PCMDaily2011DB with a couple of new teams, the transfers and some stats from my 09 savegame.
Race difficulty:
Extreme (Hard until Milano - San Remo)
Financial difficulty:
Hard
Development of attributes:
0,5 with random potential
Hello dear fans and followers, and welcome again to my website.
My name is Dominik Nerz, and for those who might not know we that well, I'm going to introduce myself briefly:
About me
I was born Wangen, Germany, on 25 August 1989, which means that I'm 22 years old by now.
I started as a track rider and won the German juniors champions in the team pursuit in 2007. I then changed to road races and won some youth races like the Giro di Toscana.
My professional career began in 2008. Aged 18, I signed for the German continental team Team Ista. The team was split up after that season and I changed to the Milram Continental Team. In that season, 2009, I achieved the first bigger win of my career: I won the German U23-championship!
In 2010, I graduated to ProTour, as the Pro Team Milram signed me. Unfortunatly, I wasn't able to achieve a win in that season, and the team was dissolved at the end of the year, so again I had to look out for a new team.
To my own surprise, the Italian team Liquigas - Cannondale offered me a three-year contract. I thought about it a lot, but finally, I accepted the challenge and I'm now proud to be the only German member of this fantastic team.
My first season with Liquigas went quite well. The team was the most successful team of the year and me myself contributed to that with the two most important results of my professional career so far: In March, I won the mountain classification of the Volta Ciclista a Catalunya and in June, I came in 8th in the Tour de Slovenie and also won the young riders classification there. After that, I successfully finished my first Grand Tour ever, the Tour de France, supporting Ivan Basso on his way to the podium.
I improved quite a lot during the season and now hope for even better results in the upcoming year!
I may well tell a little about what kind of rider I am: My metier are the stage races. Allthough I will never be an extraordinary time trialist, I think I have the potential to become one of the worlds best climbers and be able to compete in the Grand-Tours. But that is still a long way off.
After the success of last year, I will of course continue this website as an insight in my life as a professional cyclist. The layout changed a little bit, but the content remains the same:
In the Palmarès, you'll again be able to see the results of all my races.
The Liquigas News category merged with the general news in Cycling News.
Just as last year, this site also offers you a live ticker for every race I participate in as well as all the five monument races, and I will comment on them in the Race Reports section. Also, you can find a brief review of every other race of my team Liquigas in here.
On one of the first few days of every month, I'll give you a Monthly Review of the previous month.
But the heart of this site is my personal cycling blog, where you can follow my steps in professional cycling!
I hope that those, who followed me last year will continue to do so in 2012 and that I could arouse the interest of some new people as well.
Greetings,
Dominik
Edited by cunego59 on 07-02-2012 11:07
Although Ivan Basso left us, our stage racing fraction is still very strong. Vincenzo Nibali who will try to defend his Giro title, is supported by Roman Kreuziger and Janez Brajkovic, who both still have room for improvement. Kreuziger will target the Tour de France while Brajko will probably lead us during the Vuelta.
Puncheurs
With the imense development of Peter Sagan and the new signings of Damiano Cunego and Marco Marcato, we're very well-placed for both the Ardennes and the late season classics. Especially the Giro di Lombardia is targeted by our sponsors.
Sprinters
We also have a couple of very nice sprinters. Both Ponzi and Finetto have also strong hilly qualities. Although the densitiy of good riders is pretty high, we lack of a real world class sprinter. But some of the guys have lots of room for improvement, so I don't worry about that.
Mountain Helpers
Those four guys will support our leaders in the mountains. Especially Dominik Nerz and Eros Capecchi are pretty talented and will get their chances to ride on their own and collect more experiences.
Hilly Helpers and Free Elements
Our hilly helpers. Paolo Longo Borghini and Daniel Oss are also our leaders for the cobblestone races, while Tiziano Dall'Antonia is a puncheur with a very good sprint, who might do well in breakaways.
Young Riders
These riders shall basically gain more and more experiences to make use of their more or less big talents. We expect some good results in the future especially from Damiano Caruso and Carlo Favini. The latter already showed some nice performances in the U23 races last year.
Domestiques
Here are our pure domestiques. Maciej Bodnar and Cameron Wurf will mostly be of use in team time trials. None of them has much potential left to become a victory contenders in any race. Still, they might get some chances in breakaways.
