DB: PCM.Daily's 2013 DB
Patch: 1.4.0.0
Difficulty: Medium and Hard
Evolution: 0.3
The Story So Far...
Karl:
Spoiler
Born in Stockholm in late 1993. Moved to the UK in 2007. Dad rode semi-professionally in Sweden, as did Uncle. Won BSCA Grass Track, Road Race and ITT in the O16 category, 2010. 2011 won BSCA Grass Track, Road Race, ITT, MTB and Hill Climb.
Joined Node4 Giordana for the 2012 season. Debut race was the Volta ao Alentejo. Williams came away with the GC win as Karl learnt how to handle a pro peloton. Put in a fine performance on his “home” debut at the Maldon Dengie Tour, aiding Lavery to 2nd place. Went on the attack on Stage 2 of the Tour Doon Hame, and gathered enough bonus seconds to finish 5th on the GC! Quiet time in Holland but still learning the trade. Got into the break in the Rutland-Melton Classic. Survived alone until 3km to go! Then took an extended break to deal with A Levels. Started dating Lucy Garner. Returned at the NC’s but didn’t factor, more used as a form builder. Quiet ride at the Beaumont Trophy. Resigned with Node4 for the 2013 season, even though a co-sponsor had not yet been confirmed. Put in a good effort for the team at the Stockton Festival of Cycling. Tired a late attack at the Ronde van Midden-Nederlands. Earned a spot on the Tour of Britain team. Put in a late attack on stage 1 to finish the day 6th, and lead the KoM competition! Lost the jersey on stage 2, but that was expected. Finished the race 32nd in GC earning a lot of praise from various names in UK cycling.
Node4:
Spoiler
Karls team for 2012 and 2013. Had a decent 2012. Whilst not hitting many goals there were a lot of good results and positives to take from the teams best ever season. Signed Rexona as a co-sponsor to replace Girodana for 2013, bringing in a lot of new cash and potential t grow over the next few seasons. Made a few signings with the new money. And following the merger of Endura and NettApp are looking to be the top UK team this season!
Mikel:
Spoiler
Born in Linkoping in June 1973. Rode Cyclo-Cross for several regional trade teams from 18 till 27. Injury ended his career in the bike early. Became a sports journalist following that. Worked in Sweden until 2000. Started working for L’Equipe in 2000, solely covering cycling across the globe. Made lots of contacts across the cycling community in that time. In 2012 he was contacted by a small continental level team, who wanted to hire him as Director Sportif. Mikel accepted and will spend 2013 as a DS.
Johan:
Spoiler
Born in Gothenburg in 1994. Has lived his whole life in Sweden, both in Gothenburg and Stockholm. Raced nationally as a junior, earning a couple of Junior Track Cycling NC's, in events such as the Kierin and Madison. His impressive riding in 2011 and 2012 at these Nationals earned Johan a place on the Swedish U23 team, who will be competing across Europe in 2013.
The Family Tree
Spoiler
The Grandfather - Tobias Hammarling
The Trio - Aleksander, Erik and Mikel Hammarling
The New Generation - Johan and Karl Hammarling
Tobias is father to Aleksander, Erik and Mikel.
Aleksander is the eldest of the three, and Erik the youngest.
Johan is Aleksander's son, and Karl's cousin.
Erik is Karl's father, so both Karl and Johan are Mikel's nephews.
Name: Karl Hammarling Age: 20 Nationality: GBR/SWE Place of Birth: Stockholm Residence: Stoke-on-Trent Specialization: Classics
My Name is Karl
I was born in Stockholm, Sweden, in late 1993. My family only moved to the UK in 2007, but that is long enough to obtain dual-nationality.
I got my first bike aged 8 and i rode it everyday to school, the shops, friends.
I got my first racing bike when i was 13. I didnt race it, i just rode it loads.
My dad rode semi-professionally in Sweden for about 10 years, as did my Uncle. Cycling is in the blood.
