The first season is always the most difficult one, they say. Well, here we are, back for our second year - hopefully another really exciting one!
Some things will definitely look familiar to those having followed us last year, other things have changed. Let's look at our 2020 sponsors to find out some interesting news!
Centovalli - Ticino TurismoMain sponsor
We are very happy to announce that our primary sponsor - Ticino Turismo - will remain on board for another season! What are the reasons, and what do they expect in 2020? Angelo Trotta, president of Ticino Turismo, says:
Our goal was to make Centovalli known as the beautiful region it is in the whole world. We have celebrated wins in Asia, Africa, South America and Europe, which has had a huge impact! We are proud to support this project for another year, and maybe reach the parts of the world where we haven't been that successful yet!
Furthermore, they were really satisfied about having 7 Swiss riders in our roster - but they'd like to see at least one more Swiss talent. Let's see what we can do...
FiatSecondary sponsor
It is no secret that our friends in Torino were not happy about our performances during part of the season. Nonetheless, they confirmed their support for the 2020 season, which is great news for us! However, it will be their last year, as explains Olivier François, director of Fiat Italia:
There were bad results, that's true, but we were very satisfied about how the boys fought their way back in the second half of the season - that's great spirit! However, we realized that CT racing does not bring us the amount of publicity we would like to have, so we might be better off joining a higher-level team. Furthermore, there were rumors - that have been confirmed by now - that the CT might be flooded by new Italian teams, so we definitely won't be as present as we wish to. However, as we have taken the decision of retiring as a sponsor only a few days ago, we will still support the team in the upcoming season, hoping they will find another co-sponsor for 2021!
This communication definitely was a bummer in our season preparation, yet didn't hit us completely unprepared. And we're really glad to have Fiat for another year!
GIANTS SoftwareSecondary sponsor
Given the insecurity concerning the Fiat engagement throughout the season, we were looking for a new sponsor - and we found one! GIANTS Software is by far the biggest Game Studio in Switzerland, and even among the most successful ones in Europe. Their Farming Simulator series is known around the globe. But why would they actually sponsor a cycling team? CEO Christian Ammann:
Did you know that farmers are among the biggest cycling fans? When you watch the big races, look at all these fantastic artworks made of hay bales and various other constructions made by farmers - they're really creative! We always notice that our sales go up during the Tour de France - obviously, many non-farmers among the spectators are dreaming about driving around with all these great machines, and that's exactly what they can do with Farming Simulator! So our goal is to make our product know around the world, even when it's not the Tour running!
And you know - we actually love sports, too, having just launched our e-sports Farming Simulator League!
GIANTS Software is based in Zurich and has branch offices in Germany and in the Czech Republic - and probably soon in the US. The majority of the sales come from our current focus regions - Switzerland and the surrounding countries, but GIANTS' goal is definitely to reach new markets.
They have signed a one-year deal as a secondary sponsor - pretty much equal to Fiat, but are considering stepping up to being our (co-)main sponsor in the future - under the condition that we continue to promote Swiss cycling. They will renew their contract if we sign at least two new Swiss riders - we know what we have got to do!
Cuore of SwitzerlandJersey sponsor
We will continue to ride with our heart, as cuore have signed as our jersey sponsor for another year!
However, even though the manufacturer remains the same, we have got a new jersey designer on board. With Mr. hillis91 retiring due to lack of time, we can proudly announce that another star designer, Mr. the_hoyle, has agreed on creating our 2020 jersey. We're currently waiting for the first draft, but we're convinced we'll have a great jersey again - produced in Switzerland. Thank you for your partnership, Cuore!
BMCBike sponsor
And yet another Swiss sponsor staying with us for another year - another year of guaranteed greatness when it comes down to our bikes. Never change a winning bike, right? Thank you for trusting in us, BMC!
NestléNutrition sponsor
Yes, you're right, we're really becoming an almost all-Swiss team. Last year, we were supported by US-based Mondelez International - represented on our jersey by the famous Toblerone. Although our direct contact was via Mondelez Switzerland, the parent company complained that we didn't sign a single US-American. Which led to the non-renewal of our contract.
