Season No. 4 is in the books. I picked up a career-high four wins and solidified myself as an up-and-coming talent on the Great Britain cycling scene. My time with EvoPro Racing, however, has come to an end.
I've signed a one-year deal with SEG Racing Academy for the 2022 cycling season. I can't wait to return to the Continental Pro circuit and hopefully get a few Pro Tour wildcard chances — pushing to get a long-term contract in the future.
But, before jumping ahead, a look back at the 2021 season.
A new age of cycling, following the abandonment of the women's UCI World Tour, sees 87 cyclists register for the Entry Draft.
Each Pro Tour received two draft picks (serpentine style with new promoted teams drafting first and the champions at the end before being reversed). Then PCT teams could each send in one bid for the remaining cyclists. Any cyclists left in the pool after that point are free agents and may sign with anyone.
First round draft picks received two-year deals at 9,500 per month. Second round draft picks received one-year deals for 4,500 per month. PCT signings were given one-year deals for 2,500 per month. Free agents can negotiate own contracts.
A handful of draft picks were forfeited because the team already had a full squad.
All sponsors remain the same from the 2021 season.
2022 SEG Racing Academy
A more in-depth team preview in an upcoming update.
Evaluation
*Diamond is currently on holiday, so no training ride*
Girl Power: SEG Racing Academy is in the market to bring in 2-3 more female cyclists for the 2022 season to join Alex Vogel and Elizabeth Deignan. Vogel has already requested for childhood friend Sabrina Stultiens to be brought in. No surprise.
Who else should SEG Racing Academy consider? The undrafted talent pool (in alphabetical order) can be view below, or feel free to scout out another cyclist that went overlooked altogether.
I highly recommend unscouted Lucy van der Haar gets signed.
Out of the list given I'd recommend Chantel van den Broeck-Blaak, as she could add some depth to the classics department, but my preference would be Lucy if only one of those 2 gets signed.
Can't deny the experience and class Chantel van den Broeck-Blaak would bring (along with Deignan, great pickup!). SEG is looking sweet for 2022, that top 6 should be a ticket to the WT and a lot of fun this year!
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
Before we can get to highly anticipated World Cup draw, there was some miscommunication with the team that I have to clear up.
I thought I was guaranteed a spot on Nigeria's African Championship of Nations (CHAN) roster. However, I was informed today that isn't the case. Per rules of the competition, Nigeria's squad can only contain Nigeria players currently playing club football in Nigeria. So, yeah, I'm obviously not eligible.
Sorry about the confusion. Moving on.
The World Cup draw. I invited Alex Vogel over to my apartment and we watched the drama unfold on my shitty laptop. The stream kept buffering and glitching out, which ruined a lot of the excitement. But, nevertheless, the World Cup draw:
Spoiler
Given the current world rankings, we are projected to reach the Round of 16. Belgium (11th ranked) are the heavy favourites followed by Nigeria (35th), Costa Rica (65th) and event hosts China (101st).
So, yeah, a great draw for us. Although, taking a peak down at Group B — the Group of Death — there is no way we would get an easy game in the Round of 16. But, that's probably looking too far ahead.
Vogel was somewhat pleased with Holland's draw. The Netherlands are currently ranked second in the world, so look for them to make a deep run. No. 5-ranked England also got a favorable draw.
After dissecting the bracket for a couple of hours, FIFA eventually released the tournament schedule. I knew it was a strong possibility, but now it's a reality. The first game of the 2022 World Cups is going to be China against Nigeria. All eyes are going to be on us.
Five days later, we will play Belgium in the second game. That leaves Costa Rica to close out the group stage on June 21st. Probably not the best order to play these teams, especially with China get an extreme home crowd advantage in the first game of the tournament.
But, still, we can get through if we play our game.
Jay-Jay Okocha has scheduled four friendlies to get us ready for the big stage: at Zimbabwe (117th) on March 25, vs. Kenya (106th) on March 29, vs. Ethiopia (93rd) on May 31 and vs. Brazil (10th) on June 3.
Feeling fatigued, Helmond Sport rested me on Dec. 3 and the team pulled out a thrilling 3-2 win over FC Dordrecht. Nassim Amaarouk scored the game-winning goal in last minute of stoppage time. Three more games this month.
Match Day #21 at Jong Ajax (9-4-7)
December 10, 2021
Beat them to open the season, then suffered a 10-game unbeaten streak.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 1, Jong Ajax 0
Summary: One chance, one goal. Sometimes that is all you need. Jong Ajax had three times as many quality scoring chances, but Jordy Thomassen scores the lone goal for Helmond Sport in the 14th minute.
