Two successive off-seasons of selling beloved riders and bright young talents to negotiate salary cap nightmares and previous poor goal achievement lead to a lot of hurt at Xero Racing. The 2022 season saw career-best ranking finishes from the three leaders that remained, but the team were unable to put together the depth of scoring to challenge for the promotion they so desperately needed, meaning more riders would have to leave with nobody coming in to the team outside of loan-ins and stagiaires - plus the long-awaited debut of Thomas Pidcock.
Perhaps slightly improved by the arrival of Pidcock to offset the departing riders and decline of Hugo Houle, the team once again funnelled the money they received from more large rider sales into a training camp for Joseph Areruya. The Rwandan, Xero’s golden boy since his signing in 2018, showed flashes in 2022 of being one of the best in the world over mid-length climbs, but the work he did over the off-season made him one of the most consistent riders in the peloton to really make that talent shine. One race he finished 11th, two 3rd, one 2nd. Everything else he won, as well as grabbing 8 stage wins along the way for a total of 13 wins and 1511 points - Xero’s first ever Individual Rankings winner. Still, even if you transplant that, and Pidcock’s new scoring - a very handy 573 points for 23rd in the PCT - that wouldn’t be enough alone to promote.
No, although the benefit of having one of the best scorers in any division is huge, the big change for Xero was in the quality of depth scoring. Schomber grabbed three wins and 170 points. Tesfaye Heyi, Novardianto and van Zyl combined for nearly 400 points.
Meanwhile in the wildcard entry to the Giro d’Italia, team legend George Bennett ended up 4th after two huge attacks in the final two mountain stages and animating much of the race. James Fouche claimed the white jersey too in a very special race for the team, and for the country of New Zealand.
The team ended up third in the division, their best finish in any division in any season in their history. The nightmare of the PCT cap, of saying goodbye to all of those riders, has given way to the dream of a second chance at the Pro Tour. Questions linger over every rider in the team, in the transfer skills of the recruitment team, even over the team’s IT systems not failing like in 2021. But those questions are just a signal of the pressure that the highest level of cycling demands - and whatever the answer, Xero Racing aren’t going to give in to pressure, and won’t be sent packing from the Pro Tour once more without a fight.
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 but are moving into larger clients as well. Sponsor Since: 2016 Contract Until: 2024 Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia, Great Britain (minor), United States (minor)
Xero stepped in at the last minute in 2016, and since then have been a great asset to the team and are now nearly synonymous with us after seven years as title sponsor. They had publicly noted their disappointment in our lack of impact on the young blood of New Zealand cycling and with only two full-time New Zealand riders left in the team, there were always serious questions as to whether Xero would want to continue, with rumours their renewal for 2021 had more to do with PT exposure than local interest. However recent corporate reshuffling and aggressive international expansion led higher ups to see the team in a new light, and 12 months ago they renewed their title sponsorship for a two year stay, which they have added a year onto after promotion.
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. Sponsor Since: 2018 Contract Until: 2024 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 are delighted to head into our second year of the current partnership with Qhubeka
About: Visit Rwanda is a premier tourism company operating in, you guessed it, Rwanda. Sponsor Since: 2019 Contact Until: 2025 Focus Nation: Rwanda, The World (minor)
The Rwandan tourism company stepped up their involvement in the team after local hero Joseph Areruya established himself as a star in 2021 with his 27th-placed finish in the Pro Tour, including gaining huge exposure and popularity with an aggressive Giro d'Italia, where he won the white jersey. After two seasons of massive exposure in the PCT, and his achievements at the PTHC level, it only makes sense for them to follow him and us to PT exposure.
The Secondary Sponsors
Spoiler
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. Sponsor Since: 2016 Contract Until: 2026 Focus Nations: South Africa, The World
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 (2016-18) but maintain a solid presence within the team as our marketers and talent representatives. We are very pleased with the work they do and proud to have them onboard through to what would be our eleventh season in 2026 - with Xero they are our only remaining sponsors from our inaugural season.
About: Castle Lager is South Africa's favourite beer and is now available in over 40 countries worldwide. Sponsor Since: 2019 Contact Until: 2024 Focus Nations: South Africa, The World (minor)
Castle Lager continues their long association with South African sport as they extend for another season with us.
About: Expedia is an American online travel shopping company - from flights to hotels and cars. Sponsor Since: 2022 Contract Until: 2025 Focus Nations: The World
Expedia joined us as a new sponsor this season and we are very pleased with our work with them as a secondary sponsor and also our travel partner! They extend for another two-year contract.
