Back-to-back relegations find veteran manager Mresuperstar in the CT Division for the first time since his debut season back in 2012 -- a time when then the PCT division didn't even exist yet. Despite the despair, the change has reunited Mre with former pro cyclist Taylor Newton and the Newton Foundation to help create and fund the Newton Foundation p/b Zwift cycling team for the 2024 season.
Zwift, the team's primary sponsor from 2021-23, remains with the team as a secondary sponsor in support of the team's core mission of developing a strong core of riders in hopes of bring the squad back to the Pro Tour and beyond.
For Mre, the reunion with the Newton Foundation signifies a homecoming of sorts. Back in the 2017, Mre teamed up with the Newton Foundation for the first time and guiding the PCT team to a remarkable promotion to the Pro Tour. Newton Foundation didn't have the funds to prop up a top-level cycling team at the time but did sign secondary sponsorship deals with Mre in subsequent years — 2019 and 2020 with Desigual, followed by 2021 and 2022 with Zwift.
During his cycling career, Newton racked up the fifth-most race days ridden (383) under Mre's management from 2014-19 despite never winning a race or stage.
The Newton Foundation's mission, born from personal tragedy, resonates deeply with the team. Founded in the wake of Taylor's father having a stroke which led to his passing, the Foundation is dedicated to providing support, resources, and hope to stroke victims and survivors. On behalf of the Newton Foundation, please consider donating to the American Heart Association.
Mre enters his 13th Man-Game season having managed the following teams: Zwift Pro Cycling (2021-23), Desigual (2018-20), Newton Foundation (2017), Movistar-US Postal (2015-16), and Team CSC-Orbea (2012-14).
More team history can be found below.
Edited by Mresuperstar on 11-07-2024 12:15
Big oof for the CT part of the thread, but huge yay to the NF part! This isn't celebrating failure, it's about celebrating the return of a legendary name and the hugely bright future ahead!
Yours will be one of the most interesting transfer seasons - and probably one of the most eagerly watched renewals as well. But as long as you're able to keep at least two out of the trio Girmay-Powless-Jorgenson you should be among the division favourites right away. Best of luck to manage this!
The first phase of the transfer window is negotiating contracts with our current squad and releasing riders we no longer want to keep around. With a 1.2 million salary cap, extremely difficult decision had to be made.
Here is how those discussions played out over the last few weeks:
Riders Released
The following 11 cyclists were let go before the start of the transfer season:
Pascal Ackermann: The hybrid sprinter won three races over the last two seasons, including the most recent Germany NC RR title and Mre's only win ever at the Tour de France. But we just couldn't match his wage demands and had to part ways.
Matthew Walls: Newly maxed 80SP sprinter, but that came at a cost we just couldn't afford. We tried to talk Walls down multiple times, but he wouldn't budge. We didn't either.
Harold Tejada: Solid, young mountain helper. We helped him max out over the last four seasons, but we just haven't seen enough out of him to make a roster spot for the wage he wanted. Will be missed.
Omar Fraile: Everyone could see the writing on the wall with this one once Zwift got relegated. We brought Fraile back to a veteran leader for our young team. He departs a second time after another regression. He leaves the program with the second-most RDs (569) and tied for the most breakaway appearances (28) in Mre's history.
Nihal Silva: Won the last stage of the Tour of America, and podiumed a couple of times in the three-week PCT grand tour. Then won the Sri Lanka RR NC. As such, Silva wanted more money than we could ever offer him.
Brendan Rhim: Made the early decision not to bring Rhim back. His 68 stamina is a hindrance we can't overlook anymore.
Uga Ryuki: Knew we weren't going to have the resources to help Ryuki max out, so giving him the chance to find a team where he can continue to develop.
Lewis Stroll: Second year in a row we have had to cut Stroll. Again, we will keep the door open for a possible reunion.
Riley Pickrell: Young prospect cut to limit our "Over the Wage Cap" penalty.
Sean Flynn: Stagiare.
Vinicius Rangel: Stagiare.
