The new jersey definitely looks good! Well done, the_hoyle and tastasol.
tastasol wrote:
He's a true champion, but he doesn't get the needed support in Aker. If he wants to start winning again (...)
Looks like the potential price you will need to pay for Boasson Hagen, if he's allowed to leave, just raised with a million Euros or something like that compared to what other teams might need to pay
ember wrote:
The new jersey definitely looks good! Well done, the_hoyle and tastasol.
tastasol wrote:
He's a true champion, but he doesn't get the needed support in Aker. If he wants to start winning again (...)
Looks like the potential price you will need to pay for Boasson Hagen, if he's allowed to leave, just raised with a million Euros or something like that compared to what other teams might need to pay
I´ve heard EBH is very satisfied with both the current team and manager but they both want a new challenge for him
Good day! I, the mighty Per Mandagsfjord, have made it to Sheffield, to meet up with tastasol, who's procastinating his way through his management studies. After a some what slow start to the season, the team had a successful season, which ended in a 8th place on the PCT-rankings.
The lazy manager enjoyed the season, which still have the Worlds and National Championships left before the snow starts to kick in.
- Most of the experts thought that we would finish in the bottom half of the rankings, maybe even in the relegation zone. I think even parts of the management and the riders thought that in the start of the season, but after some time, they realized that they could deliver great results. And they did.
- I mean, I hate predictions. Last season every expert said that we would win CT, but we were never even close to do that. I also learned something from that season, and most of all I learned that you need to build an attacking team. You can't just sit in the peloton and sprint for 9th place.
- That is what we have done this year. Always on the alert, chasing opportunities. And I'm proud to say that.
With the 8th place, the team also managed their goal of finishing in the top 15. Also the top 10 goal in Post Danmark Rundt, with Zakkari Dempster finishing the Danish race in 6th place.
6th place meant a failed goal in Tour Down Under, where Travis Meyer was denied the targeted 5th place by a break. The second goal in Australia, Down Under Classic, was a no-show.
Here's a bike, use it
The fifth goal, winning the Scandinavian Open Road Race, turned out to be a great team performance with 5th, 8th and 11th place, but without the win.
- 2/5 goals is a clear step up from previous seasons, tastasol said. I take pride in choosing goals in our focus areas, and even though it might not be the smartest to all times, that's how I like it.
- We were brilliant in most of our races in our focus areas, with SOPP and Tour of Norway as the best races. That is something I'm very pleased to be able to say.
Matteo Trentin was by far the best rider on the individual rankings, due to his excellent performance in 5 jours de Dunkerque. Still, the Italian was far from the top, ending the regular season on a 35th place.
- That's were our strength is. We have a big number of guys being capable to take points. Look at riders like Michael Olsson and Michael Vink. Just generally very strong riders, but perhaps lacking the extra bit to dominate. They have gotten us an extreme amounts of points due to their attacking style. Seeing a guy like Olsson doing so good, really is great to see.
- He joined us in our first season, and he's been great ever since. He took our first win, the GC in Tour de Bretagne, back then. He just never stops to impress me.
Here's a look at how the Risa-Ergon, soon to be known as Grieg-Eftel, riders did it over the course of the 2015 season.
Note: Kristoffer Skjerping recieved most, if not all, the points Michael Vink should have gotten after his 8th place in Bayern Rundfahrt.
So where lies the future of Grieg-Eftel? I, the best journo in the world, have certain sources on that Guillaume Levarlet is set to leave the team, with tastasol wanting another hilly captain. A shock move for Edvald Boasson Hagen seems to be one of the bigger rumours on the market, after the Norwegians poor showing in the hilly classics this season.
- Of course we would like a guy like Boasson Hagen. He's told me that he likes our project, but it's not a deal I'm counting on to make. There's some good, young, Norwegians coming up as well. We need to get hold of some talents, that's for sure. And I've to say, Matteo has been looking exceptional in training after the regular season. I think he could take a step or two next season, tastasol said.
Meh, boring answer there.
But that's all you get for now.
Over and out.
Per Mandagsfjord,
for Bikepro.net.
Consistency certainly was key for you this season, it's amazing how far you can get without a big scorer. That said, it'll be interesting to see what you'll do in the offseason - stick to that approach or shell out for a top leader?
With the NCs done and dusted, the Risa-Ergon squad, soon to be known as Grieg-Eftel, enjoyed some good races. Albeit having several title opportunities, the team had to settle with one new National Champion.
The Danish TT race was a huge success for the team, with Michael Faerk Christensen take a dominant win, in front of team mate Andre Steensen.
