So they reached the apex and came crashing back down. Yes, after a glorious promotion run in 2020, driven by the team ideals of home-grown riders with unique skillsets, Xero Racing put up a respectable but no less doomed effort in the Pro Tour in 2021 and now find themselves back in cycling's second tier. The Lionhearts are not quite the same team they were two years ago, and have even more changes needing to come, but they are ready for something that’s somewhere between a continuation and a next chapter.
The team’s first six years culminated in a beautiful squad who encapsulated the team’s goals and had grown together reaching the Pro Tour, and ultimately making wonderful memories, with moments such as home grown hero Joseph Areruya winning the white jersey at the Giro d’Italia, a very good Hugo Houle wearing the maillot jaune at Le Tour, and, most iconic of all, “Mr. Xero” George Bennett, who has been with the team since the CT, winning on La Toussuire at Le Grande Boucle.
It feels like whatever happens now, that that iteration of the team did what they dreamed of back in those CT days, and reached the summit of winning on the biggest stage with a home leader. Now the pressure is off a bit, with survival and further team growth the only stated goals for the first year back in the PCT. Loyalty and a consistent team is still paramount, and there will be no total rebuild, but it just isn’t possible to bring everyone back under a reduced salary cap and naturally this won’t be the same team that promoted in 2020.
In time, this team will transition more and maybe grow into a force that can promote back to PT and stay, but for now they’ll enjoy the ride and continue to develop. Those halcyon days of Bennett, Debesay, Rowe and Houle were never going to be forever and the team must continue to move forward, although still treasuring those special times. Bring on the future.
About: The overnight success that is Xero is now a international company still based in little ol' NZ. They develop online accounting software for small businesses but are moving into larger clients as well. Contract Until: 2023 *new contract Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain (minor), United States (very minor)
Xero stepped in at the last minute in 2016, and since then have been a great asset to the team and are now nearly synonymous with us. They have publicly noted their disappointment in our lack of impact on the young blood of New Zealand cycling and with only two full-time New Zealand riders left in the team, there were always serious questions as to whether Xero would want to continue, with rumours their renewal for 2021 had more to do with PT exposure than local interest at this point. However, we are delighted that thanks to corporate reshuffling and aggressive international expansion, that issue has been put to the side for at least another two years and they are continuing as our title sponsor.
About: Qhubeka is a non-for-profit, the South African programme of World Bicycle Relief, distributing bikes to help connect people to schools, clinics and jobs. Contract Until: 2022 Focus Nations: South Africa
A charity which helps use bicycles to support communities in poverty, as well as as a tool to help people of any age move forward in life. Not a sponsor by any means, quite the opposite. We ride for Qhubeka to increase awareness and taking part in fundraising, both of them increasing their funds and reach.
About: Visit Rwanda is a premier tourism company operating in, you guessed it, Rwanda. Contact Until: 2023 *new contract Focus Nation: Rwanda, The World (minor)
The Rwandan tourism company are delighted with their continued and increased involvement in the team of local hero Joseph Areruya, who established himself as a star with his 27th-placed finish in the Pro Tour, including gaining huge exposure and popularity with an aggressive Giro d'Italia, including winning the white jersey. As long as he's here, they say they are too.
The Secondary Sponsors
Spoiler
About: Octagon is the sports and entertainment marketing division of the Interpublic Group (IPG). The IPG is one of the "big four" advertising companies and so being sponsored by the South African arm of the sports arm of the IPG is a smaller deal but with big background. Contract Until: 2023 *new contract Focus Nations: South Africa, The World (minor)
Octagon help us get our name on the backs of buses, billboards, wherever, in our target countries. Good for publicity, finances and fans. They have stepped down from their title sponsor role (2016-18) but maintain a solid presence within the team as our marketers and talent representatives.
About: Castle Lager is South Africa's favourite beer and is now available in over 40 countries worldwide. Contact Until: 2022 *new contract Focus Nations: South Africa, The World (minor)
Castle Lager continues their long association with South African sport as they continue in their current two-year contract with the team.
About: Expedia is an American online travel shopping company - from flights to hotels and cars. Contract Until: 2023 *new sponsor Focus Nations: The World
Expedia join us as a new sponsor this season and we are very excited to work with them, including hopefully getting much cheaper travel for the team!
The Minor Sponsors
About: Cell C are a South African mobile operator and telecommunications company. Contract Until: 2022 *new sponsor Focus Nations: South Africa
Cell C, much like Castle Lager, have a long-time involvement with South African sport, and after MTN and Telkom used to sponsor Project: Africa, Cell C are the third such company to be involved with South African cycling teams.
