After my reputation was tarnished on the football pitch, my only escape from it all was my bike. The cycling season just ended, but I wanted to keep riding. 100km postseason training rides became the norm. It helped clear my mind and forget about my problems. The therapy rides worked... for a while.
But, eventually reality does catch up to you and you have to face the music.
SEG Racing tried to avoid the media circus surrounding my situation for a few weeks before they final spoke out. I was pleasantly surprised, and thankful.
"Obviously, we don't approve of what Marcus did. His temper got the best of him. That said, we aren't going to punish Marcus twice. Real Madrid did what they had to do. We will do what we have to do. Diamond's contract runs through the 2026 season and we intend to have him on our squad next season."
Cancel culture wasn't going to persuade SEG from dropping its superstar.
Postseason Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost:+1 Point Per Member
Unlock Progress: 219 Points
Spoiler
- Each member gets 4.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Locked stats can't be improved.
- Unlock Progress Points: Once a target number between 25-250 is reached, a stat unlock is rewarded. Points from training rides can be used toward the Unlock Progress.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Decreases: Hills (20%) and Stamina (25%) were reduced.
However, does that mean that the football part is canceled once and for all? Feeling sorry for all the work you put into this story
The hill decrease definitely hurts, but I think overall we were rather lucky with "just" two decreases.
Obviously +4 to stat unlock ^^ And please replace your random number generator, it doesn't like Marcus
+4 to unlock as well. A shame you were so unlocky (I tried) with your pc breaking down, but I'm looking forward to seeing how you will solve that issue
A shame football has come to an end but obviously understandable and a good way to find something interesting in a bad situation on your part Mre. Hope Marcus can bounce back and work on himself in the off season
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
@Fabianski: Glad to be back! And football isn't dead. I still got some tricks up my shelve and hopefully some excited times are ahead. And that's the fun of using a random number generator. Some times it helps you and sometimes it can be a real pain in the...
@Nemolito: Sucks it happened, but I'm going to make the best of it.
@jandal7: Can't get rid of football (American or European) that easily.
Two wins to start the season, including a 21-14 road victory over state semifinalist Hough a week ago, has the local community starting to take notice — saying stuff like the Asheville High football team might have a good team this season.
The local newspaper, the Asheville Citizen-Times, had this to say in their WNC Conference preview section this week (since conference games start this week):
"Asheville is usually one of those fringe teams you don't know will make the playoffs or not, but I don't think there is any doubt this year after a 2-0 start this season. Newcomer sensation QB Diamond Jr. is the real deal and has his team cooking heading into conference play. The Cougars are a team to be feared."
The hype is growing. Have to keep my cool. One game at a time.
Week #3 at Erwin Warriors (1-1)
September 18, 2043
Back-to-back road games certainly test your resolve.
Spoiler
First Quarter
After both sides punted away their opening drives, Asheville CB McLeod made the first big play of the game by intercepting Erwin QB Tanner. On the very next play, Cougars QB Diamond Jr. threaded the needle to RB Howell, lined up as a TE, on a 24yd vertical TD scoring play. 7-0 Asheville halfway through the opening frame.
Asheville doubled up its lead to 14-0 with a little under two minutes left in the quarter. QB Diamond Jr. threw seven straight completions before FB Glick rumbled his way into the end zone for a 4yd score.
Second Quarter
With Erwin threatening to score with under two minutes to play in the half. Asheville SS Engel stepped up with a huge red zone interception.
However, Erwin eventually sacked QB Diamond Jr. in the end zone for a rare safety to make the scoreboard read an unusual 14-2 at halftime.
Third Quarter
Sloppy offensive football plagued the third quarter, but WR Sarria did break free from press coverage and QB Diamond Jr. hit him in stride for a 60yd TD bomb to break the game open, 21-2 Asheville.
On the verge of scoring another touchdown, QB Diamond Jr. scrambled out of the pocket and tried to make a few Warriors miss. He got passed the first defender but LB Dodds rushed in to clean things up, forcing a fumble in the process.
Erwin failed to score on the turnover. Asheville kept its 21-2 lead.
Fourth Quarter
Following three extra points, Cougars K Harvey booted through a 23yd FG to increase Asheville's lead to 24-2 with 5:39 remaining.
