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Dreams of a Viper
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 09:44
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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There is a time in life where you need to take a decision:
Chase your dreams or change them.
Lift your game or leave it.
Go hard or go home.
I took the decision.
I am a chaser.
I am a dreamer.
I am a performer.
I am 110% in.
You may not know a lot about me. In fact, not a lot of people do. For friends I'm just a normal guy. But that's not what you need to know. My enemies call me The Viper.
Remember that name.
You've now finished the introduction to the character of Saso Grželjak, a 20-year old cyclist from Croatia. Apart from his unusual name (which happens the result of a happy marriage between a Croatian and a Czech lady), you may have encountered some other things that look weird in first place, but are carefully placed to introduce you to the character of The Viper.
Setting: As you may have guessed, this is not a PCM based story. It is also not something that will advance very quick or flashy. In fact, this story surely will be the slowest story on daily. Why? Because this aims at being a real-life timed story. What does that imply? Saso is basically a character that is part of the real world: The same person will win the Tour de France in 2020 (if Corona doesn't stop it from happenning), Donald Trump will sadly still be "president" of the US. Just with one little twist:
Saso, as a very determined character, will try to influence this setting. Right now he is just a small cyclist in an Asian Continental Team. But if he becomes better and better as the story advances, the scenery of this story will change. And maybe, just maybe, in a couple of years time he will have an impact on the Tour de France itself. It's just a path full of sticks and stones and tough ramps to climb.
Whether that will ever happen is up to you, however. Saso has all the tools to become a great cyclist. But which type of cyclist will he become? What are his goals? Will he excel as a domestique in the PCT or can he make it all the way to the top and win a GT or a monument, maybe even achieve historical success? That is up to you.
How do you help Saso? Well basically you can influence everything. The races he requests to take part in, which areas of his game he emphasizes in training, what he does in the offseason, which teams he considers to sign contracts with once transfers come in, which tactics he may choose in races. Even whether he gets a pet for his free time or just trains harder. Heck, over the time you could even influence his personality.
As hinted towards already, you may not see a direct impact. But trust me, everything matters. Behind the scenes there is one huge sheet, which tracks and develops every comment, idea and proposal from this thread and turns it into both ideas and numbers. Long term, especially these numbers influence everything: Development of rider skills, development of the character, whatever you may think of.
Speaking of numbers: Just to give you a hint about what they are. The popular football manager of Sega most likely has the smoothest working numbers in a sports management game. This story has around double the numbers running in the background. Of course, quantity doesn't equal quality, but the point is that every action is decided by multiple parameters that you (more likely) indirectly and (sometimes) directly influence.
These numbers work on a scale from 0,01-10. They will be hidden for most of the time, there is one exemption however. On the last day of each month you are able to request for 1 stat to be revealed. Only the first 3 stats requested will be posted, and there will be only a post if the stat you request actually exists (which is a guessing game).
What's next? There is one thing to decide, and that is how to deal with the Corona-Virus. I'd like to race the Tour of Thailand, which would've originally taken place from the 1st to the 6th of April, to give you an example of how the story and reports may evolve, but then would stick to Corona-limitations afterwards. If there is no riot against this decision, in one way or another, there will be the first stage tomorrow evening.
On another note: This is very much an experimental idea. I have no clue how this long term project may work out, but the legend around the likes of sutty's Novo Nordisk story inspire me to give it a try. If most of the steady readers speak out against this idea I may reconsider this and go more for something like jandals "Life and Times" format of a shortened time span real-life story.
Which type of activity can be expected of this story? Complicated. At some points there will be daily race reports, the length and shape of it depending a lot on how much of a factor Saso was in the race. Obviously he'll tell a lot more about his race when he wins than if he worked 80k on the front of a peloton before dropping 50k before the finishing line. There will be subjective posts and also objective ones from a 3rd-person-viewpoint. Especially in offseason, there will be droughts, but I think that will ensure the health of this stories and also may fuel creativity in readers and writers. You are very much invited to write directives for whatever action, and especially in a race-free period those could have significant positive impacts on the career of Saso. There will also be loads of non-racing related posts, however you can be sure that both those and your reactions towards them have an impact on the game.
Also, the real-time pace gives me as the main writer the option to slow the story down for a couple of weeks in times where I need the resources for other daily-projects or real life activities. I want to ensure that other parts of my daily life can soak up my attention if needed, f.e. in times where Man-Game speeds up or that it's possible to run and participate in Storys and Story Games on this site.
One last note: If you read until here, then congratulations, now you should have everything set for becoming a valuable supporter of Saso's cycling career. Now I've thought a lot about opening up the possibility to readers to create their own personality in the "world of Saso". If you're enjoying the concept, feel that you have the stamina and the right touch for a very long lasting story, then hit me up via PM and we'll try to work out whether a buddy, bitter rival or just another character in this concept works well to double the fun.
Thank you for reading, I hope that we can enjoy & shape the story of The Viper together for a long time!
Edited by Croatia14 on 01-04-2020 20:57
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 09:44
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Season 0
#1 The Viper
#2 Breakthrough
#3 The First Contract
#4 Meridiana Announcement
#5 Not just a Screw in their System
#6 A surprising Turnaround
#7 Get to know...
Editorial Post
Season 1
#9 The first race as a Pro
#10 Vino everywhere
#11 Social media!?