About: Stoney Creek are New Zealand's most trusted brand in outdoor clothing. Contract Until: 2023 *new sponsor Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia (minor), Great Britain (minor), United States (minor), Canada (minor)
Stoney Creek make amazing products which will keep our team warm and protected off the bike, but we are particularly excited about their foray into cycling-specific gear - their first try, but we know their quality and have been impressed by what they've shown us.
About: Telkom Indonesia is a majority state owned telecommunications company, the largest in Indonesia. Contract Until: 2022 Focus Nations: Indonesia
Jamalidin Novardianto is an absolute fan favourite and nowhere is this more clear, other than the manager's office, than in his home country of Indonesia. Not investing too much money, this state-owned telecommunications firm wanted in and will sponsor the team, just so they know we're tight and all, as long as Jams rides for us. So until he retires, then.
* Stagiaire contracts
** Gough loaned in from BNZ. Wage paid by Xero is €10,000
*** Pidcock loaned out to cycleYorkshire. Wage paid by Xero is €160,000
Why change perfection? Despite the change of jersey manufacturer to our new sponsor Stoney Creek, design-wise it's another year in our absolutely stunning kit, by prolific and super-talented designer the_hoyle! Special thanks to Ezeefreak for updating the logos to reflect sponsor changes.
And of course, our six national champions and their jerseys, thanks to Ezeefreak:
Great intro and details to start off the new HQ, lovely stuff
Looking forward to how the PCT rebuild will come along. You should not have any problems getting back into shape for the division with the leaders coming through, and the incredible array of talent coming through the ranks. Bit jealous really
Also keen to see if the iconic jersey goes through any changes!
@Abhishek - Thank you very much I'm not as confident in my chances as you but I guess that's our mutual role for each other sometimes This year will be a holding one I fear before Stannard and Fouche max out, no priorities but survival and fun. If we get that done then yeah I'm confident as hell for the future! And stay tuned on that front...
A real mixed bag during renewals this year with some very pleasing business done and some disappointing attitudes from some of our riders, and a lot of changes with only three riders having the same wage as in 2021. Coming in with 20 riders on the dot but obviously with some work to do to fit into the PCT salary cap - please stand by for our upcoming transfers availability post. Some plans for this season have been adjusted following this renewals, and needless to say some of the riders who took us to promotion last time around in the PCT unfortunately won't be able to stay and do the same in 2022.
Particular highlights for us were the selfless attitudes of our major talents Stannard, Pidcock and Vermeersch who combined for a half million off our wage bill, as well as a generous 80k pay cut for "Mr. Xero" George Bennett, knowing how important it is to the team. The big standout in terms of rises is Sergio Higuita, however given his huge development last year and his fantastic 97th place finish in the PT standings this is more than acceptable and given his current skillset and potential we are happy with the work done.
We do bid farewell to 4-year Xero man Stanislau Bazhkou, who has been a great servant to the team in his former role as a leader and recently as a great domestique and, with Morne van Niekerk, hard carrying our TTT train. He will be greatly missed and we hope to see him find a new home during transfers.
Quite the renewals fee, I'm curious which riders will have to leave to get everything in order. I could definetely see us having a talk or two As much as I would have liked you to remain in PT, it is kinda cool to have three African teams in the same division. I think I've said this before, I'm somewhat going to hate getting beat by Areruya, and at the same time I'm going to love seeing him thrive
@redordead - I have a lot of experience dealing with high wage talents I guess Thanks for the confidence in me, I hope it's not misplaced
@Croatia - Yeah for sure, I know you know I could throw myself a pity party for a while about all that but I can't be bothered in this thread. I think I played the hand I have been dealt alright. Thank you
@cunego - I am looking forward to talking with you Yeah I am super excited to be racing against you at last and Aidan as well of course! Going to be an interesting dynamic between Areruya and Bralirwa and their fans - some big decisions for AreruyaFanNo1!
@valverde - I think you might be onto something there. I'd love to have a chat or two
@SotD - Ahhh there's always something gets through the cracks huh? Thank you
It is with a heavy heart Xero Racing have released their Rider Availability Notice to their fellow teams heading into the 2022 transfer season. As alluded to in the team's post-renewals press conference, some riders have to leave the team and this will include long-time team members and leaders, especially multiple leaders from the team's 2020 promotion class. More advertising will be done in the run-up to and during transfers, but the team have released short statements anyway.
One or both of Luke Rowe and Hugo Houle will leave. The duo have both been great winners and points-scorers for the team, each with a Top 50 season in the PCT for the team and never much lower than that, with Houle also 53rd in the PT last season showing their aptitude across all divisions as really valuable leaders, from the conversation for top of the CT standings to the type of low to medium wage leader that any team would love to have. Houle stands as marginally the least likely of the major targets to move but it is very much on the cards.