Diamond lost another fumble on Asheville's next drive, summing up a difficult day under center — two turnovers and sacked nine times — despite a rather impressive traditional box score stat line of 24/31 for 224 passing yards and two TDs.
The clock finally bleed out on an Asheville 24-2 victory to move the Cougars to 3-0 overall. That said, both teams will probably want to burn this game film. There were nearly as many turnovers (5) in this game than there were third down conversions (6).
Asheville probably should have won by 40+ points, but they will take the modest win and the lessons learned from this one to keep improving.
Box Score
MDJ Game Stats: 24/31 passing for 224yds, 2 TDs; 23yds rushing - One of those games you win, but you feel like you didn't. A hard week of practice is ahead, I'm sure of it.
Player of Game: RB Howell (8 catches for 84yds, 1 TD, 19yds rushing)
Standings (3/8 Games Played)
Only teams with a winning record in the conference at the end of the regular season are eligible to advance to the 16-team North Carolina State Playoffs.
Calendar
Recruiting: Interested Colleges
Missed Calls: The University of North Carolina at Charlotte football team have found it very difficult to keep in contact with MDJ and have lost significant interest in recruiting him for their program.
Grace and I watched the ping pong balls tumble around, we waited in anticipation but also were wondering if it truly even mattered to us. Finally, a ball popped out and FIFA President Gianni Infantino stepped forward.
"Joining Group E will be... Nigeria."
The Flying Eagles are headed back to the World Cup. Turns out they didn't need my help after all — clinching a 4-1 win over Cameroon in November to secure its place. Doing so in spite of the whole "Marcus Diamond fiasco" they had to face.
At first, Nigeria wanted me to be there. Real Madrid just suspended me for a few games and that was that, or so I thought. I was very wrong. Somebody within the Real Madrid organization had it out for me and leaked the training ground footage of the accident to the Spanish media. It quickly went viral.
Real Madrid couldn't sweep it under the rug anymore. Especially, when anonymous so-called teammates were coming forward and being published saying I shouldn't be allowed to stay on the team. It felt like I had been backstabbed.
The video evidence was damning. I was finished.
Real Madrid head coach Martin Schmidt didn't even bother calling me into his office. I got a phone call and was faxed over papers. As much as we didn't get along, Schmidt still sounded sorry and sincere about what had happened.
He couldn't have liked flushing away an extra-ordinary talent for nothing.
Schmidt, on behalf of the Madrid owner, even offered me a proposal: Acknowledge the termination of my contract and I'd get paid my salary through the end of the season. In exchange, I couldn't sign with another club for the rest of the season.
I accepted and took the money. I figured with the video being out and getting shared across social media, the odds of me signing with another club during the Winter Transfer window were slim to none anyways. I needed this to all die down.
Nigeria wanted that too and for me not to be a distraction against Cameroon so they told me to stay home. I tried to plead my case, but they shut me out.
I'm now on the outside looking in. Watching the World Cup Draw as a spectator...
Not a player. I have six months to mend bridges and represent my country.
The World Cup waits for no one: 32 teams but only one winner.
Nigeria might think they don't need me, but I desperately need them.
World Cup Bound? (Resolved): Nobody picked a 4-1 Nigeria win and Marcus Diamond didn't play, so no Fountain of Youth points awarded.
On the verge of becoming one of the top Pro Tour teams in the Peloton, SEG Racing Academy has come to an agreement with well-known cycling sponsor Quick-Step to co-sponsor the squad for the upcoming 2026 season.
Quick-Step returns to the sport after two seasons away. The Belgium flooring company dropped out following the 2023 season, and Ridley took over as the primary sponsorship of that team. Ridley still remains in the Pro Tour.
With a new sponsorship comes a new stylish kit!
Spoiler
And now for a breakdown of the roster, starting with the team leaders!
The Captains
Complete 2026 Squad
Transfers
Riders In
Riders Out
Luke Rowe (GCN Racing)
Niklas Markl (GCN Racing)
Jan Maas (Lotto - Kern Haus)
Ide Schelling (Koga)
A. van Niekerk (Dimension Data)
Alan Wood (ISS)
Tó Victor (TAP Portugal)
Ethan Hayter (GCN Racing)
Oscar Riesebeek (Free Agent)
Demi Vollering (Alpine Elec.)
