We've sent a couple of riders to East Africa where they have undergone intense training the last couple of weeks. Let's take a look at how they've improved below.
Furthermore, our roster is updated on the front page, and you can also find our calender for the upcoming season now.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
MM
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Stefan Bissegger
74
68
69
69
78
73
77
72
60
72
73
64
71
77
27
↓↓↓
Stefan Bissegger
74
68
69
69
79
73
77
72
60
72
73
64
71
77
27
As part of our loan of Bissegger and Holzer we promised to teach Bissegger how to be truly aerodynamic.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
MM
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Oscar Rodriguez
69
77
76
75
70
71
74
74
55
63
73
72
64
74
30
↓↓↓
Oscar Rodriguez
69
77
76
75
70
71
74
74
55
64
73
72
64
74
30
For some reason Rodriguez really wanted to work on his sprint this winter... Not sure how much it's going to improve his performances, but it can't hurt.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
MM
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Jaume Sureda
73
63
67
71
61
71
69
75
65
77
79
72
65
61
29
↓↓↓
↓↓↓
Jaume Sureda
73
64
68
71
61
71
69
75
65
77
79
72
65
61
29
Sureda climbed Mount Kilimanjaro while in Tanzania, and apparently his lung capacity has been boosted by the effort.
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
MM
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
Age
Kristian Vanderpool
68
64
64
64
77
63
64
61
60
60
63
62
62
76
30
↓↓↓
Kristian Vanderpool
68
64
64
64
77
63
65
61
60
60
63
62
62
76
30
Lastly, Vanderpool has raised his resistance. He considered climbing Mount Kilimanjaro alongside Sureda, but he wasn't sure how it would affect his TT ability, which is paramount to him.
Having a all-round team capable of fighting for points on all terrains is something I have always tried to have, in any division. You definitely have all that and this should be a good first season in the PCT.
Looking forward to see what Bissegger can do in PCT, with chances being high that he'll race in the same division again next year
Thanks for taking him in and for participating in that unique training experience, hopefully he'll be fun to follow - and the rest of your team as well! Obviously including Holzer, our second protégé to don the Simba jersey this year
I've never been a fan of Carapaz, but maybe the MM stat will help him a little to balance out his lack of punch. On the other hand, lack of stamina could be critical in long and tough mountain stages - we'll see if he can actually justify his wage.
Same stamina issues for Azman, if you send him to longer classics - otherwise he should be a good rider to have. Even though I think that Rodriguez should score better due to being slightly more well-rounded.
Also looking forward to see if Meurisse can have a final great year, as the second decline will hit him really hard due to his Pot 3...
Also, we'll have to see what your fully renewed sprinter department can do, Hamza and Sureda are definitely great riders to have (at least Hamza even won a GT stage last year iirc).
You seem to have managed well the the off-season. Kudos for that. As others have said a very well balanced squad with some smart training decisions as well. There may be some question marks about the top end of your different departments, but having this level of represation accros the season should get you security. Good luck!
Me too! Unfortunately, Bissegger won't have a lot of opportunities as sole captain, but our expectations are high regardless. Holzer should have a fun season with lots of racing.
I don't expect Carapaz to be able to justify his wage, but the transfer season is... Rough, as you know.
I think both Azman and Rodriguez can play an important role in the upcoming season. Rodriguez won't have many races as captain though, which will probably hinder his scoring potential.
We've found some decent races for Meurisse, so he should have the opportunity to show his skills for at least one more season.
Not sure what to expect from our sprinters?.. We have a leadout available for a lot of races, but I guess they will mostly surf wheels.
@Gustav
What top end?
Would have liked to sign a rider or two with a higher scoring potential, but the top priority for the transfer season was to secure another year in PCT through a balanced roster.
Our calendar for the 2025 season has been posted on the front page (#3) along with the goals of the team. In the following section we'll present the goals with inspiration from other great managers.
Goals
The goals will be rated in terms of our chances of success and the importance for the sponsors. Both ratings will go from 0-5. For the chance of succes, zero (0) means that we expect less than 10 % chance of success and five (5) asterisks means we assess that there's more than 90 % chance of success.
Tour of East Java
Top 10
Chances of success: *
Importance for sponsors: ***
Difficult but not impossible. Carapaz will spearhead the team in East Java. He will most likely fall short of a top 10 in the GC, but we're sending the best support our team can muster and hope that will motivate him to the fullest.
