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PCM.daily » PCM Stories & Story Games » PCM 18: Stories
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Diamonds in the Rough
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Posted on 21-11-2024 10:54
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sammyt93
+2.5 Flair
+2 Technique
+2 Positioning

Honestly, I'm not going to come up with anything better than what Jandal suggested, you could give me now until Christmas 2020 and I wouldn't come up with better ideas for my own family.
 
Mresuperstar
i.imgur.com/DsFuzzD.jpg

Season Preview

Goodbyes are never easy. Alex Vogel and I helped Sabrina Stultiens move out this weekend after she signed with lower-tier Delta Cycling in the Continental Tour. It was a mutual departure as Stultiens wanted to be more than a bottle carrier and the SEG Racing Academy didn't think she was cut out for the Pro Tour circuit.

Delta Cycling is based in Rotterdam as well, so we will certainly still see her around. The team, however, wouldn't let her live with us anymore which is understandable. But now we had an open room in our three bedroom apartment.

"I could move in. I mean, I'm here all the time anyways," Grace said.

Looks like our relationship is going to the next level. Grace is moving in.

The Captains

i.imgur.com/Neo8C45.jpg
i.imgur.com/OpBV27S.jpg

i.imgur.com/RkDaux3.jpg
i.imgur.com/HryDiOj.jpg

i.imgur.com/2oHVDoS.jpg
i.imgur.com/8Ck5G6r.jpg

i.imgur.com/1hQew5P.jpg
i.imgur.com/OjheUYO.jpg

i.imgur.com/RcAIj0S.jpg
i.imgur.com/8EMiMHh.jpg

Complete 2023 Squad

i.imgur.com/SfuHZ9G.jpg

My Thoughts

First season in the Pro Tour, so I honestly don't know what to expect.

The Yates brothers give us some major firepower for the Grand Tours, but is there enough support there to actually win a major race? There are four climbers all under 24 years old looking to become the next big thing, hopefully a couple of them have a big breakout season this year.

The hills without Lizzie Deignan will be interesting. Jhonatan Narvaez is back and fellow Brit Adam Hartley looks like a solid addition. I can also ride the speed bumps if needed.

However, the team will be relying on me the most to lead the cobbles unit. I won't have much support around me with aging Dutch cyclists Ramon Sinkeldam and Jesper Asselman as my primary helpers.

From no depth to an abundance, SEG has a stable of sprinters who are looking to take the Pro Tour by storm with Patrick van der Duin, Niklas Markl, Lucy van der Haar, Tebiro Pienaar and wildcard lead-out Alex Vogel.

The youngest cyclist on the team is timid 18-year-old Julia McGregor from Leeds. The oldest is Tom Leezer at 37 years old, who has already said this is his last season. Rob Ruijgh has also decided to retire at the end of the year.

Marcus Diamond's 2023 Race Schedule

*Pending invitation*

DateRaceTop 3 Recent Results
Jan. 16-21Santos Tour Down Under (S6)--
Feb. 24Omloop Het Nieuwsblad21st (2022)
Feb. 27Le Samyn30th (2022)
Mar. 4Dwars door West-Vlaanderen--
Mar. 10Ronde van Drenthe13th (2022), 22nd (2020)
Mar. 14Danilith Nokere Koerse13th (2022), 6th (2020)
Mar. 21Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde--
Mar. 23Record Bank E3-Harelbeke--
Mar. 25Gent-Wevelgem--
Mar. 28Dwars door Vlaanderen15th (2022)
Apr. 1Ronde van Vlaanderen--
Apr. 8Paris-Roubaix--
Apr. 11Brabantse Pijl9th (2022)
Apr. 15Amstel Gold Race--
Apr. 22Liege-Bastogne-Liege--
May 3-6Tour de Yorkshire (S4)2nd ('22), 5th ('21), 6th ('20)
May 27Boucles de I'Aulne--
June 19Halle-Ingoolgem--
June 28GB ITT Championships*33rd ('22), 23rd ('21), 31st ('19)
July 1GB RR Championships*8th ('22), 18th ('21), DQ ('19)
July 25Grand Prix Cerami1st (2022)
July 31RideLondon-Surrey Classic16th (2020)
Aug. 11KOGA Slag om Norg--
Aug. 22Arnhem-Veenendaal Classic4th (2022)
Late Aug.Vuelta a Espana (S21)--
Sept. 21Omloop van de Westhoek--
Sept. 30World RR Championship*17th ('22), 47th ('21), 48th ('20)
Oct. 13Il Lombardia--

Evaluation

i.imgur.com/q9mmKuE.jpg

Offseason Training Ride
*Community Growth Development*
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost: +1 Point Per Member

Spoiler
- Each member gets 4.0 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

Stat Lock (Resolved): Time trial has been locked.

