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[PT] Assa Abloy 2024
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| Yellow Jersey |
Posted on 22-06-2018 17:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2809
Joined: 16-04-2013
PCM$: 900.00
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nice classic-like jersey 
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| Tamijo |
Posted on 24-07-2018 22:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 7406
Joined: 14-07-2015
PCM$: 599.00
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Good luck
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 24-07-2018 23:57
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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I love that light pink jersey, stylish and classy. One of my favourite jerseys so far  And should be wron by a classy squad too seeing how you've gone so far (with a lot of my targets  )
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 25-07-2018 00:12
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Team Leader
Posts: 5896
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Just learned that you will be in the top end of the division.
With that in mind, i will only wish you luck and not good luck  
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 25-07-2018 08:59
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Thank you both! 
jandal7 wrote:
I love that light pink jersey, stylish and classy. One of my favourite jerseys so far And should be wron by a classy squad too seeing how you've gone so far (with a lot of my targets )
I'm pretty sure my shortlist got leaked, because it feels like I've been bidding against the same people in every thread Glad you like the jersey!
hillis91 wrote:
Just learned that you will be in the top end of the division.
With that in mind, i will only wish you luck and not good luck
I hope to be in the top end of the division, but there's a lot of good riders and teams in the CT this year, so good planning will for sure be key to achieve it.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 25-07-2018 09:50
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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2018 | Goals
With the squad beginning to take shape, it's time to reveal our goals for the new season. The initial plan was to go with mostly Belgian races, but after holding talks with our sponsors, we decided to take an international approach instead and choose the races that gives us the best chances of success. That means we'll have goals across three continents this season, in both Europe, North America and Australia. Our win goal is the Great Ocean Road Classic, a flat classic that should be very well suited for our sprint squad. They will also be tasked with achieving a top 5 in the French classic Paris–Tours. Meanwhile, our cobbles specialists will attempt a top 5 in the brutal Geraardsbergen-Bosberg at home soil in Belgium, and the puncheurs a top 10 in the 2-day stage race Grands Prix Cyclistes in Canada. As for the team standings, we're hoping to achieve a top 5 this year.
 | Great Ocean Road Classic | Win | Failed | 3rd | Jacopo Guarnieri |  | Geraardsbergen-Bosberg | Top 5 | Achieved | 4th | Vegard Breen |  | Paris-Tours | Top 5 | Achieved | 2nd | Jacopo Guarnieri | | Team Standings | Top 5 | Achieved | 1st | |  | Grands Prix Cyclistes | Top 10 | Achieved | 2nd | Blel Kadri |
Edited by Sykkel_Freak on 12-09-2019 09:04
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 30-07-2018 23:02
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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2018 | Transfer Round-up
It’s been a busy few days, but we are very happy to finally present the completed roster ahead of the 2018 season. The plan from the start was to build a squad able to compete at a very high level in the hills, on the cobbles and in the sprints, and that is also something we think we have managed to achieve.
Coming in as our undisputed sprint leader is fastman Jacopo Guarnieri. The Italian finished 44th in the PT individual standings last year, and will no doubt be the man to beat in flat CT races this season. Two riders will be sharing the role as his final lead out man: Michel Kreder and Pavel Korzh. While both of them have an excellent punch, the former is a lot better in hilly terrain and will most often be given the task of placing Guarnieri in a good position before the final meters. Korzh will however be asked to fill in from time to time, allowing Kreder to get a few chances on his own to impress throughout the season. French veteran Romain Feillu has been brought in to figure as the second to last rider on Guarnieri’s lead out train, while youngster Alvaro Hodeg (on loan from Minions) and stagiaire Enzo Wouters will be brought along as domestiques to learn from the older riders.
Arriving from Aker - MOT in a deal worth € 900,000 is Norwegian rider Vegard Breen. The 28 year-old, who achieved a top 10 in last year’s Ronde van Vlaanderen, will figure as the captain on the cobblestones this season. He will be supported mainly by Lars van der Haar, previously of Bennelong - Mitchelton, and Belgian rouleur Evert Verbist. Breen and van der Haar possess a similar skillset, with both of them going well over hills and having a decent finish, which hopefully means they can establish a good connection and challenge for a few wins together. To help the three aforementioned towards the decisive parts of the race, Dries de Bondt has been picked up from the CT draft, along with French strongman Fabian Grellier (on loan from Kraftwerk Man Machine) and young talent Ivan Centrino who will join the team in August on a stagiaire contract.
The full 2018 roster in alphabetical order.
