What could have been an easy week of practice was flipped upside down with last week's 13-10 loss to the North Buncombe Black Hawks. Now we have to win our final conference game of the season to make the state playoffs.
Head coach Greg Nelson was relentless. It didn't matter that our upcoming opponent only had one win the entire season. "Don't think for one second that they wouldn't love to win another one and keep you out of the postseason."
We got the message, loud and clear. Our playoffs started this Friday.
Win or the season was over. It was that simple.
Week #8 vs. Enka Jets (1-6)
October 23, 2043
Marching band playing, crowd cheering, the opening kickoff is in the air.
Spoiler
First Quarter
The Asheville Cougars receive the opening kickoff and drive straight down the field. On the sixth play, QB Diamond Jr. throws a dart into double coverage to WR Nguyen for a 25yd TD.
Incredible courage to make a throw like that.
Enka managed to get one first down before punting the ball back.
The Cougars kept their foot on the gas pedal.
QB Diamond Jr. completed his eighth straight pass to start the game on 3rd-and-9 for a 41yd first down pick up to WR Sarria. Then, on the next play, MDJ used his legs for a 5yd TD on an option play.
Two drives, two touchdowns. Cougars up 14-0.
Second Quarter
Going for his 10th straight completion, QB MDJ was intercepted by Enka DB Childs. The Jets took over on Asheville's 45yd line. But failed to get any offense going. Punt.
But, Asheville basically handed the ball to them when QB MDJ fumbled on the very next play. Back-to-back turnovers by the senior quarterback.
Enka took advantage of this miscue with a 17yd TD from QB Barnett to WR Foreman. The Jets had cut the deficit in half, 14-7.
After a stern taking to on the sideline with head coach Greg Nelson, QB Diamond Jr. buckled down and got the Cougars to halftime without committing another mistake. The gunslinger had nearly 250 passing yards in the first half.
Third Quarter
After failing to convert on two fourth down attempts near the red zone, Asheville was given a third chance to get points to extend its lead late in the third quarter.
But, another costly turnover reared its ugly head. QB Diamond Jr. threw his second interception of the game to same guy, LB Childs. MDJ looked perplexed. He was singlehandedly keeping Enka in this game.
The Cougars' defense had their quarterback's back. They forced Enka to punt and got MDJ the ball back heading into the final frame.
Fourth Quarter
You can't be serious... It's another Enka interception!
But you surely can't blame QB Diamond Jr. for this one. WR Sarria caught the ball and then lost it when he got tackled. MLB Williams just happened to be there to catch the ball before it hit the turf.
The Jets go nowhere on three consecutive plays. But, then, some magic.
On 4th-and-7, QB Barnett does the improbable and connects with WR Foreman for a first down -- one-yard short of tying the game. RB Anderson powered in the final yard.
With 4:24 remaining, all tied at 14-14.
Asheville secured three first downs before QB Diamond Jr. found himself scrambling out of the pocket to avoid a sack. Instead of just taking a minimal loss, MDJ decides to recklessly chuck the ball down the field.
Interception. It's MLB Williams again.
Coach Nelson throws his headset on the ground in frustration.
The Jets have 3:29 left to score and shockingly end Asheville's season.
Huge stop on third down to force an incompletion. Enka punts. Asheville takes over on its own 15yd line... 85yds for a touchdown... At least 60yds for a reasonable FG attempt. Here we go!
1st-and-10 (AHS-15) -- FB Glick with a 5yd run.
2nd-and-5 (AHS-20) -- QB Diamond Jr. incomplete pass.
3rd-and-5 (AHS-20) -- QB Diamond Jr. incomplete pass.
Coach Nelson is throwing caution to the wind here. The offense is staying out for fourth down deep in their own territory. Extremely gutsy call. If this goes wrong, Nelson might never have a coaching job again.
4th-and-5 (AHS-20) -- QB MDJ connects with WR Ostrander for 11yds!
1st-and-10 (AHS-31) -- QB MDJ finds WR Sarria deep for a 17yd catch.
1st-and-10 (AHS-49) -- RB Howell 10yd catch out of the backfield.
1st-and-10 (EHS41) -- FB Glick gets in on the action with a 1yd run.
2nd-and-9 (EHS-40) -- Check down pass to RB Howell nets another 1yd.
3rd-and-8 (EHS-39) -- RB Howell is stopped short with a 5yd gain.
It's too far out for a FG attempt, so it's no surprise that Nelson is going for it again on fourth down. Asheville needs three yards to keep this drive alive with 42 seconds remaining.
Here is the snap. The Jets bite on the run fake. It's a play-action pass!
4th-and-3 (EHS-34) -- QB MDJ finds a leaping WR Sarria for 17yds!
1st-and-10 (EHS-18) -- FB Glick rushes the ball up 3yds.
