The new season is getting closer, and we are slowly but surely getting ready for the first wheel turns of 2021. The C1 & C2 selections have been confirmed to all the teams across the ProContinental and Continental Division. Added to the wildcards we have confirmed, that brings together our full calendar for the season.
Here are the final races all confirmed:
Date
Race
Country
Status
04/02
Viana do Castelo
Portugal
C1
09/02
GP Herning
Denmark
C2
24/02 – 28/02
Tour of Southland
New Zealand
C1
04/03
Strada Appia Antica
Italy
PT
31/03
Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne
Belgium
C1
01/04
Paris - Roubaix
France
PTM
23/04
Roma Maxima
Italy
C1
11/05 – 13/05
Tour of Chile
Chile
C1
18/05
1 Jour de Dunkerque
France
C1
01/06 – 06/06
Tour of Japan
Japan
C1
12/06 – 14/06
Ras Tailteann
Ireland
C2
18/06 – 23/06
Tour of South Africa
South Africa
C1
21/06 – 23/06
Giro del Trentino
Italy
C2
28/06
Apex Mountain Classic
Canada
C1
09/07 – 10/07
Celtic Chrono
Great Britain
C1
19/07
Kenya Mountain Classic
Kenya
C1
25/07 – 29/07
Tour d'Andorra
Andorra
C1
21/08
East Midlands Cicle Classic
Great Britain
PT
01/09
GP Kigali
Rwanda
C2
03/09 – 23/09
Tour of America
United States
C1
28/09
GP Lugano
Switzerland
C1
In addition to the above, we can also confirm our Goals for the 2021 season. All very ambitious, all within our focus / main nationals, and after transfers, we think they are maybe moderately achievable in at least one or two...
I love the emphasis on home races! Although I think you might have used the wrong flag for the Tour d'Andorra (try AD instead of AN !).
Blythe is surely one of the favourites for Cheshire, and Carapaz should do well in the States should the elite stage racers continue the trend of avoiding it. I'm less confident about Britain and the Chrono; I can't see Archibald managing a Top 5 given the depth of the divison, although maybe race selection will help you there. If I remember correctly, Britain contains a handful of TT kilometres? I don't see Archibald surviving the bumps, and neither Schreurs nor Dowsett are that capable on the TT bike. Hopefully it does all work out well for you, despite my cynicism!
liefwarrior wrote:
I love the emphasis on home races! Although I think you might have used the wrong flag for the Tour d'Andorra (try AD instead of AN !).
Blythe is surely one of the favourites for Cheshire, and Carapaz should do well in the States should the elite stage racers continue the trend of avoiding it. I'm less confident about Britain and the Chrono; I can't see Archibald managing a Top 5 given the depth of the divison, although maybe race selection will help you there. If I remember correctly, Britain contains a handful of TT kilometres? I don't see Archibald surviving the bumps, and neither Schreurs nor Dowsett are that capable on the TT bike. Hopefully it does all work out well for you, despite my cynicism!
Thanks for the flag - I checked all but that one!
Archibald was never the plan with the Chrono Celtic goal - at the time, we had Sergent and plans of Tanfield in transfers. Sadly, a good TT rider was out of our grasps so we are left with Archibald picking up the scraps and a failed goal there already.
Carapaz to ToA is looking more certain but still needs planning out. Blythe will most likely take Cheshire plans and Schruers was 3rd last year in ToB despite the TT mileage. Only 24km so not the worst for a puncheur that can put time into a TT specialist
Here we go! 2021 is here and we are ready to go for another in PCT! As with last year, we start in the Down Under Classic, followed by the Tour Down Under.
However, unlike last year, we head to Gabon and tackle the cobbles of the Franceville Classique.
Overview
Last year we took a nice podium place with Kenji Itami and this year we come to the Down Under Classic with Giacomo Nizzolo making his debut. Sprints can be erratic on the opening day, so a Top 10 will be welcomed here from our Italian.
He is supported strongly with Gibbons, McLay, and Groves all part of his lead out train. Archibald will all some strength on run-in, whilst Carr, Rutsch and Hulgaard will provide some domestique duties.
Overview
Last year, we hoped for a stage win and a Top 5 on GC... we ended up with no more than 27th on GC instead. Schreurs and Dowsett looked like they couldn't work together, and the race disappeared in front of us...
This year, we are hoping a more cohesion, as we come here with our strongest hills team. Schreurs leads the line, with Dowsett, Stuyven and Landa in support. McLay, Nizzolo and Groves will be the men for the sprints, whilst Stedman will work as domestique.
Overview
First time racing in Gabon for the Franceville Classique. A cobbles race and we see Adam Blythe in the Eurosport x GCN colours for the first time. Moulingui, Insausti, Dunne and Doull all in support of our British star, whilst Rutsch, Carr and Hulgaard will ride as domestiques over the pave.
Looking forward to see how Blythe will do against Wisniowski, Stallaert, Pedersen and Bewley in Gabon! Top 5 looks realistic as these five should be the big favourites on such a route.
Hoping you also deliver in both Down Under appearances but I'm less convinced about it - though Tour Down Under should be one of the best races for the type of puncheur that you have collected.
As posted to the Skype group, it has been a while since I have been active on Daily or in the MG and this will be my last post as Eurosport x GCN manager.
As you all probably can see, my activity on Daily and with MG this season has been next to nothing since October and life has taken over with it's usual stresses of having a family, living through COVID and being a 35 year old in general.
This is my goodbye to everyone, and a massive thank you to you all for the enjoyment I have had with the MG over the years. I came into it not knowing a clue about it, trying to recreate real life in the game rather than playing it properly... The MG world was alien to me but you guys helped me learn very quickly. My team has been French, Gabonese and British over the years, and has experienced 2 promotions and what looks like a 2nd relegation this season. I'm sorry if my inactivity and subsequent nominations to L'Avenir or the Worlds do not cause too many issues with XP growth and squad selections.
I hope I can be welcomed back in the future if my love for PCM, cycling and the MG comes back and hopefully I will get some motivation back for jersey making season so that my regulars are kept happy
For those in the Skype group, my Thanos powers have been passed to the other admins, so the group can continue moving forward with someone else adding in the current and new managers.
Sad day for the MG with two long-time managers leaving. Your contributions - especially but not only on the graphics side - will be missed and I'm very thankful for the tiny updates and even for the beautiful NCs I've got for my jersey over the years. All the best to you too!
An amazing manager and a true gentleman leaving. It's tough to see you go as you're not only managing a cool team with a loveable identity, but also have been an amazing gut to talk to in private. Hope you come back once you feel like doing so
Really sad to you see go. Loved our transfer season talks and otherwise. Also a big thank you for all the lovely jerseys across the seasons and especially the current one which is one of my favourite PCM jerseys ever
Hope for the best for you and your family in real life and hope you will feel like coming back again sometime in the future.
Portugal
Denmark
New Zealand
Italy
Belgium
France
Chile
Japan
Ireland
South Africa
Canada
Great Britain
Kenya
Andorra
Rwanda
United States
Switzerland
!).
Down Under Classic 
Franceville Classique 