Turning our focus towards the hills, our main signing this summer has been French rider Blel Kadri. While not being the best going upwards, he has a great finish and loves to ride aggressive. Combined with number nine in the CT individual standings from last year, Arthur Vichot, we are hoping to pull an upset or two against a very competitive CT puncheur field this year. Similarly to Kadri, Vichot is recognized by a very aggressive riding style and a fantastic acceleration, and should in that regard complement Kadri well. The pair will furthermore be backed by Elia Favilli, who is an excellent option in a reduced bunch sprint. Providing support is Swedish supertalent Lucas Eriksson (on loan from Volvo acc. by Spotify), and the stagiaires Gaspar Goncalves and Abderrahim Zahiri. Polish rider Piotr Brozyna (on loan from Kulczyk - DMTEX) will have a similar role to the aforementioned, but will also get the chance to ride for KoM-jerseys and stage wins in the toughest stage races, being one of the better climbers in the squad. |
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| knockout |
Posted on 30-07-2018 23:09
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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This could be a tough year for you. Guess you will relegate back to PCT. Guanieri and a nice cobble team just isnt enough to stay in PT....
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| ember |
Posted on 30-07-2018 23:11
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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A very, very strong CT team! Guarnieri is obviously the standout rider. Seeing you succeeded putting together a top class train for him as well, and I can't see him do anything, but dominate the CT sprints this season. Should also pick up lots of points versus PCT competition, given his great stats and record from previous seasons. Fingers crossed Feillu also becomes a successful key in the train, having said goodbye to him in renewals.
It looks kind of thin for the hills, but on the other hand Vichot was a top scorer last season in the CT. And then Kadri just looks like a stronger version of Kadri, meaning you'll probably better than their 76 hill stat lead you to believe. |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 01:36
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Bot Agent
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 30-07-2018 23:35
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3634
Joined: 03-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
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After 2 years on top this should be the year Salleh gets dethroned as best CT sprinter as Guarnieri is a beast.
It's a little sad to see it happen before we promote but Salleh is ready to fight every step of the way to try and retain his crown even if he isn't favoured to do so.
If Vichot can replicate his performance of last year for you then that should be enough to promote even without Breen adding solid if not great scoring on the cobbles, think he should be top 5 there but don't have a full overview of how strong the division is on the cobbles this year.
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 31-07-2018 09:34
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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knockout wrote:
This could be a tough year for you. Guess you will relegate back to PCT. Guanieri and a nice cobble team just isnt enough to stay in PT....
ember wrote:
A very, very strong CT team! Guarnieri is obviously the standout rider. Seeing you succeeded putting together a top class train for him as well, and I can't see him do anything, but dominate the CT sprints this season. Should also pick up lots of points versus PCT competition, given his great stats and record from previous seasons. Fingers crossed Feillu also becomes a successful key in the train, having said goodbye to him in renewals.
It looks kind of thin for the hills, but on the other hand Vichot was a top scorer last season in the CT. And then Kadri just looks like a stronger version of Kadri, meaning you'll probably better than their 76 hill stat lead you to believe.
No doubt I'm looking at Guarnieri to be my main scorer. There's always a few risks involved with sprinters in terms of wind, breakaways etc, but hopefully he can put his limited number of race days to good use and gather a lot of points.
Feillu definitely deserved another contract despite getting older and declining a bit from last season. Ideally I would have wanted a sprinter with a bit better acc and flat for his lead out role, but Feillu should be able to fill in nicely for a year at this level while we search for a more longterm option.
I do think the quality in the hills has gone up a level in CT this season, so I'm not expecting Vichot to be quite as good this year as last year. He and Kadri makes for an interesting duo though, so I hope they can get a few good results despite not having the best hill stat.
sammyt93 wrote:
After 2 years on top this should be the year Salleh gets dethroned as best CT sprinter as Guarnieri is a beast.
It's a little sad to see it happen before we promote but Salleh is ready to fight every step of the way to try and retain his crown even if he isn't favoured to do so.
If Vichot can replicate his performance of last year for you then that should be enough to promote even without Breen adding solid if not great scoring on the cobbles, think he should be top 5 there but don't have a full overview of how strong the division is on the cobbles this year.
Guarnieri looks great on paper, but I'm sure there will be several close duels in the sprints throughout the season between him, Salleh, Manninen and others. Expecting a long and hard fight for the crown as best CT sprinter
Definitely need some decent scoring from both Vichot/Kadri and Breen to promote. There's little doubt in my mind Kluge is the best rider on the cobbles this season, but I think Breen is one of several just below his level. He has a good team to back him up, so I really hope we can do well on the cobbles this year.
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 31-07-2018 09:44
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Guarnieri should be the favourite in all his sprint races. Hopefully that means the game will let us relax a little bit and have an intact train for the sprint
We should get a lot of interesting sprint battles this season!