The Minor Sponsors and Partners
About: Cell C are a South African mobile operator and telecommunications company. Sponsor Since: 2022 Contract Until: 2024 Focus Nations: South Africa
Cell C, much like Castle Lager, have a long-time involvement with South African sport, and after MTN and Telkom used to sponsor Project: Africa, Cell C are the third such company to be involved with South African cycling teams. They extend with us for another season.
About: Stoney Creek are New Zealand's most trusted brand in outdoor clothing. Sponsor Since: 2022 Contract Until: 2024 Focus Nations: New Zealand, Australia (minor), Great Britain (minor), United States (minor), Canada (minor)
Stoney Creek make amazing products which keep our team warm and protected off the bike, and the riders have been very happy with their first foray into cycling-specific gear and are very pleased they will be entering into the last of a three-year deal as clothing supplier, and also extending as a sponsor too.
About: Telkom Indonesia is a majority state owned telecommunications company, the largest in Indonesia. Sponsor Since: 2017 Contract Until: 2024 Focus Nations: Indonesia
Jamalidin Novardianto is an absolute fan favourite and nowhere is this more clear than in his home country of Indonesia. Not investing too much money, the state-owned telecommunications firm wanted in and are essentially sponsoring the team, just so they know we're tight and all, as long as he rides for us. So until he retires, then. They are the third of our sponsors to have been on this journey since the CT days, having signed on in our second season!
Why change perfection? It's another year in our absolutely stunning kit, by prolific and super-talented designer the_hoyle! Special thanks to Ezeefreak for updating the logos to reflect sponsor changes in 2021.
A mixed bag in renewals for the team. The big change is obviously a huge wage increase for Thomas Pidcock. He scored pretty well last season for his wage, but now with a much bigger wage boost than his development would have suggested the pressure is once again on for him to put his legs where his money is.
Joseph Areruya receives a small raise - which is more then fair given his last wage came before his high mountains training camp and his accomplishments in the PCT last year. All in all the team are very happy with his wage, though much like Pidcock he still needs to prove he can do it at the very top level over a season. George Bennett lives up to his "Mr. Xero" nickname, a true team player taking a huge wage cut making him a very efficient wage-to-point scorer after a small decline.
Florian Vermeersch continues his development and receives a wage rise - more than the team would like but things got hairy in negotiations. Tesfaye Heyi, Novardianto and van Zyl were due wage rises after their brilliant scoring last season, and received their fair dues.
Contrast the fair negotiations and associated wage rises of a young talent in Vermeersch and underpaid scorers in the latter riders, with the complete and utter prima donna antics of Yacine Hamza and Nils Schomber, who refused eleventh-hour offers that any sane-minded cycling fan would agree bordered on the ridiculously generous. Both riders enter free-agency, where they will no doubt earn the euros they seem to demand - for a single season at least. But at what cost?
On a more somber note, the team and Hugo Houle agreed at the final hour that the team legend Canadian should enter free agency to seek a wage in the Continental Tour that he would not be able to receive in a sign-and-trade package as the team would not be able to bring in a fee for that price. We wish him all the best in 2024 and beyond, and will be watching proudly from afar. A proper tribute will follow in due time.
Old Wage
New Wage
Change?
Joseph
Areruya
€790,000
€880,000
€90,000
Thomas
Pidcock
€330,000
€540,000
€210,000
George
Bennett
€410,000
€250,000
-€160,000
James
Fouche
€140,000
€140,000
-
Florian
Vermeersch
€95,000
€145,000
€50,000
Salim
Kipkemboi
€105,000
€105,000
-
Morne
van Niekerk
€50,000
€50,000
-
Henok
Tesfaye Heyi
€50,000
€75,000
€25,000
Jamalidin
Novardianto
€50,000
€60,000
€10,000
Ilan
Van Wilder
€75,000
€50,000
-€25,000
Corbin
Strong
€50,000
€50,000
-
Johann
van Zyl
€50,000
€60,000
€10,000
Yacine
Hamza
€50,000
Released
-€50,000
Hugo
Houle
€170,000
Released
-€170,000
Nils
Schomber
€50,000
Released
-€50,000
Felix
Engelhardt
€10,000
Released
-€10,000
Edgar Andres
Pinzon
€10,000
Released
-€10,000
Total:
-€80,000
The team enter the transfer period with healthy cap space and several open roster spots - always a good match. Indeed it's been since 2021 that we can say that, and so we are greatly looking forward to getting back in the free agent market and the buying game for the first time in years. On the selling front, the team's rider availability notice is expected within the next 24 hours.