Chris Bernier (A. Giocattoli)
Kenny Lynch (D. Data)
Julius van den Berg (Free Agent)
Mudada Rainsford (Free Agent)
Arabella Terrington (Amateur)
Okkie Stricker (Team Sunweb)
Maikel Keur (Amateur)
Robbie van Bakel (AkzoNobel)
Jo Symons (Amateur)
Gabrielle Ashby (Amateur)
My Thoughts
The Quick-Step partnership happened late in December after SEG had already finalized its roster for the season. Therefore, not a single Belgian cyclist made the roster. I'm sure that will be a major priority moving forward.
In the meantime, not too much of a drastic shake up to the squad. Basically the same leaders, other than Adrian Kacian progressing into our hilly captain with the veteran support of Mathieu van der Poel.
On the climbs, Harry Zuurman appears ready to make a splash in the Grand Tours after placing 10th at the Giro d'Italia last year. Tomas Hyravy and myself are option No. 2. The team is still debating what Grand Tours we will ride.
I've opted for the Vuelta a Espana for the time being, since the World Cup is happening in June. But the team could easily decide to send me to the TDF regardless, especially if I don't make Nigeria's World Cup roster.
For climbing support, SEG signed local legend Aidan van Niekerk, who will have to carry a large burden at the start of the season because my wife Grace Garner-Diamond is on maternity leave with my kid until at least June.
Our TTT units is aging but still looks pretty strong with Stefan Küng, Ryan Mullen and Pavel Sivakov. Chris Bernier was brought in to add depth.
I'm surprised I haven't mentioned our biggest budding star yet, 22-year-old fast man Tebiro Pienaar. He set the road on fire last season winning nine stages, including classic Gent-Wevelgem and two stages at the Tour de France. Will be interesting to see if he can keep improving after his breakout season.
Pienaar will have a new lead-out man to work with, Tó Victor, after Niklas Markl decided to leave for GCN Racing. Whereas, Grace's sister Lucy van der Haar and her husband Lars van der Haar — both second-tier sprinters — ended up re-signed for another year to stay close to the family.
Other than that, the team brought in four promising amateur who are eager to learn the ropes and... it feels like I'm missing somebody...
Oh, yeah, Alex Vogel is still here doing her thing.
Marcus Diamond's 2026 Race Schedule
*Pending Invitation* | ^World Cup Event^
Date
Race
Top 3 Recent Results
Feb. 24
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
47th ('25), 26th ('24), 16th ('23)
Mar. 3
Strade Bianche
3rd (2025)
Mar. 17
Milano - Sanremo^
23rd (2025)
Mar. 23
Record Bank E3^
6th ('25), 18th ('24), 20th ('23)
Apr. 1
Ronde van Vlaanderen^
20th ('25), 20th ('24), 23rd ('23)
Apr. 8
Paris-Roubaix^
14th ('25), 33rd ('24), 36th ('23)
Apr. 15
Amstel Gold Race^
1st ('25), 27th ('24), 30th ('23)
Apr. 18
La Fleche Wallonne^
7th (2025), 15th (2024)
Apr. 22
Liege-Bastogne-Liege^
12th ('25), 12th ('24), 26th ('23)
Apr. 24-29
Tour de Romandie (S6)
--
May 13-19
Tour of California (S7)
--
June 28
GB ITT Championships*
11th ('25), 25th ('24), 33rd ('22)
July 1
GB RR Championships*
1st ('25), 8th ('24), 8th ('22)
July 31
RideLondon-Surrey
6th ('25), 9th ('24), 12th ('23)
Aug. 4
CC San Sebastian^
2nd (2025)
Aug. 25-Sept. 16
Vuelta a Espana (S21)
DNF (2023)
Sept. 30
World RR Championship*
5th ('25), 15th ('24), 4th ('23)
Oct. 13
Il Lombardia^
12th (2025), 19th (2023)
Oct. 16-21
Tour of Guangxi (S6)
7th (2023)
Cycling World Cup Defense?
After winning last season's cycling World Cup over Michael Matthews and Gianni Moscon — scoring the most points in the competitions history (159) — my focus now turns to getting better results across the five major monuments.
My best monument result is only 12th (twice at LBL and once at Lombardia).
Therefore, in preparation I'll only race 9/14 of the World Cup events. But, with improved results in fewer races, I could still defend my title and become the first rider to ever win the competition twice since its conception in 2015.