Down Under Classic
Win
Chances of success:
Importance for sponsors: ****
No chance of success for our first (goal) race of the season. Of course you should never say never, but this goal was chosen when Zariff was still in the team, and a surprise win seems very unlikely at the moment.
Benelux Challenge
Stage Win
Chances of success: ***
Importance for sponsors: **
Our biggest chance to complete a sponsor objective this season. Schomber is here for the prologue and should be able to podium. For the following stages we've brought Meurisse and Sanikwathi among others to chase stages.
Stage Wins in a Season
8 Wins
Chances of success: *
Importance for sponsors: ***
With a little luck this goal can be successful. It will require that the margins go our way in some important stages. We've mostly identified C1 races as key if this should come true. Regardless, it will require some top performances from several riders.
Team Standings
Top 15
Chances of success: **
Importance for sponsors: **
With a very evenly matched mid-table in PCT, we can end anywhere from 10th to 23rd. If we avoid relegation team manager, Caspi, will be satisfied even though the sponsors are looking for a top 15 in the team standings.
Stage Wins in a Season could be quite hard, especially without a great option in the sprints and the shorter ToA also probably limits some breakaway chances. I got two of the same PTHC bands so we'll see each other in a fair few races
Indeed, it's not going to be easy to achieve 8 stage wins this season. In fact, I don't expect us to complete the sponsor objective, but if I were to analyze the team, then we do have some options, and I hope for a few wins throughout the season:
1 from our GC leaders: Carapaz or Choi
1 from the riders in free roles: Azman, Bissegger, Meurisse, Rodriguez or McKenna
2 from our sprinters: Hamza, Sureda or Sanikwathi
1 from the rouleurs: Lecourt De Billot, Smit or Demiri
1 from our prologue specialist: Schomber
Now that might be a bit optimistic, and it's "only" 6 wins. Nevertheless, I think it shows that 8 stage wins isn't completely out of the question with a bit of luck.
Time to present our roster for the first races of the season. Flags will be fixed at a later point...
Down Under Classic*
Nat.
Name
FL
RS
SP
AC
FG
#I/T
Yacine Hamza
77
72
77
77
65
Jaume Sureda
73
69
77
79
72
#I/T
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
73
61
74
81
#I/T
Adel Barbari
71
69
76
79
76
#I/T
Nipuna Shira Manamalage
80
62
56
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
72
74
75
66
Mikel Demiri
69
66
67
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
66
70
69
65
We start our season Down Under with a short classic. Pre-season we agreed with the sponsors that Zariff should go for the win, but now we just hope that Hamza and/or Sureda will join the sprint.
Circulo de Juarez
Nat.
Name
FL
RS
SP
AC
FG
#I/T
Yacine Hamza
77
72
77
77
65
Jaume Sureda
73
69
77
79
72
#I/T
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
73
61
74
81
#I/T
Adel Barbari
71
69
76
79
76
#I/T
Willie Smit
71
70
67
72
80
#I/T
Nipuna Shira Manamalage
80
62
56
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
72
74
75
66
Mikel Demiri
69
66
67
74
80
Same team takes the journey to Mexico, except Smit has replaced Holzer. Even though we once again have the option to form our own sprint train, we see us as outsiders and hope to join the breakaway in a couple of stages.
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
Nat.
Name
FL
RS
CB
AC
FG
Thanawut Sanikwathi
72
67
72
78
66
#I/T
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
73
75
74
81
Mekseb Debesay
72
74
76
73
70
Aviv Yechezkel
74
72
76
73
70
#I/T
Nipuna Shira Manamalage
80
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
72
67
75
66
Mikel Demiri
69
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
66
64
69
65
Omloop is in February, but preview for only two races was too boring.
Sanikwhati probably isn't strong enough on the cobbles to utilize his sprint here, but we're excited to see what kind of role the other guys in the team will be able to play in the race.
We're halfway through, but we want to show our riders that we always appreciate when they represent the team.
Viana do Castelo
Name
FL
MM
ST
CB
DH
Ki Ho Choi
69
76
74
61
69
Xandro Meurisse
72
75
72
67
67
Sean McKenna
70
75
69
61
70
Jaume Sureda
73
68
71
65
65
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
64
74
75
64
Mekseb Debesay
72
68
70
76
71
Kristian Vanderpool
68
64
63
60
62
Roman Holzer
69
62
67
64
63
Meurisse was our captain as expected. We hoped for a few extra points from Debesay or Lecourt De Billot or perhaps some cheeky points from Choi, but we'll happily settle with 7th from Meurisse.