Coming out of the off-season, we'd like to present the updated Xero All-Time Leaderboards, a collection of various statistics of the team since our inception in 2016. First, though, an update on the history of our team awards:
Xero Team Awards
Rider
F. Rider
Y. Rider
Loan-out
Break.
Ride
'16
Diggle
Novardianto
Novardianto
-
Novardianto
Salinas
'17
Roux
Bennett
Kennett
Schleck
Novardianto
Roux
'18
Velits
Bennett
Areruya
-
Areruya
Gilanipoor
'19
Bennett
Bennett
Areruya
Novardianto
Higuita
Areruya
'20
Bennett
Bennett
Areruya
-
Nikiema
Meurisse
'21
Areruya
Areruya
Higuita
Pidcock
Higuita
Bennett
'22
Areruya
Bennett
Kipkemboi
-
Tesfaye
Bennett
'23
Areruya
Areruya
Pidcock
-
Tesfaye
Bennett
Rider = Rider's Rider, F. Rider = Fan's Rider, Y. Rider = Young Rider.
And now onto the All-Time Leaderboards!
Loyalty
Years
Loan In
Loan Out
Stag.
Tenure
Jamalidin Novardianto
8
0
1
0
2016-
Nils Schomber
8
0
1
1
2016-23
George Bennett
7
0
0
0
2017-
Joseph Areruya
6
0
0
0
2018-
Jordan Schleck
6
0
2
0
2016-21
Hugo Houle
5
0
0
0
2019-23
Morne van Niekerk
5
0
0
0
2019-
James Fouche
5
0
1
0
2019-
Tom Davison
4
0
0
0
2016-19
Luke Rowe
4
0
0
0
2018-21
Stanislau Bazhkou
4
0
0
0
2018-21
Salim Kipkemboi
4
0
0
0
2020-
Hamish Schreurs
4
0
1
0
2017-20
Daniel Habtemichael
4
0
1
0
2019-22
Yacine Hamza
4
0
1
1
2020-23
Spoiler
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
3
0
0
0
2016-18
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
3
0
0
0
2017-19
Dylan Kennett
3
0
0
0
2017-19
Mekseb Debesay
3
0
0
0
2018-20
Bachirou Nikiema
3
0
0
0
2020-22
Robert Stannard
3
0
0
0
2020-22
Johann van Zyl
3
0
0
0
2021-
Florian Vermeersch
3
0
0
0
2021-
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
3
0
0
0
2021-
Geremie Nzeke
3
0
1
0
2016-18
Sergio Higuita
3
0
1
0
2019-21
Thomas Pidcock
3
0
2
0
2021-
Jonathan Salinas
2
0
0
0
2016-17
Simon Clarke
2
0
0
0
2016-17
Tom Diggle
2
0
0
0
2016-17
Matthew Lloyd
2
0
0
0
2016-17
Anthony Roux
2
0
0
0
2017-18
Jaco Venter
2
0
0
0
2018-19
Shaun Nick Bester
2
0
0
0
2019-20
Xandro Meurisse
2
0
0
0
2020-21
Corbin Strong
2
0
0
0
2022-
Ilan Van Wilder
2
0
0
0
2022-
Daniel Afoa
2
0
1
1
2017-18
Tom Scully
1
0
0
0
2016
Ole Hirschlein
1
0
0
0
2016
Aleksandr Efimkin
1
0
0
0
2016
Timothy Gudsell
1
0
0
0
2016
Igor Antón
1
0
0
0
2017
Stijn Vandenbergh
1
0
0
0
2017
Egidijus Juodvalkis
1
0
0
0
2017
Peter Velits
1
0
0
0
2018
Tosh van der Sande
1
0
0
0
2018
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
1
0
0
0
2018
Arvid de Kleijn
1
0
0
0
2019
Kristian Dyrnes
1
0
0
0
2019
Tsgabu Grmay
1
0
0
0
2019
Mikiel Habtom
1
0
0
0
2019
Darren Young
1
0
0
0
2022
Jean Helwani
1
1
0
0
2016
Rei Onodera
1
1
0
0
2017
Gregory Daniel
1
1
0
0
2018
Callum Scotson
1
1
0
0
2018
Syver Waersted
1
1
0
0
2020
Luke Mudgway
1
1
0
0
2021
Regan Gough
1
1
0
0
2022
Alan Boileau
1
1
0
0
2023
Kees Duyvesteyn
1
1
0
0
2023
Oier Lazkano
1
1
0
0
2023
Jhon Stiven Ramirez
1
1
0
0
2023
Kim Ok Cheol
1
0
0
1
2016
Scott Ambrose
1
0
0
1
2017
Joseph Kimathi
1
0
0
1
2018
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
1
0
0
1
2018
Mingrun Chen
1
0
0
1
2019
Akramjon Sunnatov
1
0
0
1
2019
Than Tung Huynh
1
0
0
1
2019
Miguel Florez
1
0
0
1
2019
Jason Tesson
1
0
0
1
2020
Henri Vandenabeele
1
0
0
1
2022
Vito Braet
1
0
0
1
2022
Felix Engelhardt
1
0
0
1
2023
Edgar Andres Pinzon
1
0
0
1
2023
Novardianto and Schomber continue their lead at the top, with Novardianto of course maintaining first place due to being a full-contract rider in all 8 years while Schomber was a stagiaire back in 2016. Bennett goes into solo third place, while Joseph Areruya draws level with Jordan Schleck. Houle, van Niekerk and Fouche make their way out of the massive pack of four-year riders, but Kipkemboi and Hamza join it.