2nd-and-7 (EHS-15) -- RB Howell gets nothing as Asheville winds the clock down for a potential game-winning field goal kick as time expires.
3rd-and-7 (EHS-15) -- The snap is good. The hold is good.
The 32yd FG is up from K Harvey... IT'S GOOD!
Asheville escapes with a win to secure a spot in the state playoffs!
Box Score
MDJ Game Stats: 33/46 passing for 442yds, 1 TD, 4 INTs; 8yds rushing on 5 carries, 1 TD, 1 Fumble - Thank goodness Harvey made that kick, otherwise I don't think I could have showed up at school on Monday. The pressure 100% got to me. But, when it mattered most, I stepped up and put together a game-winning drive.
Player of Game: DT Washington (3 sacks, 4 tackles for loss, 9 tackles)
Standings (8/8 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
North Carolina Football State Playoffs
To be determined...
There is one more week of the regular season with a few vital conference games still left to be played across the state. The Asheville Cougars opted for an 8-game schedule this season to avoid any Week 9 injuries in a non-conference game.
Recruiting: Interested Colleges
Standing Together?: Marcus Diamond Sr. is scheduled to meet with the UCI board in the Switzerland next week to discuss a possible plea deal to avoid going to civil court. Marcus, as per a suggestion made from his legal team, wants to bring the whole family with him to show the UCI that this whole "mechanical doping" scandal has been blown way out of proportion by the media and it should just remain buried in the past.
His agenda now is supporting his family and protecting his legacy.
This puts Marcus Diamond Jr. in an awkward position to leave the country for a few days, miss a couple of practices and jeopardize his status as the starting quarterback for the first round of the playoffs in two weeks.
(Option A) Stay stateside. MDJ stays in North Carolina to prepare the best he can for the upcoming state playoffs.
(Option B) Go abroad. MDJ travels with his family to Switzerland to support his father and learn why the UCI are accusing him of cheating.
Whew, lucky escape there. Can't really understand why having the lead made MDJ even more nervous, but fortunately the season goes on...
Or it might not for him, because I'll go for Option B. Obviously, it's his career that's at play, but if he's good enough he'll get another chance anyway, and there are situations where other things just stand above. Helping his dad defend his cause should be such a thing - who knows what could even happen to himself if his dad turns out to be a cheater... And I mean, his parents always supported him, now it's his turn to give them something back. But I'm probably too idealistic in that respect
The day my son was born changed my life in more ways than I could have possibly imagined. After getting Grace to the Southend Hospital on Wednesday morning, May 27, I was told there was nothing else I could do but to be patient.
They were expecting the baby to arrive sometime in the evening. So I waited and tried my best to comfort Grace until my pacing around the delivery room was making her anxious as well. I was no longer helping the situation.
"Go," she insisted. "Just keep your phone on and the nurse will call once things start to happen. It's OK. I'll be fine. I got this. We got this. I love you."
I reluctantly left. I didn't really know where to go so I drove the coast until I subconsciously ended up at Park Lane. The afternoon training session was just getting underway. Everyone was shocked to see me making an appearance with no football boots, wearing jeans and knowing I had a child on the way.
Canvey Island captain James Matthews broke the ice with what I thought was an odd joke, "So, I guess you're our new manager."
"Huh?" I said confused with a half chuckle.
Head coach Jerry Gill then had to explain the drama that unfolded that morning. Apparently manager Mark Bentley informed the team in the locker room that he was stepping down because the team could no longer afford his salary.
I knew the finances were bad. Just not that bad. Then Gill handed me a whistle.
"Make yourself useful Diamond. Teach these lads a thing or two."
I helped Gill conduct practice with one eye constantly glancing over at my phone. To everyone's surprise, Canvey Island owner Matt Crane stopped by near the end of the non-mandatory offseason session. He had to clean out Bentley's office.
We shared pleasantries on the pitch.
"Looks like you know what you're doing Marcus. Ever consider a career in coach?"
"Too busy being an athlete. I still think I got a few good years left in the tank."
Then it dawned on me. Was Crane offering me a job? I kept the chat going.
"I fear it's only going to get worse. If it wasn't for your recent contributions, I honestly didn't know if we could make it to the first week of this season."
Crane went on to explain the harsh realities Canvey Island had been facing since they joined the lowest level of the upstart British League pyramid in 2021.
The prosperity they were promised had not came to fruition after five seasons of playing in the combined England, Scotland, Irish and Wales league and not yielding any success. Including three consecutive finishes as the worst team.
Between paying hefty fees to the league to avoid being dropped and becoming a non-league side again, all the travel required, staff/player wages and standard stadium upkeep had emptied out the club's funds and put them into debt.
"What's the solution?" I said concerned.