Roma Maxima
Name
FL
ST
RS
CB
AC
Thanawut Sanikwathi
72
70
67
72
78
Aviv Yechezkel
74
71
72
76
73
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
69
62
76
54
Kristian Vanderpool
68
63
65
60
63
Pavel Bittner
70
71
72
67
75
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
71
56
71
Moses Moiruri
68
66
69
60
67
Mikel Demiri
69
66
66
55
74
With our strongest riders in Portugal, we didn't expect much. However, Bittner made the breakaway, the other young riders gained some experience and Yechezkel had a decent showing.
Le Samyn
Name
FL
ST
CB
AC
FG
Thanawut Sanikwathi
72
70
72
78
66
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
74
75
74
81
Mekseb Debesay
72
70
76
73
70
Aviv Yechezkel
74
71
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
69
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
71
67
75
66
Mikel Demiri
69
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
67
64
69
65
Can Sanikwathi make it to the sprint? Probably not, but hopefully we'll see Lecourt De Billot with some offensive riding. If all fails, we hope for some depth scoring from our cobble trident.
Gent - Wevelgem
Name
FL
ST
CB
AC
FG
Aviv Yechezkel
74
71
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
69
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
71
67
75
66
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
56
71
68
Henri Vandenabeele
66
63
60
68
66
Moses Moiruri
68
66
60
67
70
Mikel Demiri
69
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
67
64
69
65
First C2 race of the season. We're mostly here to let our talents grow stronger. Of those six only Bittner should be able to play a role, while Yechezkel and Manamalage share the role as captain - though they're both going to struggle with the distance.
Strade Bianche could be a good race for Meurisse. He lacks a bit of support in the hills, but hopefully Debesay can hang on far into the race.
[PTHC] Vuelta a Colombia
Name
FL
MO
MM
RS
SP
DH
Richard Antonio Carapaz
69
80
76
76
56
61
Muhamad Zawawi Azman
69
76
77
72
65
69
Oscar Rodriguez
69
77
76
74
64
64
Yacine Hamza
77
60
64
72
77
65
Robin Carpenter
66
75
75
69
65
68
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
71
71
71
58
71
Henri Vandenabeele
66
72
71
71
63
68
Roman Holzer
69
62
62
66
70
63
First race for Carapaz this season. He will be supported by Azman, Rodriguez, and Carpenter in the mountains - a setup we're very content with.
We've also brought Hamza for the two flat stages (hopefully sprints), and three young guns to gain some experience or perhaps join a breakaway even though it will be difficult for them to truly make an impact.
[HC] Macskako Kerekparverseny
Name
FL
HI
RS
CB
AC
FG
Xandro Meurisse
72
76
72
67
76
71
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
69
73
75
74
81
Mekseb Debesay
72
71
74
76
73
70
Aviv Yechezkel
74
64
72
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
69
72
67
75
66
Moses Moiruri
68
62
69
60
67
70
Mikel Demiri
69
53
66
55
74
80
Not sure who we will ride for here. The cobbles will probably be too tough for Meurisse, but it could be a decent parcours for Lecourt De Billot to ride aggressively.
[HC] Tour of Norway
Name
FL
MM
HI
TT
RS
SP
Stefan Bissegger
74
69
69
79
77
72
Sean McKenna
70
75
76
64
72
65
Yacine Hamza
77
64
67
60
72
77
Jaume Sureda
73
68
71
61
69
77
Daniel Turek
73
66
68
77
73
61
Willie Smit
71
71
74
68
70
67
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
71
70
64
71
58
Moses Moiruri
68
61
62
72
69
60
The perfect race for Bissegger? We hope he rejoins Jura by the end of the season, but if not, he could be a big target for us on the free agency market, depending on his result here in Norway.
McKenna is here as support, but could get some freedom on his own on the last stage. Hamza and Sureda are here for the sprints, and perhaps Sureda will also try to challenge on the hilly S4, if no one else from the team wants to have a go.
[PTHC] Cheshire Cycling Tour
Name
FL
HI
RS
CB
AC
FG
Xandro Meurisse
72
76
72
67
76
71
Thanawut Sanikwathi
72
66
67
72
78
66
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
69
73
75
74
81
Mekseb Debesay
72
71
74
76
73
70
Aviv Yechezkel
74
64
72
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
69
72
67
75
66
Roman Holzer
69
62
66
64
69
65
A strange parcours. Not sure why Sanikwathi is here, but hopefully some of our other riders can make it to the final. If not, it would be nice to see us active throughout the day in breakaways and other shenanigans.