Breadwinners
Points
Biggest Year
Joseph Areruya
4067
1511
George Bennett
3407
716
Hugo Houle
2399
653
Luke Rowe
1943
529
Mekseb Debesay
1214
482
Anthony Roux
841
631
Xandro Meurisse
658
382
Stanislau Bazhkou
581
278
Thomas Pidcock
573
573
Peter Velits
572
572
Spoiler
Jamalidin Novardianto
447
138
Sergio Higuita
396
379
Nils Schomber
382
191
Jonathan Salinas
370
263
Daniel Habtemichael
360
244
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
336
129
Tom Diggle
276
218
Johann van Zyl
260
178
Morne van Niekerk
250
134
Simon Clarke
244
134
Robert Stannard
210
112
James Fouche
199
115
Tsgabu Grmay
165
165
Salim Kipkemboi
162
93
Bachirou Nikiema
139
109
Kristian Dyrnes
138
138
Shaun Nick Bester
134
75
Tom Davison
130
57
Jordan Schleck
129
86
Tosh van der Sande
128
128
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
106
106
Geremie Nzeke
90
63
Luke Mudgway
76
76
Hamish Schreurs
69
45
Igor Antón
66
66
Ole Hirschlein
66
66
Florian Vermeersch
64
34
Jaco Venter
63
40
Tom Scully
52
52
Stijn Vandenbergh
50
50
Matthew Lloyd
37
36
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
28
13
Timothy Gudsell
21
21
Dylan Kennett
18
9
Ilan Van Wilder
14
12
Corbin Strong
13
9
Darren Young
13
13
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
10
9
Alan Boileau
8
8
Yacine Hamza
5
5
Rei Onodera
4
4
Kees Duyvesteyn
4
4
Aleksandr Efimkin
4
4
Oier Lazkano
3
3
Egidijus Juodvalkis
2
2
Arvid de Kleijn
2
2
Syver Waersted
2
2
Henri Vandenabeele
1
1
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
1
1
Jean Helwani
1
1
Daniel Afoa
1
1
Callum Scotson
0
0
Vito Braet
0
0
Mingrun Chen
0
0
Edgar Andres Pinzon
0
0
Jhon Stiven Ramirez
0
0
Miguel Florez
0
0
Felix Engelhardt
0
0
Mikiel Habtom
0
0
Jason Tesson
0
0
Joseph Kimathi
0
0
Kim Ok Cheol
0
0
Regan Gough
0
0
Scott Ambrose
0
0
Gregory Daniel
0
0
Akramjon Sunnatov
0
0
Than Tung Huynh
0
0
The top eight riders in Xero history really come as no surprise with all our leaders who spent multiple years with the team with at least one in a non-CT level being in the list. Thomas Pidcock in his first year riding for the team moves into 9th, and denies Novardianto entry into the Top 10 despite the Indonesian overtaking Salinas and Higuita. Whether or not Novardianto will finish his career in the Top 10 is probably a very interesting stat to track.
Last year we thought Areruya would need two seasons to make the catch of George Bennett for the overall lead, but a fantastic season from him and Bennett's worst since training began means that for the first time since 2019 we have a new leader at the top, and actually by a huge margin in the end that would have overtaken Bennett even if he repeated his 2020 scoring output. With many years of Areruya still to come, it will take some kind of rider to ever match his total when he's finished. His 1511 points this season will also be a tough milestone to beat, even by himself in the Pro Tour.
In his final season with the team, Hugo Houle cemented his podium position which should also stand for multiple years. 1826 points to Pidcock, 2200 points to Fouche, 2335 to Vermeersch. Truly a legend of the team.