"Long-term, I don't know," Crane said. "Winning would certainly help. But, for now, we need more local sponsors and the fans to come back and pack Park Lane every weekend like they used to... A wealthy investor wouldn't hurt either."
That was my interruption cue, "I'm in."
Crane swung his head around and gave me a puzzled look. "Are you serious?"
"Yeah. I want my hometown club to succeed. You guys gave me my first break and continue to support me. I want to give back. This community deserves a quality football club. How much we talking to turn this place around?"
Before he could speak, my phone started ringing. Finally! It's Time!
"Sorry, to cut this short but I have to go. My wife is in labor. Get in touch with me this weekend and we will work out the details. Let's get this place on the map."
Calendar
International
World Cup Countdown: 10 Days Away.
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Canvey Island Training Facilities Boost: +0 Points Per Member
Fountain of Youth: 30 Points
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Only stats that aren't locked can be upgraded.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 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 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
- Fountain of Youth: Once the target number between 25-250 is reached, a stat unlock will be rewarded.
Funding Grassroots: Canvey Island owner Matt Crane and Marcus Diamond talked for hours hashing out different ways Diamond could best financially support his hometown club.
The following proposals all include a bulk of the money being used to modernize the club with a minor team name change, an improved badge and new kits to rejuvenate the club's identity in conjunction with Canvey Island celebrating its 100-year centennial having been founded in 1926.
The leftover money will be invested in one of these proposals:
(Option A) The players: Increase transfer and wage budget.
(Option B) The manager: Larger budget to find a new manager.
(Option C) The facilities: Upgrade the stadium and training equipment.
(Option D) The coaches: Expand the coaching and scouting staff.
Play for Us?: Canvey Island owner Matt Crane ended the conversation with Marcus Diamond with one finally, perhaps outlandish proposal.
"Hey, the door is opening if you want to play for us next season..."
(Option Yes) Diamond signs a one-year deal without pay. Diamond's financial contributions to his hometown club will be the most significant.
(Option Maybe) Diamond doesn't give Crane a straight answer. He wants to see if he can raise his value first at the upcoming World Cup. Diamond's financial contribution is generous but nothing crazy.
(Option No) Diamond has his sights on bigger and greater things in the world of football. He has no interest in playing for his hometown club. His financial contribution is just enough to keep Canvey Island afloat for now.
That must have been quite an ugly feeling there at the hospital... Fortunately I've got some better experience
Let's go with:
+3 Anticipation
+2 FoY
I guess the stadium needs an upgrade to attract some more fans, so that's Option C. Plus, take the one-year contract (Option Yes) to have a calm year, get things sorted and then start over again.
That was a rollercoaster of a read I like where it's going. Option C as well, hoping that it also means the team invests in youth a bit more with the training equipment. And for the same reason as Fabianski also Option Yes.
Like the update, very cool! I'll give another Option C then to show everyone I'm not always contrarian with my votes And Option Maybe to show I am still sometimes +5 Decisions.
Now let's get this baby out!
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
Everyone always says that the USA is a great travel destination. I disagree.
I didn't have much fun battling the traffic and getting outclassed at the World Championships in New York two years ago. And now I had to experience California for the first time with the lingering thought in the back of my mind that my baby could arrive early and I'd miss it because I was halfway across the world.
Luckily, lil Marcus Diamond Jr. -- or MDJ as Grace and I like to call him -- knows how to stay on a schedule, unlike his father who slept through his alarm and nearly missed the team bus for the opening stage. Thankfully teammate Tebiro Pienaar knocked on my hotel room door to get me out of bed.
Not a good start to my next American adventure: The one dedicated to MDJ.
Race Day #15-21 at Amgen Tour of California
May 13-19, 2026
The team was a little flustered arriving to start line later than expected.
Stage1
Spoiler
Summary: Circuit laps around Long Beach ended how you would expect them to with a bunch sprint. Alvaro Hodeg wins the opening stage over Jakub Mareczko and Magnus Cort Nielsen.
Result: 7th, 10th GC - Stage favourite Pienaar had a rough day (45th), and obviously blamed not having the proper time to warm-up as his excuse why. And yet, I still managed a Top 10 finish for the team... But, I'll keep my mouth shut since Pienaar bailed me out this morning.
1
Alvaro Hodeg
Canyon SRAM Racing
3h09'29
2
Jakub Mareczko
Team Sunweb
s.t.
3
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
4
Alexandre Darville
Rally Cycling
s.t.
5
Kristoffer Halvorsen
TAP Portugal
s.t.
Stage2
Spoiler
Summary: Eight of the strongest GC contenders have separate themselves on the Gibraltar Road climb in the sweltering sun. They are:
Gaudu Diamond Wellens Matthews A. Yates Teuns Albanese J. Alaphilippe
More punchuers here than we probably would have predicted, but we still have 3kms left to top that could drop the weaker legs.
