Gisborne GP



Andre
Ruben
Maher
Sureda
Carlo
Hester
Julian

Target: Top 5
We start our season in the beautiful New Zealand during the heat of summer in the hills of the East Cape. As a C2HC race, we expect strong competition but believe that Andre suits the race well and so expect him to be fighting at the front at the end.

Hong Kong Challenge



Andre
Ruben
Jaime
Maher
Sureda
Carlo
Hester
Julian

Target: Top 10
A C1 stage race which includes a TT. It'll be tough for Andre to break the Top 10 but we hope that he can do so. We send Jaime to focus on the TT stage in the hope that he finds limited competition for the stage win.

Clasico San Jose



Andre
Ruben
Maher
GT
Sureda
Carlo
Hester
Julian

Target: Top 3
The C2 one day hilly classic gives Andre another great opportunity. Given the points available, we anticipate less competition than in NZ but still don't expect Andre to be a favourite. However, we believe he should fight for a podium.

Gent - Wevelgem

		COB	SPR
Alexandr Ovsyannikov	Leader	74	77
Jules Hesters	Domestique	68	71
Mohammah Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil	Free/Support	62	79
Maher Hasnaoui	Free/Support	58	64
Jaume Sureda	Free/Support	64	74
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	62	61
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	62	64

Target: Top 10
Our first cobbled race of the season is the first opportunity for us to see what Ovsya is capable of without having much support. The target here is a Top 10 but we hope that, if it comes down to a sprint, he'll be pushing for the podium.

GP Herning

		COB	SPR
Alexandr Ovsyannikov	Leader	74	77
Jules Hesters	Domestique	68	71
Mohammah Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil	Free/Support	62	79
Maher Hasnaoui	Free/Support	58	64
Jaume Sureda	Free/Support	64	74
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	62	61
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	62	64

Target: Top 5
Another cobbled race and another opportunity for Ovsya to make an impact. This time it's a C2 race which means we target a Top 5 rather than a Top 10.

Volta a Catalunya

		MO	HIL	TT
Enric Mas	Co-Leader	78	77	68
Milos Borisavljevic	Co-Leader	77	73	74
Benoit Cosnefroy	TTT stage	68	71	78
Benjamin Thomas	TTT stage	56	66	78
Andres Paez	Hills Stages	72	77	68
Maher Hasnaoui	Domestique	74	71	70
Jaime Castrillo	TTT stage	66	67	76
Carlo Noia	TTT stage	58	59	74

Target: Win
The first race of the season where we get to see our Stage Race duo of Mas and Borisavljevic. We have high expectations and will be targeting the GC win. We will also see 2 of our top TT riders in COsnefroy and Thomas in the TTT which should support our 2 leaders.

Tour of Southland

		HIL	SPR	ACC
Andres Paez	Leader	77	73	76
Mohammah Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil	Sprint Leader	60	79	77
Ruben Fernandez	Super Domestique	75	60	66
Jaime Castrillo	Domestique	67	70	73
Gerben Thijssen	Sprint Lead-Out	61	74	77
Jaume Sureda	Sprint Lead-Out	68	74	75
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	59	61	69
Jules Hesters	Free/Support	61	71	72

Target: Top 10
We head to the beautiful New Zealand for the Tour of Southland where Paez will lead us in what will no doubt be a packed C1 field. The Malaysian sprinter, Abdul Halil, will hopefully have a go of it in the sprints.

A race in the beautiful East Cape of New Zealand, close to our Team Owner's heart, to start our season off.


Hesters gave us some TV time early on joining the Break of the Day.


The Break didn't last as we move to the end of the race. Paez leading an 8 man group over the top of the hill.


Riders all over the place but Paez once again at the front with 3km to go. Given his sprint ability this maybe isn't the best idea.


Unsurprisingly, he paid for his positioning and use of energy as he only managed 6th in what was a reduced sprint from distance.



In the end, 6th is not a bad result to start the season but we were hopeful that his acceleration and sprint would get us more in such a finale.

Our first cobbled race of the season and it's an important one in the C2HC.


Cardona in the BotD which was later caught.


Ovsya is part of a 10 man group with 8km to go. Manakov launches an attack.


Manakov holds on for victory. Meanwhile Ovsya manages to sprint his way to a strong 4th place!


It's a great result for Ovsya given the caliber of the competition here. If we are being critical, he's faster than the 2 riders who finished 2nd and 3rd so he had us dreaming of a podium. However, 4th is a very respectable result and we're proud of our young man!