New Equipment: With promotion to the Pro Tour, SEG Racing Academy has invested in better training bikes and gear for the team.

The Perfect Gift? (Resolved): The specialty designed Caitlin Fielder cycling shoes, as suggested by jandal7, for Grace's Christmas present went over really well. She loved them. Marcus Diamond went with a Great Britain design with the Union Jack. Diamond repays jandal7 with a x2 multiplier on his recent football stat upgrades.

Oh, and Grace got Marcus an assortment of practice cycling kits and framed his Cristiano Ronaldo jersey from the World Cup. Both were thinking along the same lines. So, time to hit the road for a training ride.

 
https://twitter.com/Mresuperstar
jandal7
Really exciting times at SEG, I've said it a lot but so happy that Marcus (and Alex and Grace) could take the step up to the WT with this project. The Yates bring star power and the young climbing squad and flat power look promising, with Narvaez and Diamond perhaps as more mavericks but still with good potential, I am really looking forward to this season and beyond. Liking Marcus' schedule with classics galore, monument debuts (though they might have missed a trick not including him in MSR, but it helps with the classics focus I guess) and the first GT in La Vuelta. Just a very very cool time Grin

Glad Grace liked the shoes, and nice gifts in return too. The Union Jack design should be quite striking, maybe she can show them off in some breakaways Grin Moving in is a nice step though a shame to see Sabrina go. Hope she does well with Delta and nice they can still see her in Rotterdam Smile Also nice to see the training equipment upgraded Grin

+4 MO to celebrate the unlock. Time Trial is a bit of a relief, of course it is always helpful to have it GC-wise and not nice to see one go, but it is one of the least useful stats given Marcus' current trajectory I think.
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] i.imgur.com/c85NSl6.png Xero Racing

i.imgur.com/PdCbs9I.png
i.imgur.com/RPIlJYr.png
5x i.imgur.com/wM6Wok5.png x5
i.imgur.com/olRsxdu.png
2x pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/funniest21.png x2
2x i.imgur.com/TUidkLG.png x2
 
jaxika
+4 Mo to be sure Smile
 
sammyt93
+4 ACC

I want to try and improve his kick at the end as some of those classics could end up with him in a small group.

Good to see his schedule getting announced, I'm a little surprised he is going to La Vuelta over the Giro, I'd have thought the May GT would have been on the end of his Classics form peak and maybe given him a stage chance in the first week.

Guess he won't get to defend his TOB win, so really glad he went and secured it last season, if he's lucky he will get a free role to get in plenty of breaks in Spain and maybe snag a few days in the mountains jersey early on. I'm also surprised this is his GT as it rules him out of the fall classics and BinckBank Tour, maybe that's something for him and the team to consider in future seasons.
 
Fabianski
Great to see him ride all those beautiful races in Belgium. However, I'm with sammy to regret he won't ride ToB this time. Well, he can rock Yorkshire then Smile

Personally unhappy about TT being locked, as that will probably rule him out for many stage races. He'll have to even more specialize on the classics, then.

So let's at least try to make him a premium cobbler:

+4 COB
 
Mresuperstar
i.imgur.com/N0txUpO.jpg

Monthly Review

The January transfer window is always a fun time for the fans. For the players, it's stressful. Last season I was caught up in the whirlwind and landed here at Feyenoord. Maybe another move is on the cards, but I doubt it.

I kind of have faded out of the headlines after my World Cup performance wore off. So, I haven't seen my name in any of the recent transfer rumors. Then again, are those worth looking into at all? It's all a guessing game.

Friendly at Sparta
January 7, 2023
Warm-up game to get the legs moving again after the holiday break.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 1, Sparta 1

i.imgur.com/YKMWWae.jpg

Summary: All the action happens in the first 10 minutes. Even though it's a friendly, Feyenoord won't be pleased drawing to an inter-city rival playing in the Jupiler League.

