So, pretty eventful renewals. Lost some guys I wish I hadn't, but we will look to resign them quickly. We are left with 5 maxed guys with two of them coming after a decline. But we also are left with 1.5mil in freed wage budget. Maybe some unexpected casualties will be incurred to help shape up the team?
Edited by quadsas on 24-08-2022 21:28
Great renewals obviously, congrats! Tremendous work getting Halvorsen down to that wage in particular. Brandle as well - the decline hurts, but he might be an even better value now with the salary drop.
Probably stings to lose Keizer for nothing, but I think it's better than the alternative of overpaying and being unable to offload him later. Still a strong rider, but much more replaceable after the second decline.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Some great accepted wages and rather surprising releases such as Keizer, Dyrnes or De Gendt. Looks like you were quite aggressive during renewals? Or were those cuts planned?
knockout wrote:
Some great accepted wages and rather surprising releases such as Keizer, Dyrnes or De Gendt. Looks like you were quite aggressive during renewals? Or were those cuts planned?
baseballlover312 wrote:
Great renewals obviously, congrats! Tremendous work getting Halvorsen down to that wage in particular. Brandle as well - the decline hurts, but he might be an even better value now with the salary drop.
Probably stings to lose Keizer for nothing, but I think it's better than the alternative of overpaying and being unable to offload him later. Still a strong rider, but much more replaceable after the second decline.
Keizer was a curious case. Not sure if I shouldve tried to keep him at the last years wages (which were damn low for his scoring), but he refused a fairly small paycut compared to lets say what Carlsberg managed, so I think I just got hosed by the very secret anti-Baltic formula. Kinda sucks but oh well.
De Gendt and Dyrnes dedinitely werent planned. Couldnt sell De Gendt at 100k wages and he wanted even more, couldnt get it under 100k so hes gone, Dyrnes similarly rejected an offer that I think is around his FA value.
Wow the Bulls look slimmed down and scary on the FA market, very interested to see what you do with the transfer world as your oyster, looks like a newly promoting team almost!
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] Xero Racing
Trimmed a lot there, looking good. Will be very interesting to see what Leknesund can do after a stat gain. He was really solid last season already - But mostly due to attacks if I recall correctly.
jandal7 wrote:
Wow the Bulls look slimmed down and scary on the FA market, very interested to see what you do with the transfer world as your oyster, looks like a newly promoting team almost!
redordead wrote:
Looks like some rebuilding is required, but the pieces left are all pretty good
Indeed we do almost look like a newly promoted team, but that just means more fun during transfers.
SotD wrote:
Trimmed a lot there, looking good. Will be very interesting to see what Leknesund can do after a stat gain. He was really solid last season already - But mostly due to attacks if I recall correctly.
When he attacked he succeeded, although I am sure that's merely a benefit of his main stats being garbanzo and his backups being great, not posing much of a threat to the AI, don't expect it to continue, but could be even better, who knows.
ember wrote:
As has been written, surprised to see Keizer leave. Leknessund and Halvorsen look great, I'm sure we'll talk when transfers start
We keep em Norwegians nice and fresh for you.
---
EARLY AVAILABILITY
TO GO
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Carlos Betancourt
68
72
79
59
70
69
62
51
66
72
74
66
58
33
Itamar Einhorn [LVL4]
73
60
61
62
70
71
73
62
78
76
60
63
64
25
Giorgi Tediashvili[LVL3]
71
66
68
65
71
74
71
71
67
70
69
65
65
23
Beka Nareklishvili[LVL3]
68
61
65
71
69
70
69
72
64
70
67
61
72
26
Betancourt still has another season in him. With so many CT teams he will be great leader down there, or maybe a stage hunter for PCT sides.
Other three are sweet talents on min wages, two cobblers and a dang good sprinter.
LISTENING TO OFFERS
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Matthias Brändle
74
75
70
78
71
71
70
55
59
67
61
67
78
33
Muhamma Afif Ahmad Zamri
70
75
70
75
72
74
75
52
59
69
71
59
75
30
Mihkel Räim
74
62
67
61
73
72
75
71
76
75
76
68
74
29
Andreas Leknessund[LVL3]
72
73
71
74
74
78
73
69
65
68
74
69
74
23
This group contains riders that I definitely wouldn't mind keeping. Raim was the main helped for Halvorsen, and well, clearly he did a great job. Brandle and Ahmad Zamri are a sweet Tour of Ukraine sort of duo. With Brandle's wages being so low I am sure he is quite an interesting rider, but we must not anger the Red Bulls without receiving a solid compensation.
