Lucky 13th. Not luck that got us there - luck to have this opportunity to do what we love so well. 2018 had ups, the downs, the highs, the lows, the epic rides and the close-knit team spirit. It was a Xero season, basically. The heart-attacks began in transfers. Plans A-Z went out the window, and the reactionary plans, and all the last resort backups. The crisis committee convened for a long planning session. And little did we know, we came out with the perfect team we didn't know we needed until we got it.
The season went by with some constant overperformances and other consistent results dragging the relegation contenders to the fight for the top half. Although a season in the mid-table sounds boring, would that ever be on the cards at Xero? They don't do it in increments - some races brought far below expectations, compensated by glorious, epic and determined rides to punch above our weight until it wasn't above our weight anymore.
And so mission survival is accomplished, and so the subtly re-titled Xero Racing have so many choices of what to target for their sophomore outing in cycling's most exciting playground, the PCT. Management have remained tight-lipped on their ambitions for the upcoming season and the rumour mill isn't as swinging as it has been in previous years. One thing we do expect, as always, is the panache and spirit befitting the Lionhearts.
The Primary Sponsors
About: The overnight success that is Xero is now a international company still based in little ol' NZ. They develop online accounting software for small businesses (like our own?) Contract Until: 2019 Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain (minor), United States (very minor)
Xero stepped in at the last minute in 2016, but have been a great asset to the team and are now nearly synonymous with us. They continue as lone title sponsor for another year but have publicly noted their dissapointment in our lack of impact on the young blood of New Zealand cycling - and in a renewal year that's a worry. We effectively have two more young rider recruitment classes to convince them otherwise.
About: Qhubeka is a non-for-profit, the South African programme of World Bicycle Relief, distributing bikes to help connect people to schools, clinics and jobs. Contract Until: 2020 *new Focus Nations: South Africa
A charity which helps use bicycles to support communities in poverty, as well as as a tool to help people of any age move forward in life. Not a sponsor by any means, quite the opposite. We ride for Qhubeka to increase awareness and taking part in fundraising, both of them increasing their funds and reach. We have renewed with them for another two seasons.
The Secondary Sponsors
Spoiler
About: My Food Bag is another hotshot emerging modern Kiwi company, an online food delivery service philosophising in “Eating food from the ground, sea or the sky. A sure-fire way to enjoy food the way nature intended, with less preservative, salts and a host of other artificial things. With recipes being focused on bringing natural ingredients forwards as the heroes”. We will help spread the word as they hope to develop this message with local (not always possible for us) and free-range produce. Contract Until: 2020 *new contract Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia
We've loved the nutrition tips provided by the Kiwi upstart, and we're happy to keep going with this partnership for the next two years!
About: Octagon is the sports and entertainment marketing division of the Interpublic Group (IPG). The IPG is one of the "big four" advertising companies and so being sponsored by the South African arm of the sports arm of the IPG is a smaller deal but with big background. Contract Until: 2020 *new contract Focus Nations: South Africa, The World (minor)
Octagon help us get our name on the backs of buses, billboards, wherever, in our target countries. Good for publicity, finances and fans. They have stepped down from their title sponsor role but maintain a solid presence within the team as our marketers and talent representatives.
About: Castle Lager is South Africa's favourite beer and is now available in over 40 countries worldwide. Contact Until: 2020 *new sponsor Focus Nations: South Africa, The World (minor)
Castle Lager continues their long association with South African sport as they signa new two-year deal with us, and will take on a role as one of our new minor sponsors, filling the gap of Octagon and Kiwibank.
About: Visit Rwanda is a premier tourism company operating in, you guessed it, Rwanda. Contact Until: 2020 *new sponsor Focus Nation: Rwanda
The tourism company want to use our young talent Joseph Areruya, very visible in breakaways this year, as a vessel through which to advertise the cycling-mad country to the world. They give us an interest in new regions of Africa and are delighted to sign a two-year deal.
The Minor Sponsors
About: Econet are an innovative company based out of Southern Africa but operate in the rest of Africa South America, Europe, East Asia and Australasia. Their core area is telecommunications and specifically broadband and fiber networks. They are also involved in other ventures in other sectors entirely Contract Until: 2019 *new contract Focus Nations: Zimbabwe, South Africa, Africa (minor)*, Australasia (minor) East Asia (very minor)*, South America (very minor)*, Europe (very minor)* *The choice of flags here means nothing
Econet are a truly innovative company which we are glad to be sponsored by. As a more worldwide company they don't demand any focus nationalities but will hopefully expand our influence even more in Southern Africa.
About: Telkom Indonesia is a majority state owned telecommunications company, the largest in Indonesia. Contract Until: 2020 *new contract Focus Nations: Indonesia
Jamalidin Novardianto is a cult hero now and nowhere is this more clear, other than the manager's room, than in his home country of Indonesia. Not investing too much money, this state-owned telecommunications firm wanted in and will sponsor the team, just so they know we're tight and all, as long as Jams rides for us. So until he retires, then.
