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Continental to Continental Pro
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| redordead |
Posted on 18-10-2017 18:05
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Hello! This is my 1st time playing a PCM game. I'm playing a career with a custom Slovenien team called Iskra Cycling Team. I wanted to play like this is a brand new team that is starting from the bottom, so I only signed young Slovenien free agent riders.
After some trial and error in terms of picking my riders and planning the season to match my sponsor objectives, I started riding races. To my own surprise my planning was paying off as we were able to perform great in our targeted races as well as some prep races.
One thing I noticed was that all of my riders after some time, while being satisfied as a whole, were unhappy with the prestige of the races. So I wondered how to improve, since I didn't get invited to any big races. I never thought about going to Continental Pro (CP) after 1 season, since all I cared about was doing good in the sponsor races (was able to extend sponsor to 2018  ). Then I saw this:
If I understand these rankings correctly I have a good chance of becoming a CP team. The problem is I have zero idea what will change then apart from riding in different races. Do I need a bigger squad, will my sponsor objectives change? My most popular rider only barely satisfies my sponsor now, will I need to sign stars? But we are only going to break even financially:
This is my current squad:
I know I need better sprinters since I have mostly been relying on my climbers and breakaways. I wanted to keep the team with as many local rides as possible and maybe sign some young talented riders that my scouts found.
I'm basically asking for advice on how to tackle this situation? I have really enjoyed this 1st season so far. I just never expected for things to move forward so quickly.
Cheers and thank you for any answers |
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| MacC |
Posted on 18-10-2017 19:41
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Sprinter
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There is a long way to go in the Season! |
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| redordead |
Posted on 18-10-2017 20:06
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
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Not for me, maybe for other teams. We have 29 race days left, a lot of U23 races. I guess ranking could change, we'll see. |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 18-10-2017 22:01
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Yes, a Slovenian career! Much love for that from me already, great rider choice. DOn't worry about finances too much, you'll get some money when the new season starts.
Don't worry about signing "stars" too much. As a person with hundreds of hours on CT starting team careers I can tell you that the most satisfying thing is to slowly build up a team with a strong regional focus and lead it to glory. If you fail too much in PCT, don't worry. Your team will get better and better, and it's more fun if you not win everything. Going into breakaways and hunting for KOMs/Point Jerseys/Stages can be a big joy.
If you manage to find some riders that fit into your concept don't hesitate to go for them, if they are realistic (I'd say maximum 20k wage if you go from CT to PCT). Having one or two nice CT captains (74-77 main stat) may be nice for learning effects and more success, but don't be sad if you are not able to sign them.
I for example, when I played a long lasting Adria Mobil career in PCM16 (played every signle race 3D until 2022) I tried to keep most of my starting riders for as long as possible. Creating regional heros is the biggest joy possible!
So counting it together I have one general advice: Identity over quality. Make sure you get hungry riders fitting to your concept, and build up something that makes your team remarkable (for you).
Feel free to ask further (specific) questions
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| redordead |
Posted on 18-10-2017 22:31
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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1) My main specific question would be how many riders do I need for PCT?
I only have 10 riders for this season.
2) What type of riders should I look for as captains?
This year I have 2 captains Štimulak (Time-trial) and Pogačar (Puncher).
I tried to sign Jan Tratnik (Time-trial) from CCC, but he went to Dimension Data, I could only offer 9k. So far I was able to sign Žiga Grošelj (Sprinter) from Adria Mobil and resign Miškulin (Sprinter) and Štimulak.
Thank you for all your encouragement |
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| hillis91 |
Posted on 18-10-2017 23:14
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Team Leader
Posts: 5902
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Look for a sprinter or two, a great way to score points!
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| df_Trek |
Posted on 19-10-2017 00:35
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2324
Joined: 07-07-2016
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in my experience you can manage the calendar of PCT with 18 riders: a selection like 2 captains, 8 young riders, and last 8 a mix of expert cheap riders and other domestiques.
captains maybe a GC contender (more climber than TTer, because with your budget is hard to find a complete GC rider) and a sprinter (or a puncher with good sprints stats)
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 07:29
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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redordead wrote:
1) My main specific question would be how many riders do I need for PCT?
I only have 10 riders for this season.
2) What type of riders should I look for as captains?
This year I have 2 captains Štimulak (Time-trial) and Pogačar (Puncher).
I tried to sign Jan Tratnik (Time-trial) from CCC, but he went to Dimension Data, I could only offer 9k. So far I was able to sign Žiga Grošelj (Sprinter) from Adria Mobil and resign Miškulin (Sprinter) and Štimulak.