Eventhough we had to see Rasmus Quaade just edge out Rasmus Sterobo (who have enjoyed a season with heine's team, Volkswagen-Andritz) with a second over the last place on the podium, it meant that we will see the Danish ITT Champion riding for Grieg-Eftel next year.
- It was a great day for me, Christensen said after the race. - I'm particulary looking forward to Post Danmark Rundt next season, where I'll get to show off my dannebrogs-jersey in front of the Danish people.
The shirt was designed by the_hoyle, and the team sends a big thank you to the shirt designer for all his work.
The team finished 8th in the Pro Continental divison last season, but given two early disbandments, seven teams then got promoted.
Following the surprise disbandment of the popular Quickstep team just before the transfer season, Grieg-Eftel was asked to take a step up to the ProTour.
- It was just a chance we had to take, the manager tastasol said to Bikepro.net's reporter, Per Mandagsfjord.
Albeit some might say that the team aren't ready to tackle the the demanding level of the highest division, the manager believes that survival is possible.
- Without a doubt, or squad after the renewals have to be the one of the worst in the ProTour. It will be an intense transfer season for the team, but hopefully we'll manage to get some of the leaders that we need to survive. We have good depth in the hills already, but we need some big signings. We were therefore very happy to see that a guy like Edvald Boasson Hagen will be up for sale. As a Norwegian team, it would be a dream come true to have a rider like him in the team.
- Also, our squad have been focused around the cobbled and hilly classics earlier. Now that we've promoted we'll also have to bring in riders that could help us to score points elsewhere.
- I honestly don't know what to except from the transfer season and the season in general. We have some big steps to take to get the team ready for the high level of the ProTour, but luckily we have a good chunk of money to make the transition to the ProTour possible.
The renewals went by with a good result for Grieg-Eftel, with the management managing to cut off a good portion of the total wages in the team.
That was despite three riders feeling insulted by the initial offer they were given, but after the management gave in for their demands, all riders have been renewed for the first season in the ProTour for the team. The renewals was done before the promotion, so some that might have been released with that in mind were renewed anyway.
- We're in general happy with the renewals, and it gives us much needed cap space to chase some big leaders, team manager tastasol said to bikepro.net.
In what's expecting to be a hectic transfer season for Grieg-Eftel, all riders could be for sale for the right price, though some riders certainly will be allowed to go easier than others.
Compal Meridas boss Bjartne met the media today and both congratulated and praised manager tastasol for promoting to the ProTour and added that he hoped the good co-operation and friendly tradition from last seasons transfer season will be continued also this year.
"The history have shown that our Norwegian friends have a great and cooperative spirit when negotiating, and we look forward to see which riders would become available this year, as we'll always in a hunt for good Oceanic talent and as a bonus let them reunite with their former Risa-riders and friends."
Congratulations on the promotion, and a nice wage cut for Trentin. That should definitely give you many possibilites in the transfer season considering the 1m "bonus" for wages you get as a promoted team. I'm sure we'll talk when transfers start, if not about one thing, then probably about other things
@Bjartne: Thanks! Certainly some ozzies that might take a step down to the PCT. I'm sure we'll be in touch, though it would have to be said that guys like Travis Meyer, Zakkari Dempster, Damien Howson and Calvin Watson is unlikely to leave.
@ember: Even with three insults, I must be fairly happy with managing to cut a good 400k of our wages. We'll definitely talk during transfers
Grieg-Eftel set for relegation after huge plot twist
Edvald Boasson Hagen. He was the key to the entire transfer season for Grieg-Eftel. After flirting with the team management over the course of the last season, it looked like the Norwegian was coming to the Norwegian team after it was announced that he was leaving Aker-MOT.
- We almost had a deal ready but it probably just wasn't meant to be, team manager tastasol said to bikepro.net.
As I, Per Mandagsfjord, understand, the offer from the Grieg team was a bid in the area of 3 million euros, with a certain Danish puncheur also on the brink of being included in the deal.
- We're devastated. And I think Edvald is too. He was set to leave, and we had very good talks with him and the management of Aker-MOT, an anonymous source from Grieg-Eftel tells me.
- We were shocked, to be frank. Our entire transfer season was planned with the purpose of signing Edvald. He's like a hostage at Aker-MOT now. The way their management has treated him is despicable, my source tells me.
After the complete turnaround from Aker-MOT, and with most other hilly captains already gone, the management made a late, but unseccessful surge for cobble star Adam Blythe. With the goals already out of sight, and with small hopes of getting a new world class leader in, the team let their eyes on the talents the next days.
With the manager already gone on holiday, after getting the impression that the deal with Boasson Hagen was already done, the team now looks set for a debut season in ProTour where they have no hope of staying up.