Diamond puts the hammer down and drops Albanese and Alaphilippe under the banner. Will the rise in tempo hinder Diamond's ability to sprint for the stage win?
Absolutely. The other GC contenders use and abuse Diamond today to their advantage. Victory and GC lead to Teuns, followed by Gaudu, Wellens and Diamond.
Result: 4th (+26"), 3rd GC (+26") - So much for having team support. Harry Zuurman had an awful day today (18th, +4'03"), just like Pienaar had yesterday, and I was left all alone to fend for myself. Given the circumstances, I'd say a pretty good result that keeps me in the hunt.
1
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
4h15'13
2
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
s.t.
3
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 26
4
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
s.t.
5
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 38
General Classification
1
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
7h24'42
2
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
s.t.
3
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
+ 26
4
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
s.t.
5
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 38
6
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 1'10
7
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 1'18
8
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
s.t.
9
Jack Haig
Qantas
+ 2'05
10
Tiesj Benoot
GCN Racing
+ 2'34
Stage3
Spoiler
Summary: You could tell Diamond was disappointed after yesterday's result and is a man on a mission today. Monster attack on the penultimate climb of Laguna Seca. SEG - Quickstep worked hard all day to make this attack possible and it's working.
Diamond with a 30-second gap at the top over the yellow jersey and the other GC contenders. Two breakaway riders remain ahead of him. He catches Danes on the downhill and leader Postlberger at the base of the final climb. But fatigue is starting to set in now.
And it's all for nothing. Diamond is reeled back in the final 450 meters and Matthews wins the stage. Another underwhelming result for the energetic Brit, to say the least. He deserved better.
Result: 4th, 4th GC (+26") - I tried. What more can I do?
1
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
4h47'32
2
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
s.t.
3
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
s.t.
4
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
s.t.
General Classification
1
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
12h12'14
2
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
s.t.
3
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 22
4
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
+ 26
5
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 38
6
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 1'00
7
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 1'12
8
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 1'18
9
Jack Haig
Qantas
+ 2'05
10
Tobias Foss
Liquigas
+ 2'34
Stage4
Spoiler
Summary: Tuck in and get fast. The halfway stage in the Tour of California is a 34km ITT leaving and returning to San Jose. How much will the GC Top 5 be shaken up today? A refresh on the GC leaderboard:
Wait, what? Diamond just stopped the clock at the finish line with a 42'50". That's provisional third-best behind the two American ladies on Team CSC who were untouchable today: Norah Marsh (42'32") and Chloe Dygert-Owen (42'39"). A little something for the home country viewers to cheer for, although not many are watching this race with hero Brandon McNulty doing his best to defend his Giro d'Italia crown.
Regardless, is Diamond's time correct? Surely that's not right. We had cameras on him the whole time, so we know he didn't cut the course. And, now the timing officials have confirmed... That time is correct.
I still don't believe it. How?
Wellens can't believe his eyes either. He was already pulling the yellow jersey on in his mind and then looks up to see that Diamond has beat him by 24 seconds when he had a 21-second lead over him at the second time check.
That's a swing of 45 seconds in just 11kms, or 4 seconds per km! That's pure insanity. Have we just witnessed the greatest come-from-behind time trial performance ever? Coming from a man who isn't even known as an elite, or even a good, time trialist.
Teuns might have almost caught Gaudu at the finish line, but he can kiss his yellow jersey goodbye. We have a new race leader!
Yellow in Cali -- Marcus Diamond with the ride of his life!
Result: 3rd (+19"), 1st GC - I went into a zone never reached before. I was pedaling outside of my body. Faster than I have ever ridden, fueled by a perfect storm of emotions. Frustration: unleashed. Motivation: MDJ. Practice, preparation and a little bit of great form achieves excellence.
1
Norah March
Team CSC
42'32
2
Chloe Dygert-Owen
Team CSC
+ 8
3
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
+ 19
4
Robert Billen
Team Ridley
+ 28
5
Ante Koljic
Canyon SRAM Racing
+ 29
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
12h55'31
2
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 19
3
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
+ 53
4
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'07
5
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 2'22
6
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 2'31
7
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 2'42
8
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
+ 2'44
9
Tobias Foss
Liquigas
+ 3'44
10
Sam Oomen
Discovery Channel
+ 3'57
Stage5
Spoiler
Summary: Bravo! A breakaway win for Garikoitz Bravo.
Result: 69th, 1st GC - Rest day for the big day tomorrow.
1
Garikoitz Bravo
Orbea
4h06'06
2
Benoît Cosnefroy
Groupama - FDJ
s.t.
3
Rasmus Lund Pedersen
Team CSC
s.t.
4
Juraj Sagan
T-Mobile
s.t.
5
Jakub Mareczko
Team Sunweb
s.t.