Thank you for all your encouragement
Nice signing in Groselj Any of your riders you let into Free Agency?
1) 13-15 riders are enough for a small team
2) As a CT --> PCT team: Whoever is on the market that looks good  One uphill captain and one flat captain is a nice distribution if you are not focussed on one special terrain. For a small team focussing could be an interesting option, f.e.:
Flat Team: Sign almost exclusively flat riders, that can be decent domestiques in all those races (Flat/Sprint, Cobbles, TTT) - race calendar is easy to plan, leaders could fit the team well. Depending on the rider market I wouldn't do that with a Slovenian Team though, as the great talents (Primozic, Pogacar, Novak, Mohoric, Polanc) are uphill riders. Only Per of the big talents is a flat/allround great slovenian talent (not talking about regens of course. The upside is that you in foreside have some really decent PCT captain on that terrain from Slovenia (Mezgec, Kump, Koren, Tratnik). A flat team is ideal for the CT calendar especially.
Uphill Team: Great base in your team (Primozic, Pogacar). Focus on the stage races and hilly classic. leave out most of the flat races in your calendar. Here as well you can spare a lot of money by leaving out most flat riders, though a sprinting talent that doesn't need much support for the flat stages of the tours won't be a bad investment either. The stronger your team grows the more point scoring opportunities arise with a climbing/hills team. It may be hard to find affordable regional captains though at the time you are on, as the great Slovenians may be too expensive and Brajkovic is very old already. Tratnik would've been perfect as stage racer.
Allround Team: Just go for the best fitting riders available. More freedom in picking your races, but a less clear identity. That means some more difficult decisions, but maybe also more fun in these. You can attend almost every race and try to score, but you may have a worse supporting cast then in the focussed teams. Obviously choices on the rider market are bigger, which is nice for a smaller focus region than Slovenia. I'd say this team may be the best if you want to build a one-nation team, as you can use all riders from that country really well.
Some request from me to you, to may be able to help you better:
1. It would maybe help if you have a screenshot of the Slovenians that are FA right now or have an expiring 2017 contract.
2. Do you plan on acquiring other riders besides Slovenians. If so: Which nations do you consider?
3. Which types of races do you prefer most?
4. Do you 3D every race?
5. Do you prefer a broader calendar with many opportunities and weaker line-ups or a sharper calendar with less options but stronger line-ups?
Cheers!
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| Ripley |
Posted on 19-10-2017 08:52
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3341
Joined: 25-11-2014
PCM$: 300.00
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I hate to disagree with my pal croatia14, but 20k for a rider? No way redordead can afford that. Stick with min wage riders, maybe one or two who earn 5k. Maybe check the first page of this "story" of mine, it's PCM 14 but should still be valid:
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=45133
There I recorded how the budget changes. But you started with even less - only 10 riders, all on the min wage. Probably all you can afford is increase the squad size by 2 riders who also earn just 2.5k, any more than that and you might get into financial troubles.
Here's an even older post of mine where I also give some tips, though best to ignore my no. 1 tip there, to only invest in U23 riders, that makes things too easy.
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=37640 |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 09:19
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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well, I don't know how the sponsor looks like - but remember we talk about PCM 16/17, where the management system is a lot different to PCM 14 (not saying that it's better, because it isn't) - you won't get into financial trouble if you don't overpay trainers/scouts/doctors, that are almost useless in PCM
maybe 10k max is better if you want some depth, but 15 riders on 2.5k should be no problem...and if you play it smart I'd say that 1-2 riders with 5-10k wage arefar off being impossible to finance - but I agree with ripley that signing some 2.5k riders with potential on long contracts may be a very smart move for a newly promoted team - you'll earn the fruits of it later
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 09:26
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Ripley wrote:
I hate to disagree with my pal croatia14, but 20k for a rider? No way redordead can afford that. Stick with min wage riders, maybe one or two who earn 5k. Maybe check the first page of this "story" of mine, it's PCM 14 but should still be valid:
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=45133
There I recorded how the budget changes. But you started with even less - only 10 riders, all on the min wage. Probably all you can afford is increase the squad size by 2 riders who also earn just 2.5k, any more than that and you might get into financial troubles.
Here's an even older post of mine where I also give some tips, though best to ignore my no. 1 tip there, to only invest in U23 riders, that makes things too easy.