Full Squad
Spoiler
Team Goals
Our sponsor goals are challenging, but all of them are doable. While all Grand-Tours goals don't seem to be that difficult, the hardest ones will be the Top 3 at Milano – San Remo and the Ardennes placements. Also, winning the Giro di Lombardia should be tough.
Edited by cunego59 on 13-09-2011 14:35
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The season was rather disappointing for BMC. Cadel Evans failed and didn't achieve a single good results, only Alessandro Ballan did quite well in a couple of classics. All in all, there's a lot of room for improvement in 2012.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Manuel Cardoso
Greg Van Avermaet
Fred Rodriguez
Johan Tschopp
Enrico Franzoi
Karsten Kroon
Marcus Gerber
Amael Moinard
Massimo Giunti
Chad Beyer
David Loosli
Brent Bookwalter
Gerardo Palla
Simon Zahner
Moreno Albrecht
Florian Stalder
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With Manuel Cardoso, BMC was able to sign a rider with one of the most impressive developments of last year. BMC now has a world class sprinter. They didn't lose one of their top stars, but with Van Avermaet, Tschopp and Kroon, they lost quite a lot of strength in aspects of depth.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cadel Evans decreased quite a bit, but Manuel Cardoso should be able to bring in some results. Apart from them, the team is mostly designed for the classics, where they should be able to perform well, although they don't have contenders for the very big races. But as last year, their remaining in the World Tour can't be taken for granted.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Euskaltel had an amazing season, mostly because of Sammy Sanchez. He rode fanstastically, supported by a great team. Igor Anton was mainly his domestique and thus didn't get that many good results.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Mikel Astarloza
Igor Anton
Miguel Barrios
Jorge Azanza
Omar Fraile
Jonathan Castroviejo
Rodrigo Garcia
Miguel Minguez
Unai Iparragirre
Eloy Teruel
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Igor Anton can't be replaced equally and the loss of Jonathan Castroviejo hurts as well. With Mikel Astarloza, they have at least one bigger signing, beyond that, they'll have to rely on the development of their Basque talents.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sammy Sanchez is still the undisputed leader of this team and the team is completely designed around him. Mikel Nieve had a strong development and will be a strong supporter. Koldo Fernandez should be able to bring in some good results in the sprints. In general, Euskaltel has an average team in comparison to the other ones.
Major Results in 2011
1st
Paris – Nice
Sandy Casar
1st
Tour de Romandie
Sandy Casar
Stage Win
Tour de France
Sandy Casar
.
Total Wins:
34
Pro Tour:
-
CQ Ranking:
10th
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As the season ended with the promotion to World Tour, it can just be considered as a big success. Sandy Casar did some very good things in ProTour.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Nico Eeckhout
William Bonnet
Wim Van Huffel
Nacer Bouhanni
Jonas Vangenechten
Anthony Geslin
Bart Vanheule
Wesley Sulzberger
Arthur Vichot
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: None of the new signings are able to really shine in World Tour, although Eeckhout and Van Huffel will strengthen the team in terms of depth. But especially Anthony Geslin will be missed.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sandy Casar will have to repeat his amazing season and his team mates have to increase a lot if FDJ wants to have a chance to stay in World Tour. Anyway, they are one of the top candidates to be relegated again.
Major Results in 2011
-
New Team
Transfers
Spoiler
New Team
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Taking into account that the managers of GreenEdge focussed on Australian riders, they couldn't have done much better. Also, they strengthend the team with a couple of central europeans, which should be a good base for their first World Tour year.
Major Results in 2011
1st
Giro di Lombardia
Alexandr Kolobnev
1st
Gent – Wevelgem
Filippo Pozzato
2nd
Liège – Bastogne – Liège
Joquim Rodriguez
.