Rating: 7.3 - Surprisingly played a full 90 minutes. I was keeping the ball moving and creating offense, so I got to stay on the pitch.

Player of Game: Rodolfo Pizarro, Feyenoord (7.7)

Match Day #20 at AZ (6-6-7)
January 22, 2023
As expected, back on the bench to start this one.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, AZ 2

i.imgur.com/1YntWOn.jpg

Summary: Down 2-0, no problem. Feyenoord scores three unanswered goals in a stunner at AFAS Stadium. Nick Foss notched a brace in the second half to complete the comeback.

Rating: 8.1 - Rodolfo Pizarro sprained an ankle in the 13th minute and I was called into action. Despite having no time to warmup, I put in a solid shift and got the ball where it needed to be. Pizarro is going to be out for 3-5 weeks, so I'm going to get more chances to prove my worth.

Player of Game: Levi Garcia, AZ (9.0)

KNVB Beker Cup vs. NAC
January 25, 2023
Quarterfinals: 15 goals in three games so far in this cup run.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 4, NAC 0

i.imgur.com/EW5FiPY.jpg

Summary: Feyenoord takes care of this one in the first half. Marcus Diamond gets the party started with an opening goal in the 13th minute. Three more goals were found from the 31st minute to the 39th minute.

media.giphy.com/media/h207lzPmelQUhd1P51/giphy.gif

Rating: 8.5 - Always continue your run, you never know when the ball might find you. Was subbed off late to save some energy.

Player of Game: Otavio, Feyenoord (9.5)

Match Day #21 vs. NAC (6-10-4)
January 29, 2023
The rematch from the cup tie just four days ago.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, NAC 1

i.imgur.com/uzyvEgM.jpg

Summary: New day, same opponent, same start. Marcus Diamond gets Feyenoord off and running with a goal in the 24th minute. Diamond then heads down an assist to Yassin Ayoub for a rocket of a strike right before halftime. Otavio cleaned up the 3 points with a goal in the 68th minute.

media.giphy.com/media/Zb61lrBmEB8lnMuSxo/giphy.gif

Rating: 7.6 - I feel like I deserved a better rating than that, but it feels great just being able to make a difference in Eredivisie games.

Player of Game: Yassin Ayoub, Feyenoord (8.9)

League Standings (21/34 Games Played)

i.imgur.com/G1UcvvQ.jpg

Four teams separated by a point at the top of the standings. Can it get any more exciting than that? We will play all three teams once more this season, starting with Vitesse in our next game. We are scheduled to play Ajax on March 19 and PSV in the season finale on May 14. Getting into crunch time.

KNVB Beker Cup
Semifinals

i.imgur.com/2NYrFvG.jpg

We got an extremely luck draw and will face the underdog story of the tournament. FC Oss in the third-tier of Dutch football and has gone on an impressive run to reach the semifinals with wins over OJC Rosmalen (2-0), JVC Cuijk (3-2), Vitesse (2-0), FC Eindhoven (2-0) and Go Ahead Eagles (1-0).

Now they have the chance to slay another giant and reach the cup final for the first time in program history. We can't take them lightly.

Calendar

Club

i.imgur.com/to9gYjj.jpg

International

i.imgur.com/23ME9Ib.jpg

Evaluation

i.imgur.com/ljksmLP.jpg

Training Ground
*Community Growth Development*
Feyenoord Training Facilities Boost: +1.5 Points Per Member

Spoiler
- Each member gets 6.5 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Only stats that aren't locked can be upgraded.
- 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.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.

Transfer Window: Marcus Diamond received... no interest during the transfer window. But, he saw his market value rise to 1.6 million pounds.

