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[PCT20] Swisslion Cycling Team | Farewell
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-08-2020 10:27
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Swisslion Cycling Team 2020
First of all thank you to all of you, who have gathered here today.
Two years ago I started this journey with this team. We started as a brand new team in the Continental division, achieved a somewhat unexpected promotion at the first time of asking and have managed to consolidate our position in the Pro Continental division.
And while achieving the aforementioned, we have kept true to our goal. Developing cycling talent from the Balcan region. 13 of 19 riders contracted to Swisslion are from our focus region and we intend to continue and bolster our efforts in that department.
Our sponsors, while all on rolling one year contracts, were all happy to return for another season to sponsor this team. As a result the technical staff is all expected to return as well.
As for myself. I am very much looking forward to assembling another squad of cyclists that will be able to compete in the PCT division. As well as carrying out our mission to develop cycling in the Balcans.
We plan to hold another press conference after the renewals process. There we will discuss the ins and outs of the team in more detail, as well as answer your questions about the upcoming season.
We hope you will follow us for another year on our cycling journey in the peloton.
Bostjan Mervar,
team representative and general manager of Swisslion Cycling Team
Edited by redordead on 23-08-2021 08:28
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-08-2020 10:28
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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| Year | Team | Nationality | 2nd Nationality | Rank | Team HQ | | 2018 | Swisslion |  |  | CT 4th | HQ | | 2019 | Swisslion | | | PCT 18th | HQ |
Edited by redordead on 19-07-2023 12:28
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-08-2020 10:29
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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| Rodoljub Draskovic | President | | Rok Lesjak | Vice president | | Rudolf Skobe | Board member | | Ludvik Ilovar | Board member | | Luka Plecnik | Board member |
| Bostjan Mervar | General manager | | Martin Hvastija | Directeur Sportif | | Marko Polanc | Directeur Sportif | | Gorazd Stangelj | Directeur Sportif | | Jure Golcer | Coach | | Gregor Gazvoda | Coach | | Tadej Valjavec | Coach |
| Swisslion Takovo | Title sponsor | | Rog Bikes | Secondary sponsor | | Mobitel | Secondary sponsor | | 3TAV | Minor sponsor | | Sijaj | Minor sponsor |
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-08-2020 10:30
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Edited by redordead on 14-10-2020 08:47
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-08-2020 10:31
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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| 10.01 |  | Down Under Classic | HC | | 28.01 - 29.01 |  | Tour of East Java | PTHC | | 31.01 |  | Gisborne GP | C1 |
| 01.02 - 09.02 |  | Volta a Portugal | PTHC | | 02.02 |   | Copenhagen-Malmo TTT | PT | | 04.02 |  | Omloop Het Nieuwsblad | HC | | 08.02 - 10.02 |  | Hong Kong Challenge | C1 | | 13.02 - 20.02 |  | Paris-Nice | PT | | 22.02 |  | Pro Hallstatt Classic | PTHC |
| 01.03 | | Geraardsbergen-Bosberg | HC | | 01.03 - 04.03 |  | Barbados Cycling Festival | HC | | 03.03 |  | Roma Maxima | C1 | | 03.03 - 06.03 |   | Jelajah SKL | C1 | | 07.03 - 12.03 |  | Vuelta al Pais Vasco | HC | | 09.03 - 13.03 |  | Circulo de Juarez | C1 | | 15.03 |  | Apex Mountain Classic | C1 | | 18.03 | | Le Samyn | C1 | | 21.03 | | Strade Bianche | HC | | 26.03 - 30.03 | | Tour of Uppsala | C1 | | 28.03 | | E3 Prijs | PTHC | | 30.03 | | Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne | HC |
| 01.04 - 07.04 |  | Tour of California | HC | | 04.04 - 08.04 |     | Baltic Chain Tour | C1 | | 10.04 - 16.04 |  | Tour of Pologne | HC | | 14.04 - 16.04 | | Corsica International | HC | | 21.04 - 24.04 |  | Tour of Cyprus | HC | | 26.04 | | GP Wallonie | PTHC | | 28.04 |  | Veenendaal - Veenendaal | HC | | 28.04 | | Lisbon Classic | C1 | | 30.04 | | Amstel Gold Race | PT |
| 04.05 - 05.05 |  | Windhoek ITT | C1 | | 07.05 | | Liege - Bastogne - Liege | PTM | | 11.05 - 13.05 | | Scandinavia Open Road Race | PTHC | | 15.05 | | Malopolski Wyscig | C1 | | 27.05 - 31.05 |  | Tour of Norway | PTHC |
| 01.06 - 06.06 |  | Tour of Japan | C1 | | 02.06 | | Hanko Classic | C1 | | 05.06 - 06.06 | | Grand Prix Cyclistes | HC | | 08.06 - 16.06 |  | Tour de Suisse | PT | | 27.06 |  | Clasique Pico Basile | C2 | | 30.06 |  | Berlin ProRace | HC | | 30.06 |  | Clasico San Cristobal | C2 |
| 01.07 |  | Torshavn GP | C1 | | 03.07 - 23.07 | | Tour de France | PTM | | 05.07 - 08.07 |    | Tour of the Middle East | HC | | 10.07 - 11.07 |  | Celtic Chrono | C1 | | 16.07 |  | Sakartvelo Trophy | C2 | | 19.07 |  | Kenya Mountain Classic | C1 |
| 04.08 |  | Macskako Kerekparverseny | C1 | | 07.08 | | Clasica San Sebastian | PTHC | | 17.08 - 21.08 | | Arab Tour | HC | | 21.08 | | Ronde van Het Ijsselmeer | C1 |
| 03.09 - 07.09 | | Tour of Britain | C1 | | 04.09 - 11.09 |      | Balkans International | PTHC | | 17.09 - 21.09 | | Deutschland Tour | PTHC | | 25.09 | | Tour of the Battenkill | PTHC | | 26.09 - 29.09 | | Tour of Lithuania | HC |
| 03.10 | | GP Lugano | C1 | | 12.10 - 15.10 | | Bayern Rundfahrt | C1 | | 18.10 | | Giro dell'Emelia | HC |
| Race | Country | Category | Goal | Cost | | Balkans International | | PTHC | Top 5 | **** | | Tour of East Java | | PTHC | Top 5 | **** | | Scandinavia Open Road Race | | PTHC | Top 5 | **** | | Giro dell'Emelia | | HC | Win | **** | | PCT Team standings | | | Top 10 | *** |
Edited by redordead on 05-05-2021 14:03
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| redordead |
Posted on 25-09-2020 11:07
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Pre-transfers Press Conference
Good day to everyone!
We are here today to announce which riders have renewed their contract with the team and we will take questions regarding our current and future moves in the transfer season. Let me just say that while there were some nerves and some sleepless nights during the renewals. I have to stress that all the returning riders and the ones that have become free agents were a joy to work with during this process.
On the whole we are very satisfied with our renewals. Not everyone was brought back which was expected, a few not so much, but we believe we have a solid base to build on from last season. We are returning 14 riders compared to 9 last year. Most importantly we have retained Eddy Beltran and Tadej Pogacar who are both cornerstones to our team's present and future.
With that I present the current Swisslion squad and open the floor up for questions.
| | | 2019 Wage | 2020 Wage | Change |  | Eduard Alexander | Beltran | €1050,000 | €725,000 | -€325,000 | | Pello | Bilbao | €150,000 | €120,000 | -€30,000 | | Gerald | Ciolek | €210,000 | €0 | -€210,000 | | Luka | Mezgec | €50,000 | €0 | -€50,000 | | Costa | Seibeb | €65,000 | €0 | -€65,000 | | Raymond | Kreder | €50,000 | €0 | -€50,000 |  | Stefan | Petrovski | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Luka | Pibernik | €60,000 | €50,000 | -€10,000 | | Tadej | Pogacar | €370,000 | €240,000 | -€130,000 | | Miha | Poljanec | €55,000 | €50,000 | -€5,000 | | Jovan | Zekavica | €50,000 | €0 | -€50,000 | | Gabor | Kasa | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Izidor | Penko | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Dusan | Rajovic | €50,000 | €50,000 | - |  | Ahmet | Orken | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Matija | Mestric | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Matic | Groselj | €80,000 | €50,000 | -€30,000 | | Michael | Christodoulos | €50,000 | €50,000 | - | | Cristian | Munoz | €10,000 | €50,000 | €40,000 | | | | | Total Profit: | €915,000 |
Q: Eduard Beltran comes back on a more "team friendly" contract. How happy are you to have him back?
Mervar: Very happy, as you might imagine! It was priority number one to resign Eddy and we achieved it. We expect he will again be a massive part of sustaining our PCT status.
Q: You just mentioned "sustaining" your status in the PCT. What are the early goals for the team?
Mervar: Well the mandatory goal is just that. We want to first and foremost stay in the PCT. Our other goals are to continue to develop our riders and hopeful improve on our standing from last season.
Q: You have also resigned Tadej Pogacar. What are the plans for him this season?
Mervar: That's something that is way too early to say. What I can say is we were very happy with his performances last season in the CT. If resigning Eddy was our number one priority, then Tadej was 1A!
Q: This is the 2nd year in a row you haven't resigned Luka Mezgec. Do you plan to pursue him again in free agency?
Mervar: We weren't able to come to terms with Luka, similar to last season. Will we sign him again? Difficult to say. We know him and he'll be in our minds, but free agency cannot be predicted.
Q: You have also let go Costa Seibeb who was a notable contributor last season. Was that the plan?
Mervar: No. We wanted to bring Costa back. We gave him plenty of opportunities last year and he performed better. We had good dialog with him, but we simply ran out of time and couldn't agree on a contract. We wish him all the best in the future.
Q: Last question on a few of the younger riders. What's the plan for Poljanec and Penko, PT loan? Also Jovan Zekavica leaves the team, while Cristian Munoz signs after his season as a stagiare. What's the thought process there?
Mervar: I think ideally we would like to keep both Miha and Izidor with us, but we'll see how things unfold.
With Jovan it's unfortunate, but we had to make a tough decision. With Rajovic and Orken already on the squad we decided to let Jovan go. We sincerely hope he finds his way on a team and completes his development.
Cristian has a long way to go, but we like his potential as a climber and we look forward to see what he can do on a full time contract.
That will be all for today's presentation. Further information on our transfers and loans availabilities will be posted later on in the adverts.
Bostjan Mervar,
team representative and general manager of Swisslion Cycling Team
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| Ollfardh |
Posted on 25-09-2020 11:18
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World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
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Impressive pay cut on Beltran, should give you a chance to sign a few more leaders.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
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| knockout |
Posted on 25-09-2020 11:21
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Good cuts for Beltran and Pogacar. I guess you feel much better about the upcoming transfers than last year?
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 02:16
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Bot Agent
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Joined: 23.11.09
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| redordead |
Posted on 25-09-2020 11:39
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Ollfardh wrote:
Impressive pay cut on Beltran, should give you a chance to sign a few more leaders.
That's the plan I guess 
knockout wrote:
Good cuts for Beltran and Pogacar. I guess you feel much better about the upcoming transfers than last year?
I for sure do, but I also felt better last year than any of the previews did 
Very much looking forward to a fun transfer season this time around
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 25-09-2020 16:09
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11676
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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Should no longer be a 1.75 man show I guess
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| redordead |
Posted on 25-09-2020 17:38
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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God I hope not 
As brilliant as Beltran was and as important as it was to stay up. It would be far more enjoyable to root for more than 1.75 riders the entire season
Edited by redordead on 25-09-2020 17:46
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 25-09-2020 18:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Lots of heads chopped - Ciolek and Mezgec chief amongst them
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| redordead |
Posted on 25-09-2020 21:11
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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They were in the greedy sprinters camp anyway
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 25-09-2020 21:57
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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You managed to give no one a raise and cut Beltran a ton. That's a success I'd say.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 25-09-2020 22:45
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2905
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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The reduction on Beltran is really good for you, but does put a bit of fear into me for the window!
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| redordead |
Posted on 26-09-2020 06:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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To be honest no one on our squad deserved a raise
Except maybe Seibeb who I didn't manage to bring back 
whitejersey wrote:
The reduction on Beltran is really good for you, but does put a bit of fear into me for the window!
How so?
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 26-09-2020 15:16
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Excellent renewals period for you!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| redordead |
Posted on 27-09-2020 10:04
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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| Rider | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CO | SP | AC | FT | DH | PR | Wage | Status | | Pello Bilbao | 71 | 67 | 79 | 65 | 77 | 71 | 71 | 51 | 71 | 75 | 67 | 66 | 61 | 120k | Available | | Luka Pibernik | 72 | 65 | 76 | 60 | 76 | 68 | 68 | 61 | 68 | 74 | 72 | 67 | 62 | 50k | Available | | Stefan Petrovski | 70 | 75 | 73 | 66 | 72 | 73 | 67 | 54 | 61 | 68 | 75 | 70 | 66 | 50k | Unlikely | | Gabor Kasa | 70 | 71 | 72 | 74 | 74 | 70 | 71 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 67 | 65 | 74 | 50k | Available |
More in depth information about our transfers as well as loans will be posted in the adverts, in the near future.
Bostjan Mervar,
team representative and general manager of Swisslion Cycling Team
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 01-10-2020 14:29
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Your Colombian talent (obviously not Beltran) might be something for Los Pollos Hermanos, so if he becomes available we might do some business in a couple of days
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 01-10-2020 15:12
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Certainly have some interest in the Spanish puncheur.
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