But we're glad to announce that Nestlé are joining our ranks for the 2020 season, ensuring our riders will be well-fed throughout the whole year! Welcome on board - or rather "Bienvenus à bord", as they say in Vevey, where Nestlé's HQ are located.
We're looking forward to an exciting 2020 season, and we hope you'll follow us throughout the year in our HQ!
With our first jersey designer Mr. hillis91 retiring from commercial jersey making, presenting the updated jersey took more time than expected. But we were finally able to sign with the_hoyle, who delivered yet another masterpiece of work, and so we can proudly present our 2020 jersey!
You will recognize a very similar design to last year, with the valley and forest still being the central part - representing Centovalli, the region of a hundred valleys.
What will hopefully increase the recognizability of our jersey are the blue bands on the sleeves. Furthermore - as you can see in the full template below - our shorts will no longer be black, but will be colored in the same blue as the shirt.
What has changed as well is Fiat insisting on using the current brand, and no longer the variety of logos we had last year. And - most importantly - our new secondary co-sponsor, GIANTS Software, appears quite prominently on the jersey, as you can see in the template. Their logo is visible on the side of the jersey, and on the shorts.
Lastly, Nestlé replace Mondelez Switzerland as our alimentary sponsor, hence their logo appears on the jersey as well. Yes, you are right - the chocolate is gone for now... So out of mountains, cheese, chocolate, watches and banks, we only have the mountains left this year. Which means there's some potential for next season, right?
But for now, let's focus on the 2020, and let's hope that our jersey will be seen in all its beauty a lot of times!
With the contract duration being limited to only one year, we had to go through our first renewals process this offseason. Whereas some riders were happy with our first offer, negotiations took two or even three rounds for others - and three riders will unfortunately leave us before the upcoming transfer season. More on them later.
Let's take a look at the new wages (in parenthesis the negotiation round the rider agreed in) and the differences with last year:
Rider
2019 Wage
2020 Wage
Difference
Fausto Masnada
300,000
180,000 (R2)
- 120,000
Jan-André Freuler
60,000
75,000 (R3)
+ 15,000
Mirco Saggiorato
65,000
65,000 (R3)
0
Issiaka Cissé
0
60,000 (R3)
+ 60,000
Andrea Manfredi
50,000
55,000 (R2)
+ 5,000
Cyrille Thièry
50,000
55,000 (R2)
+ 5,000
Fabian Lienhard
50,000
55,000 (R2)
+ 5,000
Patrick Gamper
85,000
50,000 (R1)
- 35,000
Simon Pellaud
60,000
50,000 (R1)
- 10,000
Manuel Stocker
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Leonardo Basso
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Maximilian Walscheid
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Andrea Vendrame
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Gino Mäder
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Alessandro Fedeli
50,000
50,000 (R1)
0
Marco Guillén
0
Released
0
Gian Piero Signorini
65,000
Released
- 65,000
Thomas Boudat
55,000
Released
- 55,000
In total, four riders got a (deserved) raise, and Cissé earned a fix contract with the team after his good performance as a drafted rider.
Only three riders agreed on a wage cut, but especially Masnada's new wage freeing up more than 100k was really important for us - especially as he's now an affordable loan target (at least we hope so...).
And last but not least, negotiations were unfruitful with two riders:
Team legend Marco Guillén leaves the team after a great season. We offered him a reasonable wage, especially given his first decline this offseason. Unfortunately, it wasn't enough for him. We wish him all the best and we really hope he'll find a great new team for the next season - it would be a shame to end his career after such a great year!
Thomas Boudat surely had a decent year, even being elected Young rider of the Year at Philips. However, this does in no way justify demanding an even higher wage than Guillén! We offered him what we thought being a decent wage - we definitely wanted to keep him! - but he was looking for more. The upcoming transfer season will show if he was right in doing so... We wish him all the best, and maybe we'll even bid on him again...
