Vien wrote:
I'm so sorry for you and your team. Obviously you had relegation potential but your cobblers have been absolute garbage. And apart from Juul-Jensen I don't see much material to bounce back either
Keep up the good spirit though!
It is what it is. Everybody plays using the same game and mechanics, so there's no one I can blame but myself. I knew obviously there was a chance I'd be relegating, but I could never have imagined my supposed powerhouse cobbles team could fail this dramatically. But nothing can be done now. Time to plan better for next year in CT I guess.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
It's been a long, tough season for Carlsberg - Danske Bank. After their 16th place finish last year, the team added some new additions in the offseason, only to find themselves in 23rd place, set for relegation, with two races remaining in 2018. However, the team persevered and has managed to finish 21st in the final PCT rankings this season, and secured, for the time being, safety.
This campaign has not been an easy one. It started off with promise. The team's core from last season was back with much more firepower. Pieter Vanspeybroeck and Ramon Sinkeldam joined Frederik Nolf to became a feared three headed cobbles trio meant to dominate the classics season. Christopher Juul-Jensen aimed to repeat his sparkling 2017, and Asbjorn Kragh Andersen, finally reaching his full potential, joined Davide Appollonio to ensure the team always had a man for the sprint.
The results, however, were not so bright. Although he would eventually finish 21st in the PCT rankings thanks to wins in the De Panne GC and GP Kigali, he was never a true force, despite his allegedly strong lieutenants. As for them, Frederik Nolf continued to disappoint, even as second in command. This caused dissent on the team bus, as it was well known his relationship to the team was already rough following their attempts to sell him last transfer season.
Meanwhile, the rest of the squad didn't fair much better. While JJ and Appo still put in solid campaigns, they predictably regressed a bit from their breakout years, and AKA and Marc Christian Garby could not pick up the slack to make up those points. Other pieces like Andre Steensen also had less notable results.
The upshot was a team ticketed for the relegation battle - not bad enough to sink to the bottom like Azteca, but not strong enough to keep their head above water like last year's team. Throughout the season, Carlsberg moved in and out of the danger zone, and it became very clear that this battle would go until the end.
With three races left in the season, three teams still had a shot to stay in PCT - Netia, Lierse, and Carlsberg, in that order. The odds were not looking good. But suddenly, it all came around. Following a top 5 by Christopher Juul-Jensen in Milano Torino, Kragh Andersen finally made his first real mark on the pro scene at the most improbable time, winning stage 1 of the PTHC Tour du Maroc.
The win became a real momentum shift for Carlsberg. AKA continued to place in the sprints while Garby rode aggressively. By the end of the race, the Danish squad had jumped its rivals and moved into 21st place, a result that would be solidified and confirmed by Juul-Jensen's 6th place in Japan Cup to finish the season.
Team manager baseballlover312 spoke about this final stretch with me earlier:
"It's certainly a relief. Nothing went as we hoped early in the year. We really felt we were a team on the upswing, not ready for decline. And that's not the way the results went. But I can't say enough about the guys that stepped up and kept us where we belong. JJ was terrific as always, Appo was consistent throughout the season, and AKA came through in the clutch. Even Garby really stepped up his aggression hen we needed it. You could feel the sense of urgency with them, and that's what makes me so proud. They care about this team, they care that we're here, that many of them are representing their country through us. Any or all of them could have found a paycheck in PCT if we relegated, maybe even a bigger one, but they wanted to be here next year, and they made it happen. I can't express how proud and thankful I am for that.
Noticeable absent from this monologue of praise and elation was any mention of the team's cobbles squad, even though Vanspeybroeck remained the team's highest scorer until the very end of the season. This omission is a strong reminder that this team, despite their survival, was not a success, it was a failure. A failure to perform, and failure to show the jersey, and a failure to obtain the goals set out by sponsors and management. The team regressed in the standings, after all.
By the middle of the season, it became known in the press that despite Carlsberg and Danske Bank's contractual commitment to next year's team, the agreement included an opt out clause if the team were to relegate to the CT division. While that has not happened, the sponsors still are not happy with the team's performance, especially as they failed every sponsor goal given to them this season.