Around the league, Ajax was the most active by selling its best striker Daniel Velthuizen to Inter for 26 million and they also purchased midfielder Gonzalo Fernandez for 9.5 million from Colon.

 
https://twitter.com/Mresuperstar
sammyt93
+4 Flair
+2.5 Technique

Nice to see Marcus getting some good game time under his belt and making the most of it with some goals and assists. Hopefully this little run of games and form will help him continue to get game time when Pizarro is back.
 
jandal7
Agree with sammy, a nice month for sure Smile

+3 First Touch
+2 Technique
+1.5 Composure
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] i.imgur.com/c85NSl6.png Xero Racing

i.imgur.com/PdCbs9I.png
i.imgur.com/RPIlJYr.png
5x i.imgur.com/wM6Wok5.png x5
i.imgur.com/olRsxdu.png
2x pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/funniest21.png x2
2x i.imgur.com/TUidkLG.png x2
 
Fabianski
+3 Composure
+3.5 Technique

Let's keep on scoring!
 
jaxika
+ 6.5 Pace Smile
 
javibozada
+6.5 Composure
[ICL] Sevilla Cycling Team
 
Mresuperstar
i.imgur.com/R4btAdc.jpg

Monthly Review

Gaining promotion into the Pro Tour was a huge step for the SEG Racing Academy. The morale during team practice rides has been off the charts. We enter the new season with this "us against the world" mentality. We are the feisty newcomers.

I start my season on the other side of the world in Australia. The memories of being here two years ago came flooding back. I wish I could have made some similar memories with Grace. Instead, we got Alex Vogel and her sister Lucy van der Haar to chat with as we scanned the scenery in hopes of finding a kangaroo.

Race Day #1-6 at Santos Tour Down Under
January 16-21, 2023
The Pro Tour is no joke, these are the best cyclists around.

Stage 1:

i.imgur.com/qdiYshK.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/qeNSysV.jpg

Summary: A bunch sprint photo finish to start the season.

Result: 9th - Just missed out on making the photo. I'll take a top 10 in my season debut. Probably could have also just saved my energy for later stages, but I wanted to stretch my legs and see what was possible.

1Stan DewulfQuick-Step Floors3h37'16
2Dylan GroenewegenZiggos.t.
3Rick ZabelTeam Sunwebs.t.
4André LooijBahrain - Meridas.t.
5Jim ArghittuAmazons.t.

Stage 2:

i.imgur.com/UOPjKAv.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/Y9N9OTI.jpg

Summary: Three morning breakaway riders, including Alex Vogel.

i.imgur.com/S2GIpvU.jpg

No chance for them today, as a selective group of 17 cyclists sprint for the stage win and to become the new GC leader of the tour.

Result: 34th, 25th GC - Not in form to keep up. Lost 52 seconds to the front group. Looking like this is going to be a long, tough tour.

1Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team3h42'41
2Christopher LawlessThe Guardians.t.
3Jasper PhilipsenCofidis, Solutions Créditss.t.
4Marianne VosUAE Team Emiratess.t.
5Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiales.t.
General Classification
1Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team7h19'47
2Christopher LawlessThe Guardian+ 4
3Dylan GroenewegenZiggos.t.
4Jasper PhilipsenCofidis, Solutions Crédits+ 6
5Rick ZabelTeam Sunwebs.t.
6Marianne VosUAE Team Emirates+ 10
7André LooijBahrain - Meridas.t.
8Jim ArghittuAmazons.t.
9Jasper De BuystLotto Soudals.t.
10Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Datas.t.

Stage 3:

i.imgur.com/2s5OHfS.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/CvoJTTr.jpg

Summary: Drama! Massive crash with 8.5kms to go. It happened right at the front of the peloton as the sprinters were gearing up for a fast finish. A slick turn and all of that goes to the wayside. It appears 16 cyclists have avoided the crash and have unintentionally got a gap.

i.imgur.com/uEqUCPI.jpg

Seven of those cyclists up front start looking around and can't find their team leader, so they drop back in disgust as Marcus Diamond has decided to push the tempo in this front group. It's surely controversial, but not against the (written) rules.

i.imgur.com/6fBWFqM.jpg

Diamond is using all of his energy to increase this gap. The favourites back in the peloton are livid that this group is taking advantage of a crash like this. Diamond isn't making any friends today, but is making up time.

i.imgur.com/QKTGxF3.jpg

Stan Dewulf uses Diamond's effort to claim the stage. Diamond's teammate Lennard Hofstede takes second and Tim Wellens finishes third to become the new GC leader.

i.imgur.com/gayhDco.jpg

The scraped up and angry peloton crosses the line 1'38" later.

Result: 7th, 6th GC, 1st Youth - Not here to make friends. Here to win.

