|
[PCT] Simba Cement – Tanga Fresh
|
| Bjartne |
Posted on 04-09-2025 13:16
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3059
Joined: 15-07-2007
PCM$: 300.00
|
I remember picking up Ki Ho Choi, 12 years ago as Compal-Merida. Good to see him get another year in the PCT-division 
What a great squad you've aqcuired mate!
Amazing TT lineup, very good GC leaders. I think you have done really good. Great job! |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 05-09-2025 17:05
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
@Bjartne
Always nice with a little praise, thanks!  |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 05-09-2025 18:00
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
East African Training Program
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. |
| |
|
|
| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 08-09-2025 08:06
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 12680
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1961.50
|
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.
|
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 10-09-2025 20:10
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
@Abhi
Regardless of the outcome we should have a fun season, as we should be able to do something in most races. |
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 05-12-2025 09:35
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| Fabianski |
Posted on 10-09-2025 20:58
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
|
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).
Good luck and a lot of fun in your first PCT year
|
| |
|
|
| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 11-09-2025 21:57
|
Team Leader
Posts: 6174
Joined: 20-07-2008
PCM$: 200.00
|
You seem to have managed well the the off-season. Kudos for that. As others have said a very well balanced squad with some smart training decisions as well. There may be some question marks about the top end of your different departments, but having this level of represation accros the season should get you security. Good luck!
|
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 12-09-2025 12:48
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
@Fab
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. |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 17-09-2025 11:42
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
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.
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.
| 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.
| 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.
| 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. |
| |
|
|
| redordead |
Posted on 25-09-2025 11:14
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5510
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
|
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
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
|
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 25-09-2025 16:07
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
@redordead
Indeed, it's not going to be easy to achieve 8 stage wins this season. In fact, I don't expect us to complete the sponsor objective, but if I were to analyze the team, then we do have some options, and I hope for a few wins throughout the season:
1 from our GC leaders: Carapaz or Choi
1 from the riders in free roles: Azman, Bissegger, Meurisse, Rodriguez or McKenna
2 from our sprinters: Hamza, Sureda or Sanikwathi
1 from the rouleurs: Lecourt De Billot, Smit or Demiri
1 from our prologue specialist: Schomber
Now that might be a bit optimistic, and it's "only" 6 wins. Nevertheless, I think it shows that 8 stage wins isn't completely out of the question with a bit of luck. |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 26-09-2025 16:01
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
Time to present our roster for the first races of the season.
Flags will be fixed at a later point...
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.
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 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. |
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 29-10-2025 13:03
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
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.
|
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 15-11-2025 10:36
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
A short presentation of our races in March.
[HC] Strade Bianche
| 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 | | Henri Vandenabeele | 66 | 70 | 71 | 60 | 68 | 66 | | Roman Holzer | 69 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 69 | 65 |
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.
|
| |
|
|
| Caspi |
Posted on 25-11-2025 19:39
|
Domestique
Posts: 705
Joined: 22-09-2022
PCM$: 15500.00
|
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
|
| |
|