"Our title sponsors have been with us since the beginning, and we're forever grateful for their support. It certainly isn't always easy to support this team. I've had some discussion with their representatives, and I understand why they are not happy. We regressed, we got in fewer breakaways, and we failed every goal, even though they were not overly ambitious. The sponsors and I both agree that is unacceptable, and we will try to fix it for next year. Whatever that means to them, whether it be more stars, a different terrain focus, or more regional representation, we are ready to fulfill it. It's on us as staff and riders to make this right.
The team will soon have the chance to do just that. Once NC's and the WC wrap up, it will be time for another offseason of renewals and transfers, and there will be another chance for Carlsberg and its counterparts to reinvent themselves for next season. For now, the team can at least take solace in the fact that they will do so as a member of the PCT division for a third season.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Once again, our analytical department at Sporting News has released the latest prospect scouting reports for the youngsters of Carlsberg - Danske Bank. Let's take a look at their progress heading into 2019.
Niklas Eg
Stage Racer - 3 > 4 - Age 24 - Pot. 3
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
66
73
69
71
73
71
71
59
60
67
66
65
69
2019
67
75
70
73
75
73
73
59
60
68
66
65
71
This year's 6th place finisher in the Tour de l'Avenir, Eg is both Carlsberg's fastest progressing talent, and the only one with any semblance of leadership potential. Eg breaks the mold of other Carlsberg climbers like Gregaard, and earlier Garby, in that he has a solid TT position, as he show on the U23 circuit this year. However, like his teammates, he often struggles to match accelerations on short, punchy hills. Regardless, he seems to have taken a massive step forward the past two seasons, and we estimate that with some experience on loan in the PT this season, he could reach his potential as soon as next season, while still white jersey eligible.
Kasper Asgreen
Puncheur - 2 > 3 - Age 24- Pot. 4
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
66
61
70
67
68
66
64
55
63
68
69
65
67
2019
66
63
72
67
68
67
65
55
63
70
71
65
67
Asgreen has always been a pure puncheur. His upsideis solid, but not well rounded enough to be considered a leader. For instance, his acceleration is lacking, so while he might one day be able to match Christopher Juul-Jensen's tempo in the Ardennes, his unlikely he could ever respond to his attacks, and thus be as prolific a scorer. That being said, Asgreen has only put a little bit of work in the mountains this year in order to become more versatile, meaning his future as a super domestique is very bright.
Aviv Yechezkel
Cobbles - 2 > 3 - Age 25 - Pot. 3
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
69
55
62
64
67
68
68
71
60
72
69
69
64
2019
70
55
62
64
68
69
68
73
61
72
69
69
64
Yechezkel is a very simple rider. He is strong on the cobblestones, and not much anywhere else. Of course, he is not useless in other areas as an early domestique, but northern classics are the only discipline where he'll get any air time. He could eventually be a leader for a weaker CT team, but if he stays at Carlsberg, he will end up as a pure domestique, like he was on loan at Valio this season. That makes his future a little bit more complicated, considering the failure of Carlsberg's vaunted cobbles team this past season. If they tear it all down and he has no leader to work for, where does he fit in?
Mathias Krigbaum
Fighter - 2 > 3 - Age 24 - Pot. 3
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
74
65
68
69
70
70
68
62
65
63
69
69
68
2019
75
65
68
71
71
72
69
62
65
63
70
69
70
Pure fighters don't have much worth on the open market, and it appears Krigbaum understands this. While his powerhouse engine has been on showcase since his junior days, Krigbaum's main focus of recently has been trying to convert that engine to success in the time trials. While this is a noble idea, only time with tell if it pays off. Krigbaum projects to be only a mediocre time trialist, and surely some development will be lost if he focuses on his wind tunnel aerodynamics instead of his physique. Regardless, he should end up being a good teammate to be in lead out trains and fill out a TTT squad.
Patrick Olesen
Climber - 1 > 3 - Age 25 - Pot. 4
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
67
68
68
62
71
69
69
63
63
66
54
65
61
2019
67
71
71
62
71
71
71
63
63
69
57
65
61
Late bloomers do exist, and although Patrick Olesen is heading into his age 25 season, that does not mean he is anywhere near his full potential. Several years as a neglected stagiare on several foreign teams, Olesen finally had a major breakthrough last season, and appears to be back on track. If he does fulfill his promise, he looks to be a good all around climber, capable of helping both his puncheur leaders and stage race leaders. That also makes him a solid option to attack and go for KOM jerseys in stage races. Versatility is very valued for those lower level domestiques, and Olesen should be able to use his to craft out a solid career for himself, even if he doesn't peak until he's 27.