Return to the Vuelta
My first Grand Tour way back in 2023 ended with me slowly pedaling across the finish line on Stage 4 of the Vuelta a Espana after breaking a rib in a massive crash. I now have a little more experience navigating a Grand Tour peloton.
The route this season features seven hilly stages, six flat, six mountain, one TT (42kms) and an opening team time trial (16km). Should suit an all-rounder like myself, in either the general classification or the points competition.
Evaluation
Offseason Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost:+2 Point Per Member
Unlock Progress: 6 Points
Spoiler
- Each member gets 4.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Locked stats can't be improved.
- Unlock Progress Points: Once a target number between 25-250 is reached, a stat unlock is rewarded. Points from training rides can be used toward the Unlock Progress.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Unlock: The Unlock Progress Points target number (229) was reached so a stat unlock is available before the start of a new season.
Each member please rank any three locked stats (ex. 1. Mountain, 2. Cobble, 3. Flat). 1st gets 5 points, 2nd - 3 points, 3rd - 1 point. Whichever locked stat gets the most points will be unlocked.
Upgraded Training Facility: With the signing of Quick-Step as a new co-sponsor, more money was pumped into the team's Training Facility.
Note: All member now have 5.0 points to spend each Training Ride.
Finally! My unlock preferences:
1. Mountain
2. TT
3. Hills
Obviously have to do +5 fo unlock progress again I guess, since the unlock isn't done yet?
Roster looks good, but Marcus should still be stronger than Zurman in most uphill races, especially those featuring shorter climbs. And while Pienaar must be #1 for flat cobbles, Marcus will hopefully get Pienaar's support for the tougher ones. Interesting season ahead, looking forward
Fabianski wrote:
Obviously have to do +5 for unlock progress again I guess, since the unlock isn't done yet?
Unlock progress resets and goes again with a new target number once it is reached. So, yeah, right now that's all you can spend your points on until some stats get unlocked.
Interesting posts across all three sports, enjoyed them
1. Flat
2. Stamina
3. Resistance
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Junior Ryan Reese picked possibly the worst time to come back. Seeing him without a cast on his wrist was a little chilling. My time under center was numbered. The former starting quarterback wanted his team back.
After an intense battle in practice this week to earn the starting job, we were both called into coach Greg Nelson's office for "a chat." I was nervous. I didn't have the best week of practice and had a pretty bad game last week (two turnovers, sacked nine times and gave up a safety) despite us winning 24-2 over Erwin.
"Guys, this might be the hardest decision I've had to make in my 15-year coaching career. I know how much this means to both of you. I'm making this decision with my head and not my heart. Ryan... you'll be QB1 this week."
My head dropped while Reese tried to hide his excitement.
"Marcus, don't do that. Keep your head up. We still need you. You carried this team for three weeks. We will still get you involved. Stay ready."
I nodded, and turned to Reese, "Well, let's keep this winning streak rolling."
Week #4 vs. AC Reynolds Rockets (3-0)
September 25, 2043
Battle of two unbeatens, back on home turf.
Spoiler
Box Score
MDJ Game Stats: 0/0 passing for 0yds, 0 TDs; 0yds rushing - Sat on the bench the entire game, taking notes. Frustrating way to lose our first game. Reese even had a decent debut, our defense just couldn't stop the Rockets' rushing attack — giving up over 225yds on the ground.
Player of Game: RB Walter (176yds rushing, 1 TD on 28 attempts)
Standings (4/8 Games Played)
Only teams with a winning record in the conference at the end of the regular season are eligible to advance to the 16-team North Carolina State Playoffs.
Calendar
Recruiting: Interested Colleges
IQ Test: For homework this week, head coach Greg Nelson ask both of his quarterbacks to take an IQ Test. An impressive score could convince Nelson to give MDJ his starting job back. Take the IQ test and post a screenshot of your best score below to try and beat Ryan Reese's score.
Will try again later but this was my quick first go in case I don't do it before the next post
Hope MDJ can prove he deserves the job back!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
The International football calendar starts with the African Championship of Nations. As much as I would like to play in this 16-team tournament, I'm not allowed because it's only for African players currently playing in Africa.
It's an opportunity for the homegrown talent to shine and possibly make a big enough impression on newly named head coach Jose Jose (nicknamed J.J.) to give them a fair shot at making the upcoming World Cup roster.
In preparation for the tournament, Nigeria played two home friendlies.