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
17h01'37
2
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 19
3
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
+ 53
4
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'07
5
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 2'22
6
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 2'31
7
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 2'42
8
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
+ 2'44
9
Tobias Foss
Liquigas
+ 3'44
10
Sam Oomen
Discovery Channel
+ 3'57
Stage6
Spoiler
Summary: Snow danced in the wind as the peloton powered up to today's highest summit with 66kms to go. Multiple breakaway riders remain scattered up the road with SEG - Quickstep controlling the tempo.
A. Yates on the attack with 3.4kms to the top of the final climb. Obviously, fellow countryman Diamond is following, among others.
Now Diamond is going over the top of Yates. The yellow jersey wants to stamp his authority on this race with a stage win. Three breakaway riders still linger 22 seconds up the road. 2.4kms left to climb.
Diamond has shrunk the front group down to just four strong men with the breakaway riders left behind now as well.
Yates leads them under the banner for the final uptick to the finish line.
Gaudu holds off the surging yellow jersey to win the stage!
Result: 2nd, 1st GC - One of those sprints you want to have back. Gaudu got the inside line to the finish and I didn't quite have the acceleration to go around him after my attack on the previous climb. But, the GC victory is now firmly mine with a flat celebration stage tomorrow!
1
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
5h43'38
2
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
s.t.
3
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
4
Jack Haig
Qantas
s.t.
5
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 1'15
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
22h45'15
2
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'07
3
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
+ 2'44
4
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 2'54
5
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 3'57
6
Jack Haig
Qantas
+ 4'12
7
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
+ 4'16
8
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 4'57
9
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 5'54
10
Tobias Foss
Liquigas
+ 6'50
Stage7
Spoiler
Summary: Stage 1 winner Alvaro Hodeg hits the front first in hopes of book-ending this stage race with stage wins.
Rare to see the yellow jersey contesting the final sprint here in California, but here is Diamond flying past his teammate Pienaar.
Yellow gives him wings, Marcus Diamond wins Stage 7!
Result: 1st, 1st GC, 2nd Points, 2nd KoM - I guess America isn't so bad. But, I'm coming home. See you soon Grace... and my son.
1
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
3h49'36
2
Magnus Cort Nielsen
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
3
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
s.t.
4
Alvaro Hodeg
Canyon SRAM Racing
s.t.
5
Tebiro Pienaar
SEG - Quick Step
s.t.
General Classification
1
Marcus Diamond
SEG - Quick Step
26h34'41
2
Adam Yates
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'17
3
David Gaudu
Groupama - FDJ
+ 2'54
4
Tim Wellens
McLaren - Bahrain
+ 3'04
5
Vincenzo Albanese
Zwift Pro Cycling
+ 4'07
6
Jack Haig
Qantas
+ 4'22
7
Dylan Teuns
Bretagne
+ 4'26
8
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
+ 5'03
9
Julian Alaphilippe
GCN Racing
+ 6'04
10
Tobias Foss
Liquigas
+ 7'00
Giro d'Italia Recap
Defending winner Brandon McNulty held pink for 12 days, but the high mountains separate Astana's 36yo Nairo Quintana as the best. He finally captures his first Grand Tour after a pair of runner-up finishes at the Giro in 2021 and Vuelta in 2019. Quintana beats Bob Jungels by over five minutes.
Calendar
Spoiler
Season Rankings
Pro Tour Points
Team
Individual
1
GCN Racing
5210
Marcus Diamond
SEG-Quick Step
1969
2
Team Sunweb
5138
Mike Teunissen
Team Sunweb
1948
3
Team Ridley
4799
Brandon McNulty
Zwift Pro Cycling
1610
4
Zwift Pro Cycling
4762
Michael Matthews
Team Ridley
1556
5
SEG-Quick Step
4725
Tiesj Benoot
GCN Racing
1549
6
Astana
4286
Tao Geoghegan Hart
Bretagne
1545
7
T-Mobile
3631
Nairo Quintana
Astana
1520
8
Bretagne
3320
Bob Jungels
T-Mobile
1487
9
SRAM
3216
E.A. Bernal
GCN Racing
1280
10
Liquigas
3157
Ivan Sosa
Team Ridley
1138
…
…
225Alex Vogel
SEG-Quick Step
36
NRG. Garner-Diamond
SEG-Quick Step
0
Individual Wins
Cyclist
Team
Wins
1
Aliaksandre Riabushenko
La Plage Le Club
12
2
Arnaud Demare
Groupama - FDJ
9
3
Dusan Rajovic
Saidel
9
4
Bram Welten
EvoPro Racing
8
5
Egan Arley Bernal
GCN Racing
7
6
Gian Friesecke
Team TomTom
7
7
Louis Boussard
Fortuneo-Samsic
7
8
Tanguy Turgis
Rosneft
7
9
Amaury Capiot
Androni Giocattoli
7
10
Rasmus Tiller
McLaren-Bahrain
6
…
38
Marcus Diamond
SEG-Quick Step
3
NR
G. Garner-Diamond
SEG-Quick Step
0
NR
Alex Vogel
SEG-Quick Step
0
Evaluation
Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost:+2 Point Per Member
Unlock Progress: 119 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: Marcus Diamond earned 200 unlock points at the Tour of California to earn enough points for another stat lock.