Jonas Gregaard
Climber - 1 > 2 - Age 23 - Pot. 5
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
2018
70
69
64
65
74
70
69
61
63
64
51
72
65
2019
70
71
65
65
74
71
70
61
63
65
52
72
65
Carlsberg's biggest talent signing last season was definitely Gregaard, and that pressure hasn't seemed to phase him. After spending last season at ENI - MOL, Jonas seems to be on the verge of a big breakthrough. Rumors say that if Carlsberg had supplied the necessary equipment funding to ENI for Gregaard, he might be even further along, but Carlsberg were strapped for cash in the relegation fight, and couldn't spare the budget. While that is a shame, Gregaard still has very interesting potential. In the high mountains, he is a beast. He can sit as a high tempo seemingly forever, with great endurance and skill in technical downhills. However, much like Garby, Gregaard lacks the punch and TT ability to become a GC contender at this level. He's working on that, but he's still so far behind that it remains to be seen where his ceiling really lies.
Carlsberg had more young talents than ever before. none of them project to be world beaters, but they could all be staples of the team's core for the next decade. And who knows who else might join the party. At least the future doesn't look to bleak.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Atlantius wrote:
While Aviv obviously isn't a big scorer he have shown good spirit getting into several breaks this year.
Yes, indeed. That type of riding has always been part of my team's identity, and it was great to see him in breaks. Hopefully that continues as both he and his competition improve.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
The renewals phase of the MG season drew on longer than usual this time around, and it stands to reason that negotiations were thus extremely heated for most teams, including Carlsberg - Danske. As always, let's take a look at how their roster has shaken up.
We always start with retirements, and while this year contained only one, it held the weight of about fifty. Marc De Maar has decided to hang up his wheels this offseason at the age at the age of 35.
To list off De Maar's palmares with the team would be a tremendous understatement to his importance. Of course, they are extremely impressive. After transferring from the now defunct Quickstep for his age 31 season, De Maar got off to a hot start by taking Carlsberg's first stage race GC victory in the Benelux Challenge. Over the course of the season, he would win three more classics and stages with a plethora of podiums, eventually finishing 4th overall in the CT individual rankings. The following year he was an important leader in Carlsberg's successful promotion campaign. Upon the move to PCT and as age wore him down, he took on a more limited road captain and domestique role, while still contributing some points.
However, to define him by his points tally is to totally misunderstand his role with the team he called home the past four years. When he joined Carlsberg, they were a lost CT bottom dweller led by inexperienced management and without any true leaders. From day one, De Maar set out to change that situation, forging a winning culture by example for his teammates. This put the team in a position to leap a division on the backs of young riders. Through last season, he remained an important fixture on the team bus. And while guys like Juul-Jensen and Vanspeybroeck had become the team's classics point scorers, De Maar remained the person riders looked to for guidance and support.
Team manager baseballover312 spoke briefly about De Maar's decision:
"It's always difficult to see a rider like De Maar go. He knew that with what he's given to our organization, he had a new contract every year until he felt like stopping. But he also did not want to hold us back. I could go on and on about his contributions to this team in what seems like decades, but was only four years. It would all be an understatement. In essence, he has been this team's soul and legacy in his time here. And we're forever thankful. We're extremely happy he's staying with us now that his riding days are over."
As bbl mentioned, De Maar now transitions to a directeur sportif role for the upcoming season, and will remain with the team in that capacity going forward.
Three more riders have left the team as well. The first is Jasper Stuyven, who transferred from Lierse last offseason. Reports from Carlsberg and his agent say that negotiations went down to the wire. Ultimately, Stuyven thought he deserved a significant raise due to his performance in the Volta a Portugal, which Carlsberg was not willing to give on the premise of its unpredictability. He thus becomes a free agent.
Next is Michael Faerk Christensen, a time trialist who transferred from Grieg with Christopher Juul-Jensen back in 2017. Christensen had some decent results, but was overall underwhelming in both his time trialing and leadout duties, where his flat skills figured to make him an important leadout piece, but never truly showed themselves in a prominent way. With his declining skillset, he was not able to reach an agreement with the team, and thus has been released.