Anyway, simply put i love cycling, my family loves cycling.
How did i get to Node4?
When i was 15 i raced in the U15 BSCA (British Schools Cycling Assosiation) Grass Track National Championship. I was leading heading into the final bend, when i caught my handlebars in the corner marker and came flying to a stop in the crowd...
I went back a year later, now in the O16 category. Not just the Grass Track this time. I entered the Grass Track, Road and ITT. I took all three titles!
2011 i returned for a third time. I won each championship, Grass Track, Road, ITT, MTB and Hill Climb!
All the national trade teams send a scout. I received offers from UK Youth and Raleigh-GAC, but Node4 Giordana made me the best offer.
My First Season
It began early with a team camp in the Algarve, Portugal. Racing also began out that way, where i was able to help Pete Williams win the GC ranking. The 2012 season was a real learning curve for me. I had no experience of riding in a pro-peloton, and very little of an amateur one at that. My high point came at the Tour Doon Hame, where thanks to some aggressive riding i accumulated enough bonus seconds to take 5th spot in the GC!
The majority of the season was spent learning off my team-mates. They showed my the how to ride in a pack, how to manage my efforts, stay refreshed, stay sheltered. Of course they can't teach me everything in one season, so i am still learning the nuances of attacking and tactics, but i can now comfortably ride as part of the peloton.
The year ended at the Tour of Britain, where is spent a day in KoM polka dots, and spent half the race 6th on the GC. My performance at this race got a lot of people talking, and i will certainly be watched in the coming season.
What Next?
Well i am currently on a £2,000p/y deal for 2013. It's only a one year contract again, but i know i should get a deal for next season somewhere. That is my main goal again for 2013.
Long term my ambitions have changed slightly, due to the merger of Endura and NettApp.
Real Long Term i want to win a Tour de France stage, Top 20 at a Monument event and ride the World Championships.
By 2015 i want to be with the best UK Conti level team. That used to be Endura, but now is Rapha. Or maybe even Node4 by then. I did think i could get to Sky by that time, but realistically i don't think thats going to happen. I also want to get 5 wins, whether they be stage, GC or jerseys i don't care.
Goals 2014
Win a Premier Calendar Event
Win a Tour Series Event
Podium a .HC Event
___________
Secure a Contract for 2015
By 2015:
Sign with the top UK Conti Team
Get 5 wins
By 2020:
Win a TDF Stage
Top 20 in a Monument
Ride the World Championships
Calendar
Spoiler
Le Samyn 28/02 Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen 02-04/03 Nokere Koerse 14/03 Handzame Classic 16/03 VDK-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde 27-30/03 Maldon Dengie Tour 01/04 Scheldprijs 04/04 Tour Doon Hame 08-09/04 Rutland-Melton Classic 29/04 Tour of the Reservoir 06/05 Lincoln GP 13/05 Neuseen Classics Rund um die Braunkohle 20/05 Bayern Rundfahrt 23-27/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 05-14/06 British National Championships 23-29/06 Beaumont Trophy 01/07 Stockton Velo 29 Grand Prix 07/07 Post Danmark Rundt 22-27/08 World Ports Classic 31/08-01/09 Tour of Britain 09-16/09 Tour de l'Eurometropole 27-30/09 Binche-Tournai-Binche 02/09
Palmares
Spoiler
2012: GC Top 5 Tour Doon Hame
6th Stage 1 Tour of Britain
Wore KoM Stage 2 Tour of Britain
32nd GC Tour of Britain
2013: 5th - Tour Doon Hame - GC
4th - Tour Doon Hame - KoM
3rd Tour Doon Hame - Youth
7th - Lincoln GP
2nd - Tour Series Round 1 1st - Tour Series Round 5 1st - Tour of Britain Stage 1
3rd - Tour of Britain Stage 2
2nd - Tour of Britain Stage 3
3rd - U23 WCRR
2014: 2nd - Maldon Dengie Tour
6th - Tour Doon Hame - GC
3rd - Lincoln GP
Name: Mikel Hammarling Age: 42 Nationality: Swedish Place of Birth: Linkoping Residence: Stockholm Specialization: Director Sportif
My name is Mikel.