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=37640
Sorry for the double post. If you want to become as good as possible as fast as possible then I agree. But if you have different goals (regional identification/create a team identity/realistic team demography/...) another way may be the preferred for a long lasting career. To figure that out I asked those questions
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 19-10-2017 09:30
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2938
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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I started with Axeon with the PCM16 '17 db - got promoted in my second year. In my first season as PCT I've finished 3rd in the PCT ranking (Superprestige) and entered my first Grand Tour (Vuelta). And in 2020 my team is dominant in the PCT ranks and won the Giro d'Italia with Adrien Costa, who turned into climbing monster winning 5 Giro stages and the KOM jersey along the way. (sadly he choose Quick Step for 2021-22 and left me without maquee rider forthe team's début WT season; I plan to switch sponsorship for 2022 - preferably Spotify)
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| redordead |
Posted on 19-10-2017 10:01
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Croatia14 wrote:
Nice signing in Groselj Any of your riders you let into Free Agency?
I plan to let go Goršak and Jenko, but I want to resign everyone else. I'm still trying to resign my 2 other sprinters Jerman and Mesojedec.
One thing I didn't mention is that I want this game to be somehow realistic. I imagined that this team was founded by a bunch of newbies (like myself) who have little knowledge of pro cycling. So I have some restrictions:
1) I can only use search on Slovenian riders and riders from local team Adria Mobil
2) I cannot sign established foreign riders (yet)
3) I must use the knowledge provided by my scouts
I'm not planning to build a flat or uphill team, so it will probably be more allround. I will always gear my planning toward sponsor objectives. This year I have more hilly objectives so I am lucky that the strength of my team right now is my climbers/punchers in Pogačar, Primožič, Pavlič (PPP  )
Croatia14 wrote:
Some request from me to you, to may be able to help you better:
1. It would maybe help if you have a screenshot of the Slovenians that are FA right now or have an expiring 2017 contract.
2. Do you plan on acquiring other riders besides Slovenians. If so: Which nations do you consider?
3. Which types of races do you prefer most?
4. Do you 3D every race?
5. Do you prefer a broader calendar with many opportunities and weaker line-ups or a sharper calendar with less options but stronger line-ups?
Cheers!
1. There really aren't any riders to would improve my team besides Grošelj that I can afford.
2. I am not targeting any particular nation. This is a shortlist I have made from the riders I have scouted. I want the core of my team to be still from local riders.
3. I am not sure. I try my best in all races, but I performed best in the hilly stages. I also have an easier time doing well in 1 day races. I struggled in flat stage races, because of my average sprinters and not many good flat riders, relied on Finkšt in breakaways.
Here are some of my best results:
Istrian Spring Trophy - Stage win and GC 1st (both Pavlič)
GP of Sochi - Stage win and GC 1st (both Štimulak), KOM (Primožič)
Tour de Normandie - Stage win and GC 2nd (both Finkšt)
Circuit des Ardennes - 2 stage wins and GC 1st (all Pogačar)
Tour du Loir - Stage win and GC 1st (both Finkšt)
Skive Lobet - 1st Miškulin
Himmerland rundt - 2nd Jerman
Concordia GP - 2nd Miškulin
LBL U23 - 2nd Pogačar
Sundvolden GP - 3rd Pavlič
Ringerike GP - 1st Pogačar
Berner Rundfahrt - 1st Primožič
Tour of Malopolska - Stage win and GC 1st (both Primožič)
Tour of Slovenia - KOM (Pogačar)
Cycliste de Solidarnosc - GC 1st (Finkšt)
Volta a Portugal de foturo U23 - GC 2nd (Primožič)
4. Yes I ride every race in 3D
5. I try to plan calendar to peak at sponsor races, I am doing that very well this season. I also have some riders fitness peak only 2 times because it's difficult to do 3 peaks. So I guess that is more sharper calender. I still try to find some races to fit my riders besides sponsor races, but mostly I focus on those and the prep races before. |
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| redordead |
Posted on 19-10-2017 10:27
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Ripley wrote:
I hate to disagree with my pal croatia14, but 20k for a rider? No way redordead can afford that. Stick with min wage riders, maybe one or two who earn 5k. Maybe check the first page of this "story" of mine, it's PCM 14 but should still be valid:
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=45133
There I recorded how the budget changes. But you started with even less - only 10 riders, all on the min wage. Probably all you can afford is increase the squad size by 2 riders who also earn just 2.5k, any more than that and you might get into financial troubles.
Here's an even older post of mine where I also give some tips, though best to ignore my no. 1 tip there, to only invest in U23 riders, that makes things too easy.
https://pcmdaily.c...d_id=37640
I have budget 313k per year in my 1st season. With the staff wages I had to perform well enough in the races for some prize money so I could keep the team from going into to the red.
