@sutty68 - Można to powiedzieć Thanks for the well wishes!

@weirdskyfan64 -

The team is sensitive about making overt political statements due to our headquarters still being in Warsaw. Our directors would prefer not to draw Polish authorities' attention, politically. Otherwise, we'd potentially need to register as foreign-backed lobbyists and prepare to fight a state-sponsored PR campaign about a Soros-funded, globalist cycling team.

We're taking a more nuanced, soft power tact.

@Croatia14 - All credit to the_hoyle on the jersey. He had a concept in mind and made it work very well

You're very right though, trying not to fly too close to the sun, just yet. Hopefully we can build that team up with some actual riders shortly!

In the boardroom of the Kulczyk Investments headquarters in Warsaw, Sebastian Kulczyk met with the new team manager of Kulczyk - DMTEX, Janek Wasko, to discuss the team's approach to transfers this season. Though the team will be competing in the CT division, the team is said to be thinking ambitiously about the transfer window.

Much discussion in CT management circles has speculated about the ideal makeup of a team for points scoring. In previous years, teams like Strava and Ferrero - Samruk have promoted with a focus on a specific race profile. These tried and true methods are being questioned, however, with the implementation of a race calendar (C2HC) that is exceedingly varied.

How will teams tackle this conundrum? Will the surefire hilly approach outweigh the more balanced team makeup? Or will a sprinting team, over flat and hilly terrain, be the first to the promotion line?

In terms of specific riders, Wasko is said to be targeting a Polish and French core to satisfy sponsors, though Belgian, Czech, Moldovan, and other European riders will be considered for the inaugural roster. According to sources, Wasko is also focused on free agents, as the fees associated with team-to-team transfers considered prohibitive to a CT outfit's limited budget.

The shortlist of riders to be targeted has been kept under extreme secrecy, with only Sebastian Kulczyk and Janek Wasko privy to the plans. However, it only requires a minor leap of faith to assume Michal Kwiatkowski, arguably the most talented Polish rider in the world, will be targeted. The rest of the targets will be revealed throughout the transfer window as bidding occurs, starting on Friday.

Though management has intimated it has a plan, the crazy transfer window requires several contingency plans. If Kulczyk - DMTEX is to be successful in its opening season, it must be prepared.

@Scorchio - You're right mate, and we've even got one of the same sponsors, Skoda! Great minds and all that.

Grupo Nutresa was before my time, but looking forward to coming up against some of the old heads. Thanks for the luck, I'll need it this season if we're to get off to a positive start!

@sgdanny - As you say, there will be many combinations that lead to a successful team in CT, here's hoping we find the right concoction of riders. Thank you for the well wishes, and I'll be sure to stop by the Fablok shop to see if any of your domestic wares are for sale at the right price All the best to you in a couple days time!

trekbmc - Well, you're higher on the food chain, so we'll have to go about signing Kwiat through subversive means. Luckily, the Kulczyk's have very good connections with the best strip clubs in Warsaw


No, but seriously, he's hardly our #1 priority. Unfortunately we'll have to look outside Poland this time around. And thank you for the kind offer, we'll certainly be in touch...

Kulczyk - DMTEX has completed the first signings of its inaugural season in the CT division, after the first confirmations came through the MGUCI fax machine! Four riders will comprise the squad at first, each with a specific skill-set they will bring to the roster. These first four will be based in Warsaw, until their unknown teammates arrive and they head off to the team base in Zakopane, Poland to prepare for the upcoming CT season.

This 194cm monster will be a valuable domestique on all terrains, though his abilities on the rolling hills and in time trials will be particularly helpful. Gradek joins as the first of many Polish additions, a requirement of Kulczyk Investments. Gradek rode for Banc na hÉireann in the PCT division in 2016.

Cieslik will provide power in the mountains, and will be a valuable domestique for tours in particular. He is a bit of an unknown quantity, having been a free agent in the 2016 season, but at 31 years of age, he brings a level of maturity to the Kulczyk - DMTEX squad. His natural fitness will lend itself well to the tours being targeted by the team, and aid the soon-to-be-named mountain leader.

With 79 Sprint and 80 Acceleration, there is a lot to be excited about with Hochmann in the leadout train. In fact, he may outrace the Kulczyk - DMTEX sprint leader if he can last the race, as stamina may be an issue. Useful on flat courses, he is somewhat useless with terrain changes, so the team will rely on Hochmann for a select cache of races. As a Czech rider, he fulfils part of the Kulczyk sponsor requirement in bringing in riders of European origin, particularly from the Eastern European region. Hochmann also brings vital CT division experience, having rode with Slovnaft - OTP Bank in 2016.

Hacecký is a time trialist, with a background in track racing, but he is far from a one-trick pony. With competence in sprints and acceleration, he will provide useful assistance to the leadout train as well. Also, the Czech rider rode with Metinvest-Dacia in the PT division in 2016, in the time trial contingent of massive races like the Tour de France and Tour de Suisse. Vojtech is an exciting addition for a team in the CT ranks.

The first team leaders arrive in Warsaw to begin preparations for 2017, with cobbles, time trials, and hilly classics the goals for these respective leaders. Without further ado, here they are...

Yes, he might be overpriced slightly, but he's our new cobble leader! Signed from Pro Tour side, ebuddy, in what could possibly be the only transfer with another team of this transfer window, Havik comes in and immediately entrenches himself as the cobble leader. He has reasonable stamina, which should set him up well for stage wins and one-day cobbled events that end in a group sprint, where he can't be touched.

At only 23 years of age, Ryan Mullen is an exciting addition to the Kulczyk - DMTEX squad. A Tony Martin clone in that he can also get over the hills, Ryan will be the time trial leader, challenging in races like the Windhoek ITT. Also with PT experience, he rode with Grieg - Eftel in 2016.

DMTEX's French quota begins to fill up with the addition of Arthur Vichot, a rider that team management is very excited about, particularly on a 70k wage. With many CT squads focusing on the hilly tours, the team took a different tack, targeting Vichot, who can fight for stage wins, and possibly two or three day races in the hills, using his tremendous kick. He's a combative rider who will hopefully get some TV time in the latter stages of classics races, with the goal of bringing home a win or two. Vichot rode for Orange - KLM Cycling in the Pro Tour last season.

The man tasked with getting Vichot to the line is Reto Hollenstein, a 32-year-old veteran who last rode for Vontobel in 2016. His quality on the hills will enable Vichot to be in the best position to attack later on in races, but his stamina, resistance, and recovery skills will assist in the toughest stage races also. He will be a useful domestique across multiple terrains, but the hilly classics are where Kulczyk - DMTEX will be aiming to score points.