Total Wins:
20
Pro Tour:
2nd
CQ Ranking:
4th
Spoiler
2nd
Gent – Wevelgem
Leif Hoste
3rd
Paris – Roubaix
Filippo Pozzato
2nd
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
Joaquim Rodriguez
4th
Ronde Van Vlaanderen
Filippo Pozzato
2nd
Flèche Wallonne
Joaquim Rodriguez
Stage Win
Giro d'Italia
Luca Paolini
7th
Giro d'Italia
Joaquim Rodriguez
Stage Win
Tour de France
Yury Trofimov
Stage Win
Tour de France
Serguei Ivanov
Stage Win
Tour de France
Filippo Pozzato
2nd
Eneco Tour
Vladimir Karpets
4th
World Championships
Serguei Ivanov
2nd
Giro di Lombardia
Joaquim Rodriguez
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Katusha had an absolutely great season. They tapped their full potential on nearly every race, especially Joaquim Rodriguez and Filippo Pozzato performed very, very well. The Russian team was a prevalence on the one day classics.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Ivan Basso
Leif Hoste
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Petr Ignatenko
Stefano Garzelli
Vladimir Karpets
Luca Mazzanti
Alexandr Kolobnev
Franco Pellizotti
Alberto Losada
Davide Rebellin
Alexandre Pliuschin
Giuseppe Sartori
Egor Silin
Claudio Veronese
Yury Trofimov
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Alexandr Kolobnev is the heaviest leaving for Katusha, but he's replaced more than well: The team strengthend it's Italian influence with eight new Italians. Basso, Bertagnolli and Pellizotti will surely bring in lots of points for the different rankings.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Katusha is very well-placed in almost every metier: With Ivan Basso, they signed a top stage racer, their puncheur fraction is beyond question the strongest of all teams and Filippo Pozzato proved that he is one of the best cobblers. The only thing they lack of is a real world class sprinter, but Denis Galimzyanov is very promising. All in all, we can expect Katusha to be one of the most defining teams for the new season.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Lampre had a pretty good season. Cunego performed well on his limits as well as Scarponi did. Five stage wins in Grand Tours are a really good balance.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Daniele Bennati
Leonardo Bertagnolli
Mattia Cattaneo
Matteo Bono
Paolo Cella
Damiano Cunego
Danilo Di Luca
Alexander Kvachuck
Xavier Florencio
David Loosli
Dino Frattini
Marco Marzano
Jure Golcer
Alessandro Spezialetti
Giovanni Marangoni
Balint Szeghalmi
Matej Mugerli
Tadej Valjavec
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The team had not what you would call a strengthening during this transfer season. With Bertagnolli and Damiano Cunego, the team's two best puncheurs left the team. Danilo Di Luca and Tadej Valjavec are for sure no adequate replacements. Only Daniele Bennati is a real boost for the team.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The Italians don't really have the strongest team, still they have some winning aspirants, especially of course Michele Scarponi, and should make their appearances in World Tour.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The supposed new hyper-team of last year failed quite impressively. Although they were pretty close to the top in many races, they never – leaving out the GT stage wins and Cancellara's WC – really won anything important. They constantly were the runner-ups, and in the Grand Tours, they weren't even that. 9th for Andy in the Tour was the best.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Igor Anton
Daniele Bennati
Matthias Brändle
William Clarke
Sylvain Chavanel
Stefan Denifl
Harald Morscher
Linus Gerdemann
Christian Späth
Stuart O'Grady
Harald Starzengruber
Oliver Zaugg
Jochen Summer
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the disappointing last season, Leopard really did spread the money. With Igor Anton, they now have three great climbers. And Fabian Cancellara should now have better chances to ameliorate his cobblestone results with Sylvain Chavanel as a support. Daniele Bennati and Linus Gerdemann will be missed though.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With the top transfers, Leopard even more provides the top team of the World Tour. For both the Grand Tours and the classics, they have top victory contenders – just as they had last year. Now, they just have to deliver.
Major Results in 2011
3rd
Giro d'Italia
Marzio Bruseghin
2 Stage Wins
Giro d'Italia
Marzio Bruseghin
4th
Vuelta a Espana
David Arroyo
.