Another way to look at the points - the year-by year scoring and progression of each rider. Particularly notable is having seven of the top eight riders together in the 2020 promotion squad - what a special team that was.
Chicken Dinners
Classics
GCs
Stage Wins
Total
Joseph Areruya
3
3
14
20
George Bennett
2
3
12
17
Anthony Roux
1
1
6
8
Hugo Houle
0
1
5
6
Nils Schomber
0
0
4
4
Luke Rowe
2
0
1
3
Thomas Pidcock
0
1
2
3
Mekseb Debesay
0
0
3
3
Tosh van der Sande
0
0
3
3
Peter Velits
0
0
2
2
Xandro Meurisse
1
0
0
1
Sergio Higuita
0
0
1
1
Jonathan Salinas
0
0
1
1
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
0
0
1
1
Igor Antón
0
0
1
1
James Fouche
0
0
1
1
Areruya also went truly bananas in the wins column, needing eight to overhaul George Bennett he managed to do it in one go and with some change left over. He had never won a classic before, but now leads the team with three, and is equal with Bennett's three GC wins. Pidcock makes a good start to Xero life moving into a large tie for sixth, while Schomber goes way up to fifth as well. James Fouche is the new addition to the list with his Giro d'Italia stage win.
Areruya has one extra victory over Bennett on this list with an Avenir stage win back in 2019, the duo both winning their NCs this season to stay equal in that count. Bazhkou's Belarussian dominance, winning six out of six pro NCs while he was with us, still has him flying high here.
Jerseys
Points
KOM
U25
Total
Joseph Areruya
6
0
4
10
George Bennett
3
2
0
5
Thomas Pidcock
1
0
3
4
Hugo Houle
3
0
0
3
Luke Rowe
2
0
0
2
Daniel Habtemichael
0
0
2
2
Anthony Roux
1
0
0
1
Mekseb Debesay
1
0
0
1
Peter Velits
0
1
0
1
Tom Davison
0
1
0
1
Timothy Gudsell
0
1
0
1
Sergio Higuita
0
1
0
1
Jamalidin Novardianto
0
0
1
1
Robert Stannard
0
0
1
1
James Fouche
0
0
1
1
He's gone from gobbling up white jerseys to yellow ones over the last few years, but Joseph Areruya's real appetite, it seems, is for the green ones. Six wins in points classifications would have him owning this table outright by itself, but he still has the four white jerseys to make his total double that of Bennett. Pidcock makes an excellent start to life here going straight onto the podium, and still having U25 eligibility next season if he can take any more wins in that category. Fouche only managed one U25 win this season (no thanks to Pidcock, it must be said), but it was a big one being at the Giro d'Italia, which gets him on the board.
Greedy Bastards
Total Wage
Highest Year
Joseph Areruya
€2,430,000
€790,000
George Bennett
€1,770,000
€420,000
Hugo Houle
€1,429,000
€409,000
Luke Rowe
€1,165,000
€370,000
Thomas Pidcock
€1,000,000
€600,000
Mekseb Debesay
€835,000
€365,000
Robert Stannard
€710,000
€340,000
Florian Vermeersch
€545,000
€280,000
Xandro Meurisse
€540,000
€300,000
Jamalidin Novardianto
€400,500
€65,000
Spoiler
Sergio Higuita
€350,000
€250,000
Peter Velits
€350,000
€350,000
Nils Schomber
€325,000
€65,000
James Fouche
€317,000
€140,000
Stanislau Bazhkou
€285,000
€75,000
Tosh van der Sande
€275,000
€275,000
Salim Kipkemboi
€270,000
€105,000
Morne van Niekerk
€262,000
€60,000
Jordan Schleck
€260,000
€70,000
Daniel Habtemichael
€252,500
€12,000
Tom Diggle
€230,000
€130,000
Tom Davison
€225,000
€75,000
Anthony Roux
€220,000
€130,000
Hamish Schreurs
€210,000
€85,000
Tom Scully
€210,000
€210,000
Ilan Van Wilder
€205,000
€130,000
Kristian Dyrnes
€180,000
€180,000
Bachirou Nikiema
€160,000
€60,000
Johann van Zyl
€158,000
€55,000
Jonathan Salinas
€155,000
€80,000
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
€150,000
€50,000
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
€150,000
€50,000
Dylan Kennett
€150,000
€50,000
Tsgabu Grmay
€150,000
€150,000
Ole Hirschlein
€140,000
€140,000
Jaco Venter
€135,000
€70,000
Shaun Nick Bester
€131,000
€81,000
Geremie Nzeke
€120,000
€105,000
Yacine Hamza
€110,000
€50,000
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
€110,000
€60,000