1Stan DewulfQuick-Step Floors3h23'38
2Lennard HofstedeSEG Racing Academys.t.
3Tim WellensLotto Soudals.t.
4Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiales.t.
5Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Datas.t.
General Classification
1Tim WellensLotto Soudal10h43'31
2Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Data+ 4
3Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiales.t.
4Stan DewulfQuick-Step Floors+ 22
5Lennard HofstedeSEG Racing Academy+ 50
6Marcus DiamondSEG Racing Academy+ 56
7Michael ValgrenQuick-Step Floorss.t.
8Holstad LudvikQuick-Step Floorss.t.
9Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team+ 1'32
10Dylan GroenewegenZiggo+ 1'36

Stage 4:

i.imgur.com/YQAKFpi.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/5IbSS5a.jpg

Summary: Surprisingly, no attacks on the final climb. So, we head into a very fast, twisty downhill finish with a large selection of cyclists. But it's none other than Marcus Diamond sticking his nose out front again.

The backlash after yesterday's stage was harsh on the 23-year-old, but here he is again stirring the pot. While he might not be the fastest guy, he is certainly willing to take the most risks.

Clipping corners and nearly the barrier, Diamond has found his way to the front of the peloton in the final meters. Rubbing shoulders to get the inside lane, Diamond takes the lead.

Some might say reckless, others would say tenacious.

i.imgur.com/zk8qJhI.jpg

Astana's Magnus Cort Nielsen, who expressed the most displeasure to the media after losing the GC lead yesterday, is doing everything in his power to put Diamond back in his place and teach the Pro Tour rookie a lesson.

i.imgur.com/aGbQltX.jpg

To no avail. Marcus Diamond with a remarkable stage win. The first Pro Tour win for him and the SEG Racing Academy. He put his body on the line in those last 3kms and it paid off brilliantly.

i.imgur.com/r81MDz4.jpg

Result: 1st, 5th GC, 1st Youth - Like I said, here to win. Woooooo!!!

But, not everybody was happy with the result. Magnus Cort Nielsen came to our team bus and had some choice words for me after the race.

"Hey, race like that again and you aren't going to see the finish. It's one thing to attack right after a crash, but it's a whole different thing to race like an idiot and nearly crash us all. You got a lot to learn kid. Next time I'm not letting up to give you any room. You can't race like that."

1Marcus DiamondSEG Racing Academy3h21'00
2Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Teams.t.
3Marianne VosUAE Team Emiratess.t.
4Felix GallMovistar Teams.t.
5Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiales.t.
General Classification
1Tim WellensLotto Soudal14h04'31
2Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiale+ 4
3Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Datas.t.
4Stan DewulfQuick-Step Floors+ 22
5Marcus DiamondSEG Racing Academy+ 46
6Lennard HofstedeSEG Racing Academy+ 50
7Michael ValgrenQuick-Step Floors+ 56
8Holstad LudvikQuick-Step Floorss.t.
9Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team+ 1'26
10Dylan GroenewegenZiggo+ 1'36

Stage 5:

i.imgur.com/psGqDiU.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/Rs99R8z.jpg

Summary: Despite pressure from the press to punish Marcus Diamond for his deceptively aggressive riding in Stage 4, the race organizers have come out and said there wasn't enough video evidence to make a ruling.

Regardless, Diamond is on a short leash for the rest of the tour.

i.imgur.com/gzgWF71.jpg

Oh no. Even more drama, the race leader Tim Wellens has suffered a puncture at the top of Willunga Hill. Lucky for him, it's only the peloton's first time up the famous climb so he will have 20kms to catch back up.

i.imgur.com/7FHtPig.jpg

Lotto Soudal puts in the work and gets Wellens back into the front group with 8kms to go. A strong team effort. But, can Wellens get back up to the favourites before we reach the start of second time up Willunga Hill?

i.imgur.com/tsziBqR.jpg

Attacks from both sides of the road as we start the climb. Magnus Cort Nielsen up close and Marianne Vos in the background.

i.imgur.com/4jkLQIO.jpg

Cort Nielsen cracked. It's Felix Gall taking up the lead with 1.7kms left.

i.imgur.com/kDqJNlt.jpg

David Gaudu to the lead over the summit.

i.imgur.com/topwrHp.jpg

Gaudu with the win over Gall and Wilmar Paredes. And there is Wellens in the distance. He comes in with Diamond's group 30 seconds back. So, Paredes takes over as the new race leader by four seconds.