Geraardsbergen-Bosberg

		COB	SPR
Alexandr Ovsyannikov	Leader	74	77
Andres Paez	Free/Support	58	73
Mohammah Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil	Free/Support	62	79
Ruben Fernandez	Free/Support	57	60
Maher Hasnaoui	Free/Support	58	64
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	62	61

Target: Top 10
It's another cobbled race which means another opportunity for young Ovsya to lead the team. It's a tough field in the CT in the cobbles but we'll be hoping for a Top 10 which means good points in a C2HC race.

Barbados Cycling Festival

		SPR	ACC	FLA
Fabio Jakobsen	Leader	80	80	74
Benjamin Thomas	Sprint Lead-Out	74	79	73
Gerben Thijssen	Sprint Lead-Out	74	77	71
Jaume Sureda	Sprint Lead-Out	74	75	70
Jules Hesters	Free/Support	71	72	69
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	64	67	69

Target: Top 10 GC
One of only 2 HC races that we are in this season and it's a great opportunity for Jakobsen to show us what he's capable of in what is his first race of the season and his first as a Sprint Leader for us. It won't be easy given that it's HC so we are hoping that he's in and around the Top 10 throughout the 4 days.

Badaling International

		HIL	ACC	FTR
Andres Paez	Leader	77	76	76
Ruben Fernandez	Super Domestique	75	66	72
Maher Hasnaoui	Domestique	71	64	67
Jaume Sureda	Free/Support	68	75	70
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	59	69	68
Jules Hesters	Free/Support	61	72	63
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	62	67	59

Target: Podium
A C2 hilly classic which has historically came down to a reduced uphill sprint and should, therefore, suit Paez very well. He'll have competition as it's a strong CT hills field this year but we expect him to be up there fighting for the win.

Circulo de Jaurez

		SPR	ACC	FLA
Fabio Jakobsen	Leader	80	80	74
Alexandr Ovsyannikov	Sprint Lead-Out	77	76	72
Benjamin Thomas	Sprint Lead-Out	74	79	73
Gerben Thijssen	Sprint Lead-Out	74	77	71
Jaume Sureda	Sprint Lead-Out	74	75	70
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	61	69	73
Jules Hesters	Free/Support	71	72	69
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	64	67	69

Target: Top 10 GC
5 flat stages in the C1 will likely lure in a lot of the top sprinters from across the CT and PCT. Jakobsen will have a great chance here to fight for a strong result which we know he can bring. We target Top 10 but, depending on the start list, could be expecting more.

Coppa Placci

		HIL	ACC	FTR
Andres Paez	Leader	77	76	76
Ruben Fernandez	Super Domestique	75	66	72
Maher Hasnaoui	Domestique	71	64	67
Jaume Sureda	Free/Support	68	75	70
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	59	69	68
Jules Hesters	Free/Support	61	72	63
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	62	67	59

Target: Top 5
Another C2 hilly classic means another opportunity for Paez to fight with the best of the CT for a win. We expect him to be in and around the Top 5 but hope he will be where it matters at the end to push for victory.

Tour of Eritrea

		MO	HIL	SPR	ACC
Enric Mas	Co-Leader	78	77
Milos Borisavljevic	Co-Leader	77	73
Mohammah Izzat Hilmi Abdul Halil	Sprint Leader			79	77
Ruben Fernandez	Super Domestique	75	75
Maher Hasnaoui	Super Domestique	74	71
Gerben Thijssen	Sprint Lead-Out			74	77
Jaume Sureda	Sprint Lead-Out			74	75
Jules Hesters	Free/Support			71	72

Target: Top 10 GC
It's a race which very much suits Enric Mas given the combination of Mountains and Hills. However, it's a C1 race which means there will be strong competition from the PCT. We still expect a strong showing and will hope for more than a Top 10.

Kuurne - Bruxelles - Kuurne

		COB	SPR
Alexandr Ovsyannikov	Leader	74	77
Jules Hesters	Domestique	68	71
Maher Hasnaoui	Free/Support	58	64
Gerben Thijssen	Free/Support	62	74
Jaume Sureda	Free/Support	64	74
Carlo Noia	Free/Support	62	61
Julian Cardona	Free/Support	62	64

Target: Top 10 and/or Breakaway
It's a C1 cobbled race to finish the month which presents a more difficult opportunity for Ovsya. If it comes down to a reduced sprint then he could be in and amongst the Top 5/10. If it's decided earlier on then it's likely to be a tough race for the team.

Stage 1

Paez one of the top favourites for the opening stage here.


Cosnefroy leading the peloton in the chase with 100km to go.


Paez the one to drag back the Chaves attack with 5km to go.


One of our former riders, McEvoy, takes the win. Paez finishes strongly in 3rd which leaves him 4th in the GC.

Stage 2

The 2nd stage is the only one for the sprinters so we're not expecting anything here given our squad.