Official season goals and project goals yet to be revealed...
2016-17 Project Goals
Spoiler
- In 2016 place a solid CT ranking and develop young talents from our focus nations in particular
- Increase the popularity of all divisions of Cycling in NZ.
- In 2017 promote and come out trumps in the Oceanic CT battle.
- In 2017 continue to develop our younger riders.
- Have a team 75% from our focus countries
Why change perfection? Another year in the absolutely stunning kit, by prolific and super-talented designer the_hoyle! Updated very slightly to reflect the new sponsor of Castle Lager and the new MGUCI size regulations.
A very pleasing renewals this season as literally the whole squad put the team ahead of a few more euros, leaving us plenty of wiggle room for transfers. Sadly however we took some risks during the process, some paying off but some leading to untimely departures - those of Geremie Nzeke and Abolfazl Gilanipoor. Both are sad departures as Nzeke was one of our original 2016 squad and Gilanipoor will of course also be remembered for his fantastic Vuelta a Colombia stage win last year and was a valuable domestique for Velits and Bennett.
We also sadly released Marvain Tognama Kossohorou, one of only three riders to have rode in our colours for every season. He may return during transfers but if not we'd like to thank him for his service to our team! Afoa, Kimathi and Aguirre were also not renewed but again we would like to see them return one day.
The first transfer news coming out of the tight-lipped Xero HQ so far as the team have released their press release on Rider Availability going into transfers. With a strong and loyal core clearly not a lot of riders are being openly sold, with the team looking for a couple of big sales to get some more cap and extra budget. Tosh Van der Sande is the main rider on the market and is a very good PCT or CT level sprinter with his toughness in harder stages, whilst Peter Velits is also likely to go, a man who could lead a PCT team in the stage races or absolutely wreck the CT on a very good wage for his skills. Anthony Roux, a team legend already, could very easily stay and lead the team in the hills once more, however if a new leader comes in and/or a great CT offer is made it will be considered to sell him so he can wreck the CT one last time. Although Xero will doubtless do more advertising when the window starts, it must be noted Velits and Roux in particular have shockingly good wages for their talents.
The team note that while no talents are for sale, almost all of them could well head out on loan to gain some Pro Tour experience. In particular there is a nearly full chance that Schreurs, Schleck and Novardianto will have to go so they can reach their full potential this year. Nils Schomber and Dylan Kennett will go to the PT this year or next so aren't 100%.
The team also thank Evonik for the format which they have stolen.
Stats
OVL
Wage
Availability
Luke
Rowe
79SPR
76.99
€230,000
●●
Mekseb
Debesay
77COB
76.73
€280,000
●
Peter
Velits
81MON
76.08
€260,000
●●●●
Tosh
Van der Sande
79SPR
76.08
€170,000
●●●●●
George
Bennett
78MON
75.88
€135,000
Anthony
Roux
78HIL
74.83
€85,000
●●●
Stanislau
Bazhkou
76TT
74.38
€70,000
●
Jaco
Venter
77HI
74.26
€65,000
●●
Joseph
Areruya
74MO
73.47
€150,000
Hamish
Schreurs
75COB
73.45
€50,000
Loan
Jamalidin
Novardianto
77RES
72.23
€50,000
Loan
Tom
Davison
73HI
72.07
€50,000
●
Dylan
Kennett
75SPR
71.92
€50,000
Loan
Jordan
Schleck
75MON
71.74
€50,000
Loan
Carl
Ngamoki
71COB
71.21
50,000
●●
Nils
Schomber
75PRL
68.28
€50,000
Loan
● strong intention to keep | ●●● open for offers | ●●●●● clear intention to sell
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
@SotD - Clearly I’ve been dreaming as you’re absolutely correct, it is 110k. Still an absolute CT bargain but understand why you wouldn’t want it
@Booker - Didn’t expect that, but I look forward to it!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Xero Racing 2019 
Australia, 
Great Britain (minor), 
United States (very minor)
Rei Onodera [Loaned In]
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Jonathan Salinas
Igor Antón
Aleksandr Efimkin
Ok Cheol Kim [Stagiaire]
Clasique Pico Basile
Tour of the Middle East
Tour de Slovenie
Volta a Catalunya
Strade Bianche
Jelajah SKL
Tour of Ukraine
Tour of Cyprus
Veenendaal - Veenendaal
Lisbon Classic
Cheshire Cycling Tour
Tour of Romandie
Scandinavian Open Road Race
Tour of Norway
Malopolski Wycsig
Post Danmark Rundt
Tour de San Luis
Tour of Beijing
Macskako Kerekparverseny
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Baltic Chain Tour
Tour du Maroc