Xandro Meurisse is also on the move. 62nd in the 2020 PCT standings, Xandro is a still training-eligible all-around puncheur with skills in the sprints, mountains (2nd in a Vuelta MTF) and the cobbles (won Viana do Castelo) to make your mouth water with the planning possibilities, and if trained to 79HI his backups and 71SP 78ACC make him one of the best puncheurs in the PCT (after already being among the best of the second tier in 2020) or even at 78HI the best in the CT. Also a very handy rider for PT as a luxury domestique or weak-terrain leader and stage hunter as evidenced by his 122nd place finish there last year.
Sergio Higuita is freshly maxed, U25 eligible and begging to build on his 97th place finish in the PT last year as a level 4 rider by cruising into the Top 40 or 50 of the PCT (L4 Areruya with worse backups, unfavourable races behind Bennett, and 1 less MO was 52nd in 2020) or becoming a PT or PCT team's new long-term project - trained in either MO or HI he could become one of the world's best in a couple of seasons. Not yet the biggest name but surely one of the riders on the market with the hugest potential and already would be a huge leader in the PCT and a very very solid one in PT.
Jordan Schleck would be very tough to let go for us, being with us since the beginning. Still only 26 and pot 7, he will be an incredibly valuable 60-65k mountain domestique for nearly a decade with slow decline speed, great RES and the ACC to attack on occasion as well. Otherwise he could also be a great CT leader. He is also the best rider in the Schleck family now and the best Schleck normally is in the Top 5 of the Pro Tour historically so yeah.
Stats
OVL
Wage
Areruya
Joseph
79MO, 79HI
79.14
€530,000
Bennett
George
81MO, 76HI
78.04
€340,000
●
Higuita
Sergio
78MO, 77HI
77.71
€350,000
●●●●●
Rowe
Luke
79SP, 75CB
77.51
€275,000
●●●●●
Houle
Hugo
79SP, 75HI
77.22
€260,000
●●●●
Meurisse
Xandro
77HI, 74MO
77.14
€210,000
●●●●●
Stannard
Robert
77HI, 75RS
75.98
€130,000
●
Habtemichael
Daniel
78MO, 74TT
75.92
€125,000
●●
Pidcock
Thomas
70sALL, 75RS
75.66
€320,000
Fouche
James
76MO, 73HI
74.52
€77,000
●
Schleck
Jordan
77MO, 73HI
74.33
€65,000
●●●●●
Nikiema
Bachirou
75HI, 70SP
74.23
€60,000
●●
Van Niekerk
Morne
78TT, 76FL
73.97
€52,000
●
Tesfaye Heyi
Henok
76RS, 75FL
73.87
€50,000
●
Novardianto
Jamalidin
78RS, 79AC
73.80
€53,000
Kipkemboi
Salim
75HI, 73MO
73.73
€50,000
●●
van Zyl
Johann
74HI, 73TT
73.00
€53,000
●
Vermeersch
Florian
70CB, 70SP
71.07
€170,000
●●
Hamza
Yacine
73SP, 73AC
70.71
€50,000
●●●
Schomber
Nils
81PL, 76RS
70.49
€65,000
●●●
● strong intention to keep | ●●● open for offers | ●●●●● clear intention to sell
The team are also looking to loan out one of Thomas Pidcock or James Fouche. Details will come in later but Pidcock would be a split wage and Fouche with you possibly paying the majority though it's somewhat flexible. Pidcock doesn't need to be discussed, he would be a real scorer due to being all-around and a breakaway threat, and maybe the most valuable multi-tool domestique in the world at PT or PCT level. Fouche is a great proposition being 4.99 and so no worries for any division to max him (CT would just need an HC RD). A leader in CT or a super valuable climbing domestique in PT or PCT, essentially getting paid to take a useful rider for a year on a lower wage than you'd find him in FA. You know how loans work, we don't need to explain this to you.
Xero Racing 2022 
Australia, 
Great Britain (minor), 
United States (very minor)
Rwanda, 
The World (minor)
Sergio Higuita
Stanislau Bazhkou
Jordan Schleck
Luke Rowe
Syver Waersted [Loaned In]
Jason Tesson [Stagiaire]
Arvid de Kleijn
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
Mingrun Chen [Stagiaire]
Than Tung Huynh [Stagiaire]
Akramjon Sunnatov [Stagiaire]
Abofazl Gilanipoor
Marvain Tognama Kossouhorou
Peter Velits
Geremie Nzeke
Rei Onodera [Loaned In]
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Jonathan Salinas
Igor Antón
Aleksandr Efimkin
Ok Cheol Kim [Stagiaire]
Hong Kong Challenge
Franceville Classique
Volta a Portugal
Strade Bianche
Tour of Pologne
Tour de Romandie
Tour of Chile
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Hanko Classic
Riga - Jurmala GP
Balkans International
Tour du Maroc