Rating: 6.7 - Nasty weather in this one. 35 degrees Fahrenheit (2C) with spurts of hail raining down. I wish I would have sat this game instead.
Player of Game: Furhgill Zeldenrust, Helmond Sport (7.3)
Match Day #22 at Almere City (6-10-5)
December 17, 2021
Almere scored two late goals to upend us last time out. Payback?
Spoiler
Almere City 2, Helmond Sport 1
Summary: Almere City does it against. They counter attack to a 2-1 win. These are points Helmond Sport will want back at the end of the season.
Rating: 6.7 - Found the head of Jeroen Verkennis on a well designed free kick to notch my fifth assist of the season.
Player of Game: Jeroen Verkennis, Helmond Sport (7.6)
Match Day #23 vs. MVV (6-10-7)
December 24, 2021
Looking for an early Christmas present.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 2, MVV 1
Summary: Two goals in the first 12 minutes got the job done. Furhgill Zeldenrust and Arne Naudts both getting on the score sheet.
Rating: 6.6 - Another poor game from me. But we got the win.
Player of Game: Furhgill Zeldenrust, Helmond Sport (7.6)
League Standings (23/38 Games Played)
What a turnaround from the boys. Right in the hunt as the season starts to dwindle down. SC Cambuur and De Graafschap have already locked up playoff spots by winning the first and second periods, while youth teams Jong Ajax and Jong PSV are obviously not allowed to promote.
Calendar
Club
International
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Lock Lifted (Resolved): Anticipation has been unlocked.
Stat Lock: Don't get to distracted by the World Cup draw and the new updated head shot for Marcus Diamond. Still a rubbish month for the capped Nigerian. One stat lock incoming. Any attribute that doesn't receive at least two upgrade points is at-risk.
Belgium, China and Costa Rica gives you a good chance of progressing out of the group, If you avoid France in the second round I think you would have a 50/50 game against the other nations in Group B, especially if Portugal no longer have Ronaldo, it's the round after that would worry me, 1 of Argentina, Brazil, Croatia or Italy would be a very tough match.
Edit: Realised Positioning was already safe so switched to Concentration.
The new season is almost upon us. I've officially moved out of Ireland and have settled into a three bedroom apartment with Alex Vogel and Sabrina Stultiens. Yep, Alex got her wish and convinced the team to sign Sabrina for the season.
Some would say it would be strange for a single male like myself to share an apartment with two single females, but here we are just teammates and friends. Plus, I'm usually traveling a lot with football as well so I'm hardly around.
Not to mention, Alex has already friend zoned me hard and Sabrina isn't really my type. The influx of females racing now has also really taken my mind off Alycia Debnam-Carey lately. We haven't talked in months. But, I hope she is doing well.
Sorry, I got a little distracted there. What was the purpose of this update again?
Oh, yeah, the season preview. That's why you are here. Here you go.
The Captains
Complete 2022 Squad
My Thoughts
Lucy van der Haar took a risk not signing up for the Entry Draft because she wanted to race on the same team with her younger sister, Grace Garner. SEG agreed to those terms and happily signed both of them to contracts.
Fellow British female cyclist Elizabeth Deignan was another great pickup, but has decided to make this her farewell tour. Deignan announced she will retire at the end of the season to spend more time with her family — husband Philip Deignan, who retired this offseason, and their young daughter Orla.
Rounding out the females is Sabrina Stultiens, who brings the energy and enthusiasm more than anything. Hard to catch her not smiling or laughing.
And, of course, last but not least is flat specialist Alex Vogel, who is obviously just amazing (...she is currently reading over my shoulder while I type this).
Rumor has it the team also sent an offer to Chantel van den Broeck-Blaak, but the Dutch classics specialist signed with Pro Tour squad Team Sunweb instead.
As for the boys, Bram Welten and Ramon Sinkeldam are solid sprinters. Welten still has a few good years ahead, while Sinkeldam is on his way out of the sport.
But, the main star has to be 24-year-old Ecuadorian RR champion Jhonatan Narvaez. The team is looking for him to headline a strong group of upcoming youngsters like myself, Sergio Samuel, David Dekker, Thymen Arensman, Cedric Beukenkamp, Welten and Garner.
Early season predictions have us fighting for a top 5 spot on the PCT circuit.