Result: 13th, 5th GC, 1st Youth - Paced myself and (for once) stayed out of trouble. Also, props to teammate Lennard Hofstede for staying with me and finishing 14th on the stage and keeping 6th in GC.

1David GauduGroupama - FDJ3h49'37
2Felix GallMovistar Teams.t.
3Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Datas.t.
4Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiales.t.
5Anna van der BreggenZiggo+ 13
General Classification
1Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Data17h54'08
2Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiale+ 4
3Tim WellensLotto Soudal+ 30
4Michael ValgrenQuick-Step Floors+ 1'09
5Marcus DiamondSEG Racing Academy+ 1'16
6Lennard HofstedeSEG Racing Academy+ 1'20
7David GauduGroupama - FDJ+ 1'32
8Felix GallMovistar Team+ 1'36
9Marianne VosUAE Team Emirates+ 1'51
10Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team+ 1'56

Stage 6:

i.imgur.com/SANuWs1.jpg

Spoiler
i.imgur.com/78DLvd7.jpg

Summary: After all the craziness to kick off the 2023 Pro Tour season here in Australia, the cyclists deserved a straightforward sprint finish to wrap up the Santos Tour Down Under. The circuit through Adelaide was won convincingly by Jasper Philipsen.

Result: 34th, 5th GC, 1st Youth - Might have made some enemies in my first Pro Tour stage race, but a top 5 finish proves I'm here to stay.

1Jasper PhilipsenCofidis, Solutions Crédits1h50'53
2Marc SarreauTeam Dimension Datas.t.
3Marianne VosUAE Team Emiratess.t.
4Dylan GroenewegenZiggos.t.
5Carlos BarberoMovistar Teams.t.
General Classification
1Wilmar ParedesTeam Dimension Data19h45'01
2Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiale+ 4
3Tim WellensLotto Soudal+ 30
4Michael ValgrenQuick-Step Floors+ 1'09
5Marcus DiamondSEG Racing Academy+ 1'16
6Lennard HofstedeSEG Racing Academy+ 1'20
7David GauduGroupama - FDJ+ 1'32
8Felix GallMovistar Team+ 1'36
9Marianne VosUAE Team Emirates+ 1'47
10Magnus Cort NielsenAstana Pro Team+ 1'56

Calendar

Spoiler
DateRaceWinner
5-JanAustralian championships (ITT)Sebastian Eaddy
5-JanNew Zealand Championships (ITT)James Judd
7-JanAustralian ChampionshipsMichael Matthews
7-JanNew Zealand ChampionshipsGeorge Bennett
15-JanLa Tropicale Amissa BongoRui Costa
16-JanSantos Tour Down UnderWilmar Paredes
21-JanVuelta a San JuanRomain Bardet
24-JanSharjah TourDaniel Martin
25-JanVuelta Ciclista a MallorcaWout Poels
27-JanGravel and TarBarnabas Peak
28-JanCadel Evans Great Ocean Road RaceBryan Alaphilippe
28-JanGrand Prix la MarseillaiseAlexandre Geniez
31-JanVolta a la Comunitat Valenciana
31-JanÉtoile de Bessèges
31-JanHerald Sun Tour
2-FebColombian Championships (ITT)
4-FebColombian Championships
6-FebColombia Oro y Paz
6-FebDubai Tour
7-FebSouth African Championships (ITT)
8-FebTour La Provence
10-FebVCR de Murcia Costa Calida
10-FebSouth African Championships
11-FebClasica de Almeria
11-FebTrofeo Laigueglia
13-FebTour of Oman
14-FebVolta ao Algarve em Bicicleta
14-FebVuelta a Andalucia Ruta del Sol
17-FebTour Int. du Haut Var Matin
18-FebGP Laguna Porec
21-FebAbu Dhabi Tour
22-FebTour of Antalya
24-FebClassique de l'Ardêche
24-FebOmloop Het NieuwsbladMarcus Diamond In
25-FebGP Izola
25-FebKuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne
25-FebRoyal Bernard Drôme Classic
27-FebLe SamynMarcus Diamond In
28-FebTrofej Umag - Umag Trophy