Finally, Filip Bengtsson leaves the team after being a stagiare for the second time last year. He showed some sprinting speed in his junior days, but it has not translated in three tries at the pro level, and thus it remains unknown if he will get another shot.
Additionally, Carlsberg sent a press release to us to announce their gratitude for the services of Mads Wurtz and Rasmus Tiller, each who spent last season with Carlsberg, and have been returned to their original teams - Grieg and Volvo respectively.
With that being said, a whopping 24 riders remain under contract with Carlsberg heading into the transfer season.
First off, congrats to two stagiares, Arturs Belevics and Erik Nordsaeter Resell on getting their first full time pro contracts!
Surprisingly, most of Carlsberg's riders received paycuts this offseason. Christopher Juul-Jensen, Davide Appollonio,Ramon Sinkeldam, and Andre Steensen all had their wages lowered slightly. Frederik Nolf, Marc Christian Garby, and Asbjorn Kragh Andersen went down by significant margins.
Only two riders received a raise - Thomas Vedel Kvist and Pieter Vanspeybroeck. Kvist's was only only 10,000 euros, and does not figure to be very crippling. Vanspeybroeck's however, was far more, going from 400,000 to 465,000.
Given his performance last season, it's hard to see how this happened. Yes, VSB finished 21st in the individual rankings, but given his team support and skill level, this was still less than was expected of him going into the season. In negotiations however, he was staunch on receiving a considerable raise. Ultimately, Carlsberg were able to talk him down from his original demands, but were forced to cave and meet him half way. Understandably, they were likely too afraid too watch him walk in free agency, which would mean losing out on a considerable transfer fee. For that reason, it remains to be seen where his place on the team is going forward, if he has one at all.
With renewals done, the transfer season is about to begin. Stay tuned to Carlsberg's HQ on our website for the most up to date rumors on who might be leaving the team on Friday! We're sure to see some drama unfold as Carlsberg look to finally move up the PCT pack.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
Edited by baseballlover312 on 18-09-2019 20:47
Marc De Maar - What a cool rider he was for you! Absolute team legend!
The press release sound like a Vanspeybrouck sell is definitely on the card. Not too surprising after the season though
Cool to see Belevics earning a contract. He never made it onto a shortlist for me for obvious reasons but im glad for every latvian that gets a contract somewhere
knockout wrote:
Marc De Maar - What a cool rider he was for you! Absolute team legend!
The press release sound like a Vanspeybrouck sell is definitely on the card. Not too surprising after the season though
Cool to see Belevics earning a contract. He never made it onto a shortlist for me for obvious reasons but im glad for every latvian that gets a contract somewhere
De Maar lives on in our hearts.
VSB may very well be on the market. More to come on that in my availability post tonight.
It certainly was not a given that Belevics would earn a pro deal, but he won the Latvian TT NC and I'm quite excited to see his potential pan out, so I had to give it to him.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Even after the season Vanspeybroeck continues to haunt you. Stuyven back on the market is surprising, he kinda kept you in the PCT at the end iirc. And yes, a sad day to see De Maar retire.
Ollfardh wrote:
Even after the season Vanspeybroeck continues to haunt you. Stuyven back on the market is surprising, he kinda kept you in the PCT at the end iirc. And yes, a sad day to see De Maar retire.
Indeed about VSB. Stuyven was not someone I wanted to lose at all. In the end those points must have made him want a big raise, and he wouldn't agree to my compromises. His performance in Portugal was great, but it was also lucky. I couldn't give in to overpaying him and then just hope PCM AI lets it happen again, so in the end he walked.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
With each year, Carlsberg seems to struggle through the transfer season, leading to a lackluster season performance. One discipline in particular which they've struggled at has been selling riders. In the 2017 transfer season, it was Mitch Docker who had immense trouble finding a new home. Last season, the search for a stage racer collapsed mid-week, leading to Frederik Nolf remaining with the team in an ill-fated consolidation of the classics squad. This year, the team hopes for some more successful action.
By keeping an eye on the rumor mill and referring to our contacts within team management, we've constructed a list of likelihoods with regards to potential availability of riders this upcoming transfer season. Again, these are not concrete, official reports, and should not be taken as pure fact. They are simply assumptions based on our sources. Generally, though, they tend to be fairly accurate.