And Leekdeeznuts. We will consider letting him go. Simply is not untouchable and a reasonable deal could land you one of better stage racer talents in the game.
IF YOU LOVE BURNING MONEY
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Kristoffer Halvorsen
76
58
65
63
74
71
80
70
80
80
70
61
68
26
Venantas Lasinis[LVL4]
68
75
71
72
71
71
72
59
61
68
67
69
72
25
Mantas Januskevicius[LVL3]
70
68
70
69
73
74
70
55
68
70
73
68
68
23
Of course, money is king, but first of all, I don't think anyone would be interested in Lithuanian talents, and Halvorsen is simply awesome and training ready. It's not like I'd be asking 4 million for him, but it would have to be a deal clearly in my favor
A lot has happened already, and we have been able to finalise two transfers..
Sebastian Schönberger is a solid Austrian, mainly signed to appease our drink overlords.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
XP
Age
Wage
Sebastian Schönberger
66
72
76
59
73
74
71
57
65
71
75
74
59
74.14
4.100
28
60,000
And a semi blockbuster trade was done with Gazelle, sending Andreas Leknessund in exchange for 350000 and Neilson Powless. Essentually, we used a faulty time machine that spat out some money and a bit worse Leknessund, but we skipped two years of waiting.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
XP
Age
Wage
Neilson Powless
72
77
72
78
76
74
76
59
64
71
64
65
78
76.83
4.100
26
190,000
That brings our roster to a total of 8 riders! Quite a few have left unceremoniously, and there will be reinforcements coming.
We have received reinforcements. The most expensive of those was yet another Austrian in Felix Großschartner. Did not have the best year last year, but still a decent hand in the hills and mountains, should be a staple of the team for a few years.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Felix Grossschartner
67
74
77
67
72
73
72
50
62
72
71
68
69
74.78
29
90,000
The other two are pretty much stage hunters. Hayakawa will be kept far away from Halvorsen as to not ruin both of their races, and should only terrainous stage races and clashes with Halvorsen. If he could match his 100 points tally from last year, that would be perfection.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Tomohiro Hayakawa
73
63
65
50
75
68
76
57
79
79
75
73
50
75.56
30
55,000
And lastly, we have completed the trifecta and now are represented riders from all 3 Baltic countries. Andris Smirnovs, a one dimensional stage hunter, managed almost 100 points last year, and a repeat of that would be very much welcomed.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Andris Smirnovs
68
68
77
56
74
69
67
68
72
78
78
70
56
75.44
32
55,000
---
Clearly, still long way to go towards full completion, but things are bound to change and I am excited to see how the final lineup is going to look like.
We have finally signed a true leader for our team. As in most seasons, we've done a deal with our friends at King Power, bringing Rafael Reis over for 1.25 mirrion. While I don't expect him to be a dominant force, being only 30 he will be a great piece for next year too, when we will be looking to build a promotion worthy squad.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Rafael Reis
70
81
73
76
78
76
78
56
50
64
66
68
76
77.83
30
350,000
Two climber domestiques have also joined Zalgiris to hopefully be of any help to Rafael. Murilo Affonso joins us from ISA - Hexacta for 60k and Kashyapa Siriwardena for 50k from FA.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Murilo Affonso
69
76
72
73
72
70
74
56
54
68
74
53
73
74.01
31
60,000
Kashyapa Siriwardena
67
74
73
72
71
73
72
56
58
68
74
65
72
73.54
30
50,000
The last two signees are mainly warm bodies. Oscar Cabanas is probably the best incarnation of that. A part of TTT team, a water carrier, maybe even an attacker at times. Ziga Groselj will be a part of stage hunting duo with Smirnovs. Both signed from FA for 50k
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Ziga Groselj
69
63
75
72
72
73
68
53
72
72
72
63
72
73.56
29
50,000
Oscar Cabanas
68
71
71
74
73
70
68
56
61
66
70
67
75
72.06
31
50,000
Sadly, Matthias Brandle has left Zalgiris. We are sure Red Bull will not be happy to hear that, but they better trust the process or else. So the roster is getting fuller by the day, but we are certainly not done yet.