My name is Mikel. I was born in Linkoping in June 1973. Thats were the whole family lived at the time.
I started off as a decent national level Cyclo-Cross rider. I rode for a few trade teams across Scandinavia from when i was 18 until is was 27. My career was cut short by injury caused by a crash. I may tell you about it at another time.
After that i became a journalist for some Swedish papers, before moving to the continent in 2000.
I currently live back in Stockholm, even if i do spend large chunks of the year abroad for work.
My brother also rode at a national level on the road for 10 years, and my young nephew has recently started his cycling career.
Cycling is in the blood.
How did i get to Node4 Rexona
As i said. I rode cyclo-cross for just under 10 years. Then i became a journalist for several Swedish papers. I did mostly sporting events, and some other current events.
In 2000 i moved to France to write for L'Equipe. Yes i speak very good french, for some reason. I worked at L'Equipe for 12 years, and have covered almost all events in cycling across the world.
Over my years covering cycling i built up a huge network of contacts and connections in the sport. I am good friends with a large portion of the professional peloton, and am on speaking terms with 90% of the rest.
Then last year, 2012, i was speaking to Malcolm Elliot about moving out of journalism and full on into the world of cycling. The idea stuck and a couple of months later i put pen to paper and signed up with Node4 Rexona to become a Director Sportif!
What Next?
This will be my first real time being a DS. I've coached a few youths at races in Sweden but never anything like this. One of my big aims is to give you an insight into how a cycling team works on the inside.
The team goals are not decided yet, but my goal is just to get through the season without making a tit of myself, should be achievable.
I hope i can do well enough to get a follow up contract for 2014, whether that be here, or elsewhere.
Goals
Get 7 Wins (1 Win)
Get a .HC Win
Get an NC Win
Calendar
Spoiler
Ronde van Drenthe 09/03 Circuit Sarthe - Pay de la Loire 03-06/04 Rund um Koeln 09/04 Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt 01/05 Neuseen Classics - Rund um die Branukohle 20/05 Bayern Rundfahrt 23-27/05 Ster ZLM Tour 14-17/06 National Championships 23-26/06 Tour of Elk Grove 02-04/08 Tour of Utah 07-12/08 USA Pro Cycling Challenge 20-26/08
2013: 2nd - Triptyque Stage 1 - Luke Rowe
5th - Triptyque Stage 1 - Michal Kwiatkowski
6th - Triptyque Stage 1 - Matt Cronshaw
2nd - Triptyque Stage 2 - Michal Kwiatkowski
6th - Triptyque Stage 2 - Luke Rowe
2nd - Triptyque Stage 3 - Luke Rowe
7th - Triptyque Stage 3 - Matt Cronshaw
8th - Triptyque Stage 3 - Michal Kwiatkowski
1st - Triptyque Stage 4 - Michal Kwiatkowski
5th - Triptyque Stage 4 - Matt Cronshaw
2nd - Triptyque Points - Luke Rowe
3rd - Triptyque Points - Michal Kwiatkowski
1st - Triptyque KoM - David Clarke
2nd - Triptyque Youth - Luke Rowe
3rd - Triptyque Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