April is the busiest month for us this year. Therefore, we will split our presentation into two parts.
[C2] GP Herning
Name
FL
ST
RS
CB
AC
FG
Aviv Yechezkel
74
71
72
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
69
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
71
72
67
75
66
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
71
56
71
68
Henri Vandenabeele
66
63
71
60
68
66
Moses Moiruri
68
66
69
60
67
70
Mikel Demiri
69
66
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
67
66
64
69
65
We are looking forward to the race in Denmark, as we should be competitive again. Something we have struggled with in March.
This might be the only race of the season where Manamalage gets to ride as captain. At least the parcours suit him well.
[C1] Tour de Pologne
Name
FL
MM
HI
RC
AC
PR
Oscar Rodriguez
69
76
75
74
73
74
Muhamad Zawawi Azman
69
77
77
73
75
64
Stefan Bissegger
74
69
69
72
73
77
Jaume Sureda
73
68
71
75
79
61
Bob Jungels
71
65
67
67
62
77
Nils Schomber
73
56
58
68
69
81
Henri Vandenabeele
66
71
70
70
68
60
Roman Holzer
69
62
62
66
69
66
The one and only race this season where Rodriguez is our appointed captain from home. Looking forward to seeing how well he can do against the competition in a C1 race.
Furthermore, we have Bissegger and Schomber going for a strong result in the prologue. Azman should be free to chase a stage or two if Rodriguez isn't too high in the GC.
[PT] GP Liechtenstein
Name
FL
MO
MM
ST
FG
DH
Richard Antonio Carapaz
69
80
76
71
71
61
Muhamad Zawawi Azman
69
76
77
69
76
69
Pavel Bittner
70
58
64
71
66
61
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
71
71
70
68
71
Henri Vandenabeele
66
72
71
63
66
68
Moses Moiruri
68
59
61
66
70
65
Mikel Demiri
69
53
53
66
80
64
Roman Holzer
69
62
62
67
65
63
First PT race in team history! We are here for the experience, but Carapaz might have some fun and Azman is here to support him, when the youngsters get tired.
[C2] Lincoln GP
Name
FL
HI
RS
CB
AC
FG
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
69
72
67
75
66
Aviv Yechezkel
74
64
72
76
73
70
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
71
56
71
68
Henri Vandenabeele
66
70
71
60
68
66
Moses Moiruri
68
62
69
60
67
70
Mikel Demiri
69
53
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
62
66
64
69
65
Can Bittner make it to the sprint? I don't think so, but this is his chance!
Otherwise, we will ride for Yechezkel as usual in these C2 cobble races.
Edited by Caspi on 26-11-2025 11:07
April started very well. Let's hope we can keep the pace up for the entire month.
[HC] GP Wallonie
Name
FL
MM
HI
RS
AC
FG
Muhamad Zawawi Azman
69
77
77
72
75
76
Xandro Meurisse
72
75
76
72
76
71
Sean McKenna
70
75
76
72
77
73
Jaume Sureda
73
68
71
69
79
72
Mekseb Debesay
72
68
71
74
73
70
Robin Carpenter
66
75
75
69
70
71
Daniel Turek
73
66
68
73
68
71
Willie Smit
71
71
74
70
72
80
Who's going to be our leader - Azman, Meurisse, or McKenna? I'm going to guess McKenna. Hoping for a top 10, but we don't expect much despite our depth.
Would also be fun to see someone like Sureda, Carpenter, or Smit in the breakaway.
[PTHC] Veenendaal - Veenendaal
Name
FL
HI
ST
SP
AC
FG
Yacine Hamza
77
67
73
77
77
65
Thanawut Sanikwathi
72
66
70
78
78
66
Olivier Lecourt De Billot
75
69
74
61
74
81
Aviv Yechezkel
74
64
71
64
73
70
Daniel Turek
73
68
72
61
68
71
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
69
56
54
63
Moses Moiruri
68
62
66
60
67
70
Roman Holzer
69
62
67
70
69
65
Ready to get bullied.