Total Wins:
14
Pro Tour:
13th
CQ Ranking:
18th
Spoiler
5th
Vattenfall Cyclassics
Jose Joaquin Rojas
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Jose Joaquin Rojas
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Movistar had a mediocre season. Marzio Bruseghin and David Arroyo did some good results in the Giro and the Vuelta, also Rojas was okay, but apart from them, there wasn't much. Eventually, it was enough to remain in World Tour.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Jose Aragones
Rui Costa
Jose Belda
Jesus Herrada
Alberto Contador
Angel Madrazo
Jerome Coppel
Francisco Perez
Matias Crespo
Branislau Samoilau
Julien El Fares
Francisco Jose Ventoso
Jesus Hernandez
Ezequiel Mosquera
Daniel Navarro
Benjamin Noval
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: What a couple of imense transfer coups for Movistar: Most important is of course Alberto Contador, who came over with his domestiques after the Saxo Bank dispute. But also Ezequiel Mosquera, eigth of the Vuelta, and Jerome Coppel, the talented young french, will definetly boost the squad. Plus, the only important loss is Francisco Ventoso.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Contador has a strong mountain squad to support him, and should definetly bring in some wins. Rojas developed into a world class sprinter, but it's the only real sprinter they have. Traditionally, they don't have any cobblestone rider either.
Major Results in 2011
1st
Liège – Bastogne – Liège
Philippe Gilbert
1st
La Flèche Wallonne
Philippe Gilbert
2nd
Amstel Gold Race
Philippe Gilbert
.
Total Wins:
8
Pro Tour:
14th
CQ Ranking:
26th
Spoiler
4th
Milano – San Remo
Philippe Gilbert
Stage Win
Giro d'Italia
Philippe Gilbert
10th
Tour de France
Jurgen Van den Broeck
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Philippe Gilbert
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Last season was pretty much a one man show of Philippe Gilbert, who did really well in the Ardennes and with two Grand Tour stage wins. Van den Broeck's Tour performance was okay, but still has room for more.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Gerben de Knegt
David Boucher
Steven Kruijswijk
Matthew Lloyd
Nick Nuyens
Oscar Pujol
Victor Ortiz
Marcel Sieberg
Wim Stroetinga
Sven Van Dousselare
Job Vissers
Jussi Veikkanen
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Steven Kruijswijk and Nick Nuyens are really some strong improvements for the squad, while Jussi Veikkanen and Matthew Lloyd will be missed. In general, a rather good transfer period for Omega Pharma.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Omega Pharma – Lotto has a strong squad for every terrain. Philippe Gilbert will definetely bring again big results. Van den Broeck should improve his results a bit, while Andre Greipel also has room for more – I think we can expect quite a bit from them.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Astana had a pretty good season. Alexandre Vinokourov did very, very well in the one day classics and the Tour and the rest of the team also brought in results very close to their limits – except for Roman Kreuziger.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Pavel Andreev
Simon Clarke
Arsen Bakaev
Allan Davis
Francisco Jose Ventoso
Josep Jufre
Haimar Zubeldia
Roman Kreuziger
Gorazd Strangelj
Tomas Vaitkus
Andrey Zeits
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Well, not much to say. With Allan Davis and Roman Kreuziger, two of the team's three best riders left and Haimar Zubeldia and Francisco Ventoso will have to do a lot to fill that gap.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Apart from Alexandre Vinokourov, the team totally lacks of top riders. The rather-good-but-not-world-class riders like Kiserlovski, Gasparotto or Ventoso really need to exceed their limits to keep them in World Tour.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The leaving of both Sylvain Chavanel and Gerald Ciolek are pretty bad for QuickStep and they aren't replaced equally, although Rosseler, Hammond and de Gendt might be good enhancements.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: QuickStep has an average team. Tom Boonen will probably again be strong and with Gert Steegmans and Francesco Chicchi, two strong sprinters are good for some results as well. De Weert, Seeldraeyers and Cataldo might have some outside shots at Top 10s in the Grand Tours.
Major Results in 2011
2nd
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Luis Leon Sanchez
4th
Tour de France
Robert Gesink
3rd
Tour de Suisse
Luis Leon Sanchez
.