Matthew Lloyd
€105,000
€55,000
Simon Clarke
€105,000
€55,000
Corbin Strong
€100,000
€50,000
Igor Antón
€100,000
€100,000
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
€81,500
€81,500
Mikiel Habtom
€70,000
€70,000
Stijn Vandenbergh
€55,000
€55,000
Rei Onodera
€50,000
€50,000
Egidijus Juodvalkis
€50,000
€50,000
Arvid de Kleijn
€50,000
€50,000
Timothy Gudsell
€50,000
€50,000
Aleksandr Efimkin
€50,000
€50,000
Darren Young
€50,000
€50,000
Gregory Daniel
€37,500
€37,500
Joseph Kimathi
€15,000
€15,000
Henri Vandenabeele
€10,000
€10,000
Vito Braet
€10,000
€10,000
Mingrun Chen
€10,000
€10,000
Edgar Andres Pinzon
€10,000
€10,000
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
€10,000
€10,000
Miguel Florez
€10,000
€10,000
Felix Engelhardt
€10,000
€10,000
Jason Tesson
€10,000
€10,000
Kim Ok Cheol
€10,000
€10,000
Regan Gough
€10,000
€10,000
Scott Ambrose
€10,000
€10,000
Akramjon Sunnatov
€10,000
€10,000
Than Tung Huynh
€10,000
€10,000
Daniel Afoa
€10,000
€10,000
Callum Scotson
€0
€0
Oier Lazkano
€0
€0
Jhon Stiven Ramirez
€0
€0
Alan Boileau
€0
€0
Jean Helwani
€0
€0
Syver Waersted
€0
€0
Kees Duyvesteyn
€0
€0
Luke Mudgway
€0
€0
It does make us feel very good that this table is pretty similar to the top points scorers! Vermeersch and Stannard the obvious outliers, the former at least should get his time to repay that sum. Shoutout Jamalidin Novardianto for consistently grinding his way into the Top 10 here, proving loyalty pays, and Thomas Pidcock for now being far less of an outlier than he used to be.
Single Season Record: €790,000 (Joseph Areruya, 2023)
Value for Money
€/point
Anthony Roux
€262
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
€327
Jonathan Salinas
€419
Simon Clarke
€430
Stanislau Bazhkou
€491
George Bennett
€520
Hugo Houle
€596
Joseph Areruya
€597
Luke Rowe
€600
Johann van Zyl
€608
Spoiler
Peter Velits
€612
Mekseb Debesay
€688
Daniel Habtemichael
€701
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
€769
Xandro Meurisse
€821
Tom Diggle
€833
Nils Schomber
€851
Sergio Higuita
€884
Jamalidin Novardianto
€896
Tsgabu Grmay
€909
Shaun Nick Bester
€978
Morne van Niekerk
€1,048
Stijn Vandenbergh
€1,100
Bachirou Nikiema
€1,151
Kristian Dyrnes
€1,304
Geremie Nzeke
€1,333
Igor Antón
€1,515
James Fouche
€1,593
Salim Kipkemboi
€1,667
Tom Davison
€1,731
Thomas Pidcock
€1,745
Jordan Schleck
€2,016
Ole Hirschlein
€2,121
Jaco Venter
€2,143
Tosh van der Sande
€2,148
Timothy Gudsell
€2,381
Matthew Lloyd
€2,838
Hamish Schreurs
€3,043
Robert Stannard
€3,381
Darren Young
€3,846
Tom Scully
€4,038
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
€5,357
Corbin Strong
€7,692
Dylan Kennett
€8,333
Florian Vermeersch
€8,516
Henri Vandenabeele
€10,000
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
€10,000
Daniel Afoa
€10,000
Rei Onodera
€12,500
Aleksandr Efimkin
€12,500
Ilan Van Wilder
€14,643
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
€15,000
Yacine Hamza
€22,000
Egidijus Juodvalkis
€25,000
Arvid de Kleijn
€25,000
Jean Helwani
Infinite
Oier Lazkano
Infinite but More
Alan Boileau
Infinite but More
Kees Duyvesteyn
Infinite but More
Syver Waersted
Infinite but More
Luke Mudgway
Infinite but Most
Callum Scotson
N/A
Vito Braet
N/A
Mingrun Chen
N/A
Miguel Florez
N/A
Mikiel Habtom
N/A
Jason Tesson
N/A
Joseph Kimathi
N/A
Kim Ok Cheol
N/A
Regan Gough
N/A
Scott Ambrose
N/A
Gregory Daniel
N/A
Akramjon Sunnatov
N/A
Than Tung Huynh
N/A
Edgar Andres Pinzon
N/A
Jhon Stiven Ramirez
N/A
Felix Engelhardt
N/A
We always thought - and probably still do - that Anthony Roux is just untouchable here, but Henok Tesfaye Heyi jumps up from fifth to second place and is actually not ages away from Roux's total, showing his amazing quality for his role in the team. CT leaders obviously take up a lot of the high spots, but pleasing of course to see Houle, Bennett, Areruya and Rowe, the top four scorers all proving that they did it at good wage efficiency too.