Marcus Diamond's 2022 Race Schedule
*Pending invitation*
Date
Race
Top 3 Past Results
Jan. 24-27
Sharjah Tour (S4)
--
Feb. 24
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
--
Feb. 27
Le Samyn
--
Mar. 10
Ronde van Drenthe
22nd (2020)
Mar. 14
Danilith Nokere Koerse
6th (2020)
Mar. 16
Handzame Classic
--
Mar. 28
Dwars door Vlaanderen
--
Apr. 4
Scheldeprijs
--
Apr. 11
Brabantse Pijl
--
Apr. 20-22
Vuelta a Castilla y Leon (S3)
4th (2020)
May 3-6
Tour de Yorkshire (S4)
5th ('21), 6th ('20), 9th ('19)
May 13
P. van Noord-Holland
14th (2021)
May 23-27
Baloise Belgium Tour (S5)
--
June 28
GB ITT Championship*
23rd ('21), 31st ('19), 15th ('18)
July 1
GB RR Championship*
18th (2021), DQ (2019)
July 25
Grand Prix Cerami
--
July 27-31
Tour de Wallonie (S5)
--
Aug. 9-12
Czech Cycling Tour (S4)
1st (2021), 8th (2020)
Aug. 16-19
Arctic Race of Norway (S4)
--
Aug. 22
Veenendaal Classic
--
Sept. 2-9
Tour of Britain (S8)
5th (2019), 20th (2018)
Sept. 27
F. Ardennes Classic
16th (2020)
Sept. 30
World RR Championship*
47th (2021) 48th (2020)
Oct. 13
Tacx Pro Classic
--
Evaluation
Offseason Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades
Work Hard or Play Hard: How to spend the final days of the offseason?
(Option A) Work Hard: Any stat that hits the threshold needed to be upgraded during this training ride will be increased an additional stat level. A maximum of three stats can receive this one-time boost.
(Option B) Play Hard: Help Alex Vogel and Sabrina Stultiens to host a team welcome party at a local bar. Doing so will drastic raise Diamond's likability with the team and reduce his reputation as a selfish cyclist.
Is there some way I can sign Alex Vogel for my MG team? What a rider And Marcus too of course, really loving how he's looking.
SEG like I said last time look like such a great team and I think they'll take the PCT on in a big way, looking forward to it Tough choice with two nice benefits but it has to be Option B - fresh start with an awesome team with really awesome potential in that young core of great riders, let's make some bonds with them
+3 COB, don't usually go for that but I have a feeling this could be a breakthrough (not quite to the top level but semi-top) spring classics campaign for Marcus, and with two WT classics he should be prepared for stiff competition
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
VoetsT wrote:
The start of a new season is a good time to start following
One quick question, how do you get those screenshot of stats? That doesn't seem standard PCM.
Welcome aboard! Don't forget to do stat increases to help Marcus Diamond improve and also choose an Option scenario at the end of most updates. The community is the driving force that shapes the outcome of this story.
As for the screenshots of stats, a huge shout out goes to the 2018 PCM Career Explorer by TiemenD. It's an excellent tool for anybody still playing career mode in PCM18. The latest version can be downloaded here. Can't recommend enough.
VoetsT wrote:
The start of a new season is a good time to start following
One quick question, how do you get those screenshot of stats? That doesn't seem standard PCM.
Welcome aboard! Don't forget to do stat increases to help Marcus Diamond improve and also choose an Option scenario at the end of most updates. The community is the driving force that shapes the outcome of this story.
As for the screenshots of stats, a huge shout out goes to the 2018 PCM Career Explorer by TiemenD. It's an excellent tool for anybody still playing career mode in PCM18. The latest version can be downloaded here. Can't recommend enough.
Thanks, will try if it works with PCM2019 as well.
I would say +3 sprint and option A
Gone for +3 Cobbles as Marcus really needs to push on this season and try to convince a team that he is worth getting a little more help on that terrain for.
And I've gone for option B to try and reverse that reputation and really impress his new teammates.
This squad looks strong and could very well go up, hopefully Marcus does enough to reup with the team at the end of the season and maybe now they've got Lucy they could target Lars for next season too as I think he'd be a good addition.
Full steam ahead. Games are getting more and more important, especially this month with the mid-season transfer window opening up. Although, I'm more focused on getting myself in the best form possible leading up to the World Cup.
Friendly vs. VVV
January 8, 2022
Mid-season scrimmage against an Eredivisie foe to shake off holiday rust.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 1, VVV 1
Summary: When these two Dutch sides from different leagues met in late July for a pre-season friendly, a 1-1 draw commenced. Well, they still can't be separated. Another 1-1 tie, where the stats favor Helmond Sport. The tier-two underdogs did lose striker Daan Ibrahim with a bruised toe, but he should be fine and ready to go again in a couple of days.
Rating: 6.7 - Just needed to get back on the pitch and play a full 90 minutes. The fact we held our own against an Eredivisie is a nice confidence boost.