Total Wins:
23
Pro Tour:
6th
CQ Ranking:
5th
Spoiler
5th
Tirreno – Adriatico
Luis Leon Sanchez
3rd
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
Carlos Barredo
5th
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
Luis Leon Sanchez
3rd
Tour de Romandie
Juan Manuel Garate
Young Riders
Tour de France
Robert Gesink
5th
Eneco Tour
Lars Boom
5th
GP Ouest Plouay
Luis Leon Sanchez
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Oscar Freire
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As you can see, Rabobank didn't really win anything bigger than one stage of the Vuelta, still I consider the previous season a success for them. Lots of Top 5 places are good for a team that has no real world class rider – apart from Robert Gesink, who developed into one during last season.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Thomas Dekker
Lars Boom
Donny Jaspers
Graeme Brown
Mikhaylo Khalilov
Stef Clement
Alexandr Kolobnev
Steven Kruijswijk
Gerben Löwik
Sebastian Langeveld
Gerrit-Jan Soepenberg
Maarten Tjallingii
Luca Vanderjagt
Denis Van Winden
Coen Vermeltfoort
Pieter Weening
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Alexandr Kolobnev, winner of Giro di Lombardia, is surely a strong improvement for the squad, as well as Thomas Dekker. But the loss in both terms of strength and depth due to the leaving of Boom, Brown, Kruijswijk and Langeveld is just very heavy and prevails the positive signings.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: In terms of depth, Rabobank provides one of the strongest teams in World Tour. With Alexandr Kolobnev, they got a real victory contender for the hilly classics and Robert Gesink should be able to show really good performances in the Grand Tours.
Major Results in 2011
1st
Tour du Limousin
Mattieu Sprich
1st
GP d'Isbergues
Tom Veelers
1st
GP Stad Zottegem
Kenny Van Hummel
.
Total Wins:
43
Pro Tour:
-
CQ Ranking:
11th
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Skil had a wonderful season with the second most wins of all teams and the promotion to World Tour. It's just that they never shined in Pro Tour. Still, a top season.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Stijn Devolder
Robin Chaigneau
Michel Kreder
Mitchell Docker
Karsten Kroon
Johannes Fröhlinger
Staf Scheirlinckx
Thierry Hupond
Jos Van Emden
Albert Timmer
Coen Vermeltfoort
Oliver Zaugg
Carsten Van Boven
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: In contrary to FDJ, Skil reacted to their promotion and really signed some riders who might score some World Tour points, above all De Ronde winner Stijn Devolder. Also, they were able to keep all their stars and got some promising young talents like Coen Vermeltfoort.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Looking at the squad, the only goal is pretty obvious: It's to stay in World Tour. Though the team has the potential to achieve that, they need to show that they can do more than winning sprints in continental races. As a newcomer, they're one of the top contenders for relegation.
Major Results in 2011
Points
Tour de France
Edvald Boasson Hagen
2 Stage Wins
Tour de France
Edvald Boasson Hagen
3rd
Liège – Bastogne – Liège
Simon Gerrans
.
Total Wins:
31
Pro Tour:
9th
CQ Ranking:
9th
Spoiler
5th
Tour de Suisse
Michael Rogers
8th
Tour de France
Michael Rogers
5th
Clasica San Sebastian
Michael Rogers
2nd
Tour de Pologne
Russel Downing
2nd
Vattenfall Cyclassics
Edvald Boasson Hagen
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Team Time Trial
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Edvald Boasson Hagen
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: An ambivalent season for Sky. While Bradley Wiggins failed, Michael Rogers surprised in the Tour de France and Suisse. And while Juan Antonio Flecha couldn't live up to the expectation on the cobbles, Edvald Boasson Hagen played a trick on all the established sprinters by winning the green jersey at the Tour. So lots of highs and lows for them.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Gene Michael Bates
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Leo Davis
Kjell Carlström
Alistair Duncan
Russel Downing
Heinrich Haussler
Simon Gerrans
Aaron Kemps
Matthew Hayman
Nicolas Sanderson
Peter Kennaugh
Nathan Taylor
Lars Petter Nordhaug
Nicholas Walker
Morris Possoni
Ian Stannard
Xabier Zandio
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Few spectacular transfers. Heinrich Haussler is a strong improvement while Simon Gerrans will be missed.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: All in all, Sky provides a very strong squad, but except for Heinrich Haussler, they lack of riders who are capable to take a really big win. But as Michael Rogers and Edvald Boasson Hagen did last year, we sure might expect some surprises from Sky this year as well.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Garmin had a pretty impressive spring classics season with the 1-2 in Milano – San Remo being the early highlight and a couple of second-to-fourth places afterwards. Also, the team convinced with four Grand Tour stage wins and two Grand Tour Top 10s.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Two mediocre, experienced rider plus three young talents versus seven rather strong, or, in the case of Heinrich Haussler, extremely strong riders – no good transfer period for Garmin.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Thor Hushovd and Tyler Farrar are still two world class riders and behind them, they have loads of riders of the second row who are always in for a surprise. Still, the team lost a bit of it's strength from last year.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Still being HTC-Highroad, the team had an awful season. Except for Pinotti's good place in a weak Giro, the team failed in all of their goals. Only two stage wins at the Tour and no chance for the green jersey, Tony Martin did nothing good at all, neither did Matthew Goss. A season to forget, and not that much of a surprise that HTC folded as the main sponsor.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the sponsor change, a lot happened in the squad plannings. Of course, T-Mobile wanted a stronger German influence and therefore signed a lot of German riders – some of them really helping the team (Gerdemann, Klöden, Ciolek), some rather not. Also, Kim Kirchen gives a surprising comeback and Jesus himself wants to help. Still, Michael Albasini, Matthew Goss and Marco Pinotti are hard losses.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The squad should defenitely be able to performed a lot better than last year, especially as they aren't concentrated that much on sprints any longer. Still, it would be too much to call them one of the strongest teams.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Bad, bad season for former RadioShack. One big win is defenitely too few for a team with that ambitions. No wonder here either why the main sponsor pulled back.
Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Juan Angel Gomez Marchante
Lance Armstrong
Spencer Patterson
Fumiyuki Beppu
Carlos Sastre
Sam Bewley
Oscar Sevilla
Janez Brajkovic
Brandon Stanton
Matthew Busche
Alejandro Valverde
Manuel Cardoso
Ben King
Andreas Klöden
Sebastien Rosseler
Haimar Zubeldia
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Brajkovic, Cardoso, Klöden, Zubeldia... Many of the team's best riders left after this bad season. The only reason why the transfer season wasn't a complete desaster is the huge signing of Alejandro Valverde (and, partly, Vuelta third Carlos Sastre, who isn't getting any younger).
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Valverde is Unicef's big hope for many World Tour points. Apart from him and the two old Americans Horner and Leipheimer, we can't expect much from the team. Only if Carlos Sastre could repeat his extraordinary season, or if Tiago Machado finally makes his breakthrough, the remain in World Tour should be relatively sure – otherwise, it will be a tough fight.
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As usual, Acqua & Sapone put their focus completely on the Giro – and they did pretty well there. Stefano Garzelli did very well on his old days, as well as Danilo Napolitano. The rest of the season wasn't that fruitful.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Maurizio Biondo
Claudio Corioni
Gabriele Bosisio
Stefano Garzelli
Pietro Caucchioli
Marco Pinotti
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: True, Stefano Garzelli, the team's leader, left. But with Marco Pinotti, he's at least equally replaced. And the other three major signings are strong improvements for the Italian squad. A very good transfer season for Acqua & Sapone.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With the new signings, Acqua&Sapone has a relatively strong squad, but as they'll probably again focus on the Italian races, their chances for promotion are rather low.
Probability of Promotion: 10 %
Major Results in 2011
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Nicholas Roche
Stage Win
Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco
John Gadret
1st
Clasica de Almeria
Lloyd Mondory
.
Total Wins:
6
Pro Tour:
18th
CQ Ranking:
23rd
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Not much to say. Project Pro Tour failed completely, they always were on the bottom of that ranking. Also, 6 wins are very few. Only Roche's Vuelta performance gave a little hope for more.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Ag2r provides one of the strongest continental squads with Peraud and Roche being able to shine in stage races of all kinds. They should have some good results in 2012 and might get a shot at promotion.
Probability of Promotion: 20 %
Major Results in 2011
2 Stage Wins
Giro d'Italia
Leonardo Duque
1st
Tour de Belgique
Nicolas Vogondy
1st
Vuelta a Andalucia
Leonardo Duque
.
Total Wins:
34
Continental Tour:
6th
CQ Ranking:
16th
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Leonardo Duque was the superior rider of Cofidis' season. His results were really great, but apart from him, there wasn't much. Still, it was enough for one of the upper positions in the rankings.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Jurgen Roelandts
Julien El Fares
Jan Kuyckx
Nicolas Maes
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis didn't lose any of their stronger riders, and Jurgen Roelandts should be a real strengthening for the French.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis has good riders for every terrain and, just as last year, will have a say in the fight for promotion.