Let's start with the least exciting one. Wen Hao Li is simply an addition to our TTT team, and could possibly be helpful to a sprint train. Joins us for 55k from Evonik.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Wen Hao Li
74
52
60
77
71
66
69
50
74
73
63
63
77
71.58
33
55,000
Next up, a big loanee. Remco Evenepoel joins us on loan from Huski. This was simply our lone goal this season - be the very first team Remco rode for. If he could match Leknessund's point tally from last year, he would instantly become club legend
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Remco Evenepoel
74
69
72
72
74
76
60
63
64
70
80
66
72
72.63
22
50,000
Also very pleased to welcome the biggest talent Lithuania has seen - Rokas Kmieliauskas. Took a while and took a lot of money, but we have finally secured him. He is on the path to become a legendary rider.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Rokas Kmieliauskas
69
65
67
72
67
66
67
60
63
69
72
65
72
68.46
22
300,000
Rokas Kmieliauskas
74
70
70
81
74
71
74
60
63
69
75
66
81
xxx
22
300,000
And finally. We have parted ways with Neilson Powless before he even participated in a single race for us. We have shipped him off to his homeland to ride for Zwift, and in return we have received Jose Fernandes and Xuban Errazkin. Both will be a part of the core that will hopefully challenge for promotion next year.
Truly puzzling where Kmieliauskas got these stats from, but congrats on landing him!
Obviously the perfect match, and well worth the investment pretty much starting next year already.
Big congrats of Kmieliauskas! He will be a powerhouse, particularly as he'll come of age when most of the old guard will be gone. Must feels great to get that next regional star. Hoping I have something similar on a different terrain.
Also in a good position with your top guys all being years away from decline now. The reshuffle helped a lot there. So even regardless of rankings this year, you're set up for sustained success.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Big overhaul of the team, massive steal for Kmieliauskas. Hope you have enough firepower to stay up, but Reis and Halvorsen alone should already net you a great amount of points.
cio93 wrote:
Truly puzzling where Kmieliauskas got these stats from, but congrats on landing him!
Obviously the perfect match, and well worth the investment pretty much starting next year already.
Those are fax, I suggested him much worse, but since I've signed him I can't complain I guess.
AbhishekLFC wrote:
So much work ruined by signing a former Philips rider. Tch tch. Sponsors are thinking of walking out.
Those are fax. However the Lithuanian Inquisition will do its best to exorcise the Philips genes from him.
baseballlover312 wrote:
Big congrats of Kmieliauskas! He will be a powerhouse, particularly as he'll come of age when most of the old guard will be gone. Must feels great to get that next regional star. Hoping I have something similar on a different terrain.
Also in a good position with your top guys all being years away from decline now. The reshuffle helped a lot there. So even regardless of rankings this year, you're set up for sustained success.
I am sure you're happy with the talents you've acquired. You still have some cursed pieces on your team which HAVE to leave. Kmieliauskas will do his best to retire them out of sport very soon.
redordead wrote:
Perhaps one of the more impressive transfer efforts with the way you flipped your team around. Congrats
Those are big fax. Phenomenal work by me with zero budget after 0/5 goals. Truth aside, Things went to plan and probably even better overall. Now just have to hope that my depth will return to 2020 form and not 2021.
Nemolito wrote:
Big overhaul of the team, massive steal for Kmieliauskas. Hope you have enough firepower to stay up, but Reis and Halvorsen alone should already net you a great amount of points.
Opposite of fax regarding Kmieliauskas!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
---
So, the window has closed and we've completed our team.
We brought in Simone Consonni as a leadout for Hayakawa. Really just a 20th man on the roster.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Simone Consonni
72
58
69
64
71
76
76
66
75
75
65
62
65
72.42
28
50,000
Justas Beniusis is the big winner of free agency this year after taking a chance to test his worth on the market. He resigns with us on massively inflated 355000 wage. We wont make that mistake again.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
OVR
Age
Wage
Justas Beniusis
71
69
60
79
71
73
72
56
57
67
68
68
78
74.91
25
355,000
We have also sent Kmieliauskas to CT where he will be riding against men and becoming a true Pagan Warrior ready to FIGHT next year. oh and we trained Halvorsen.