- We've many good riders, but it just seems impossible that we could stay up now. We've sold some riders, and we'll do some quality training with the riders to make sure that they are ready to go straight up again if we relegate, tastasol said.
I dont really know what team you ended up with, but those are definately some nice signings. Unfortunately there are quite a lot of sprinters at a similar level, but training could change that of course.
Strong words from Mandagsfjord! Good thing his source is quite a bit away from the version the manager presents
But yeah, I really thought you were going to sign EBH before the sudden offer for Martin came, which obviously turned your transfer season around as you planned to bring in EBH. Eventhough you'll struggle with your goals, Guarnieri with a powerful train and a great leadout in Rowe combined with Trentin/Wisniowski for the classics should see you fight for stage wins and top 10s on the cobbles.
If you go on and relegate this season, hopefully everything is set for you to come straight back to the PT!
@SotD: Yeah, happy with the signings isolated. Clearly missing a leader though. Will present the full team tomorrow!
@ember: Are you doubting the sources of the worlds best cycling journo? That's unheard of!
Will be a difficult season indeed, and clearly missing on our goals (still to be presented, dear loyal HQ reader), which were all build on getting EBH. So hope you are right regarding Guarnieri and the classics, hope that I can see some success at least!
We actually forgot to mention last time, but also the Norwegian Truls Engen Korsaeth has joined the team. A talented time trialist, the Norwegian seeks some final development. Korsaeth came in the deal where Johan Fredrik Ziesler was sold.
Truls Engen Korsaeth| 23 years old |XP: 3.96 | Wage: 50,000
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SP
ACC
FI
DH
PRL
69
55
58
72
68
67
66
59
66
72
62
63
73
The team made three additional signings, the first being a rather big one. The big Danish TT talent Mads Würtz joined us on a hefty wage of 300.000. The Dane was immediately loaned out to Ferrero-Samruk, where he will get some more experience before returning to our team next season.
Mads Würtz| 22 years old |XP: 1.00 | Wage: 300,000
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SP
ACC
FI
DH
PRL
71
64
68
73
72
72
69
62
66
70
65
71
70
In the dying hours of the transfer season, an additional two riders joined the team from Free Agency. After being sacked by Jayco'z, the management found space for the versatile Rhys Gillett. Gillett is brought in to be a helper for the rest of the squad, as is the Norwegian Frederik Wilman. Wilman was supposed to join the team last year as well, but the management then misspelled his name.
Rhys Gillett| 26 years old |XP: 4.100 | Wage: 50,000
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SP
ACC
FI
DH
PRL
67
73
72
70
71
67
74
55
59
74
77
71
70
Frederik Wilman| 31 years old |XP: 4.100 | Wage: 50,000
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SP
ACC
FI
DH
PRL
69
72
70
72
66
67
70
54
55
69
66
61
72
That completes the (rather big squad), that now look like this:
And that brings us over to our goals. So, let's be honest, this will be a 1/5 at the very best... The goals were picked with signing Edvald Boasson Hagen in mind, something that fell through. Go Jacopo!
Goal #1: Top 10 in PT
Goal #2: Win Liège-Bastogne-Liège
Goal #3: Top 3 Giro di Lombardia
Goal #4: Stage win Giro d'Italia (Actually possible)
Goal #5: Top 3 Badaling International
I do feel for you, with Boasson Hagen that would be an incredible team. Here's hoping that some of your lesser riders step up and can help you stay in the division.
I dont like the look on stats of Mads Würtz, good that it will at least take few years before he can challenge our guy Zmorka as worlds top young TTist.
He is amazing signing for you. Very expensive, but with these stats (much much better overall than Zmorka), it is worth it!
Shame about Eddie the Boss, but at least you could focus on building the depth and youth. Still, it will be very tough year in PT.
Btw. you have several interesting riders, which may see us i n contact for next few transfer seasons.
The goals seem out of reach for sure, but you did end up with a decent squad and some nice depth that could score well all over.
You need to plan Guarnieri, Howson and Rowe carefully and have a bit of luck, then you could be doing alright with some wins across the season, but it definately won't be enough for a PT top 10. You could just scrape through if you are smart, lucky and others are unlucky...
Matteo Trentin 
Guillame Levarlet
Travis Meyer
Christopher Juul-Jensen
Michael Vink
Johan Fredrik Ziesler
Johan Lindgren
Geert Steurs
Luke Rowe | 26 years old |XP: 4.100 | Wage: 230,000 Euros
Lukasz Wisniowski | 25 years old |XP: 4.00 | Wage: 430,000 Euros