Season Rankings

Pro Tour Points

TeamIndividual
1Dimension Data811Wilmar ParedesDimension Data520
2Lotto Soudal647Odd Christian EikingAG2R La Mondiale400
3Quick-Step Floors562Tim WellensLotto Soudal355
4Astana532Bryan AlaphilippeAstana300
5AG2R La Mondiale526Christopher LawlessThe Guardian285
6SEG498Marcus DiamondSEG285
7The Guardian377Michael ValgrenQuick-Step Floors275
8Groupama - FDJ285Jasper De BuystLotto Soudal220
9Amazon267David GauduGroupama - FDJ210
10Team Sunweb232Lennard HofstedeSEG200

Individual Wins

CyclistNationTeamWins
1Luca PacioniItalySaeco3
2Romain BardetFranceAG2R La Mondiale2
3Rui CostaPortugalEfapel2
4Stan DewulfBelgiumQuick-Step Floors2
5Caleb EwanAustraliaLotto Soudal2
6Daniel MartinIrelandUAE Team Emirates2
7Wout PoelsNetherlandsNationale-Nederlanden2
8Pascal AckermannGermanyQuick-Step Floors1
9Bryan AlaphilippeFranceAstana1
10Marcus DiamondUnited KingdomSEG1

Evaluation

i.imgur.com/y1Z2Anj.jpg

Training Ride
*Community Growth Development*
Training Facilities Boost: +1 Point Per Member

Spoiler
- Each member gets 4.0 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

Stat Unlock or Cool Down?: While Marcus Diamond deserves a stat unlocked based on his results this month, he also created a lot of controversy and made some enemies in the process.

Diamond can keep the stat unlock if he is willing to embrace this media-generated villainous persona for the upcoming spring classics.

(Option A) Stat unlock (and name which one) because I'm not here to make friends. I'm here to ruffle some feathers and win races.

(Option B) No stat unlock. Take a step back and re-evaluate.

 
https://twitter.com/Mresuperstar
jandal7
I would like Flat back one day as it's such a handy stat, but I don't feel strongly enough about any of the current locked stats to want to make Marcus a villain to the press and, more importantly, the rest of the peloton. Option B.

Though actually I don't mind his racing in the Tour Down Under, since to me (don't know how pros would feel) 8.5km in a fast finish is pretty close to be waiting up for crashed riders, and then if he wants to take the downhill his way that's fine, Cort didn't have to follow though I understand his view if not his reaction too. Great racing regardless from Marcus, and fantastic to get a first WT level stage win and a top 5 on GC plus youth. Banana

+1 HIL
+1 COB
+2 STA, let's take the spring classics on Grin
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] i.imgur.com/c85NSl6.png Xero Racing

i.imgur.com/PdCbs9I.png
i.imgur.com/RPIlJYr.png
5x i.imgur.com/wM6Wok5.png x5
i.imgur.com/olRsxdu.png
2x pcmdaily.com/images/mg/Awards2021/funniest21.png x2
2x i.imgur.com/TUidkLG.png x2
 
Fabianski
+2 HI
+2 COB

Option B for me. If he just was there for a stage result, pushing on after the crash would have been OK for me, but he was clearly attacking for the GC. The statement "Not here to make friends" is a bit shortsighted, given that he's going to meet these guys over and over again for the next few years.
Attacking on the DH is absolutely fine, of course, as long as the only guy endangered is himself. Endangering other riders is not really appreciated in the peloton.

Of course, starting the season with a result like this - including the first PT win - is absolutely great! But he should learn that there's more than "just" winning. Being hated by the peloton for the next 10 years or so isn't the greatest perspective, imho.
 
sammyt93
I'd like to point out the same guy complaining that Marcus pushed on with 8.5km to go after a crash, attacked himself with 8 km to go when wellens, the race leader was only just making contact.

Feels to me like Cort is being a hypocrite here.

therefore I'm going to vote Option A and unlock Flat as he can't have it both ways.

+4 COB
 
Mresuperstar
i.imgur.com/rVmiOPJ.jpg

Monthly Review

While finishing up some extra reps on the training ground, I saw Grace rolling up to the facility on her KOGA Colmaro bike. It was a little strange because she never rides over here unless it's a game day. Maybe something was wrong?

i.imgur.com/mGIDX0k.jpg

But she was smiling as she walked over to the pitch. I lined up one more free kick in hopes of showing off and impressing her. Aiming for the top corner, I smashed the shot high over the bar and into the parking lot. Whoops.

"No wonder the team doesn't let you start," Grace said with a laugh.