Single Season Record: €135/point (Anthony Roux, 2017)
Men of Steel
RDs
Jamalidin Novardianto
506
Nils Schomber
505
Morne van Niekerk
356
George Bennett
326
Joseph Areruya
318
Salim Kipkemboi
291
Tom Davison
285
James Fouche
283
Stanislau Bazhkou
263
Hugo Houle
243
Spoiler
Bachirou Nikiema
240
Dylan Kennett
229
Johann van Zyl
229
Jordan Schleck
225
Daniel Habtemichael
212
Florian Vermeersch
210
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
201
Luke Rowe
191
Hamish Schreurs
179
Robert Stannard
179
Ilan Van Wilder
178
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
174
Corbin Strong
171
Sergio Higuita
166
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
147
Shaun Nick Bester
140
Yacine Hamza
134
Jaco Venter
131
Xandro Meurisse
111
Mekseb Debesay
110
Geremie Nzeke
107
Anthony Roux
107
Tom Diggle
106
Simon Clarke
103
Matthew Lloyd
98
Jonathan Salinas
97
Arvid de Kleijn
87
Oier Lazkano
85
Luke Mudgway
83
Kees Duyvesteyn
83
Alan Boileau
78
Rei Onodera
76
Callum Scotson
72
Gregory Daniel
71
Jhon Stiven Ramirez
69
Mikiel Habtom
65
Syver Waersted
64
Timothy Gudsell
63
Tsgabu Grmay
63
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
62
Darren Young
62
Egidijus Juodvalkis
60
Aleksandr Efimkin
60
Jean Helwani
57
Ole Hirschlein
53
Regan Gough
53
Tosh van der Sande
51
Kristian Dyrnes
50
Igor Antón
48
Tom Scully
47
Peter Velits
46
Stijn Vandenbergh
45
Thomas Pidcock
38
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
15
Joseph Kimathi
15
Daniel Afoa
15
Mingrun Chen
15
Than Tung Huynh
15
Miguel Florez
15
Jason Tesson
15
Felix Engelhardt
15
Scott Ambrose
14
Akramjon Sunnatov
14
Henri Vandenabeele
14
Vito Braet
14
Edgar Andres Pinzon
14
Kim Ok Cheol
10
Jamalidin Novardianto lead from 2016-2021 and in 2023 takes back the lead by one day - who could have seen that coming except the manager who made their race schedules? van Niekerk, Bennett and Areruya stay in their order, well behind the top two, while Salim Kipkemboi moves to sixth ahead of Tom Davison, one of the great domestiques of the early years who was third here for most of our history. Houle goes out in cool style here finally reaching the Top 10 which you love to see.
Single Season Record: 100 (Nils Schomber, 2019) CT: 76 (Jamalidin Novardianto, 2016; Rei Onodera and Dylan Kennett, 2017)
Shut Up Legs
Breakaways
Wins
KOM
Jamalidin Novardianto
31
0
0
Henok Tesfaye Heyi
20
0
0
Sergio Higuita
19
1
1
Joseph Areruya
17
1
0
Nils Schomber
15
0
0
Bachirou Nikiema
13
0
0
Morne van Niekerk
13
0
0
James Fouche
12
1
0
Tom Davison
12
0
1
Salim Kipkemboi
12
0
0
Spoiler
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
7
0
0
James Fouche
7
0
0
Xandro Meurisse
6
0
0
Kristian Dyrnes
5
0
1
Geremie Nzeke
5
0
0
Marvain Tognama Kossohorou
5
0
0
Hamish Schreurs
5
0
0
Daniel Habtemichael
5
0
0
Timothy Gudsell
4
0
1
Dylan Kennett
4
0
0
Shaun Nick Bester
4
0
0
Johann van Zyl
4
0
0
Corbin Strong
4
0
0
Peter Velits
3
0
1
Anthony Roux
3
0
0
Rei Onodera
3
0
0
Gregory Daniel
3
0
0
Jordan Schleck
3
0
0
Stanislau Bazhkou
3
0
0
Florian Vermeersch
3
0
0
Regan Gough
3
0
0
Ilan Van Wilder
3
0
0
Mekseb Debesay
2
1
0
Matthew Lloyd
2
0
0
Jean Helwani
2
0
0
Igor Antón
2
0
0
Daniel Afoa
2
0
0
Jaco Venter
2
0
0
Mikiel Habtom
2
0
0
Yacine Hamza
2
0
0
Darren Young
2
0
0
Abolfazl Gilanipoor
1
1
0
George Bennett
1
1
0
Tom Diggle
1
0
0
Aleksandr Efimkin
1
0
0
Stijn Vandenbergh
1
0
0
Callum Scotson
1
0
0
Hernan Ricardo Aguirre
1
0
0
Luke Rowe
1
0
0
Than Tung Huynh
1
0
0
Miguel Florez
1
0
0
Syver Waersted
1
0
0
Jason Tesson
1
0
0
One category Novardianto has managed to maintain since 2016 is the breakaway count, he made a name for himself off of his 2016 season where he was 8th in MGUCI rider of the year voting for his breakaway exploits. Since maxing (and winning a Giro d'Italia stage on his PT loan year) he has kept the lead by getting a steady clip of 5-6 breakaways each year, balancing them with his usual domestique, late attacker, stage hunter and leadout duties.
