After a year under the name Cyclevox Continental Cycling team, the team has moved in a new direction.
Dissatisfied with results throughout the year many of the sponsors pulled out, save for clothing manufacturer and long time supporter of British cycling, Endura.
With a renewed license, and an ample financial support, the search for another key sponsor to take over the reins began. Word began to spread in mid-2012, that after the success of the team's Baltic riders amongst others, an amalgamation of Estonian, Latvian and Lithuanian sponsors were queueing up to have their names on the team's shirt.
This came to a head, when Tomas Vaitkus won the team's first ever race, the Tour De Faso, followed immediately by a win in the hotly contested Tour of Taihu, by Rene Mandri. And with that, pen was put to paper, with a number of Baltic businesses signing on to the team on a 2 year deal; such businesses included an American firm providing housing in the Baltic region, a stationary producer and the Baltics leading car manufacturer and distributor - leading the charge was Latvian-based airline, airBaltic, who, with such generous financial backing, became the head sponsor of the team.
Looking towards 2013 and beyond, the team aims to become the first all-Baltic cycling team to reach the ProTour. However, for 2013, the team remains British in identity, and in order to satisfy a number of British financial supporters, the core of the team will remain the same from last year, with the change to all-Baltic looking to be a gradual process, eventually coming to fruition in 2014. ____________________
Tomas Vaitkus 4th in the team's debut race, the Down Under Classic. Tomas Vaitkus taking the team's first ever jersey, the points jersey in the Tour of the Czech Republic. Tomas Vaitkus continuing his leading role, taking the team's first ever race win at the Tour Du Faso. Rene Mandri winning our final race, the Tour of Taihu,
If Exspla - Cision do acquire a CT licence for definite, then there may be a possibility of some riders to be loaned out. However, young baltic riders are looking to form the core of our squad, and so it is unlikely for many of them to be leaving for the year.
Furthermore, if the Lithuanian team does continue in the CT, then airBaltic - Endura hope to coordinate with them, to avoid pushing rider prices up too high.
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We note that this could be a pivotal year in the development of American punchaer Chad Beyer and British sprinter Chris Opie. We may well be interested in helping them along their way. Helping them reach the next level should they remain with your franchise.
We appreciate the interest from Smowz and Red Bull, in nurturing our young riders to their full potential; however, it is unlikely Beyer will remain with us for the upcoming season, but we will certainly appreciate any aid to help Opie reach his full potential.
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Stage race targets a no-go: airBaltic - Endura to focus on sprints?
After approaching managers of both Pearl Adidas and Pendleton's, to enquire about potential stage race leaders Tanel Kangert and Konstantin Siutsou, respectively, the search for a new GC leader has seemingly come to an end.
There are still a number of strong stage racers available, however, team management are reluctant to bring in a rider just because of their talent; they must also fit the team ethics and regional focus.
Whilst British this year, with an aim of turning all-baltic in a season or two, the team are mainly looking to bring in young talents from Latvia and Lithuania, Estonia, and the neighbouring Finnic nation, Finland. Belarus is also a potential area of exploration.
However, given the team's relatively strong sprint department, spearheaded by Aussie champ Mitch Docker and team superstar Vaitkus, it is looking as though the team will be bringing in a number of sprinters to support them, in a hope to be the 'new pokerstars', and showing off at the front with a superb sprint train.
'It worked for Puma - SAP with Benatti,' said a somewhat disheveled team manager, 'and it worked for Pokerstars, they're both riding the ProTour now.'
Names already on the radar include Belarusian champ Hutarovich and Latvian Saramontins, while new reports suggest Cavendish and Luke Rowe are of interest to lead the team.
What this will do to the team equilibrium is yet to be seen, and no doubt the existing riders will want a chance to lead; whether they get it, we shall see.
Newly formed Austrian-Irish team Magna-Ryanair are said to be interested in acquiring as many Irish riders as is possible. It is thus natural that speculation has turned to airBaltic - Endura, which possesses several Irish riders that would be of interest to the Magna team. Specifically Connor McConvey, an up and coming rider would seem to be a great fit. McConvey is said to be hesitant but interested in the move, noting that airBaltic - Endura has treated him well, but would be interested in what would be an expanded role at Manga-Ryanair.
Magna-Ryanair is also said to be monitoring the development of William Connolly, and could be interested in helping him reach his full potential in whatever way possible.
Does airBaltic Endura have any comment on these rumors?
