I'm really excited to see what Tesfatsion can do in CT. He was already very successful in spots in PCT, and with the right schedule, I believe he could be very strong in CT. I'll be rooting for it for sure. With just one true neo-pro signed, it looks like you're trying to go for success quickly, and you've assembled a pretty good squad for that purpose in my opinion. Also, that one talent is a very nice one
Thanks Cunego! Was really happy to buy tesfatsion off you. I do have some doubts about my ability to plan his schedule given I still don’t totally understand MM so hopefully I don’t let him down
Had to hold myself back a little on going for talents but the plan is to hopefully get to pct so I can pursue them (and other cool riders) a little more without blowing up my budget haha. Very happy to get Dellai though, wouldn’t be one of my teams without a high flat talent like him, and I imagine some day he might fit in a strong TTT core with a certain other Tunisian…
You've managed to build a great inaugural team on your return here. Our former lead sprinter El Sabbahi is a great pickup, and I bet we'll bump heads plenty when the terrain goes up.
What a coincidence that as soon as the Vatican pops up, Karthago enters the scene. Carthago Delenda Est
Want to start simply congratulating you on a good first transfer season (back). Tesfatsion should be a very interesting rider and like you noted, I'm not sure exactly where to plan him with his combined MO/HI combo. Should be very good in the right hilly stage races.
Neilands and Muhindo should do you well in the cobble races, although it appears things have gotten even more competitive with folks realizing how little competition there was for it last year.
Overall, have to say you're a promotion contender which is a fantastic spot to be.
Cool effort to have three very good terrain leaders with good units in support, as well as a sprinter and a couple of riders with extra scoring potential. A very well-built CT squad, looking forward to cheering you on this year, should be a fun one!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [PT] Xero Racing
I'm not sure you have a roster ready for promotion, but it's a base to build on next season. I really like the look of a maxed Dellai too. But most of all it's cool to see you back (although we never competed in ManGame you're the first of the returning managers I actually kind of knew before)!
@Abhi - If only there was a rider I could've bought to cover TTs too
@Kaiser - Haha glad I could get El Sabbahi, else my team would've really been lacking on the North African focus, he's a pretty cool rider so hopefully can deliver in CT.
That Carthage Vatican rivalry is a good one. Although history (and the insane stats of Powless) tells me that I won't like the result.
@seancoll - Thanks for the kind words! The cobbles field is definitely stronger but still looks the most manageable, to be honest I did think it was possible Neilands wouldn't be as great as he would've been in last years field, so not too upset that he's still amongst the best of them.
@jandal - Covering all the terrains definitely came with the cost of all the leaders having a few question marks, so while I appreciate the support I can't promise it'll be fun to follow and not a little agonising
@redordead - Thanks! I agree a lot hinges on Shikai but the mountains field is pretty insane this season it looks like, will be interesting to see if he can do enough to put us in the promotion race
@kandesbunzler - Yeah it's pretty nice being back and getting to know some of the managers who really got active after I left like you. Promotion is the goal but I can definitely see the argument that we'll still be not quite there, especially with how strong a few other teams are, hoping we prove you wrong though
Also on Dellai it's possible he inspired the teams focus altogether haha, I can never say no to a huge flat talent with high energy stats.
