Inspired by seancoll I'll do a short review of the season so far. It will center around our expectations and the points we've scored in the first two months:
Name
Expected points pre-season
Points scored so far
Adjusted expectations
Zariff
200
4
100
Kozhatayev
100
131
200
Schomber
150
0
150
Page
100
18
100
Carpenter
100
28
100
Dennis
55
0
45
Nikiema
65
18
75
Barbari
50
0
45
Kiflay
30
0
25
Manfredi
50
1
45
Laas
50
14
50
Seboka
25
0
25
Smit
50
46
75
Liphongyu
15
0
15
Granigan
30
0
25
Moutsios
5
0
5
De Comarmond
5
0
5
Iradukunda
0
0
0
Aru
10
0
10
Mundle
50
26
65
As written pre-season the team expectations is to be just outside top 5, though we would love to join the battle for promotion. We've had a great January and a quiet February, which sort of balances each other out. Let's dive a little more into the over- and underperformances so far.
Zariff has only scored 4 point, but he's also only had 1 chance. I'm certain that he will score at a later point, but our expectations were probably too big in hindsight. Kozhatayev, on the other hand, took the CT with storm in Tachira and brought home the first GC win in the team's history. He should at least reach 200 points before the season ends. Our last captain, Schomber, hasn't really had the opportunity to prove himself yet, but 150 points still seems reasonable with races like Amissa Bongo coming up.
Page and Carpenter are doing well. Some minor points here and there, they're performing as expected. Dennis hasn't scored yet, and I think he's a big reason for our poor TTT in Catalunya. If he doesn't improve, we're going to have a hard time in the upcoming TTT's. Nikiema is scoring decent however, and more suiting races like Izola is yet to come.
Then we have a big field of luxury teammates and domestiques. Smit stands out with 46 points and could turn out to be our best bargain of this transfer period. Lastly, we have Mundle who has already proved his worth. He's not going to receive a new contract, but he could very well earn a place in the team's history books if he keeps delivering.
Ultimately, we expect around 1160 points after the adjustments. Last season that would have been enough for 7th, but right now it looks like it would only be enough for 9th place as Team Würth MODYF is projected to reach 1200+ points currently. Nevertheless, we'll keep pushing for promotion. Especially as 6th and 7th might also grant access to PCT (perhaps 8th as well, who knows).