Edited by Firefly21 on 25-10-2012 22:24
It was previously rumoured that airBaltic - Endura were looking to lure Hutarovich away from ProTour outfit Milka - AVG; now confirmed by the somewhat disgruntled Tweet by team manager A N Freeman.
With recent announcements of licenses for new teams, it has come to light that there will be two new Ukrainian teams, a new Russian outfit alongside the previously existing one, and even a Belarus-based team, who will all be aiming for riders such as Hutarovich.
Whether they have a backup plan is yet to be seen.
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A pair of photos have been uploaded to the internet earlier today, presumably of an ex-Cyclevox training ride. The photos showed three of the teams Brits, Briggs, Opie and Richardson, enjoying a gentle ride through the Cotswolds, near Stratford-upon-Avon.
However, accompanying them on their ride were Jonathan Bellis of Rapha Condor (Now Jaguar Eritel), Geraint Tomas (on loan to Pendleton's this season, signed to Jaguar, though) and Rowe of Wiggle. All riders were of course in their 2012 gear, in accordance with rules.
It is likely that this is just a friendly training ride between some of the Brits in competition, but others have suggested that it is a prelude to certain signings in the coming off-season.
The Cyclevox team car was on hand to look after the riders.
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Team manager, A N Freeman, reveals the team's objectives for the coming season.
Team manager A N Freeman, was on hand at a press conference today in Cardiff, Wales, to talk about the team's future plans, and their objectives for the coming 2013 season. His choices strongly reflect the switch to becoming a Baltic team.
He began, however, discussing the seasons opening.
ANFreeman: Last season, under the Cyclevox banner, we announced our presence on the scene with a very strong performance in our opening race. Australia once again will have the privilege of being our opener, and certainly the world will be watching eagerly as the first HC race kicks off the season, in the Down Under Classic. We would love to emulate our success of last season, and place within the Top 5 yet again. Of course, Ideally we'd like to improve on last year's 4th, but we don't want to overstate our potential.
The next topic was of the team's switch in focus.
ANFreeman:Indeed, whilst still based in Britain, and whilst my love for British cycling remains strong, financial and commercial reasons have altered the teams identity, and we are now building a strong Baltic team. However, this is a very unique opportunity, and one I am thrilled to be heading. As such, we aim to show the upmost domination in the Baltic races, and Win both the Tallin - Tartu GP in Estonia, and of course, The Baltic Chain Tour.
Finally, he discussed the season as a whole, and his ambitions.
ANFreeman: Last season, we saw the team atop the podium, numerous times. However, this season, as the team faces a difficult transition period, exposure is of the upmost importance. As such we will be aiming to win as many stages as possible, with the target goal being 15 stage wins. Furthermore,we hope to progress slightly higher in the international rankings. Of course, we're only really concerned with avoiding the relegation spots, but ideally, Top 15 Overall Standings is an ideal target for us. We missed out by a few places last season, but with a years extra experience, we hope we will be able to achieve these goals.
A team representative also was on hand to make a similar announcement at a press conference in Riga, Latvia, to appease the sponsors.
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Transfer news for airBaltic - Endura. Rowes in; Van der Velde, Knees out?
Last night, team manager RJC of Wiggle, one of Britain's premier professional cycling teams, announced in a press statement that either, or perhaps both, Luke and Matt Rowe would be leaving the team.
airBaltic manager, ANFreeman, responded when asked about this by saying that is was an "interesting possibility" and that "either would be a great asset to any team." He was reluctant to offer any hints as to which of the brothers he'd most seek after.
Going the other direction, Ricardo Van Der Velde seems to be on his way for new pastures. A dutch website published seemingly unverified reports, that the rider had been quoted citing the desire to leave. The rumours seemingly would place him at either the Pro Continental outfits Rothaus - Aegon (whom made several bids for him in the season previous) or newly promoted UPC - BI, or the newly formed dutch Continental team, Die Berg Komt Er.
We followed up on this rumours, with Van Der Velde saying that "nothing is in concrete yet" but move certainly isn't unfeasible. He also added that it would be a great honor to ride alongside his countryman and current reigning world champion, Lars Boom.
Similar rumours surround German Christian Knees. Ever present throughout the previous season, he stalwartly supported his team leaders all through the season. However, it seems he, too, is to be shown the door. Rumours have placed him either as a potential leader for the new German continental outfit, Allianz - BMW, although it seems more likely he'll end up as a domestique at another PCT team.
Management haven't yet commented on either rumour, so it is unclear whether the riders will be released to the free agent market, or sold on to the highest bidder,
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