2nd - Triptyque Team - Node4 Rexona
2nd - Triptyque GC - Luke Rowe
3rd - Triptyque GC - Michal Kwiatkowski
1st - Himmerland Rundt - Matt Cronshaw
1st - An Post Ras Stage 1 - Scott Thwaites
8th - An Post Ras Stage 1 - Michal Kwiatkowski
3rd - An Post Ras Stage 2 - Scott Thwiates
6th - An Post Ras Stage 2 - Michal Kwiatkowski
8th - An Post Ras Stage 2 - Philip Lavery
5th - An Post Ras Stage 3 - Scott Thwaites
3rd - An Post Ras Stage 5 - Michal Kwiatkowski
6th - An Post Ras Stage 5 - Scott Thwaites
1st - An Post Ras Stage 6 - Scott Thwaites
4th - An Post Ras Stage 6 - Philip Lavery
1st - An Post Ras Stage 7 - Michal Kwiatkowski
2nd - An Post Ras Stage 7 - Scott Thwaites
3rd - An Post Ras Stage 7 - Philip Lavery
1st - An Post Ras GC - Michal Kwiatkowski
2nd - An Post Ras GC - Scott Thwiates
2nd - An Post Ras KoM - Michal Kwiatkowski
1st - An Post Ras Points - Scott Thwaites
1st - An Post Ras Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
2nd - An Post Ras Youth - Scott Thwaites
1st - An Post Ras Team - Node4 Rexona
3rd - Polish NC ITT - Michal Kwiatkowski
1st - Polish NC RR - Marcin Bialoblocki
Name: Johan Hammarling Age: 18 Nationality: Swedish Place of Birth: Gothenburg Residence: Stockholm Specialization: Fighter
My Name is Johan
Hi, my name is Johan. I was born in Gothenburg in September 1994. I have lived almost all my life in Gothenburg, having only moved down to Stockholm in 2010.
My family is cycling crazy! My two uncles used to race at a semi-professional level for a number of years, and my cousin is about to start his second season as a professional.
My dad never raced, as he was and still is a bike mechanic. He helped my uncles when they were racing.
I have been racing since i was 8. I mix it up, doing road, cyclo-cross and mtb.
Cycling is in the blood.
How did i get to the U23 Team?
I have raced at a national level as a junior for a few years, and have been racking up impressive finishes against older competition. I have a number of wins to my name, which i always nice.
In 2011 and 2012 i stepped my game up and really focused on cycling, having dropped out of school.
I really garnered attention at the Junior Tack Nationals in 2011 where i walked away with wins in both the Keirin and Madison. Then in 2012 i repeated those wins, and added the Junior Road Race title to my collection.
So the Swedish Cycling Federation contacted me, and drafted me the the U23 Team.
What Next?
Well 2013 is simple. I will get to ride in events all across Europe. The U23 league is amateur, but the competition is fierce as it is the number one route to a professional contract.
I would like to just ride well and make the team proud this season, as i don't think i'll be strong enough to take any wins. It would be great if i could do well enough to get a proper professional contract for 2014.
Looking further ahead, i would like to team up with my Cousin or Uncle at their teams. I am more of a sprinter than anything right now, so i guess my ultimate aim is the Tour de France Points Jersey. But i would actually quite like to just rack up lots of wins.