Probability of Promotion: 20 %
Major Results in 2011
1st
Championat de France
Thomas Voeckler
1st
Grand Prix de la Marseillaise
Pierre Rolland
10th
Liège – Bastogne – Liège
Christophe Kern
.
Total Wins:
6
Continental Tour:
13th
CQ Ranking:
32nd
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Europcar didn't have a good season. Some good results in smaller French races were mostly the only good results – a national championship being the top highlight speaks a bit for itself.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Le Mevel and Tour stage winner Trofimov are very strong improvements for the squad. The team obviously focusses more on climbers as they lose two of their best sprinters.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The squad developed good over the last year and with the new signings, it's one of the most promising teams for next year.
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Lots of good appearances and results in both Pro- and Continental Tour make a very good season for Farnese Vini. Being the third best continental team, Farnese Vini almost promoted to World Tour – a chance they probably won't get again soon.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Dariusz Rudnicki
Luca Mazzanti
Patrik Sinkewitz
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Bad transfers. A couple of rather weak Polish riders in, two rather strong riders out.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Visconti is the undisputed leader and the only top class rider of the team. Few further victory aspirants will make it hard for the team to fight again for promotion.
Probability of Promotion: 10 %
Major Results in 2011
Stage Win
Vuelta a Espana
Carlos Sastre
2nd
Tour de Suisse
Denis Menchov
3rd
Vuelta a Espana
Carlos Sastre
.
Total Wins:
11
Continental Tour:
24th
CQ Ranking:
20th
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Geox concentrated mostly on the Pro Tour events – thus being the only team having a higher CQ rank than continental rank – and did quite well there. Still, they didn't get promoted, which is why the season can't be considered as a success.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Matthias Brändle
Xavier Florencio
Carlos Sastre
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Very strange: Geox didn't sign a single new rider! And that although they lost a couple of decently good riders, above all Carlos Sastre. We'll see how that'll work out.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Geox certainly has one of the two best continental team – along with Vacansoleil. Their only goal can be the promotion to World Tour and their season will be pit against the success of that project.
Probability of Promotion: 50 %
Major Results in 2011
1st
Tour de France
Alberto Contador
1st
Tour de Suisse
Alberto Contador
1st
Volta Ciclista a Catalunya
Alberto Contador
.
Total Wins:
24
Pro Tour:
7th
CQ Ranking:
6th
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Being Saxo Bank, the team had one superior rider: Alberto Contador. The Spaniard had an amazing season, winning 5 races, 4 of them being Pro Tour ones. He alone made the season a great success for the team.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Jussi Veikkanen
Alberto Contador
Kurt-Asle Arvesen
Nick Nuyens
Kjell Carlström
Richie Porte
Juan Jose Haedo
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Well, it was clear that after the sponsor change and the voluntary relegation, all the team's top stars left. Still, the new management was able to react to the new Nordic orientation and signed a couple of experienced riders like Veikkanen and Arvesen.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the radical change in the team structure, the squad is of course not as strong as last year. Still, it unifies some of the best nordic riders and they should bring in some good results. Nevertheless, promotion is probably only a long term goal.
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Saur's year 2011 was at best mediocre. Only few good appearances in Pro Tour, but at least they had quite a lot of stage and classics wins. Still, they probably hope for more this year.
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Nacer Bouhanni
Jerome Coppel
John Gadret
Anthony Geslin
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sure, Jerome Coppel left, one of the most promising young French. But on the other hand, Gadret and Geslin are established riders who almost guarantee good results. So in my opinion, rather good transfers.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Saur has a rather strong team in terms of depth, but John Gadret is the only real victory aspirant for bigger races. Promotion is almost completely out of reach.
Probability of Promotion: 10 %
Major Results in 2011
1st
Ronde van Vlaanderen
Stijn Devolder
4th
Tirreno – Adriatico
Stijn Devolder
6th
Gent – Wevelgem
Stijn Devolder
.
Total Wins:
10
Pro Tour:
17th
CQ Ranking:
21th
.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The season was of course rather bad for Vacansoleil as they were relegated to Continental Tour. Still, it wasn't a complete failure, as Stijn Devolder's surprising success at De Ronde outshined everything!
Main Transfers
Spoiler
........In
.....Out
.
