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).
We might as well divert the attention from TOME to some of our upcoming races in April, as our sponsors probably won't be too delighted with how the team performs currently.
Berlin ProRace
Nat.
Name
FL
ST
RS
SP
AC
FG
Nur Aiman Zariff
70
71
67
80
80
60
Dylan Page
75
72
72
78
79
62
Adel Barbari
71
70
69
76
79
76
Nawuti Liphongyu
67
71
70
57
61
67
Noah Granigan
74
70
74
74
76
67
Benedikt Mundle
78
67
71
58
67
79
Nils Schomber
73
66
76
69
69
65
Aurelien De Comarmond
68
67
70
68
69
62
Ah shit, here we go again... Another chance for Zariff to disappoint.
We're aiming for a podium spot with the help of a full leadout train and lots of strong guys to control the break, but I still have a feeling this won't go our way.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
ST
RS
RC
SP
AC
FG
DH
Bachirou Nikiema
69
70
77
72
74
72
70
76
74
71
Robin Carpenter
67
76
76
72
71
73
66
72
72
69
Martin Laas
67
74
76
68
73
73
67
76
68
57
Matala Seboka
61
80
62
63
70
73
52
67
75
84
Andrea Manfredi
69
78
65
68
73
72
62
73
77
73
Nils Schomber
73
54
58
66
76
68
69
69
65
64
Martinos Moutsios
71
61
62
71
70
65
66
72
70
66
Aurelien De Comarmond
68
62
68
67
70
67
68
69
62
63
The competition is most likely going to be very tough, hence we don't really have any expectations. Nikiema and Laas should mainly chase stages, but Carpenter might sneak into top 20 in the GC.
The rest are here to support in any way possible or maybe join a breakaway. Especially Manfredi could be nice to see in an early attack under the right circumstances.
As long as Nikiema, Laas or Smit is in the points, I suppose we're happy. Two of them in top 25 should be doable, but let's see how the race unfolds.
Lisbon Classic
Nat.
Name
FL
HI
ST
RS
SP
AC
FG
DH
Nur Aiman Zariff
70
61
71
67
80
80
60
67
Nawuti Liphongyu
67
71
71
70
57
61
67
62
Noah Granigan
74
66
70
74
74
76
67
65
Benedikt Mundle
78
64
67
71
58
67
79
71
Metkel Kiflay
73
67
71
68
65
67
63
71
Nils Schomber
73
58
66
76
69
69
65
64
Martinos Moutsios
71
62
71
70
66
72
70
66
Aurelien De Comarmond
68
68
67
70
68
69
62
63
The first HC race in team history! We thought long and hard about the roster, but we already regret not bringing Smit. Instead, we have Zariff for the sprint and Mundle to cover attacks. Granigan is the only leadout guy available, but Zariff will most likely surf wheels instead as other teams should have way stronger setups.
Top 10 is the goal, although it could just as well be a zero-pointer.