Goals
Get 5 Top10's
Get 5 BOTD's
Be the best Swede in Team
_____
Secure contract for 2015
by 2016:
Ride with either Karl or Mikel
Get 10 wins
Win U23 NC
by 2021:
Win TDF Points Jersey
Get 50 wins
Top3 Milan-San Remo
Calendar
TBC
Palmares
2013: 9th - Scandinavian Road Race
23rd - U23 WCRR
Edited by TheManxMissile on 16-04-2013 13:31
Driedaagse van West-Vlaanderen 02-04/03 Ronde van Drenthe 09/03 Nokere Koerse 14/03 Handzame Classic 16/03 Classic Loire Atlantique 17/03 Cholet - Pays De Loire 18/03 VDK-Driedaagse De Panne-Koksijde 27-30/03 Route Adelie de Vitre 30/03
Maldon Dengie Tour 01/04 Circuit Sarthe - Pays de la Loire 03-06/04 Scheldprijs 04/04 Tour Doon Hame 08-09/04 Rund um Koeln 09/04 Paris - Camembert Lepetit 10/04 Rutland - Melton Classic 29/04
Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt 01/05 Tour of the Reservoir 06/05 Tour de Picardie 11-13/05 Lincoln GP 13/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 1 15/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 2 17/05 Neuseen Classics - Rund um die Braunkohle 20/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 3 22/05 Bayern Rundfahrt 23-27/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 4 24/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 5 25/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 6 29/05 Halfords Tour Series Round 7 31/05
Halfords Tour Series Round 8 05/06 Halfords Tour Series Round 9 07/06 Halfords Tour Series Round 10 12/06 Halfords Tour Series Round 11 14/06 Ster ZLM Tour 14-17/06 National Championships 23-29/06
Beaumont Trophy 01/07 Stockton Velo 29 Grand Prix 07/07 Grand Prix of Wales 14/07 Ryedale GP 28/07
Tour of Elk Grove 02-04/08 Tour of Utah 07-12/08 USA Pro Cycling Challenge 20-26/08 Post Danmark Rundt 22-27/08 World Ports Classic 31/08-01/09
Paris-Bruxelles 08/09 Tour of Britain 09-16/09 GP de Fourmies 09/09 Grand Prix de Wallonie 12/09 Tour de 'Eurometropole 27-30/09
*****Win Tour of Britain*****
****Win 10 Non-UK Races****
(1 Win)
***Win 5 Premier Calendar Events***
(4 Win, 6 Podiums)
**Win 5 Tour Series Events**
(1 Win, 1 Podium
*Stay in PCT*
Palmares
2014
Maldon Dengie Tour - 1st Race - Scott Thwaites
Maldon Dengie Tour - 2nd Race - Karl Hammarling
Maldon Dengie Tour - 3rd Race - Philip Lavery
Circuit Sarthe Loire - 1st Stage 3 - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour Doon Hame - 2nd Stage 1 - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Stage 2 - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 3rd Stage 2 - Scott Thwaites
Tour Doon Hame - 1st GC - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 3rd GC - Scott Thwaites
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Points - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Youth - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Team - Node4 Rexona
Rutland-Melton Classic - 1st Race - Scott Thwiates
Tour of the Reservoir - 2nd Race - Luke Rowe
Lincoln GP - 1st Race - Scott Thwiates
Lincoln GP - 2nd Race - Philip Lavery
Lincoln GP - 3rd Race - Karl Hammarling
Pearl Izumi Tour Series Round 1 - 2nd Race - Luke Rowe
Tour Series Round 2 - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
2013
Spoiler
Dorpenomloop Rucphen - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Stage 1 - Luke Rowe
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Stage 2 - Michal Kwiatkowski
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Stage 3 - Luke Rowe
Maldon Dengie Tour - 2nd Race - Philip Lavery
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 1st Stage 4 - Michal Kwiatkowski
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Points - Luke Rowe
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 3rd Points - Michal Kwiatkowski
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 1st KoM - David Clarke
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Youth - Luke Rowe
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 3rd Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd Team - Node4 Rexona
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 2nd GC - Luke Rowe
Triptyque Monts et Chateaux - 3rd GC - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour Doon Hame - 2nd Stage 1 - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Stage 2 - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 2nd Stage 2 - Matt Cronshaw
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Points - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 3rd Points - Matt Cronshaw
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Youth - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 2nd Youth - Matt Cronshaw
Tour Doon Hame - 3rd Youth - Karl Hammarling