[HC] Lisbon Classic
Name
FL
HI
ST
SP
AC
FG
Xandro Meurisse
72
76
72
70
76
71
Jaume Sureda
73
71
71
77
79
72
Mekseb Debesay
72
71
70
66
73
70
Adel Barbari
71
63
70
76
79
76
Willie Smit
71
74
74
67
72
80
Pavel Bittner
70
69
71
74
75
66
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
70
58
71
68
Mikel Demiri
69
53
66
67
74
80
Is it going to be a sprint or will there be a succesful attack in the last kilometers? Hopefully, we'll contest regardless. Sureda is far from favorite but has a decent chance of making it over the last bump. If it's a more aggressive race Meurisse and Smit might be able to play (a small) role.
[C2] Dwars door Vlaanderen
Name
FL
HI
RS
CB
AC
FG
Aviv Yechezkel
74
64
72
76
73
70
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
62
76
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
69
72
67
75
66
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
70
71
56
71
68
Henri Vandenabeele
66
70
71
60
68
66
Moses Moiruri
68
62
69
60
67
70
Mikel Demiri
69
53
66
55
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
62
66
64
69
65
Last C2 race with cobbles this season
Yechezkel is our captain for the race, even though Manamalage recently won GP Herning. The rest of the squad is mainly here for experience but they are very welcome to join the breakaway.
Looking like cobbles are going to be the highlight of your month. But there are some interesting riders lining up elsewhere, so there could be a couple of surprising results in there.
May has already started. Time to present our selected riders for the three races we are signed up for. We had a few good surprises in April - hopefully we will carry some of that momentum into the upcoming races.
[PTHC] Balkans International
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
ST
RS
AC
Richard Antonio Carapaz
69
80
71
71
76
65
Muhamad Zawawi Azman
69
76
77
69
72
75
Xandro Meurisse
72
73
76
72
72
76
Oscar Rodriguez
69
77
75
71
74
73
Sean McKenna
70
74
76
69
72
77
Jaume Sureda
73
64
71
71
69
79
Robin Carpenter
66
75
75
70
69
70
Roman Holzer
69
62
62
67
66
69
We start the month off in the Balkans, where Carapaz, Azman, and Sureda will chase a stage win. We also have Meurisse, Rodriguez, and McKenna here, who might be allowed in a breakaway. Carpenter and Holzer finishes the team but will mainly act as support.
[C1] Tour of America
Nat.
Name
FL
MO
HI
RC
AC
PR
Richard Antonio Carapaz
69
80
71
77
65
72
Ki Ho Choi
69
79
72
76
65
72
Sean McKenna
70
74
76
71
77
64
#I/T
Yacine Hamza
77
60
67
78
77
63
Robin Carpenter
66
75
75
71
70
67
Pavel Bittner
70
58
69
70
75
67
Nils Schomber
73
54
58
68
69
81
#I/T
Lameck Marco Kulindwa
67
71
70
71
71
59
Big expectations for the team in Tour of America. And perhaps also the biggest gamble of the season as Carapaz and Choi will start as co-captains. This is the only race they have together, as the manager isn't confident that they can cooperate.
Besides the GC aspirations, we hope to see a stage win from Schomber in the prologue or from Hamza in one of the sprints.
As leadout we have Bittner and McKenna. The last mentioned is probably also needed in the mountains besides Kulidwa and Carpenter.
[HC] Paris Tours
Nat.
Name
FL
HI
ST
SP
AC
FG
#I/T
Yacine Hamza
77
67
73
77
77
65
Jaume Sureda
73
71
71
77
79
72
#I/T
Adel Barbari
71
63
70
76
79
76
#I/T
Willie Smit
71
74
74
67
72
80
#I/T
Nipuna S. Manamalage
80
58
69
56
54
63
Pavel Bittner
70
69
71
74
75
66
Mikel Demiri
69
53
66
67
74
80
Roman Holzer
69
62
67
70
69
65
Sprinter galore. Will we ride for Hamza or Sureda? Not even team management knows.
It's just as likely that we will focus on joining the breakaway or try a late attack. Smit should be the most suitable for a late attack, but not sure he has the firepower to stay away unless a bigger group gets away together.
Balkans will be crowded by the best puncheurs (and I feel with you as I'm there too), but Meurisse is always a threat for a surprise win. The P-T lineup doesn't look too good honestly, the sprinter field in PCT is just insane this season so a long range attack will probably be your best option (and so it is for me again). Without having seen the ToA startlist yet I'd say Choi could be a top 10 contender there for the GC as well as Hamza for the sprints. But I'd put my money on Carapaz winning a mountain stage from the break, he's been awful as a GC contender lately but is a real force as a stage hunter.