Jan. 7 vs. Greece: In front of a sellout 20,000 crowd, Nigeria was unable to breakdown the Greeks' impenetrable defense. The Flying Eagles failed to get a shot on target and lost 2-0 on an own goal by Abdullahi Mohammed in the 47th minute and a nail-in-the-coffin tap-in by Lazaros Labrou in stoppage time.
Jan. 11 vs. Niger: Nigeria rebounded and notched J.J.'s first coaching win with a 4-1 rivalry trashing over boarder sharing Niger. Four different goal scorers stepped up for Nigeria: Erhun Obanor, Akeem Kayode, Jerry Duru-Ibeh and Stephen Kabiru. Niger was outshot 22-6 (10-3 shots on target).
Ready or not, Nigeria kicked off the Group Stage of the African Championship of Nations being held in Egypt this year. Recent winners of this competition include Ghana (2024), Egypt (2022), Congo (2020) and Ivory Coast (2018).
Nigeria's group featured: Kenya, Mali and Tunisia.
Jan. 19 vs. Tunisia: Six combined goals made it the largest scoring game of the tournament so far, but Nigeria came out on the wrong side of the result — losing 4-2. A valiant effort to fight back after trailing 2-0 at halftime.
Other group result: Mali def. Kenya, 1-0.
Jan. 23 vs. Mali: Facing what one might consider a must-win situation, Nigeria gave up a late equalizer to Abdou Salam Jiddou in the 84th minute to negate Michael Mbah's goal in the 62nd minute. Nigeria now needed to win it's last match and get some help to advance to the knockout round.
Other group result: Tunisia def. Kenya, 2-0.
Jan. 26 vs. Kenya: A two-goal showing from Suleiman Abdullaha and an insurance goal by Moses Njoku helped Nigeria rise to the occasion with a 3-1 victory over Kenya! Everyone's attention then went to their phones.
Other group result: Tunisia def. Mali, 3-0.
Spoiler
African Championship of Nations
Quarterfinals
Nigeria squeaked through as the last team into the quarterfinals and J.J. probably saved himself from being one of the quickest hired-to-fired coaches in football history. That said, never count Nigeria out. Our fighting spirit is unmatched.
I'm no different. Watching Nigeria play gets me excited. I want to be back on the football pitch. But, for now, I'm staying in shape by riding my racing bike. Waiting for my opportunity to arise. It will come. I know it will. It has to.
For a third season in a row, I don't have any race days in January. So, for what is now becoming a yearly tradition around here, let's take a moment to do an extensive in-depth preview of what the peloton will look like this season.
As always, we mainly focus on the top flight: the Pro Tour division.
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost:+2 Point Per Member
Unlock Progress: 11 Points
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Locked stats can't be improved.
- Unlock Progress Points: Once a target number between 25-250 is reached, a stat unlock is rewarded. Points from training rides can be used toward the Unlock Progress.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Unlock (Resolved): Mountain and Flat tied with 5pts each, but Mountain will be unlocked because it was nominated first.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Luke Rowe (GCN Racing)
Niklas Markl (GCN Racing)
Jan Maas (Lotto - Kern Haus)
A. van Niekerk (Dimension Data)
Tó Victor (TAP Portugal)
Chris Bernier (A. Giocattoli)
Tomas Hyravy and myself are option No. 2. The team is still debating what Grand Tours we will ride. 
Stefan Küng, 
Ryan Mullen and 
Greece: In front of a sellout 20,000 crowd, Nigeria was unable to breakdown the Greeks' impenetrable defense. The Flying Eagles failed to get a shot on target and lost 2-0 on an own goal by Abdullahi Mohammed in the 47th minute and a nail-in-the-coffin tap-in by Lazaros Labrou in stoppage time.
Niger: Nigeria rebounded and notched J.J.'s first coaching win with a 4-1 rivalry trashing over boarder sharing Niger. Four different goal scorers stepped up for Nigeria: Erhun Obanor, Akeem Kayode, Jerry Duru-Ibeh and Stephen Kabiru. Niger was outshot 22-6 (10-3 shots on target).
Kenya, 
Mali and 
Tunisia.
McLaren-Bahrain
M. Matthews
D.F. Martinez
Bob Jungels
Astana
Team CSC
Richard Carapaz
Urtzi Dominguez