Pick three stats you'd like to see unlocked (ex. 1. Flat, 2. Sprint, 3. ACC). First gets five points, second three points and third one point. The stat that receives the most points will be unlocked.
Superb time trial and tour of California in general. Was going to post it might be a little pity to have no stage wins, but then Diamond decided to outsprint everyone +5 in TT from me.
Regarding the stat unlock: 1. Hill 2. Recovery 3. Prologue
Amazing Tour of California, love to see it! I know how much Marcus loves the Tour of Britain but category-wise that's his biggest GC win by far so it's a major milestone - first in three or four years too right?
Going to continue to campaign for Flat or RES...
1. Flat
2. Resistance
3. Downhill
+5 Unlock
Spoiler
I'd really love to cheer that amazing time trial... but I hate that now the MDJ football timeline has me doubting that brilliance... a motor would have made up four seconds per kilometre for sure But hopefully that was just our man being amazing, and he can be proven innocent soon enough in the future timeline!
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
I'd really love to cheer that amazing time trial... but I hate that now the MDJ football timeline has me doubting that brilliance... a motor would have made up four seconds per kilometre for sure But hopefully that was just our man being amazing, and he can be proven innocent soon enough in the future timeline!
Spoiler
You could obviously be right - but how stupid would you need to be to use the motor only for the last section? If he really did, he'd deserve to be caught and banned tbh
Fabianski wrote:
Iirc the +2 training facilities boost is already included in the 5 points everyone can spend?
This is correct. Feel free to edit your posts if you did 7 points otherwise I'll use my best judgment to delegate your points down to 5 points.
@All: Good stuff reading all the reactions here. Was certainly a fun race to win. All your assumptions and questions will be answered soon enough (because MDJ is going abroad). But lots of exciting events to look forward to: state football playoffs, 2026 World Cup and cycling NCs with the Vuelta around the corner as well. Stay tuned! Going away this weekend but I'm eagar to pump out updates when I get back.
Mom, my sister Hannah and I all stood behind my dad and held hands.
It was our sign of unity as the UCI prepared to present its findings of an internal investigation against my father, Marcus Diamond, for violations committed during his professional cycling career that ended over a decade ago. It seemed rather unnecessary, but was fueled by the blood-thirsty media. A modern day witch hunt.
UCI headquarters in Aigle, Switzerland.
Yet, my dad looked relaxed. If he was nervous, he certainly wasn't showing it.
He knew what the UCI was going to bring up first. It's what started this mess over a year ago when the VeloNews published an anonymous tip in a smear piece.
We believe that whoever came forward wanted to derail my family from progressing up the ranks with its new cycling team that was centered around giving Hannah unlimited support to achieve her cycling dreams. Or they were desperate for money and got paid off for dragging my dad through the mud.
Either way, here we were. My football head coach Greg Nelson wasn't too pleased, to say the least, that I decided to leave North Carolina for Switzerland with the state playoffs a week away. But, my dad and his legal team wants us to be here.
The UCI presenter stepped to the podium, on Oct. 27, 2043, at exactly 11 a.m.
Accusation #1:Mechanical Doping at the 2026 Liege-Bastogne-Liege
The presenter cleared his throat and then began.
"As reported by the online VeloNews publication in an article titled, 'Former great Marcus Diamond used a women's bike? Asterisk coming for his long list of accolades?' which was published June 23, 2042, an anonymous source stated Marcus Diamond used a Pro Tour women's bike with the built-in power convertor, which allows women to compete with men, at the 2026 Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
"The UCI was able to identify and eventually confirm the anonymous source to be a former SEG-Quick Step bike technician who worked the race from a team car.
"From our investigation we determined the following. When Diamond crashed halfway through the race, the mechanic -- who will remain anonymous to protect his well-being -- accidentally replaced Diamond's crashed bike with a women's bike off the team car. The error went unnoticed until after the race when the unlabeled women's bike was collected and stored again by the same mechanic.
"The incident was never reported to the UCI. But race photos do reveal the second bike was unmarked and Diamond's power output for the second half of the race put him in the realm of feasible using a women's bike.
"Do you accept or refute these findings?"
My dad looked over at his legal team as they analyzed the race photos and charts of Diamond's power output. I overheard one of them whisper something about this not being enough evidence to make a conviction.