It came down to a Sprint. Benjamin Thomas finished in 10th. No other time losses.

Stage 3

It's the first GC decisive stage being the TTT for which we are favourites to open the gap to the other top climbers in the Peloton.


Our team look slick together on the roads of Catalunya!


We live up to our name as favourites and take the stage by 40 seconds. Thomas led us over the line and thus gets the top step on the podium.


In the GC, Paez moves into Yellow. He has a 4 second lead ahead of Borisavljevic & Hasnaoui and a further second back to Mas & Cosnefroy. Our closest competitor is a further minute back so we are left with some breathing space going into the Mountains.

Stage 4

Mas is one of the top favourites for the first Mountain stage and needs to make the advantage from the TTT count.


There was a 31 man breakaway that we would have to control.


Much later in the stage and Mas following the attack of Iino.


The two of them have caught the remaining escapee and dropped Amador in the process.


Amador catches Mas and Iino but Mas puts the foot down and opens a gap.


Mas nears the finish and is holding a 25 second gap but he's got a trio after him!


Under 1km to go. The gap is down to 15 seconds. Will he be able to hold on>


AND HE DOES IT! In the end there are no time gaps but the Spaniard takes his first win for the team.


Mas takes over the GC lead with a 44 second gap to Iino, 1'32 to Potocki and 1'52 to Amador. Paez and Borisavljevic sit 6th and 7th. Mas also moves to 2nd in the Points classification and we sit 2nd in the Teams.


We move into the final 2 stages with the Yellow Jersey on the shoulders of Mas which is where we need it to be. Stage 5 has a few bumps so we’ll just have to ensure nothing too major happens.

Stage 5

A similar stage to the opener with Paez listed as a top favourite and Mas also on the list. Our priority here being to ensure Mas doesn't lose time.


As expected, our guys working to chase down the 16 man BotD.


Everyone is dragged back but then Roson gets on the early attack forcing some pace in the chasing group.


An attack from Roson forces the group into some action and Chaves pulls away. Paez seemingly forgets his duties and follows with Palini in his wheel.


Mas meanwhile follows his nearest GC rival and seems content with Paez going up the road to thwart efforts for the stage win.


Paez and Mas avoid doing any work as the groups come back together as we approach the finish.


Chaves is the first to go with 800m to go. Paez and Mas relaxed on the right-hand side as we look at them.


400m to go, Chaves looks like he's comfortably going to take this one. Paez so far staying at the side of Mas.


Chaves already celebrating. Paez meanwhile now senses his chance.


It was late from both of our riders but Paez powered into 2nd place. Mas meanwhile used his acceleration effectively to take 4th on the stage!


2nd and 4th means another good points haul. No time gaps means no changes in the GC which Mas still leads. Paez & Borisavljevic also still 6th and 7th.
The only change is in the Points classification where Mas moves into the lead while Paez moves to 2nd and will wear Green on the final stage.

The final stage is the toughest of the lot and it'll be all hands on deck to control the race and ensure Mas ends it in Yellow!

Stage 6

The final stage and it's not an easy one. Mas will be under attack here from his GC rivals.


About 7km to go and Paez is dropped, 16 remain in the leading group.


Mas seemingly paying for his effort to sprint in Stage 5. Only 500m to go though!


He comes in alone and he's lost the GC by 13 seconds... Clearly not provided with enough protection and he was left exposed.


He does however win the Points classification ahead of Paez so a good 1-2 there.

Stage 1

Castrillo on the attack early.


He wins the KOM sprint.


He also wins the intermediate sprint.


He is caught with 10km to go but it was a great effort!


Castrillo leads the KOM after Stage 1!

Stage 2

Castrillo senses another opportunity to get in the spotlight. No KOM sprints on this stage though.


Unfortunately it's only 2nd in the intermediate sprint for him on this stage.


There were KOM points for the stage winner so Castrillo drops to 2nd.

Stage 3

He's a bit late on the attacks today but he's powering his way to join the breakaway for the 3rd stage in a row!


He wins the intermediate sprint this time.


Can't win the KOM sprint but he takes 2nd which secures more points.


He tried an earlier attack to get maximum points in the final KOM sprint of the stage but fails and only gets 1 point for 3rd.


They are eventually caught. Highlighting the stage finale here as our young Malaysian sprinter, Abdul Halil, finished in a very respectable 6th.


Castrillo 2nd in the KOM and 9th in the Points classification going into Stage 4.

Stage 4

Unsurprisingly, it's Castrillo on the attack yet again.


It's another win for him in the intermediate sprint!


No other action from us in Stage 4. Castrillo 1 point off the KOM lead in 3rd while he moves up to 5th in the Points classification.