Tour Doon Hame - 1st Team - Node4 Rexona
Tour Doon Hame - 1st GC - Luke Rowe
Tour Doon Hame - 3rd GC - Matt Cronshaw
Himmerland Rundt - 1st Race - Matt Cronshaw
Rutland-Melton Classic - 1st Race - Matt Cronshaw
Rutland-Melton Classic - 2nd Race - Scott Thwaites
Lincoln GP - 1st Race - Philip Lavery
Lincoln GP - 3rd Race - Scott Thwaites
Tour Series Round 1 - 2nd Race - Karl Hammarling
Tour Series Round 2 - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
Tour Series Round 2 - 3rd Race - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour Series Round 3 - 1st Race - Marcin Bialoblocki
An Post Ras - 1st Stage 1 - Scott Thwaites
An Post Ras - 3rd Stage 2 - Scott Thwiates
Tour Series Round 4 - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
Tour Series Round 4 - 3rd Race - Matt Cronshaw
Tour Series Round 5 - 1st Race - Karl Hammarling
An Post Ras - 3rd Stage 5 - Michal Kwiatkowski
An Post Ras - 1st Stage 6 - Scott Thwaites
An Post Ras - 1st Stage 7 - Michal Kwiatkowski
An Post Ras - 2nd Stage 7 - Scott Thwaites
An Post Ras - 3rd Stage 7 - Philip Lavery
An Post Ras - 1st GC - Michal Kwiatkowski
An Post Ras - 2nd GC - Scott Thwaites
An Post Ras - 2nd KoM - Michal Kwiatkowski
An Post Ras - 1st Points - Scott Thwiates
An Post Ras - 1st Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
An Post Ras - 2nd Youth - Scott Thwaites
An Post Ras - 1st Team - Node4 Rexona
Tour Series Round 6 - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
Tour Series Round 6 - 2nd Race - Matt Cronshaw
Tour Series Round 7 - 3rd Race - Luke Rowe
Tour Series Round 8 - 1st Race - Michal Kwiatkowski
Polish NC ITT - 3rd Race - Michal Kwiatkowski
Polish NC RR - 1st Race - Marcin Bialoblocki
Ciclista a Leon - 2nd Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
GP Kralovehradeckeho - 1st Race - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 1 - Karl Hammarling
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 2 - Scott Thwaites
Tour of Britain - 2nd Stage 2 - Philip Lavery
Tour of Britain - 3rd Stage 2 - Karl Hammarling
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 3 - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour of Britain - 2nd Stage 3 - Karl Hammarling
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 5 - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 6 - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 7 - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 2nd Stage 7 - Scott Thwiates
Tour of Britain - 1st Stage 8 - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour of Britain - 1st GC - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour of Britain - 1st Points - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 3rd Points - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour of Britain - 1st Youth - Michal Kwiatkowski
Tour of Britain - 3rd Youth - Luke Rowe
Tour of Britain - 1st Team - Node4 Rexona
Following the new sponsorship deal with Rexona, Node4 made it clear that they would use the new money to bring in a selection of new riders as the start of a process to build towards becoming the UK's top Continental Level team. A core of riders from 2012 will be kept, and at the same time strengthened by a couple of signings.
Here is a list of riders that remain from 2012:
Matt Cronshaw
Matt didn't quite match his expectations in 2012, but still pulled in some decent results
8th Rutland-Melton Classic, 9th Tour Series Kirckaldy, 2nd Tour Series Oxford
Rico Dene Rogers
Rico nearly called it quits at the end of the year, but has been persuaded to have one last season.
9th Tour of the Reservoir, 3rd Tour Series Woking
Philip Lavery
Philip had a great season, putting in a lot of effort and is developing nicely into a rough sprinter.
2nd Maldon Dengie Tour, 8th Tour of the Reservoir, 1st Tour Series Kirckaldy, 6th Tour Series Woking
Peter Williams
Pete was the most successful Node4 rider in 2012, as he had a truly outstanding season.
2nd Volta ao Alentejo Stage 2, 1st Volta ao Alentejo GC, 6th Tour of the Reservoir, 1st Tour Series Stoke, 5th Tour of Britain Stage 1
David Clarke
David worked well for the team in 2012, and will be putting shifts of help again
Karl Hammarling
Karl is still very young, but impressed in his debut season and will look to keep improving in 2013
5th Tour Doon Hame GC, 6th tour of Britain Stage 1
Marcin Bialoblocki
Marcin was the second stand out rider in 2012, constantly attacking and picking up a couple of results
8th Arno Wallaard Memorial, 6th Lincoln GP
Lee Davis
Lee is the old man of the team. His experience is invaluable to the youth at Node4
Andrew Magnier
Andrew is a classic team mate. He never asks for attention and is always there to help.