Lars Boom
Stijn Devolder
Marc de Maar
Ezequiel Mosquera
Greg Van Avermaet
Matteo Carrara
Marco Marcato
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As usual, a relegation trails the leaving of most topstars behind. In this case, Stijn Devolder and Ezequiel Mosquera, who were responsible for the most important results last year. Nevertheless, Van Avermaet and Boom are good catches for a continental team.
Squad
Spoiler
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Together with Geox, Vacansoleil defenitely provides one of the best continental teams! As for Geox, there's only one goal – the re-promotion to world tour. The squad defenitely has the potential, they just have to unlock that.
here's my first blog entry! I just returned from our pre-season meeting in Italy, where we got our season schedules. I will reveal mine in a minute, but first of all, here's the schedules of our team's season highlights:
In a private conversation, the directeur sportive revealed to me that the management has so much trust in me and my future that they prepared a special schedule for me with a nice mixture of both domestique works for our leaders and leading a team myself. But enough talking, here it is.
My racing schedule can be roughly seperated in three parts:
Part One:
23.01. - 01.02.
Tour de Langkawi
10 Stages
As I came out of the winter in a decent form, I will start my season quite early in Malaysia. I will be the overall leader, supported by Valerio Agnoli on the two tough mountain stages. On the sprints, we're well-placed with Tiziano Dall'Antonia and Fabio Sabatini. Looking at the starting field from last year, I aim for a Top 5 finish there.
16.02. - 20.02.
Volta ao Algarve
5 Stages
22.02. - 26.02.
Giro di Sardegna
5 Stages
After two weeks of rest, I'll continue the early season as a helper for Damiano Cunego and Roman Kreuziger, who build up their form for Paris - Nice and Tirreno - Adriatico on those two smaller stage races. Both races are dominated by hilly stages, often with mountain top finishes, and as we are there with pretty strong squads, I hope for some chances to ride on my own.
Part Two:
16.06. - 19.06.
Tour de Slovenie
4 Stages
24.06.
German Championships ITT
1 Stage
26.06.
German Championships
1 Stage
After a long pause, I re-enter the racing circuit in June and return to Slovenia, were I had a great time last year. Again, I'm the leader of the squad with Valerio Agnoli as my helper. If I continue my development, I think I might even get a shot at the overall win.
Afterwards, I will of course compete in the German Championships. I have no illusions about the time trial and the course of the road race isn't too demanding either, but we'll see what I can do.
03.07. - 10.07.
Internationale Österreich-Rundfahrt
8 Stages
20.07. - 24.07.
Brixia Tour
5 Stages
While part of our team tackles the Tour de France, I'll lead another squad in those two stage races. Both feature a good couple of difficult mountain stages and one time trial, respectively. The starting field in both races shouldn't be too strong so again, I hope I have good chances for a nice overall result.
Part Three:
01.08. - 07.08.
Tour de Pologne
7 Stages
09.08. - 13.08.
Tour de l'Ain
5 Stages
After the Brixia Tour, my leading role is over. I return into helping services, this time for Sylvester Szmyd who prepares himself for the Vuelta. Both stage races feature pretty hard hill stages and the Tour de l'Ain will be decided on a hard mountain top finish. Szmyd will have good chances for the overall in both races and I'm his most important domestique.
20.08. - 11.09.
Vuelta a Espana
21 Stages
And here's my season highlight! As last year, I will be able to compete in a Grand Tour. Not the Tour de France, still I'm very happy about it. Together with Sylvester Szmyd, I'll be Vincenzo Nibali's most important domestique. The directeur sportive told me that if I continue my development like I did last year, I might even have a shot on the young riders ranking.
Based on these races, whose will give a total of 72 race days, the DS created a training schedule for me:
My Training Schedule
As you can see, my highest peak is for the Vuelta. Before that, I have a longer preriod close to the top fitness level. I hope that I'll be able to keep the fitness that high for almost four months.
-------
I guess that's all you need to know for the moment. I hope you enjoyed the season preview and, now that you're good informed about everything, will enjoy following me through the cycling season as well!
The first report should come for the Australian Championships in a couple of days.
See you then! Edited by cunego59 on 16-09-2011 21:16
I am amazed at the way you seem to perfect the art of presentation, every time you post! Wonderful story so far, as you already know, I cannot wait to see how you use PCM 11 to tyour advantage this time around!
Glad to have you on board.
