@AbhishekLFC: Thanks! Well I can tell you that the brains in the team management are already smoking going through all the possibilities we have. Just keep one thing in mind: We'll stay as regionally focussed as we are. Of course, that won't exclude the addition of 3-4 well-proven international leaders to our current squad.

@Jakstar22: Thanks a lot, I fear we'll need it.

@jandal7: We can't wait for it too. The season has been amazing indeed and we have to work quite hard to repeat our success and avoid relegation.

@knockout: Thank you very much. We are doing our best to try and present the story & spirit of our project to our fellow supporters as good as possible.

@Yellow Jersey: Big surprise is the perfect conclusion of our season, we are very happy how it all turned out for us. Thank you for your wishes.

@Ollfahrd: Thanks for your good wishes. Wonder when it's time for you to go for gold. I guess it's either waiting for Gavirias max or going full gas and trading Gaviria for a star right now. Plenty of opportunities for you, with Vanbilsen, van Asbroeck (and another Waeytens training?) you should have a rather solid base looking also at all your developments in the team.

I want mine too

@jandal7: Some lovely texts from you here, much love back to Xero!

@dev4ever: Thank you very much, we are very happy to join you where you have successfully established. We are still very thankful for you giving us the opportunity to bring Kump home to Slovenia. And damn has that move worked out well!

jandal7 wrote:
A very good season in your goal races - I fondly remember your 3 days of no relegation talk between Philly and Dunkerque Love the review as well

The Slovenian squad Isostar-Adriatic seeked an outstanding first 2 seasons in cycling. Achieving two consecutive promotions led the team to the chance of riding in the highest class just two years after it's foundations. Questions of course arised whether funding of the team, which has seen the same foundation of partners for its existence, can be secured in a manner that makes the project competitive on the highest level.

Given the rare rumours on potential new partners one would have to wonder whether the team could even afford the step towards the Pro Tour licence. Seeing Matej Mugerli retiring from cycling to take a role in the management, and Janez Brajkovic already claiming that he won't ride in WT again, the team will loose two of it''s most prominent faces on the road. As it stands today Isostar could well end up being the only major fund source for the Slovenian equipe.

These issues have peaked on another level with the questionmarks behind Adriatic, which has been the vital co-sponsor of the team so far. Rumour has it now thought that they are not happy with the lack of Croatian riders onboard, especially taking the latest statement of Pavel Potocki into account: "I am seeking for a higher role next year. With Jani on the move I hope to get more chances at Adriatic. But if it won't happen here then it may happen somewhere else." Chances are there that Adriatic will terminate their partnership if the last Croatian on the squad leaves the team.

Furthermore also the strategic partnership with PEI Waterland will come to an end. While the company has been one of their prominent partners especially aiding a lot in the fundraising management, the team could not fullfill their hopes in signing a leader from Belgium.

And even from the partner country, Estonia, there has been negative Feedback. While at least the Lime Lounge and ZeroTurnaround will keep their sponsorship. Not the Estonian Green Building Council however, which did not extend the partnership. It seems as if the departure of Aksel Nommela and Mikhel Räim without compensation has led them to part ways. Sadly, the new class of neo-pros at the ZeroTurnaround Talent Days could not bring another Estonian beneath Martin Laas into the team. There could be potential though if the team would pursue one of the Estonian cycling stars, Tanel Kangert and Rein Taaramae. Chances are high that the team at least has Kangert very high on their list, especially if he could ensure the teams future carrying potential sponsors with him.

Right now there is no end of the tunnel in sight. There are several claims from different sources that another Slovenian team is in the making. While the team of Miran Tepes would absolutely appreciate this, it further makes the race for funds more difficult. The only significant source we've heard of for potential new investors comes from the region of Ptuj. Perutnina Ptuj is very likely to have the squad of Miran Tepes as their flagship sports partner. Further regional partners may come up, but it is unlikely that those could cover the significant hole in the budget.

Thinking of these financial concerns, the future level of cycling for the squad is in doubt right now. And on top, there are concernes about the level of quality. While the core is a very young one, leaders may benefit from another learning year in the Pro Continental division. The Slovenian trio of Mohoric, Kump and Polanc already stated that they could very much think of staying at the project for another season even if it continues to be a PCT level. Different experts, anonymously, told sources that they'd see potentially a more stable development and team future for the squad of Miran Tepes if it declines the promotion option.

The general management around Miran Tepes will surely discuss all options with the main sponsor Isostar rather sooner than later. Right now anything is possible: From staying under the same name in the World Tour to a merging project with The Balkan Cycling Project anything is very much possible. Right now the hottest speculations point into the direction of further regionalization. Hence odds are high on another year in the Pro Continental Tour for the team, most possibly with a slightly changed name to Isostar Slovenija.

tastasol wrote:
Not sure if I'm reading this correctly or if EkipaSN is just talking bullshit, but that is some 10/10 speculation going on there.

Croatia14 wrote:


At this state we can neither confirm nor deny any of the points made by the independent newspaper. Fact is, that we need to find a solution to close the gaps in the financial plan to lift the team up on another level. We'll try to find solutions as soon as possible, but right now the future is undecided.

@ivaneurope: we'll hope for that - at least we have Isostar with us for the future...and you know what that means #limetrain

@jandal7: An Estonian sponsor that would push me to the PT might demand something like a Taaramae, and signing Taaramae may be pretty far away you know