Having been away for a long time, I decided to mark my return to the best PCM forum with a story. Seeing how sutty68's Novo Nordisk story is still running, it really inspired me to try out a story based on an older PCM game, in this case PCM 2015. I am also very inspired by his layout and it is going to have an impact on this story too. Huge thanks to him!
Introduction
Hello everyone, realising how I am never happy with the riders I pick for my career modes in PCM due to the fact that I do not like selecting riders with an existing contract with a professional cycling team, I decided to make a team with free riders only. Therefore this story is going to be about two things. Firstly it is going to show, how these riders all should have had a contract for 2016, as they can deliver on the big scene. I know some of did in real life, but at least not in the game. Secondly it is about trying riders from different and unusual countries out, as I like to do that in the game. This may be tough, well, at least I would like to try...
At first glance it might not seem like there is a theme in the squad, but the riders are specifically picked for the story. It may seem weird how there is only one Canadian rider, but Air Canada has destinations in each of these countries, and they want to be seen all over the world. Therefore it does not matter to the company that only one riders originates in Canada. Finally, the company also supports a multicultural squad, as it sends the message that cycling can be a global sport and should be.
I hope you enjoy the story!
1. Riders in the team must originate from a country, which has at least one Air Canada destination. If Air Canada stops flying to a given country, riders from that country must be released.
2. I cannot sign a rider, who originates from a country without at least one Air Canada destination.
3. The difficulty of the game will be normal, and it may change if I win too much. Furthermore, I am not very good at the game, as I have not played it in almost two years.
4. Random potential will not be used, as I will not be using actual riders that much
The season is divided into four chapters with different lengths of time, as they are based around important races in our calendar for the season. Furthermore, each chapter will be followed by a review in order to possibly improve the team. This first chapter is going to cover the period between the beginning of January to the end of March, thus making it quite a long chapter.
News and results from each race we participate in is going to be provided, but naturally, some races are more important than others, as they are sponsor goals, yet other races are less important. Most races are covered in detail, but not all. This information is also listed in the table below.
First of all, thanks to sutty68 and trekbmc for the early support, it is very much appreciated and it really motivates me!
Chapter 1
Tour de San Luis
Stage 1
Today our first race of the season, Tour de San Luis, begins, and as previously mentioned, this is very important to the sponsor. They would like us to win at least one stage, and this is surely going to be tough, considering the other teams' riders. Anyways, here is the stage profile of the first stage, a team 22 km team time trial,
We are not specialists in time trials, and other teams have much better riders for this discipline, therefore we do not expect the stage win to happen today.
At the finish line we are a minut behind the best time, set by Astana, which just confirms our expectations, we are not going to get anything out of this stage.
Finally, BMC snatches the win by 16 seconds over Astana. We finish in 16th place, 1,28 off the best time. Not an amazing result, however, we had no expectations.
Moving on from the team time trial, today's stage is a 181 km, typical, flat stage favouring the sprinters. Our best bet for today is either a breakaway win or Juan Sebastian Molano simply having an amazing day.
100 km to go
After losing the mountain sprint to Silvio Herklotz, BORA, and the first intermediate sprint to Mirko Selvaggi, Wanty Group, Rudy Kowalski wins the second intermediate sprint and leads the breakaway with a gap of 7 minutes to the peloton.
50 km to go
The peloton have woken up and the gap is down to 2 minutes, while getting smaller and smaller, as the bigger teams are starting to up the pace.
20 km to go
Silvio Herklotz, BORA, tries a final attack to keep the breakaway alive, but it seems like he will not make it, as the peloton can now see the breakaway, giving them hope.
10 km to go
The breakaway is pretty much caught now, leaving the victory for the sprinters.
5 km to go
The battle for the best position has started, and Quickstep are leading the peloton, increasing the pace, dropping a few riders. Fortunately for us, Juan Sebastian Molano has caught on to Taylor Phinney's wheel.
1 km to go
Riding under the red banner, Quickstep have released Marcel Kittel, who has created a small gap. Can he keep it?
Today is an interesting day, this 127 km hilly stage does not suit the sprinters perfectly, but some of them could probably survive to the end. Also, we believe the final hill is going to cause some chaos, and we just hope for the best.
100 km to go
Many riders have tried to breakaway, including our own Rudy Kowalski, however, a promising breakaway has not been formed yet.
50 km to go
A breakaway is never really allowed, and only three optimistic riders remain. These are Vladimir Isaychev, Katusha, Artem Nych, Rusvelo and Gaetan Bille, Wanty, but the gap is down to only 1,5 minutes over the peloton.
20 km to go
Riding up the final hill of the day, the peloton is lead by Tony Martin, Quickstep, setting a fast pace for his teammate, Julian Alaphilippe, while Vincenzo Nibali, Astana, is surrounded by several Astana riders just behind.
10 km to go
Attacks from Sky and Quickstep have been unsuccessful and now Astana are setting the pace on the downhill. Speaking of our riders, Joseph Schmalz has reported having great legs for the day, meaning he will lead our attempts to create a lead-out train, if we get the chance.
5 km to go
The fast pace uphill and downhill has resulted in some sprinters being left behind. Meanwhile, Quickstep has spotted a chance for Marcel Kittel, and the peloton is now stretched far out.
1 km to go
Going into the final kilometre, Marcel Kittel along with other sprinters are too far back, while Joseph Schmalz is trying his very best to release Juan Sebastian Molano in a good position, making it harder for other teams to organise.
Finish line
In fact, no one can follow Joseph Schmalz, and he eyes his own chance for a stage win. On the line, Joseph Schmalz hangs on with a few centimeters to beat Gatis Smukulis, Astana and takes our first win of the year! Amazing, Joseph!
After yesterday's amazing result, we hope to continue the great riding, but it is probably going to be hard, considering today's stage ends with a tough mountain, and riders like Vincenzo Nibali and Richie Porte are in the race.
100 km to go
Quite a big breakaway is formed, including Artyom Nych, Rusvelo, Christopher Jones, UnitedHealthcare, Pablo Urtasun, Funvic, Luis Romero Amaran, Jamis, Fumiyuki Beppu, Trek and Andreas Schillinger, BORA.
50 km to go
The six escapees are still out in a breakaway, but they are slowly being caught by the peloton, lead by BMC and Astana, as they do not want any lucky rider to spoil the victory for their riders respectively.
20 km to go
The breakaway is caught under the 20 kilometers banner, as Astana are still pushing up the tempo in the peloton.
10 km to go
Serious attacks are happening, Matthew Busche, UnitedHealthcare, is the first one to try, showing his American national jersey, but the pace is still very high.
5 km to go
Vincenzo Nibali, Astana, has tried an incredible attack, and he is heading for glory alone. Just behind, Richie Porte, BMC, and Rafal Majka, BORA are trying their hardest to catch up.
1 km to go
The three riders mentioned earlier are now in the same group, and if any rider has any energy left to attack, he is surely going to win!
Finish line
No rider has enough energy to attack, and it finishes in a sprint, in which Richie Porte, BMC, is the fastest, and the wins the first mountain stage in the Tour de San Luis!
Meanwhile, Gregory Brenes finishes just outside of the top 10, which we find pretty decent as well!
and Molano with a couple of nice top ten finishes 