Stage 5

It's 5/5 for Castrillo as he is in the Breakaway yet again! Some effort from the Spaniard.


He rolls over the intermediate sprint in first place which moves him level with the leader in the Points classification for now!


He only manages 2nd in the KOM which puts him back in the lead in that classification.


He manages only 3rd in the final KOM sprint but this secures him the win in this classification!

It's another cobbled race which means another opportunity for Ovsya to lead the team and get a good result.


Paez, not the best cobbler, was our rider in the breakaway. He was later caught.


He rode an anonymous race but Ovsya managed a very strong 7th in what was a strong field.


Definitely a great result here for our young Cobbler who is very much riding on his own in such races this season. He follows up his 4th in Gent - Wevelgem with a great 7th here!

Stage 1

Thijssen & Thomas proving a lead-out in the finale for Jakobsen.


In the end it's not the worst start as he manages 8th.

Stage 2

No train from us this time around but Jakobsen picks up a good wheel.


He holds a strong position as we head into the finish!


It's 2nd in the end for Jakobsen behind Ewan. A very respectable result indeed. After 2 stages he is 5th in GC, 5th in Points and 2nd in the U25.

Stage 3

We'll keep this short. He finished 11th. This sees him drop to 7th in GC and Points while he holds onto 2nd in the U25.

Stage 4

Not a bad position for Jakobsen to be in as he passes under the kite.


He's moving at pace on the near side here. This could be a big result for him
and the team.


He moves into the lead with 200m to go


Oh so close as he is pipped on the line by AKA. 2nd it is!

Tour of California

Hard work on the front from Paez on Stage 2 didn't quite pay off as Mas finished 8th on the Stage putting him 7th in the GC.


A hilly stage 3 worked out very well for us as Paez and Mas went 2nd and 3rd with Fernandez and Borisavljevic 9th and 10th as well. This propelled Mas to 3rd in the GC.


On the final stage we attempted attacks with Mas but it was too late and he finished in a group of 13 in 7th with Borisavljevic 8th.


In the end it was a little disappointing but Mas ended up 4th in the GC with Borisavljevic 5th. Paez 13th and Fernandez 19th doing a great job throughout as domestiques.

Baltic Chain Tour

Stage 1

The opening stage was a cobbled prologue. Thomas, not good on the pavee, managed 10th. Jakobsen in 22nd limiting his time losses.


Stage 2

The team did get involved in the sprint with a lead-out train through the middle here.


But in the end he was left to fight alone for too long and Jakobsen could only manage 10th.


Stage 3

2.5kms to go and again we put a train together.


1.7km now and we still had a lead-out in place.


Under the kite and Jakobsen was biding his time.


But in the end he could only manage 4th in a strong field where he didn't quite have the kick. This did move him up the GC though.


Stage 4

No train today as Jakobsen (in white) was well positioned coming up to the kite.


700m to go and he eyed a gap between the Minions riders.


400m and showing good pace on the right-hand side.


AND HE WON THE STAGE by a bike length! He moved into the GC lead with this win holding a 10 second gap going into the final stage.


Stage 5

Jakobsen not involved in the sprint on the final day and ended up 13th on the stage.

BUT IT DOESN'T MATTER AS OUR SPRINTER SENSATION WON THE GC! Winning Stage 4 and a good result on Stage 3 was all it took in the end as he won the GC by 8 seconds.

This win along with 3rd in the Points Classification and 1st in the U25s meant a very heavy points scoring race for the Dutchman

USA Pro Cycling Challenge

It's Goal Race time where our goal is to finish in the Top 5 of the GC.

Stage 1

Cosnefroy put in a magnificent effort as he won the opening stage by 6 seconds!


Jakobsen a minute behind which rules him out of GC contention really. Noia best young rider though as he managed 5th on the stage!


Stage 2

Thomas provided a powerful lead-out in the sprint.


But in the end it was disappointing as Jakobsen only managed 6th on the stage.
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Stage 3

Another poor effort from Jakobsen as he was only 7th on the stage. In the GC, Cosnefroy only 6 seconds clear of 2nd with 1 stage remaining.


Stage 4

Jakobsen left to fight early in the sprint but he did have the lead with 800m to go.


He could only manage 8th on the stage.


And in the end Cosnefroy was level with Matthews on time but Matthews won the GC on countback so we had to settle for 2nd. It's disappointing because if Jakobsen had done better on the final stage, or one of the others, then we would have had a GC Win but..

GOAL ACHIEVED

We can't complain too much with that. We also finished 2nd in the Teams classification. Young loanee, Carlo Noia, also performed well as he took 10th in the GC and 2nd in the U25s.

2021 Season Review