#12 Thailand? Check
#13 Getting out somehow
#14 Kuala Lumpur
#15 Training directions
#16 Climbing the Zwift
#17 Q&A on the last Kuala Lumpur day
#18 Back Home
#19 Everest Challenge?
#20 It's getting closer
#21 The Viper tames the Croatian Everest
#22 What a startlist at my next race!
#23 Tales of Balea Lac
#24 Dracula shutting us down
Edited by Croatia14 on 24-07-2020 09:54
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 09:44
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Edited by Croatia14 on 04-04-2020 22:21
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 09:45
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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There is a time in life where you need to take a decision:
Chase your dreams or change them.
Lift your game or leave it.
Go hard or go home.
I took the decision.
I am a chaser.
I am a dreamer.
I am a performer.
I am 110% in.
You may not know a lot about me. In fact, not a lot of people do. For friends I'm just a normal guy. But that's not what you need to know. My enemies call me The Viper.
Remember that name.
Edited by Croatia14 on 22-03-2020 10:00
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 20-03-2020 09:55
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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I hope Laporte wins. 
Spoiler So does this post means Laporte wins green?
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 10:32
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 20:18
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 20-03-2020 10:46
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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This sounds exciting and weird and I'm here for it 
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 20-03-2020 10:55
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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RKO out of...NOWHERE!
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| Ripley |
Posted on 20-03-2020 12:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3341
Joined: 25-11-2014
PCM$: 300.00
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Awfully vague... should I write about traumatic childhood experiences?
Hmmm, how about cameo appearances from the RTG crew?
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| knockout |
Posted on 20-03-2020 16:44
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Spoiler This is ten percent luck
Twenty percent skill
Fifteen percent concentrated power of will
Five percent pleasure
Fifty percent pain
And a hundred percent reason to
Viva la viper
Spoiler oh is that a nasty crash by Laporte? Damn he could be out for years!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 20-03-2020 22:55
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Lol Viper, please let him be like the cobra, ricco 2.0
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 21-03-2020 06:24
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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From the GCN Race Coverage to the Army World Championships 2019 in Wuhan:
The race is over for these guys, it's all about the front now. But there, on the right there is a guy in the red and white on the attack. Hell we havent recognized yet that he made the select group, but that is one impressive move. He still seems to have the watts and outplayed the bunch of class riders. Such routine for a young rider, this is brilliant stuff.
Flame Rouge beckons and he still got a gap. This is magnificent. You can see him gritting his teeth and dig in even deeper. Can he hold on? Behind we see all the names we had on our list involved. It's not the win but it could be one of the most happiest bronze medal we have seen in a while.
[...] And he crosses the line in third. What a ride this has been! There has been no doubt about the two strongest here, Haller and Vosekalns, but this was some polished performance to hold off the bunch. His teammates were not as strong as we expected today, but he certainly impressed. Who'd have guessed that the young gun would be their best rider today and take the medal.
We don't know a lot about him, to be honest, our research was more focussed on his teammates on higher stakes for the race. It seems like in his home region they call him the Viper after solo-ing to a couple of wins in the under23 amateur ranks after being basically invisible all race before. Maybe we have to put him on the ladder as an outsider for the under 23 races this year. But if he stays at his place then how should he become competitive?
We just don't know. We know too few about this kid to judge him. This time he impressed. But can he translate his game to continue impressing against tougher competition?
Spoiler Thanks for all the people commenting that seem intrigued by the intro. It's nice to have you on board 
Also: I had the feeling that exactly that type of comment would come from you, knockout. Love it! |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 21-03-2020 14:37
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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Classic Kirby, just blabbering on the TV and not doing any research on the riders, maybe Kirby just came up with the nickname Viper at the spot 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-03-2020 09:54
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Dear Mr. Giallorenzo,
hereby I accept your contract offer. It's an honor to ride for a team with such reputation. Thank you as well for addressing my wishes and concerns in advance.
I'm very happy to be able to merge my track ambitions with road cycling. Soon we can start planning the calendar, as far as we can with the corona virus hindering every race in Europe at this point. Still I hope to peak for the major u23 races and the track competitions of course.
Thank you very much for your belief in my abilities and offering the chances you envisioned to me.
Saso |
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 22-03-2020 17:11
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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The viper slithers into a team, well done 
Looking forward to his first race.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-03-2020 18:45
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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AbhishekLFC wrote:
The viper slithers into a team, well done
Looking forward to his first race.
Did you figure out which one though? 
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 22-03-2020 19:01
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World Champion
Posts: 11392
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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He’s going to be riding with Davide Rebellin himself? 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT]  Xero Racing
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| Shonak |
Posted on 22-03-2020 20:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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The Viper doesn't sign his letters with the Viper. Sounds like a forgery.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| Shonak |
Posted on 22-03-2020 20:26
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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jandal7 wrote:
He’s going to be riding with Davide Rebellin himself?
Nice spot. Meridiana and Croatia to become a powerhouse in cycling in the next 10 years confirmed. 
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 22-03-2020 21:44
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Team Manager
Posts: 6508
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1090.00
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When was this championship race, though? Is he still in Wuhan? Or did he get out? And did he go on to meet with Mr. Giallorenzo in person before accepting the contract offer, maybe somewhere in the Lombardy region ...?
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