First Name
Last Name
Availability
Pieter
Vanspeybrouck
Likely
Christopher
Juul-Jensen
No
Frederik
Nolf
Yes
Davide
Appollonio
Unlikely
Asbjorn
Kragh Andersen
No
Ramon
Sinkeldam
Maybe
Marc Christian
Garby
Unlikely
Thomas Vedel
Kvist
Likely
Andre
Steensen
Maybe
Niklas
Eg
No
Jesper
Hansen
Unlikely
Niki
Ostergaard
No
Christian
Ranneries
Unlikely
Gaetan
Pons
Maybe
Rasmus
Quaade
Yes
Max
Oste-Macdonald
Likely
Martin
Schoffmann
Maybe
Aviv
Yechezkel
Maybe
Patrick
Olesen
Unlikely
Kasper
Asgreen
Maybe
Jonas
Gregaard
Unlikely
Mathias
Krigbaum
Unlikely
Erik Nordsaeter
Resell
Maybe
Arturs
Belevics
Maybe
The greatest overhaul seems to be coming in the cobbles department, where Nolf seems to be once again expendable. His greatly decreased wage this season should make him a more viable target than last time around. Vanspeybroeck too may be on his way out, after a disappointing season and tense contract negotiations. This would leave Carlsberg with a massive hole in the cobbles department, a discipline they've always put pride in, but have not always had great success with. Also interesting are the rumors that some young talents could possibly leave the team.
We asked team manager baseballlover312 for his own comments ahead of the window. Here's what he had to say.
"It's no secret that our team struggled at times last year, and has a few gaping holes. Notably, we haven't had a legitimate climber or stage racer since our promotion to PCT, and it has been very hard to overcome that deficiency. Obviously, we aim to remedy that and will be inquiring on how to do so effectively. Whilst we have some cap space and money to play with, chances are those holes will need to be filled by delegating money from other areas where we may have not been getting much value in the past.
However, I want to remain clear that we do not need to sell anyone for peanuts. We value loyalty and continuity as much as always, and we have faith in almost every guy in our team. Certain things will need to be looked at from a business perspective, and I'm ready to do that, but we are not in panic mode."
As much as one tries not to read too much into these ambiguous and often times deceptive comments, bbl's use of "almost every guy" seems to indicate at least a couple of guys have their days in Carlsberg green numbered.
Additionally, sources tell us that Niklas Eg, the 24 year old stage racer from Kibæk, will be looking for a PT loan this upcoming transfer season to reach his full potential. With his climbing and time trialing ability, he could already make a great domestique for PT leaders.
The transfer window opens in only two days. It reckons to be as hectic and exciting as always. Keep checking in for up to date news and reactions.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Another transfer season is over, and in what seems almost like a gag at this point, Carlsberg have once again failed to fulfill their goals. In fact, the team is probably worse than last year, when they just barely survived the relegation fight.
We are still yet to be able to confirm who is joining the team for the upcoming season, but we can confirm that 4 riders who signed contracts with the team over the past winter, are no longer on the roster.
Team manager baseballlover312 also spoke on the departures.
Frederik Nolf - Cobbles - 2017-2018
To say Frederik Nolf's time at Carlsberg was infamous would not even begin to give it justice. Signing for big money as a leader on the cobbles, his results soon left only disappointment. Heated contract renewals, a failed attempt to sell him, and another anonymous year failing at being a super domestique followed. All the while, he was seemingly a disruptive presence for the team on the road and in the team bus. His best result in two years was his 6th at the 2017 East Midlands Classic - a race with no points available. That pretty much says it all. His time with Carlsberg finally comes to and end now, as he transfers to lead Carrefour - ESPN in 2019.
"I'm sure Frederik will be a great rider now that he's gone. I remember signing him knowing that was a rider he had been before. Unfortunately, he didn't seem to want to be that rider for us, in any role. Selling him was the only option. So he's found himself a new home, where he can put up or shut up once and for all."
Max Oste-Macdonald - Climber - 2016-2018
Oste-MacDonald was the exact opposite of a Frederik Nolf. He always did what was asked of him, and rarely made a fuss. After transferring from what was then Spotify, Max was a key domestique for Marc Christian Garby's success in the team's 2016 promotion campaign, where he also got a stage win. After being released that winter, he eventually re-signed and spent two more years with the team. In the end, he chose to go to a CT team where he'd have a more prominent role, transferring to BNZ Cycling in a swap for Nathan Haas.
