fortunately - thx Ian - but enough to get him out of the big 5. Yet, he managed to get a bunch of very nice podiums and a freaking awesome win - thank you, you Vague fan

Would have loved to wait for the report after reading the piece of history - truly epic one, one could make some decent film out of it - but unfortunately I could jump straight to the report after 10 minutes

And yeh, I liked that report. The way a humble Mazzarelli gained his win after fighting against some "bad luck" was just so touching
So basically, I'm back, expect a long? post in the game thread to summarize the ongoing season and then expect me to be slightly less active in the following days because of new job etc.

Will try not to disappear as I did in the last few months though
Good stuff guys!

Thanks for your message, Matt!
Looking forward to Matt's post and glad to see you around again here

Sorry Ian, won't be here this weekend or today, to make a post fro, Sylvain.

I'll try to do the report tomorrow!

Bristol report is ready! The weather conditions have made it a brutal race, enjoy!

Thanks Ian! Great race for Mutahi, will try and get an update done over the next couple of days.

Awesome report. With so many little stories and battles it's really showing through in the report and makes them a lot more engaging and gripping. Keep up the amazing work Ian, just really really great

Awesome report, now it's Milan Time

Great result again for Exterberdea and the Blue Bell boys, also good to see Mutahi up there. Josiah moving up towards WC spots and Michael still ok in overall makes it not an utter loss for Santos. Bring on the return of Milan and Lachy in full flight!

With the rain Sylvain almost won, awesome report though.

Loved the report, you could see the mud all over the riders Quiet race on Matt's side, but it was expected with that weather really and plus he struggles on the mud. I happily take 10th for those reasons

Nice to see Cook in 5th after what happened in Lisbon, pretty sure he'll come back to victory as soon as possible!

Lee Valley preview is up!
This might just be the toughest weekend of the entire season. With the hard rain and two tough profiles, the riders will be pushed to their limits. After a tiresome race in Bristol, we have Lee Valley the very next day.

Prepare for sore legs and a real marathon battle

Thanks for the preview, Maybe this one could mean a chance for Sylvain.

And reminding me of heavy mud crosses, this video from last real life cross season. Check Meeusen's jump over the ditch in this dirt. He is the jumping god of cyclo-cross!

https://sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/.../1.2196544

See more of Meeusen's jumping technique here.
Goes over 75 cm!!!

https://sporza.be/cm/sporza/videozone/.../1.2251427

Hi guys, i suppose i owe you all an apology and a goodbye, at least as a direct part of this game i was for few weeks.

Thing is i have less and less time in recent weeks and it will be only worse (but filled by pleasure things). It was clear that i am not longer an active part of the game, but it is a shame i havent made it official earlier.

I hope i will be able to follow the game as a fan, because it is great initiative, you are wonderful reporter and story teller Ian and all of you active guys make this a great initiative. So keep it going and sorry that i was not able to play the role i subscribed for, which i probably should not do at first place, as it only made work for Ian bigger.

But dont you worry, i am still a mud lover and look forward to some great RP posts of your riders!

Too bad to hear that, Avin, but thanks for letting me know
I understand all too well the time issue. I have it myself, but for other things. CX:AND is my baby so I always make time for it when I can!

Good luck with your activities and hey, if time opens up in a year or so, feel free to jump back in, you're always welcome

Hmmm want to do the report this evening, but don't want to move too fast so I'll do it tomorrow.
Too late to send in tactics now, though