Riders Renewed
The following 12 cyclists signed new contracts heading into the transfer season:
2022 Wage
2023 Wage
Difference
Matteo Jorgenson
130,000
335,000
+205,000
Neilson Powless
170,000
300,000
+130,000
Biniam Girmay
600,000
375,000
-225,000
Jack Burke
165,000
145,000
-20,000
Juan Pedro Lopez
120,000
130,000
+10,000
Bram Welten
145,000
110,000
-35,000
Ethan Vernon
150,000
85,000
-65,000
Simon Carr
50,000
50,000
0
Sean Quinn
65,000
50,000
-15,000
Thomas Gloag
170,000
125,000
-45,000
Carlos Canal
50,000
50,000
0
Tristan Jussaume
100,000
65,000
-35,000
TOTAL
1,820,000
-95,000
OVER
620,000
PENALTY
1,240,000
Looking to Sell/Swap/Loan
The highly anticipated rider availability post can be found below:
Availability
Matteo Jorgenson
No
Neilson Powless
YES
Biniam Girmay
YES
Jack Burke
YES
Juan Pedro Lopez
Maybe
Bram Welten
Maybe
Ethan Vernon
PT LOAN
Simon Carr
Maybe
Sean Quinn
PT LOAN
Thomas Gloag
YES
Carlos Canal
No
Tristan Jussaume
No
Cash preferred but will also consider cash + quality low waged cyclists.
Some tough (but understandable) cuts. And yet more work to do, but also the bones of a team that shouldn't have too many issues getting back to PCT, I believe. Looking forward to transfers, I anticipate we might have a talk or two
Really tough decisions, in particular Ackermann definitely hurts, would've been great for many of those semi-hilly CT races...
I can only second cunego, we might have a talk or two - be it for PT loans or sales. Although I guess the rider I'd really love to get might be out of reach ^^ But given that I mostly have "quality low waged cyclists" (depends on the definition of "low waged", maybe we can find a deal? Looking forward to the talks - and to see what your roster will look like post-transfers! With Jorgenson, you could have the 2024 CT individual standings winner on your team already!
Newton Foundation , now that's a blast from the past! Love to read what's happened since I left awesome to see you picked up Burke and a couple more canadians along the way
A lot of work to do ahead in transfers, but will make you one of the most active managers - or at least being bombarded with offer PMs. Best of luck, and i have faith you can turn this team around and back to the PCT first time.
That availability list most definitely will make your inbox full, I think! Looking a lot forward to see how you navigate these transfers. Surely an exciting transfer season for you. I will definitely be in touch when transfers open, as that list have a couple of guys in it that I’ve been asking around previous transfer seasons
Best of luck with your business, hope you finish it with a smile!
Really crushed by both skill and emotion to see you down in CT with us. Know you'll be super busy this offseason and will be rooting for you (at least a little). Guessing your conversations will be with those with some of the bigger wallets, but full belief that you'll be ready to turn this around fully!
I hope you know what you're doing as that fine will bleed your budget dry and to recoup it, you will most likely have to sell hard. But I think from Girmay you'll get decent fee.
What a quality you'll still have, even after selling the likes of Girmay, Powless, Gloag or Burke. Jorgenson alone should be a beast in CT stage races. So you should be looking forward to getting messages from most of your fellow managers once transfers begin. Just don't miss mine
Justo Tenorio
Simon Yates
Tejay Van Garderen
Erick Herrera
Rui Costa
Biniam Girmay
Jhonatan Narvaez
Pascal Ackermann
Aviv Yechezkel
Jorge Abreu
Jack Burke
Nihal Silva
Akil Campbell
Federico Olei
Stan Dewulf
Nicolay Cherkasov
Jernej Svab
Vincenzo Nibali
E. Parra Bustamante
Vadim Pronskiy
Bram Welten
Emiliano Contreras
William Chiarello
Serafin Jose Blanco
Daniel Hoelgaard
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Tour d'Andorra
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
I don't have any doubts that you will promote straight back. Curious though how you will handle the offseason.
Uga Ryuki: Knew we weren't going to have the resources to help Ryuki max out, so giving him the chance to find a team where he can continue to develop.
, now that's a blast from the past! Love to read what's happened since I left awesome to see you picked up Burke and a couple more canadians along the way