But my dad spoke up without taking their guidance.
"Honestly, I got nothing to hide. I wouldn't be surprised if that was a woman's bike. In the moment, that obviously doesn't cross your mind. Especially in the panic after a crash and trying to rejoin the leaders.
Marcus Diamond crashes at the 2026 Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
"But, that was the bike I was handed and I didn't question it. Maybe I should have. I just thought my adrenaline kicked in and that jolted my power numbers.
"But maybe it was the bike."
The UCI didn't seem prepared for my dad's honesty. They took a moment to gather their notes before preceding with the meeting.
"The statue of limitations make a UCI sanction rather insufficient for this infraction, considering both you and the bike mechanic have retired from the sport. We believe you didn't make a conscious decision to use a women's bike. It was given to you. However, the UCI deems voiding Diamond's third place finish at the 2026 Liege-Bastogne-Liege is fair. Will this sanction be contested?"
"No," my dad said without any hesitation. He didn't care if they came after his results, especially a LBL podium that doubtfully wasn't rightfully earned, he just didn't want to be banned from the sport altogether -- unable to support Hannah.
"OK. We move on then..."
Accusation #2:Women's Bike Used at the 2026 Tour of California
"This accusation has been brought forth after a leaked photo of Diamond's power output during the Stage 4 individual time trial of the 2026 Amgen Tour of California suggested that another women's bike was used.
"The race officials and timing coordinators were also concerned about this on the day this performance happened and did a thorough bike check after the stage. Nothing was found. It was marked and appeared to be a standard men's TT bike.
Marcus Diamond during Stage 4 of the 2026 Amgen Tour of California.
"The leaked photo has also been confirmed to be altered via a photo editor to enhance Diamond's power out. So, given the information reviewed, the UCI at this time doesn't have any credible evidence of mechanical doping to suggest Diamond used a women's bike at the Tour of California. No sanctions will be imposed."
A wave of relief swept across our side of the room. Only one accusation remained.
Accusation #3:UCI Sponsored Equipment Used at a Non-UCI Event
"Per the UCI handbook, standard UCI team-sponsored equipment can't be used at non-UCI events. Diamond broke this stipulation at the Ironman 70.3 triathlon in South Africa held in March of 2026, confirmed by multiple archived photos taken by the Ironman staff and spectators at the event.
"Do you accept or refute this infraction?"
We all turned to look at my dad, waiting for his response.
"Refute," he said firmly. "That bike had never been used in an UCI race. That was my training bike the team had loaned me for the season."
The tension in the room rose with an imminent debate emerging.
"Mr. Diamond, let me rephrase and read out exactly what the handbook says on the matter. 'No active professional cyclist racing under contract with a UCI team can use previously used UCI equipment in a non-UCI event.'
"Is this not what happened?"
My dad's legal team finally stepped in, "The wording of 'previously used' is extremely vague. A practice bike is completely different to a full-fledged racing bike. Can we at least agree on that?"
Marcus Diamond racing his TT bike at the 70.3 Ironman in South Africa.
The UCI didn't budge. They had to catch my dad doing something wrong to at least please the press to leave the organization alone and get out of the spotlight.
Down came the hammer.
"A UCI bike is a UCI bike. And Diamond has now admitted to using a UCI bike in a non-UCI event. A calculated decision he made. The sanction for this is a $50,000 fine and a six-month ban starting at the beginning of this upcoming season."
Without even thinking I opened my mouth and blurted out, "How would you even impose a six-month ban? My dad is done racing."
I immediately regretted speaking up as everyone in the room glared at me. But, my question was more than valid. My dad ended the awkward moment.
"My son is right. What would a six-month ban entail?"
The UCI presenter flipped over to the next page in his binder.
"The six-month ban removes your rights to race or be involved with any UCI events during that time frame, which includes sponsoring or funding a UCI team, the cancellation of the 5th annual UCI one-day race, 'Marcus Diamond's London GP,' and the inability to represent your daughter Hannah as an agent when dealing with UCI team-sponsored scouts."
My dad nodded, almost like he was waiting for the presenter to say more.
Another awkward pause ensued.
"Mr. Diamond, do you accept these sanctions?"
A lawyer said something in my dad's ear. He nodded again and then looked back at us standing behind him. Our hands still interlocked together.
Dot the i's and cross the t's. All the paperwork has been filed. I'm now officially the largest investor Canvey Island F.C. has ever had, and I'm not just letting my money do the talking, I've signed a one-year contract with my hometown team.
It's pretty surreal. It's my opportunity to give back and basically start over. I can finally put the Real Madrid scandal behind me and just focus on playing football without millions of so-called "fans" waiting to crucify each and every mistake.