Finally, Gian Piero Signorini performed well below our expectations throughout the whole year. He wasn't offered a new contract, as we think our mountain squad with Saggiorato and Manfredi should still be rather powerful. We hope he'll find another team for his last prime year!
All in all, we leave the renewals process having the required minimum of 15 riders in our roster - and 255,000€ of wage cap left. Which means we should have the means to hire one great or two decent CT leaders. Furthermore, loaning out Masnada will hopefully free up some more cap space for a new talent - an exciting transfer season is awaiting us!
Looks like a good renewals for you with most of the leaders being renewed, Guillen being the big exception. Shame that Boudat wanted so much. I think he should easily find a team though.
I really like your team composition, curious to see what you do with the remaining cap space. Wouldn't have minded Cissé being a free agent though looking forward to the season
Abhishek Yeah, in general I'm pretty satisfied. I guess I was too optimistic for Guillén, but I should get a similar sprinter for the wage he was asking for. And Boudat... I'd have loved to keep him, but I just wasn't really happy about his demand... I'm sure he'll find a team - maybe he'll even come back?
cunego Well, we HAD to sign our only NC... But well, anything can happen during transfers ^^ I don't have a lot of plans yet, will have to see who's available on the FA market, and whom I might be able to buy. But I should definitely do something good with this cap space...
redordead I'd even go for two more seasons of developing. Next year we should finally have Masnada and Vendrame maxed, and in two years we'll have Mäder, Gamper, Fedeli and Walscheid maxing as well - with only Saggiorato declining in the meantime. So I guess we'll have 1-2 more midfield seasons ahead, but that's not necessarily a bad thing being a "development team"
It's finally here! Credits to the_hoyle, who designed our official 2020 jersey. Find out everything you need to know about it - and of course the jersey itself - here!
the_hoyle First of all, thanks again for the jersey!
And yeah, you're right, it's a shame to part ways with both of them. Let's see how we can fill up these vacancies in our roster... Good luck to you as well!
After renewals is just before transfers. Although we do have a complete team consisting of 15 riders, this surely isn't our final roster yet. With about 250k of wage budget left, we'll surely try to get some more talents - and leaders - for our team.
The availability table below - shamelessly copied from the_hoyle and slightly modified - indicates how likely offers for our riders will be successful. The availability may change quite a lot depending on how the transfer season works out for us during the first days.
In any case, we're always open for discussion. Note that for our Swiss riders, we'd preferably swap them for another Swiss rider - although other deals aren't excluded.
We also currently have two loan deals to seal. For Masnada, we'd prefer deals where the loaning-in team pays at least 50,000 of his wage, so we could sign a replacement rider for him.
Rider
2020 Wage
Availability
Loan status
Fausto Masnada
€ 180,000
•
PT Loan
Jan-André Freuler
€ 75,000
•
Mirco Saggiorato
€ 65,000
•••
Issiaka Cissé
€ 60,000
•••
Andrea Manfredi
€ 55,000
•••
Cyrille Thièry
€ 55,000
••
Fabian Lienhard
€ 55,000
••
Patrick Gamper
€ 50,000
•
Simon Pellaud
€ 50,000
•••
Manuel Stocker
€ 50,000
••
Leonardo Basso
€ 50,000
••
Maximilian Walscheid
€ 50,000
•••
Andrea Vendrame
€ 50,000
•••
PT Loan
Gino Mäder
€ 50,000
•
Alessandro Fedeli
€ 50,000
••
•
Unavailable
••
Unlikely to leave
•••
Maybe, maybe not
••••
Likely to leave
•••••
Available
In case of questions or rider offers, don't hesitate to contact us!
My guess is that Guillén just didn't feel at home in a Swiss-Italian team, and wanted to move to a Latin American one Best of luck in the transfer season!