"Max is a friend of the team and a great workhorse for us the last few years. Ultimately though, we got a deal that we thought helped us going forward, and he liked the idea of moving down a division, so that's how it went. No hard feelings at all, and we're proud to have had him in our jersey for three years."
Rasmus Quaade - Time Trialist - 2017-2018
Unfortunately the one accomplishment Rasmus Quaade had in Carlsberg colors was not for rankings points, but winning the Danish ITT National Championships in 2017. He wore the jersey with pride this past season, unfortunately losing it at the end of the year. besides that, he was fairly anonymous the past couple of years. Carlsberg never have had much of a TTT squad, and it was hard for him to get individual results in PCT. He transfers to Podium Ambition, where he'll be an important cog of their TTT machine.
"We're happy Rasmus did our home country proud and brought some recognition to the team in that way, but his talents never really fit our focus, and that didn't benefit anyone, so now he'll go to a place where he can really be useful."
Gaetan Pons - Sprinter - 2018
Like Quaade, winning the Luxembourg NC was Gaetan Pons' biggest accomplishment so far as a pro, and he did it only a couple of months ago. Unfortunately, he'll never have a Carlsberg version of that jersey, as he was traded to Festina for Fabbro, and then flipped to ENI-MOL, where he hopes to have success this year in his home colors.
"Pons is a crafty young rider. Not flashy, just sneaks his way into relevance in ways most people don't think of. We were happy for the opportuity for him to sport an NC jersey for us this year, but ultimately, other transfers got in the way. We wish him all the best."
As is sometimes the case, the story of the transfer season is who didn't get sold. In this year's case, it's Pieter Vanspeybrouck, who remains the team's cobbled leader despite a disappointing 2018 campaign. He'll hope to bounce back without Nolf by his side.
We'll soon be back with more coverage, including previews of who came on board in the past week.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Despite losing four riders, Carlsberg only acquired three riders who have maxed out their potential this offseason, as part of a seemingly incidental focus on talent development.
Lawrence Warbasse - $110,000 - From: Festina (Andorra)
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
70
78
75
74
75
73
72
58
60
65
72
68
74
It's obvious that Larry Warbasse wasn't Carlsberg's first choice of a stage racer this season. They stated getting a top climbing gun as their goal going into the period, and rumors have it that they were in on at least four stage racers for big money throughout the transfer season. Unfortunately, all those fell through, and in a desperate punt, they splurged on Larry Warbasse instead, who transferred from Andorra via the middle man of Festina. While Warbasse isn't a top stage racer by any means, he is definitely the most well rounded stage racer Carlsberg have ever had. Thus, he hopes to score minor points often throughout the year, either on his own, or complemented by the pure climbing of Garby.
Nathan Haas - $55,000 - From: BNZ
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
71
65
76
68
76
72
67
63
68
73
76
63
68
Haas certainly isn't anything special, and has not been brought in as a leader. Rather, he was swapped for Max Oste-Macdonald as an attempt to replace the whole left by Jasper Stuyven, who elected free agency this past renewals period. Haas is a pretty standard puncheur domestique. Good on the hills, decent kick, and loves to attack. He'll be shadowing Juul-Jensen this season.
Jonas Bjelkmark - $50,000 - From: Adastra (FA)
Flat
Mtn
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Spr
Acc
Fig
Dwn
Pro
70
75
68
73
73
73
73
59
60
64
68
62
73
With Oste-Macdonald gone, Carlsberg were missing two key roles on their team - a stage race domestique, and a Swede. Bjelkmark fills both roles. While he's not terrific on the hills, he is a great domestique in the mountains and can hold his own in TT's, which should make him a key domestique for a guy like Warbasse throughout the season, especially in races that feature a TTT.
Team Manager baseballlover312 wrote on the arrivals:
"It's certainly no secret that we wanted more out of this transfer season, particularly a stage racer. It didn't happen, and only I am to blame. We were engaged in multiple different talks at times where we thought a deal was very close, even imminent, and could never get the other managers to pull the trigger. It's frustrating to be in the same position for the third straight year, hoping to stave off relegation after we make somewhat lateral moves in the offseason. But in this case, the blame is only mine. We definitely have a better culture on the team bus this year, and hopefully that helps us finish high enough once again. Otherwise, our talent splurge is going to go to waste."