So, without further ado, I'd like to introduce my new club for the 2026-27 season:
Canvey Island F.C. has rebranded to Canvey Island United after absorbing the other local football club on the island, the Concord Rangers F.C., and wanting to memorialize 100 seasons of football as Canvey Island F.C.
My cash contribution helped with the rebranding, buying out Concord Rangers F.C. and upgrading both Park Lane as well as the training facility. My one-year contract includes an indefinite player option extension to re-sign each season if I wish.
While I won't earn a playing salary for the season, I will be given 3% of the club's profits each year as a financial investor. But the money doesn't matter to me.
I want to build this club up from nothing to something. Sure, a better opportunity might come along in the future and I'll have to make the hard choice to possibly leaving my hometown club behind. But, I choose to live in the present.
With my short-term future now secured, I felt more at-ease. An ideal demeanor to have with the globe's biggest sporting event less than two weeks away.
Six months ago, I was sitting at home wondering if I'd make it there after hitting one of the lowest points of my career. But, I picked myself and earned the trust of Nigeria head coach J.J. to make the 2026 World Cup roster.
Before traveling to Canada for our opening-round match against the Czech Republic, the club scheduled two preparational friendlies against fellow World Cup qualifiers Australia and Colombia. The last chance to make any minor adjustment.
Pre-World Cup Friendly vs. Australia
June 2, 2026
I started on the bench because J.J. wanted to experiment a little.
Spoiler
Nigeria 2, Australia 2
Summary: Dispossessed in the midfield by recently unretired Nigeria veteran Wilfred Ndidi, Australian's star striker Ian Hughes from Manchester United looked helpless as John Hamzat received the pass and dribbled past two defenders before rocketing in the first goal of the match in the 20th minute.
A little over 10 minutes later, Nigeria's other returnee who also decided to unretire to compete in the upcoming World Cup, Alex Iwobi, assisted winger Henry Onyekuru to have the Flying Eagles soaring up 2-0.
Hughes got Australia back in the match with a breakaway goal coming 45 seconds before the first half stoppage time could be announced.
A set piece gone horribly wrong allowed Australia to counter-attack and eventually led to Hughes heading home his second goal of the game to tie the score at 2-2 in the 67th minute. And that's all she wrote.
Rating: 6.7 - I'll take the blame for Australia getting that second goal. I just got subbed on and put myself in the box for the free kick instead of staying back with us leading 2-1. We didn't have enough numbers back to stop their counter-attack, so it's a draw instead of a win.
Player of Game: Ian Hughes, Australia (8.8)
Pre-World Cup Friendly at Colombia
June 7, 2026
The message in the locker room was clear: Don't get injured.
Spoiler
Nigeria 2, Colombia 2
Summary: After a half hour of hard fought football, a soft penalty call on a push in the back inside the 18-yard box gifted Colombia a shot from the spot. Captain striker Juan Hernandez from Watford blasted the PK into the top left corner, just out of reach of Nigeria GK Joseph Sunday.
Nigeria's backline was then beat on a ball over the top to allow Brayan Hernandez to score in the 38th minute to push Colombia ahead 2-0.
The football gods stepped in by awarding Nigeria a penalty kick in the 52nd minute after Victor Osimhen was dragged down in the box. Osimhen took his own penalty and... SCORED!
After Diamond missed a clean look from 20 yards out, Nigeria got a second chance to tie the game when 21yo sub Hassan Ibeh, making his second career cap, hit the deck in the 80th minute.
Colombia appeals that Ibeh flopped. VAR would probably agree, but the referees don't have technology to help them this evening.
So, the official points to the spot. Another penalty! Osimhen up again... He goes the same way and... GOAL! All tied at 2-2 with 10 minutes left.
Chances then go begging at both ends. But nothing goes in, 2-2 draw.
Nigeria keeper Sunday did suffer a stubbed index finger in the final minutes and was subbed off as a pre-cautionary measure. It shouldn't keep him out of the World Cup.
Rating: 7.2 - Proud of the guys for fighting back. We might not be a traditional top tier team, but certainly don't overlook us. We have the talent to compete with anyone. We truly believe that.
Player of Game: Victor Osimhen, Nigeria (8.8)
Calendar
International
World Cup Countdown: 1 Day Away.
2026 World Cup
Group Stage
World Cup Predictions: Correctly predict any of the five prompts below to earn +5 Fountain of Youth points for each correct guess made.
1. World Cup Winner:
2. Which Team Wins Group E:
3. What Round Will Nigeria Be Eliminated:
4. How Many Goals Will Marcus Diamond Score:
5. Will Diamond Get 4+ Assist To Match/Beat Pele's World Cup Record:
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
Amgen Tour of California
Nairo Quintana as the best. He finally captures his first Grand Tour after a pair of runner-up finishes at the Giro in 2021 and Vuelta in 2019. Quintana beats 
Bob Jungels by over five minutes.
Australia