I will probably only have 2.5k riders. How many not sure yet, we'll see. |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 10:37
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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- Gorsak has no convincing potential?
- Jerman looks like a nice talent indeed
- did you also search for contract = free agent/expired?
- one of the biggest things: don't invest major money in staff! I experienced that it doesn't have any influence how good your trainer/scout/doc is - a national one is fully enough (for trainers maybe two, to have max 8 riders covered by one trainer)
- if you have an overpaid trainer/scout, don't hesitate to fire him to clean his wages...a costly trainer may suck of the budget of up to 6 riders!
1) of those riders indeed only Bajc looks like a useful domestique, you could take a look at his hilly sprint skillset and check whether you like it
2) nice shortlist! Italy traditionally is pretty close to Slovenia in terms of cycling. Otherwise I could think of either a Balcan- or an Eastern European Focus, or going exotic (Latin America/Africa/Asia) as a talent pool focus
3) sounds great --> do you play on normal/medium difficulty?
4) 3D is the best choice
5) sounds like it's fitting very well - I'd say just trial and error...remember goal races are also depending on which type of rider your captains are
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| ivaneurope |
Posted on 19-10-2017 11:01
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2938
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Useful tip - use trainers with Regional or National reputation as they're the cheapest. And make sure a trainer has up to 7-8 riders to train as he'd be more effective. BTW, I've managed to do that with my Axeon career and the team is in healthy financial situation
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| redordead |
Posted on 19-10-2017 11:21
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Croatia14 wrote:
- Gorsak has no convincing potential?
- Jerman looks like a nice talent indeed
- did you also search for contract = free agent/expired?
- one of the biggest things: don't invest major money in staff! I experienced that it doesn't have any influence how good your trainer/scout/doc is - a national one is fully enough (for trainers maybe two, to have max 8 riders covered by one trainer)
- if you have an overpaid trainer/scout, don't hesitate to fire him to clean his wages...a costly trainer may suck of the budget of up to 6 riders!
1) of those riders indeed only Bajc looks like a useful domestique, you could take a look at his hilly sprint skillset and check whether you like it
2) nice shortlist! Italy traditionally is pretty close to Slovenia in terms of cycling. Otherwise I could think of either a Balcan- or an Eastern European Focus, or going exotic (Latin America/Africa/Asia) as a talent pool focus
3) sounds great --> do you play on normal/medium difficulty?
4) 3D is the best choice
5) sounds like it's fitting very well - I'd say just trial and error...remember goal races are also depending on which type of rider your captains are
Gorsak has very poor resistance and recovery, and neither have improved much. The only thing he has been doing is carrying water.
I know all the free agents because I picked from them at the start. I don't like the other riders and don't want 30+ old riders that will decline soon.
This is my staff:
I don't quite understand how scouting different regions works. Does the scout need to be from a particular region? Is his specialisation important?
My plan would be in the future (at first) to expand to having riders from the Balkan region and other neighbour countries.
1) Bajc has already signed with someone.
2) I probably will have to settle for the lesser riders on that list, the better ones are going to WT and CP teams.
3&4) 3D is awesome. I play on extreme. I like to learn the hard way, I devised some good tactics for hilly stages.
5) So if my leaders change my objectives will as well?
This season Stimulak and Pogacar were my leaders, but if my team stays like this my leaders would be Pogacar and Primozic because they both improved a lot. Does that mean more hilly sponsor races?
ivaneurope wrote:
Useful tip - use trainers with Regional or National reputation as they're the cheapest. And make sure a trainer has up to 7-8 riders to train as he'd be more effective. BTW, I've managed to do that with my Axeon career and the team is in healthy financial situation
Thank you for suggestion, staff sure is expensive |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 11:33
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Staff looks fitting like that! Though remember, you could have 4 riders instead of that expensive scouts.
Scouts region doesn't matter...I'd take a look at the riders you are intersted in and then manually assign them to the scouting list. I fear region scouting has been taken away from the game a couple of years ago.
I guess it means more hilly sponsoring races (Primozic does develop as puncheur and not climber?  ). Depends also on focus regions and your riders with the biggest reputation (older riders mostly built up a higher reputation already).
I figured out that the best gameplay can be achieved on hard if you don't want to "trick" the AI.
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| redordead |
Posted on 19-10-2017 11:47
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4910
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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He has been training as a climber, but has been improving pretty much everything except flat and cobbles.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-10-2017 12:21
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9104
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Great! I think you can build on Primozic and Pogacar developing to possible PCT leaders. If you want to build allround maybe indeed look for a powerhouse sprinter.
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