Player of Game: Casper Tengstedt, VVV (8.3)
Match Day #24 at FC Emmen (7-6-10)
January 14, 2022
Mid-table clash: Both sides are tied for 10th in the standings on 31pts.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 4, FC Emmen 2
Summary: Helmond Sport rescues a dramatic 4-2 win with three goals in the final 15 minutes. Arne Naudts made a huge impact off the bench with two assists. A pair of goals for Jordy Thomassen and Giovanni Hiwat.
Rating: 7.2 - Not the best rating, but put this assist clip on a highlight reel somewhere. The stop and go move to beat a defender on the sideline and then slip Hiwat in for the fourth and final goal of the game.
Player of Game: Giovanni Hiwat, Helmond Sport (9.1)
Match Day #25 at SC Cambuur (13-4-7)
January 21, 2022
Some nice form from us lately, so best time to face the league leaders.
Spoiler
SC Cambuur 2, Helmond Sport 0
Summary: Any swagger Helmond Sport had coming into this road match was taken away on a questionable penalty decision gifted to SC Cambuur in the 33rd minute. Mathias Schils slotted in the goal and the rest was history. Danny Bakker added a second tally late on a counter attack.
Rating: 6.6 - Referees gave SC Cambuur this win. Frustrating.
Player of Game: Danny Bakker, SC Cambuur (8.5)
Match Day #26 vs. Sparta (11-4-10)
January 28, 2022
To have any chance at winning this 9-game Third Period, a must-win.
Spoiler
Helmond Sport 2, Sparta 1
Summary: Helmond Sport took it to Sparta in the first half, but couldn't find a goal. Marcus Diamond had the best chance off a rebound. Staring at a wide-open net, Diamond found the goalie racing back to recover.
Diamond was then pulled in the 56th minute for unknown reasons. Furhgill Zeldenrust came off the bench to break the deadlock in the 70th minute. Sparta equalized 11 minutes later, but Jordy Thomassen delivered on a cross from Zeldenrust to score the game winner in the 84th minute.
Rating: 6.8 - I was shocked when coach decided to pull me off with a little over a half hour to play. In my earlier days I might have argued with him, but I guess he made the right decision. I mean, we won.
Player of Game: Furhgill Zeldenrust, Helmond Sport (7.7)
League Standings (26/38 Games Played)
With three games left in the Third Period, we are only a point behind NAC to at least sure at playoff spot. Feeder team Jong Ajax can't go up and SC Cambuur already has a playoff spot secured by winning the Second Period. We will face NAC in this Third Period in two weeks time.
Calendar
Club
International
In other international news, Nigeria advanced to the semifinals of the CHAN. In the group stage, they beat Tunisia (2-1) and Benin (2-0) and tied Angola (1-1). The Flying Eagles won 2-1 in the quarterfinals against Senegal.
Egypt, riding an eight-game win streak, awaits in the semis.
As for the friendlies going into that tournament, which only features domestic African players, Nigeria beat Madagascar (3-1) and was crushed by England (5-0).
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 5.0 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Locked stats can't be upgraded.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Lock (Resolved): Anticipation has been locked (again).
Stat Lock: Diamond's best rating of the month was 7.2. So, one stat lock incoming once again. Any attribute that doesn't receive at least two upgrade points is at-risk.
Wanted — Feyenoord: One of the most prestigious clubs in the Netherlands, Feyenoord, have offered nearly a million pounds to purchase Marcus Diamond in the final hours of the mid-season transfer window.
Feyenoord is currently second in the Eredivisie standings, six points behind Ajax. They are also using a 4-2-3-1 formation and could play Diamond at CAM or at two central midfield spots. Breaking into the Starting XI might be a challenge, but Feyenoord must like his potential if they are throwing this kind of money on the table.
This is the highest transfer offer Helmond Sport has ever received. The club is only valued at 2.65 million at the moment.
Management is going over the offer details right now, and they have asked Marcus Diamond to have his contract demands ready in short notice if he is willing to move. The Transfer Deadline Day clock is ticking.
Contract Demands
(Option A) 55,000 per month for 3 years, plus a goal bonus.
(Option B) 30,000 per month for 2 years, plus a goal bonus.
(Option C) 10,000 per month for 1 year, plus a goal bonus.
It sounds like Marcus won't be a regular starter at Feyenoord so I'd say it only makes sense to go if they want to commit to your development and give you the 3 year deal so Option A
Huge news about Feyenoord, great opportunity. Take Option B, we get a bit of security and that's already an awesome wage because football is ridiculous, and option A is pushing it a lot for a youngster from the second division I do see sammy's point though so wouldn't mind that either I suppose, just not sure if they will simply walk away
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
Gonna use the time we curretly have to catch up a bit. In the meantime:
