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[PT] Zwift Pro Cycling {2021}
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 15-09-2021 11:50
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Our transfer season is over! We welcome the following riders to Zwift Pro Cycling.
 Ryan Eastman: Forced into free agency after the disbandment of Azteca - NBCSN, we knew the 29yo American climber was going to attract a lot of interest. In the end, we were excited Eastman decided to stay close to home and join the only American Pro Tour team in the peloton at a wage of 750,000. Eastman will be a co-captain this season alongside Mattia Cattaneo with 52RDs to work with.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 70 | 82 | 71 | 77 | 76 | 75 | 76 | 56 | 62 | 69 | 73 | 66 | 73 |
 Ben Swift: One of the most dominating riders in MGUCI history who has won almost everything. It would take hours to unravel his win list. At last check, Swift had 55 wins at the end of 2017 season. Even at 34 years old, the world-famous sprinter still has the legs to compete. Scooping him up for 125,000 to be our main fast guy this season was really an easy decision. Poetic really — Swift to Zwift.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 72 | 59 | 66 | 68 | 70 | 67 | 77 | 67 | 82 | 79 | 62 | 59 | 68 |
Mark Cavendish: From one legend to another. The Manx Missile needs no introduction. The 35yo still showed his prowess to contest stage wins with Kraftwerk Man Machine last season. Whether that's a possibility this season in the Pro Tour remains to be seen, but we see Cavendish more as a smart springboard to unleash Swift. Simply just a fun gamble since Cav agreed to join the team for the minimum 50,000 to ride for S(Z)wift.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 69 | 53 | 61 | 62 | 68 | 65 | 71 | 66 | 79 | 75 | 56 | 61 | 72 |
 Benat Intxausti: Sticking with the theme of signing aging veterans to arguably their last Pro Tour contract, here we have Benat Intxausti. One of the best in his prime is now creeping closer to retirement at 35yo. The Spanish climber has been brought in mostly to provide depth and use his expertise to protect Eastman and Cattaneo. Another bargain signing for 50,000.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 66 | 78 | 67 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 68 | 50 | 58 | 64 | 63 | 60 | 73 |
 Aviv Yechezkel: Mresuperstar has been around for a while and his expansive connections paid off here by signing a former 2019 Desigual loaned-in cyclist for, you guessed it, 50,000. It was Mre's first bid of the transfer season and it stuck. The 27yo cobbler will get the chance to finally max out this season by racing all the famous paved sectors on the PT calendar, alongside team leader Eric Young.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 72 | 55 | 63 | 64 | 70 | 71 | 69 | 75 | 63 | 72 | 69 | 69 | 64 | | 73 | 55 | 63 | 64 | 71 | 72 | 69 | 77 | 64 | 72 | 69 | 69 | 64 |
 Lewis Stoll: Lance, I mean, Lewis Stroll is the youngest F1 driver, I mean, cyclist in the MGUCI world to be maxed out right now at 23yo. Meaning Stroll has seven (!) years of training eligibility, which starts next offseason. It's a very interesting development project if we can ever find the funds at the end of a transfer season to help him progress. Signed for the minimum: 50,000.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 66 | 72 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 55 | 62 | 68 | 70 | 75 | 72 |
Free Agents Signed & Loaned Out
Matteo Jorgenson: The next great American climber was signed for only 200,000. The Pot. 6/Level 1.00/22yo prospect joins Erick Herrera at Volcanica - Fox for the season on loan. Zwift will pay 150,000 of his salary and provided a 350,000 transfer fee so Jorgenson will level up from 1>3 this upcoming season. Possible final development stats for the future star are below his current abilities.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 70 | 70 | 70 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 63 | 68 | 65 | 68 | 64 | 68 | 68 | | 72 | 79 | 74 | 76 | 79 | 78 | 72 | 68 | 65 | 71 | 65 | 69 | 75 |
Nickolas Zukowsky: After Zukowsky was pranked call by a team offering him a 50,000 contract right when the transfer window opened, Zwift offered the same amount a day later and secured Zukowksy's services without a fight. Quite a surprise because we see a ton of potential in the Pot. 5/Level 1.00/23yo sprinter. He will spend his first season with Assa Abloy. Wage will be split evenly between the two teams with a 175,000 fee going to Assa Abloy for the level 1>3 upgrade.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 65 | 62 | 68 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 67 | 60 | 69 | 69 | 74 | 65 | 68 | | 72 | 62 | 69 | 76 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 60 | 74 | 72 | 74 | 66 | 77 |
Jake Stewart: The last youngster we battled to sign for 75,000 looks similar to Zukowsky at first glance but we believe Stewart has a better future as a punchy sprinter. The Pot. 6/Level 1.00/22yo is pending to join new CT start-up Polestar Cycling on loan this season (deal will be officially confirmed tomorrow). We will pay 25,000 of his wage and provide a 55,000 fee to get Stewart to level up.
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 69 | 62 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 70 | 62 | 68 | 69 | 69 | 64 | 66 | 69 | | 75 | 64 | 73 | 67 | 73 | 73 | 77 | 72 | 76 | 76 | 65 | 67 | 69 |
All four prospects will level up with Visser getting a level 1>3 clause.
Talents Loaned In For This Season
We are tasked with maxing out the following two cyclists. Rhim is a familiar one having raced on loan last season with Desigual. Kurianov will get the opportunity to learn from fellow countryman Nicolay Cherkasov.
Zwift Pro Cycling 2021 (Without Training)
We finish with 29 cyclists — 22 on the roster and seven loaned out. It's a squad we believe is extremely capable of avoiding relegation while also heavily investing in our future to eventually compete for the Pro Tour crown. Thoughts?
Next update will include training!
Edited by Mresuperstar on 28-09-2021 11:47
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 15-09-2021 12:01
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Zukowsky was on my list, although he should be worked on as lead-out man rather than a TT man in my eyes. You've mixed up his and Stewarts development routes surely?!
I also can't believe Jorgenson was only 200k! Should have fought for him instead of Pidcock 
You've killed this transfer window. PT survival is probably, and if not you're locked up for the future incredibly well.
Also, yay Cav!
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 15-09-2021 12:19
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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TheManxMissile wrote:
Zukowsky was on my list, although he should be worked on as lead-out man rather than a TT man in my eyes. You've mixed up his and Stewarts development routes surely?!
All development plans are pending and certainly aren't final. Went this route because I already have a few lead-out men coming up the ranks in Jaume Sureda and Clement Russo. Zukowsky could easily join that route, but I'll re-evaluate when the time comes to choose stat developments. But having a TT/Prologue/Sprinter is something we are missing at the current moment.
Knew you'd be happy about Cav... hehe. And I just watched Pidcock soar in price and kept my fingers crossed that those people getting outbidded wouldn't shift their attention over to Jorgenson. Got really lucky for once. 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 25-11-2024 05:28
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| quadsas |
Posted on 15-09-2021 12:22
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2518
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Narvaez, wow! what a rider, what an achievement him single handedly promoting you to the promised land. What a bargain that turned out to be for you. Only 500k to become #blessed! Best of luck in the PT
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 16-09-2021 15:28
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Calendar, More Stats, National Champions
For those who missed it, our transfer season is over. Full recap here and here.
Before getting to the highly anticipated training post, we have updated our HQ with a couple more cool things. Our 2021 race schedule can be found here. The team goals will be shared at a later date when the transfer season ends.
We have also dug into our achieves to add an "Unsung Heroes" section to our Man-Game History. This includes Mresuperstar program records for most race days and breakaway appearances. Time trialist Carlos Verona is still going strong, entering his ninth season under Mre's management with a program-record 618 RDs and counting. The BOTDs record is held by recently sold Omar Fraile.
Lastly, our national champion jerseys have arrived! Made by the great hillis91.
Spain RR Champion: Xuban Errazkin
 Ecuador RR & TT Champion: Jhonatan Narvaez
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 19-09-2021 15:31
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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Very very happy to see Yechezkel riding with you! It fits after we loaned him to you a couple of years back. We never wanted to sell him, it was just a consequence of relegation. Then he should have been maxed by now too except for the Fablok abandon, which is unfortunate. But now he gets a chance to start anew! Wish he could be back with us, but happy it worked out like it did.
Other great signings as well. Eastman to lead the American contingent (and I like teams with multiple GC guys in PT). Plus Jorgenson is a tremendous value at 200k.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| redordead |
Posted on 20-09-2021 10:06
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Interesting to have two very similar stage racers like Cattaneo and Eastman both on the same team Also interesting to see what Ben Swift can do in PT at this point, and as I've mentioned on other PT HQs Simon Yates could have fun with a weaker puncheur field as well as no Van Stayen anymore.
Thanks for trusting us with Lopez for this season. We'll take good care of him 
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-09-2021 10:20
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Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Well, now I kinda want to work out who has done the most RD for me.
Swift and Cavendish together again - I think they were teammates in the days my PCT team was British rather than African. Swift at Zwift does have a good ring to it, hopefully it can work out.
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 20-09-2021 20:53
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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@BBL: Pleasantly surprised I didn't have any competition in signing Yechezkel. Snuck him in as one of those early bids. He will get plenty chances to shine with just him and Eric Young as our main cobblers.
@redordead: Unlikely Cattaneo and Eastman will ever race together this season. Just makes sense since, like you said, they're pretty similar GC riders. But I'll have the race days between them to target basically every big stage race and grand tour on the calendar. Unofficial team goal this season should be a Top 10 (5?) in every grand tour. And there is no question in our minds that Simon Yates will be the best puncheur in the Pro Tour this season... See below. Yeah, I said it Demare.
@SN: Nice little side project to collect all the data. Had to dig deep into my private messages to find some of the race planners files. And totally forget Swift and Cav raced together in the past. Swift could get us to mid-table with a good season or pull a Maksimov and do that other thing called relegation that I've experienced too much.
After swapping out former captain Justo Tenorio and selling Omar Fraile, we collected enough funds to compete the training we had planned for Simon Yates this season. Yates, used to seeing gains from his offseason training, is ready to take that next step as a one of the best punchy sprinters in the Pro Tour peloton.
Most of the previous best puncheurs in the Pro Tour last season had a good idea that this was probably coming and were quick to flee to the PCT division. They will be more terrified to know that Yates has one more year of training eligibility left.
Simon Yates
| FL | MO | HI | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SP | ACC | FT | DH | PL | | 74 | 70 | 79 | 68 | 77 | 70 | 73 | 52 | 77 | 80 | 74 | 64 | 71 | | 74 | 70 | 81 | 68 | 77 | 70 | 73 | 52 | 77 | 80 | 74 | 64 | 71 |
+2 Hills. Dropping Yates just became a little bit harder. The puncheurs that can't power away from Yates will certainly lose to him in a reduced bunch sprint. This upgrade only costed a mere 2,600,000. Worth it.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 20-09-2021 21:17
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
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I'm looking forward to a new challenger!
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| knockout |
Posted on 20-09-2021 21:23
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Damn it, hoped you would do sprint training instead 
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| SotD |
Posted on 21-09-2021 08:19
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Oh wow - Both to the jersey and that training. Koretzky doesn't approve, but he certainly has become a great rider! And still one more year left to train him. He can become a beast
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-09-2021 09:25
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Yates <3
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 21-09-2021 18:59
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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We would now like to present our team goals for the 2021 season. These were given to use from the front office before the transfer season started. Back when we had a certain Spanish climber under contract. While it's going to be tough for Eastman and Cattaneo to live up to Justo Tenorio's extremely high expectations, they aren't backing down from the challenge. Let's dive in:
PT Team Standings: Top 10
Usually the objective for a newly promoted team is just avoid relegation, but Zwift wants to go above and beyond that this inaugural season. We believe that after an aggressive offseason that we do have the pieces in place to achieve this goal.
 Tour de France: Top 3
The most famous race in the entire sport. Standing on the podium would be a dream come true. Behind closed doors, there are rumors Mre has already named his TDF squad. Eastman, Cattaneo, both? One thing is certain, it's not going to be the 2020 Vuelta a Espana runner-up Tenorio.
Prior History: Mre's best finish at the TDF is 12th, twice — David Abal with Team CSC-Orbea in 2013 and Vincenzo Nibali with Desigual in 2018.
 Milano San Remo: Top 3
Monument hunting is reserved for the elite superstars of the sport. Well, Mre is finally ready to release his development beast this season: Simon Yates. This moment has been three years in the making. Milano San Remo rewards the sprinters that can climb the hills. And that's Yates.
Prior History: Mre has seen limited success here, but did manage to nab a 5th place in 2018 thanks to the sprinting of Desigual's Rick Zabel.
Grands Prix Cyclistes: Top 3
Yates is salivating. One of the many races he will have a chance to win this year.
Prior History: Yates finished third here last season with Desigual, ending with the same time as the first six cyclists. Arguably could have won the race had the breakaways been controlled on both stages.
 Tour of East Java: Win
For a third straight season, Mre faces this two-day flat/mountain race as a team goal. Tenorio failed the first time around in 2018 (eighth, needed Top 5) and redeemed himself last year (third, needed Top 5). Well, it's no longer a Top 5. Zwift wants to win the short PTHC race. Can the new climbers step up?
Prior History: Looking beyond Tenorio's well-documented accolades, here are the past notable results of the two climbers Mre could send to this year's edition. Cattaneo: 16th (2019). Eastman: None. Yep, that's it. Uncharted territory.
Edited by Mresuperstar on 06-10-2021 15:49
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 27-09-2021 14:13
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Mre's Zwift Training Challenge
With the transfer season officially behind us, the time has arrived for the start of Mre's Zwift Training Challenge. For more information on this challenge click here. But, as a quick reminder, here are the basic rules of the season-long competition.
- Every one mile recorded on Zwift equals 1 point.
- Every 50 feet of elevation gained on Zwift equals 1 point.
- Man-Game cyclists will have their Pro Tour points given a x4 multiplier.
- Competition starts: Once the Man-Game transfer window closes.
- Point standings updated weekly in-real life with proof of Zwift rides.
- Competition ends: 2021 Man-Game WC Elite RR race is posted.
Manager Mresuperstar completed two rides this week. He admits its a slow start but it's something. It's the first riding he has done in over two weeks since riding the first climb of the Tour of America in Asheville, North Carolina, over Labor Day.
After getting the bike back on the indoor trainer, Mre quickly realized the chain needed some cleaning and lube. An order was placed through Amazon, but the package was mysterious stolen. Mre speculates it was one of his riders trying to slow him down. A replacement shipment should hopefully arrive later this week.
Regardless, Mre's first two rides:
Spoiler Ride #1: September 21, 2021 24.4 Miles | 759 Feet | 39.58 Points Ride #2: September 22, 2021 20.0 Miles | 781 Feet | 35.62 Points
Preseason training camp in Aspen, Colorado, is underway. The first few weeks are all about team bonding, seeing who showed up in shape and who desperately needed some bike lube in hopes of finding a guilty culprit. No confessions yet.
Mre needs to be using this time to build up a sizable lead on his competitors.
| | RDs | Points | | Mresuperstar | 2 | 75.20 | | Simon Yates | 0 | 0 | | Mattia Cattaneo | 0 | 0 | | Ryan Eastman | 0 | 0 | | Ben Swift | 0 | 0 | | Xuban Errazkin | 0 | 0 | | Jack Burke | 0 | 0 | | Eric Young | 0 | 0 |  | Jhonatan Narvaez | 0 | 0 | | Luca Wackermann | 0 | 0 | | Clement Russo | 0 | 0 |  | Nicolay Cherkasov | 0 | 0 | | Benat Intxausti | 0 | 0 | | Daniel Eaton | 0 | 0 | | Carter Jones | 0 | 0 | | Mark Cavendish | 0 | 0 | | Brendan Rhim | 0 | 0 | | Aviv Yechezkel | 0 | 0 |  | Federico Olei | 0 | 0 | | Carlos Verona | 0 | 0 | | Lewis Stroll | 0 | 0 |  | Harold Tejada | 0 | 0 | | Stepan Kurianov | 0 | 0 |
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 27-09-2021 17:47
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3265
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Maybe the boys on the team felt stealing your order was fair game since you are banking points before their season even starts.
Good luck with the challenge.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 27-09-2021 17:56
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Ah, is this the real reason you sold Tenorio? Good luck with the challenge indeed.
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| knockout |
Posted on 27-09-2021 18:57
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7735
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 400.00
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Not sure if i should cheer for your team to make it hard for you or against the team to give you a better shot at beating them
Good way for you to find some motivation  |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 04-10-2021 15:50
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Mre's Zwift Training Challenge Week 2: September 27 - October 3
After a week of investigating, the bike lube "thief" has been found...
Mark Cavendish. The jokester. While Mre could have just borrowed some other lube from the mechanics, it was the principle of finding his own that mattered. Cavendish eventually stepped forward as the culprit and returned the bottle.
His antics successfully delayed Mre for a week and a half. Meaning, no rides this past week. Not a great start, but Mre is confident he will get in the flow of things and maintain a consistent riding pattern... starting this week, so he says.
Preseason training camp in Aspen, Colorado, is ongoing. All 22 riders are present. We will be here until the season starts. Might take a few day trips over to Durango when the riders get sick of the roads over here. Slowly but surely everyone is getting back into shape for the new season. The excitement is building!
| | RDs | Points | | Mresuperstar | 2 | 75.20 | | Simon Yates | 0 | 0 | | Mattia Cattaneo | 0 | 0 | | Ryan Eastman | 0 | 0 | | Ben Swift | 0 | 0 | | Xuban Errazkin | 0 | 0 | | Jack Burke | 0 | 0 | | Eric Young | 0 | 0 | | Jhonatan Narvaez | 0 | 0 | | Luca Wackermann | 0 | 0 | | Clement Russo | 0 | 0 | | Nicolay Cherkasov | 0 | 0 | | Benat Intxausti | 0 | 0 | | Daniel Eaton | 0 | 0 | | Carter Jones | 0 | 0 | | Mark Cavendish | 0 | 0 | | Brendan Rhim | 0 | 0 | | Aviv Yechezkel | 0 | 0 | | Federico Olei | 0 | 0 | | Carlos Verona | 0 | 0 | | Lewis Stroll | 0 | 0 | | Harold Tejada | 0 | 0 | | Stepan Kurianov | 0 | 0 |
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| Mresuperstar |
Posted on 11-10-2021 15:16
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8059
Joined: 22-06-2009
PCM$: 650.00
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Mre's Zwift Training Challenge
After having some catching up to do following a rideless Week 2, Mresuperstar put in two longer trips this week. First, a up-and-down trek of the Epic KoM in Watopia. Then, two days later, the Box and Fox hills of London.
A breakdown of the two rides can be found below:
Spoiler 20.7 Miles | 2,179 Feet | 64.28 Points 35.0 Miles | 1,605 Feet | 67.10 Points
The new season is getting closer and closer. Our best riders have left our preseason training hub in Colorado to race in their respective Continental Championships. We wish them well representing their national teams.
| | RDs | Points | | Mresuperstar | 4 | 206.58 | | Simon Yates | 0 | 0 | | Mattia Cattaneo | 0 | 0 | | Ryan Eastman | 0 | 0 | | Ben Swift | 0 | 0 | | Xuban Errazkin | 0 | 0 | | Jack Burke | 0 | 0 | | Eric Young | 0 | 0 | | Jhonatan Narvaez | 0 | 0 | | Luca Wackermann | 0 | 0 | | Clement Russo | 0 | 0 | | Nicolay Cherkasov | 0 | 0 | | Benat Intxausti | 0 | 0 | | Daniel Eaton | 0 | 0 | | Carter Jones | 0 | 0 | | Mark Cavendish | 0 | 0 | | Brendan Rhim | 0 | 0 | | Aviv Yechezkel | 0 | 0 | | Federico Olei | 0 | 0 | | Carlos Verona | 0 | 0 | | Lewis Stroll | 0 | 0 | | Harold Tejada | 0 | 0 | | Stepan Kurianov | 0 | 0 |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
