Rough timing for you with this year’s transfer season. I’ll tell myself that when approaching you next season too for you know who
Dombrowski looks to be key for you! I believe he is very capable this season, can be a great addition for you in terms of fighting for the points to avoid relegation. Really hope you stay up another season, to then kind of have a proper go at a bigger rebuild, seeing the timing was difficult this season.
It might get a close season fighting against relegation, so hopefully Vansevenant, van Hooydonck, Kämna and Dombrowski are enough to put you over the line in the end!
The team identity is intact, with a trained Mauri and NVD leading the charge. I like the Dombrowski signing too. Still seems to me to be a nice GT rider if only for one season.
Kind of a tough situation there with Kamna though. I love the guy obviously, but even with an ideal schedule and daily form, I just don't think you can get close to 850k value from him. And at his age now, he'll never be down to a normal wage before decline. But I recognize there's not much you can do when he's the last major rider available at the end of transfers. Hopefully it does not cost the team overall with the lack of depth.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
Just kidding, Pidcock isn't even the rider of mine who I'm most worried about with that training and support squad! Mauri really becoming one of the very top favourites even without his crazy attacking skills. Hate to see it selfishly but love it for you and for him
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
A tough transfer season but the squad still looks good, at least for the future. Going to be a harder time this season, but it's not impossible to survive for sure!
@ember:
Ideally Hooydonck is being the key actually as he can deliver all from 3rd to 15th. Need a good season from him. Dombrowski might depend if he goes for KoM and stage hunt and potentially climb GC wise similar as Wellens last year. Though if he only rides without long range attacks, scoring potential might not be good. So a lot of luck in the lottery needed.
@kandesbunzler:
Would add Guerreiro even in that list. He might have similar scoring potential even due to stage performances as shown last year.
@bbl:
Indeed, always the aim to have mainly Benelux riders in the leader positions and also as main support guys. So Bax, Hermans and due to former German roots Buchmann come in nicely here.
Totally agree on Kämna. My new most overpriced rider I guess. But as you say, other options were close to zero. In especially with the needed money for training and FA only.
@caspi:
I was surprised they went rather cheap. But hilly riders are the most in terms of numbers total. So it helped clearly.
@jandal:
True. Different riders but still they should match and challenge a lot this year I guess. I really hope he is close to top favourite in many races as I need his scoring, in especially in the biggest races, which he won or podiumed before already.
@Abhi:
Not so sure about the future. The 5 unmaxed riders won't be big scorers later though are nice additions.
Hessmann or Schelling need training money but due to age and skills Vansevenant not helping them really taking it all himself.
@all:
Obviously going as well to just stay up. Going down might not necessarily be the worst situation but always easier to avoid it.