It is with great pleasure that we can announce you our first confirmed signing of the 2020 transfer period - German sprinter Theo Reinhardt, who joins us for a 370k fee from fellow Swiss team UBS.
Theo does already have an impressive CV, but last season in PCT sometimes struggled in getting involved in the sprints. Team UBS therefore decided to a team that could provide him a sprint train - and we jumped in!
But now, take a look at his stats:
Theo Reinhardt, Level 4.MAX, 30 y.o., € 130.000 wage
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
71
57
67
67
73
66
78
62
79
84
51
62
67
Well, while Theo may not have the biggest top speed, he'll be among the best CT sprinters when it comes down to acceleration. And given how our leadout star Manuel Stocker was able to tear apart the peloton, we're really looking forward to see Theo build up on a sprint train's work!
He will meet our former sprinter Marco Guillén, as well as some other candidates we were considering - it's up to him to show us we have chosen the right one!
Good luck, and have fun, Theo!
Let's go straight to our second confirmed deal - it's definitely the biggest one in our history so far! In a spectacular swap deal, we were able to sign a puncheur who will hopefully dominate the CT hills - but take a look at his stats:
Any more explanations needed on why our competition won't like seeing him on the CT start lines? Yeah, there's this "bad boy" thing, we know. But we want to give him another chance - and we're sure Rubens Bertogliati and the rest of our staff will handle him well!
But - how on earth were we able to sign a rider who apparently was sought after by half the PT? Well, that's the sad part of the story: We had to part ways with two of our great talents
First, there's Alessandro Fedeli. The young Italian will develop into a great puncheur, too. We are sure he'll do great things for his new home team Lierse SK, which is half Italian, too.
And then, one of the greatest TT-cobbler talents around has left us, too: Patrick Gamper. We were having big plans with him, and were already looking forward to have him maxed in two years. Well, he'll surely be, but probably not with us.
Finally, it was too tempting to immediately get loads of points from Moscon, instead of waiting 2 more years for our talents to really deliver. We got him for free - but it cost us a part of our heart, of our identity. We wish our talents all the best out there in PCT - and we wish Gianni a whole lot of great races with great wins - for example in Zürich?
Welcome again, and enjoy your time here in Ticino - hopefully it will last quite a few years!
All good things come in threes, they say, and today, "things" means "riders"!
After having presented our new star puncheur, Hermann Pernsteiner may somewhat seem to be "second class" - but he is not at all, as you can see from his stats:
Hermann Pernsteiner, Level 4.MAX, 30 y.o., € 85.000 wage
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FG
DH
PR
65
75
77
61
73
71
72
63
61
72
69
77
64
Sure, Herman's future might not be as bright as Gianni's, and the Austrian doesn't have the same top-notch punch - but he'll definitely be our joker on more mountainous hilly races. And he can even act as a very solid mountain domestique - something we really need this year with Masnada's loan-out (yet to be confirmed).
What's more, there are voices saying we hugely overpaid "Pernie", how his former manager at Isostar used to call him. Yeah, we weren't thinking a lot when we agreed to pay 600k for him - we could have gotten a mountain goat for this wage as well - but it's Pernie's motivation to prove he's worth every cent of what we paid!
Well then, let's lean back and enjoy our punching "duo infernale"! Welcome, Pernie, and prove the mockers wrong!
Centovalli - Fiat 
Down Under Classic
GP Yekaterinburg
Gent - Wevelgem
Hong Kong Challenge
Colombo Classic
Ras Tailteann
Barbados Cycling Festival
Jelajah SKL
Circulo de Juarez
Tour of Eritrea
Tour of Uppsala
GP Izola
Coppa Placci
Lincoln GP
Tour du Faso
Olympia's Tour
Tour of Vancouver
Post Danmark Rundt
La Tropicale Amissa Bongo
Tour of South Africa
Clasico San Cristobal
Tour de San Luis
Vilnius GP
USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Rio Vista Chinesa
Transfagarasan GP
Course de Solidarnosc
Course de Solidarnosc
looking forward to the season 