James Sampson
James didn't get any results in 2012, but his tireless work is to admired by all.
There are to be 4 signings to strengthen the team for 2013. They will be revealed soon, well ahead of the Team Presentation to come in early January.
Edited by TheManxMissile on 21-02-2013 17:09
One DS, one rider and an U23 rider yes.
The U23 of course i can only give updates and blogs for, and of course if he does well a team might sign him.
The DS and actual rider, you already know how they are going to work.
Two days ago Node4 Rexona confirmed which riders they were keeping on from 2012. They form the majority of the squad and will provide the backbone of help and points throughout the upcoming season. But with the new injection of funds from new co-sponsor Rexona, the management made it clear they were hunting some bigger riders to join the ranks at Node4.
Today they are confirming the first two or four signings. Both of todays confirmations have been well known for a while so it is nothing more than making it official here in Stoke.
Luke Rowe
Luke is part of a cluster of upcoming sprinters in the UK. He had a quiet 2012 with Sky, where he spent most of the season training and improving. He made it clear that he needed to gain some more experience before he could fully handle the WT, so has chosen to take a step down and join the project at Node4 Rexona
Yanto Barker
Yanto has been on the UK cycling scene for a number of years. Most recently he has been riding with UK Youth. Yanto is a decent all-round cyclist, and will be spending his time at Node4 either on the attack or shepherding the leaders.
There are still two more signings to be announced by Node4 Rexona. Those in the know in the UK are talking about who they expect to join. With the merger of NettApp and Endura a range of riders have become available who would certainly fit in. Plus the new funding and drive has made Node4 the exciting prospect in UK cycling at the moment, and the draw to be part of the project is large.
Cycling News have been suggesting that Kristian House may make the move over.
Cycling Weekly are reported to have seen Scott Thwaites in Stoke recently.
Even Cycling Plus has been getting in on the speculation offering up riders like Dean Downing, Ben Swift, Andy Fenn and Jesse Sergent!
Those in the loop at Node4 have been doing a good job of keeping things quiet, so we will have to wait and see what happens at the press conference tomorrow.
This reminds me too much of "The Planckaerts" (a Belgian reality tv show about the Planckaert family, kinda like Big Brother with cameras following them 24/7). Hope it won't be as pathetic, good luck with this
Ollfardh wrote:
This reminds me too much of "The Planckaerts" (a Belgian reality tv show about the Planckaert family, kinda like Big Brother with cameras following them 24/7). Hope it won't be as pathetic, good luck with this
Hope this won't be "The Planckaerts", "Wellens en wee" or "De Pfaffs"
The final press conference has just concluded in Stoke, where the managers of Node4 Rexona have confirmed the final two riders for 2013. 12 riders have been presented over the last 3 days, and this will bring the total squad size up to 14.
Scott Thwaites
Scott rode for Endura in 2012, but lost his spot as part of the NettApp merger. Scott has been rapidly improving over the last two years, and will come to Node4 as a real future star of UK cycling.
Michel Kwiatkowski
Michel was with OPQ in 2012. But reports are that he failed to settle into the team and wanted a new home for 2012. Whirlpool came very close to signing him, but somehow Node4 pinched Michel away. Marcin probably had something to do with that. It is clear Michel will be a leader at Node4 in 2013.
That now confirms the full 14 man Node4 Rexona squad for 2013. They have clear ambitions to step up their game. More details will be shared at the official team presentation in early January.
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Le Samyn 28/02
Matt Cronshaw
Rico Dene Rogers
Philip Lavery
Marcin Bialoblocki