In addition, Carlsberg welcome Tobias Foss on loan from Aker this season, who looks to develop his own stage racing ability at a lower level than his parent team.
The Danish Squad also added a whopping 5 young talents this offseason, some with enormous potential, which we will cover in a future recap. For a second straight year, there's plenty of youth on the horizon, if they can stay afloat long enough to see it prosper.
Mr. Pickles
Sporting News
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
I was shocked when you picked up Warbasse instead of my brilliant offer for Intxausti but you do have a Latvian on your squad and I believe that's enough to have a good season
Given the late scramble for riders that seemed to ensue after holding out hopes for landing an MG 'god' fell through, I think the chips have fallen pretty well for Carlsberg - Danske Bank given how the situation looked 48-72 hours out from the end of the transfer window. More money spent on some recruits than perhaps optimal, but at the end of the day, it does little use having money in the bank when points on the board are what is needed!
I'm assuming that the big spending has left little/no money for training which is a shame as I feel given your regional focus, AKA would be a fun candidate to build up given his age and existing profile (imo). Maybe next year as more of the existing MG sprint elite feel the inevitable impact of age!
quadsas wrote:
I was shocked when you picked up Warbasse instead of my brilliant offer for Intxausti but you do have a Latvian on your squad and I believe that's enough to have a good season
There was no doubt Intxausti would have been a choice for this year, but in the end, the wage/fee disparity meant that it was either him or Warbasse, Fabbro, Aranburu, and Kamna. In the end, I took a risk by choosing the latter option and hoping that I'll stay up long enough for it to pay off. We'll certainly see though. I for one am excited to see Intxausti dominate CT for you!
Yellow Jersey wrote:
Really looking forward to seeing how Warbasse will deal as a leader and with the transfer to PCM18, I think he'll do quite good!
That's definitely what I'm hoping. His low acceleration always made him less of a threat in PCM 15 I feel. Hopefully with the new game his balanced main stats will take control, and he'll at least score some decent points.
Scorchio wrote:
Given the late scramble for riders that seemed to ensue after holding out hopes for landing an MG 'god' fell through, I think the chips have fallen pretty well for Carlsberg - Danske Bank given how the situation looked 48-72 hours out from the end of the transfer window. More money spent on some recruits than perhaps optimal, but at the end of the day, it does little use having money in the bank when points on the board are what is needed!
I'm assuming that the big spending has left little/no money for training which is a shame as I feel given your regional focus, AKA would be a fun candidate to build up given his age and existing profile (imo). Maybe next year as more of the existing MG sprint elite feel the inevitable impact of age!
That's pretty much what I was thinking. At the time, I had a ton of cash and very few options. As you said, training was definitely one of them, as I could have gotten AKA's sprint to 81. But ultimately, I felt like I had to make the move more likely to help me stave off relegation, and this was a slightly more favorable option to me in that regard. I don't think training AKA would have helped me enough scoring wise.
Ultimately though, I do hope to do some serious training in the coming years if I can get enough leaders together to make relegation not the issue. Whether it's AKA or a younger guy that's still maxing, depends on when I get those funds.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Niklas Eg 
Aviv Yechezkel 
Marc De Maar has decided to hang up his wheels this offseason at the age at the age of 35.
Jasper Stuyven, who transferred from Lierse last offseason. Reports from Carlsberg and his agent say that negotiations went down to the wire. Ultimately, Stuyven thought he deserved a significant raise due to his performance in the Volta a Portugal, which Carlsberg was not willing to give on the premise of its unpredictability. He thus becomes a free agent.
Filip Bengtsson leaves the team after being a stagiare for the second time last year. He showed some sprinting speed in his junior days, but it has not translated in three tries at the pro level, and thus it remains unknown if he will get another shot.
Rasmus Tiller, each who spent last season with Carlsberg, and have been returned to their original teams - Grieg and Volvo respectively.
Arturs Belevics and 
Davide Appollonio, 
Ramon Sinkeldam, and 
Gaetan
Martin
Lawrence Warbasse - $110,000 - From: Festina (Andorra)
Nathan Haas - $55,000 - From: BNZ