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 31-07-2018 10:18
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Wow. Guarnieri, Breen, VDH, Kadri, Vichot, Kreder, Favilli AND nice domestiques, cool barodeurs and nice talents! I know my favourite team... and the early frontrunner in my CT preview. Absolutely stunning.
Also, change that bold font from It's Coming Arriving to It's Coming Home, because after travelling to exotic locations such as Armenia, Kazakhstan and the whole world, the CT crown will be going to the homeland
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 31-07-2018 10:39
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Team Leader
Posts: 5896
Joined: 30-11-2006
PCM$: 1500.00
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Wow, what an amazing team you have put together here.
Makes me wonder what the f*** i've been doing this off-season..
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 31-07-2018 11:35
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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I honestly think your hill duo is what could bring you promotion. I'm not 100% convinced you take the title, but that duo looks damns strong paired up with Guarnieri. Still could've used one climber.
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| SotD |
Posted on 31-07-2018 12:12
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World Champion
Posts: 12187
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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That is a great team indeed. Maybe the best new CT team ever in the history of the game. Very well rounded, and top level leaders, while completely ignoring a couple of terrains, as usually been the way to cope with things.
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| viking90 |
Posted on 31-07-2018 16:24
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4032
Joined: 24-01-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Thats an insane team to put together in the first season of the team, but then again you are not a newbie
Hope Lucas can be useful in a few races! |
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| Sykkel_Freak |
Posted on 31-07-2018 21:03
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2073
Joined: 11-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Atlantius wrote:
Guarnieri should be the favourite in all his sprint races. Hopefully that means the game will let us relax a little bit and have an intact train for the sprint
We should get a lot of interesting sprint battles this season!
Could well be, and ourselves having an intact train for the final 5-10 k's is something I'm a little bit worried about, particularly as we have the minimum number of riders and thus will struggle to field 8 riders in every race this season. But hopefully our squad has enough quality to deal with this issue.
Looking very much forward to face Manninnen this season
jandal7 wrote:
Wow. Guarnieri, Breen, VDH, Kadri, Vichot, Kreder, Favilli AND nice domestiques, cool barodeurs and nice talents! I know my favourite team... and the early frontrunner in my CT preview. Absolutely stunning.
Also, change that bold font from It's Coming Arriving to It's Coming Home, because after travelling to exotic locations such as Armenia, Kazakhstan and the whole world, the CT crown will be going to the homeland
I actually thought about that, but I couldn't come up with a sentence that started with 'home' and made any sense Thanks for the kind words!
hillis91 wrote:
Wow, what an amazing team you have put together here.
Makes me wonder what the f*** i've been doing this off-season..
Thanks!
You definitely have some nice talents in your squad though, whereas I partly will need to rebuild my squad already from next year.
Croatia14 wrote:
I honestly think your hill duo is what could bring you promotion. I'm not 100% convinced you take the title, but that duo looks damns strong paired up with Guarnieri. Still could've used one climber.
No doubt there's a few other really strong teams up there, and I'm not expecting to take the title by any means. If we put up a decent challenge, I'll be more than happy! To win it, we probably would have needed one good climber as you say, as we will miss out on the big points in few of the C2HC races without one.
SotD wrote:
That is a great team indeed. Maybe the best new CT team ever in the history of the game. Very well rounded, and top level leaders, while completely ignoring a couple of terrains, as usually been the way to cope with things.
Big words! I'm not sure how we stack up against other new CT teams from previous seasons, but it's certainly very nice to read
With so many good climbers in the CT, ignoring that terrain was an easy decision, even though we might have needed one climber to fully go out and properly challenge for the title as Croatia alluded to. Either way, giving less priority to TT's comes as a natural extension of that choice, I think.
viking90 wrote:
Thats an insane team to put together in the first season of the team, but then again you are not a newbie
Hope Lucas can be useful in a few races!
Thank you!
Lucas will definitely be very useful with our limited number of riders. Particularly in the hills as help for Kadri and Vichot but also in other terrains where he will need to race from time to time to gain experience. Maybe he will get a chance or two to try for his own results as well!
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| DaveTwoBob |
Posted on 31-07-2018 23:29
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2433
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Awesome team, Grellier will certainly learn a lot during his year with you, maybe he can pass on some negotiation tips when he returns
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| Booker |
Posted on 01-08-2018 00:11
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 873
Joined: 03-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Love some of the signings here - Brozyna obviously top among them
Congrats on securing Guarnieri, and most importantly, the beast that is Vichot! This clearly isn't your first ride at the rodeo; will be very interested to see how you plan this calendar year in the absence of a real mountain presence aside from my big Polish lad. We'll make sure to juice him up in preseason for you.
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