"Hey, I'm working on it. What are you doing here?"

"We haven't hung out much lately, so I just thought I'd surprise you."

Grace and I kicked the ball around until we were kicked off 45 minutes later when the youth team needed the field. Grace is forcing me to admit that I lost in a penalty shootout to her. In fairness, I had to keep my eyes shut when shooting.

Match Day #22 at Vitesse (12-3-6)
February 5, 2023
Marquee matchup against another team fighting to win the league title.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 4, Vitesse 1

i.imgur.com/vBSJHSd.jpg

Summary: Two quick yellow cards to Ronald Kuijpers to match his jersey color puts Vitesse at a huge disadvantage on home turf. Feyenoord jumps on the opportunity with a not 100% Rodolfo Pizarro scoring on the free kick that followed after the red card. Otavio doubled up two minutes later. Nick Foss and Sven van Beek put the contest away with two more goals in the second half.

Rating: 7.1 - I have proved my worth to get a starting spot with Octavio, Pizarro and Abdulkadir Omur. Those three get the more attacking midfield roles while I control the action behind them and in front of the defense. I'd like to play more up the field, but I guess this will do for now. It's better than the bench.

Player of Game: Yassin Ayoub, Feyenoord (9.1)

Match Day #23 vs. sc Heerenveen (8-6-8)
February 12, 2023
Again I find myself starting as a deep midfielder, almost a CDM.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, sc Heerenveen 0

i.imgur.com/KIzUodX.jpg

Summary: Feyenoord dusting opponents off with ease right now. A brace for Dylan Klok puts him back the conversation for most goals in the Eredivisie this season. Rumors are Inter nearly made a sizable offer for him at the deadline, but backed out at the last minute.

Rating: 7.1 - Subbed off in the 73rd minute. Average showing.

Player of Game: Dylan Klok, Feyenoord (9.2)

Match Day #24 vs. FC Utrecht (11-7-5)
February 19, 2023
Safe to say the team has found our stride here late in the season.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, FC Utrecht 0

i.imgur.com/6EHsSrO.jpg

Summary: The utter domination to try and defend the league title continues. Feyenoord starts hot with three goals in the first 35 minutes and coasts to its sixth straight win since the holiday break.

Rating: 7.0 - As long as we are winning that's all that matters.

Player of Game: Abdulkadir Omur, Feyenoord (9.0)

Match Day #25 at Roda JC (3-10-11)
February 5, 2023
Roda FC has only won one game since the end of August.

Spoiler
Feyenoord 1, Roda JC 0

i.imgur.com/kl7Z9oR.jpg

Summary: Roda JC tried to play spoiler with a park the bus mentality in a mini hail storm, but a sloppy rebound off the post for Abdulkadir Omur got the goal Feyenoord needed.

Rating: 6.9 - Like I said, a win is a win.

Player of Game: Abdulkadir Omur, Feyenoord (7.0)

League Standings (25/34 Games Played)

i.imgur.com/jLjbUYy.jpg

KNVB Beker Cup
Semifinals

i.imgur.com/2NYrFvG.jpg

Calendar

Club

i.imgur.com/S3Pqvg7.jpg

International

i.imgur.com/23ME9Ib.jpg

Evaluation

i.imgur.com/67XF1Wt.jpg

Training Ground
*Community Growth Development*
Feyenoord Training Facilities Boost: +1.5 Points Per Member

Spoiler
- Each member gets 6.5 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Only stats that aren't locked can be upgraded.
- 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.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.

Stat Lock: While the team keeps winning, Marcus Diamond's ratings aren't where they need to be to avoid the stat lock. One stat will be locked. Any attribute that doesn't receive at least 4.0 points is at-risk.

 
https://twitter.com/Mresuperstar
DubbelDekker
+6.5 Vision

An attacking midfielder who tries killer balls often needs the vision to spot those subtle runs made by attackers. I feel like reaching 16 vision would really move Marcus up a notch in the eyes of foreign scouts.
i.imgur.com/5iNQj.png
 
sammyt93
+4 Flair
+2.5 Decisions

Keeping both of these unlocked and trying to raise them even further will only benefit the tries killer balls PPM and turn him into an even more unpredictable playmaker.
 
Fabianski
+1.5 Decisions
+4 Positioning
+1 Anticipation
 
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