Our Breakaway Rider of the Year Henok Tesfaye Heyi had a big year with 9, moving into 2nd place. Fouche climbs up the table into the Top 10 largely off the back of his Giro d'Italia, where he also became the sixth Xero ride to win a stage from the breakaway, following Gilanipoor, Debesay, Areruya, Higuita and Bennett.
Finally it's our Team HQ Rider of the Month wins, where Bennett's lead on Areruya is maintained at three, the one category Mr. Xero still has a lead in. One day Areruya will own this too, we're sure - though look out for Thomas Pidcock who goes straight into sixth (tied with Novardianto who also got one this year) with four in his debut season, equalling another one of Roux's amazing records from 2017. Quite a start!
Single-Season Record: 4 (Anthony Roux, 2017; Thomas Pidcock, 2023)
Some incredible records on display in this detailed stats post. Always a pleasure to read up on the history of the team and it's riders. There is a definite pattern to a lot of the stats with your policy of going big for young(er) leaders and then having them spend a lot of time in the squad. Areruya has already moved into the top of a few categories, and I expect him to fully take over the leaderboards before his time with Xero is done. Also fully expect to see Pidcock make his climb up the categories starting this season itself. Bennett had a great run as the face of the team for so many years, will be a shame to see him not ride in your colours in the near future. Jams is the other ever-present rider in these lists, and his story with Xero is also a special one.
AbhishekLFC wrote:
Some incredible records on display in this detailed stats post. Always a pleasure to read up on the history of the team and it's riders. There is a definite pattern to a lot of the stats with your policy of going big for young(er) leaders and then having them spend a lot of time in the squad. Areruya has already moved into the top of a few categories, and I expect him to fully take over the leaderboards before his time with Xero is done. Also fully expect to see Pidcock make his climb up the categories starting this season itself. Bennett had a great run as the face of the team for so many years, will be a shame to see him not ride in your colours in the near future. Jams is the other ever-present rider in these lists, and his story with Xero is also a special one.
Definitely very good takeaways. Glad you enjoy the history work
One major takeaway is definitely that Henok is a fantastic rider who is cheered on by many fans at home whenever he is going for another one of his breakaway antics. Absolute local legend.
Areruya already dominating most of the rankings. I didnt really realize how long he already is in the game.
knockout wrote:
One major takeaway is definitely that Henok is a fantastic rider who is cheered on by many fans at home whenever he is going for another one of his breakaway antics. Absolute local legend.
Areruya already dominating most of the rankings. I didnt really realize how long he already is in the game.
Tesfaye Heyi has been brilliant for us, and an awesome local rider to boot.
Yeah Areruya has been around for our entire post-CT existence, and his production started quick with loads of breakaways and points in Year 1, a win and nearly 150 points in Year 2 and then a leader already in Year 3, and now going into his fourth maxed year. Here's to many more great ones
Well, in contrast to recent years, the rider availability list at Xero Racing is not littered with the brightest young talents in the sport and multiple seasoned PCT leaders all up for sale. The team solved their wage cap issues and promoted to the Pro Tour, meaning not only do they not have a renewals fine, but they actually have some cap space to build with. However, there is still one major name who is on the transfer block.
Age
Stats
OVL
Wage
Joseph
Areruya
28
81MO, 81HI
80.34
€880,000
Thomas
Pidcock
25
ALL 70
78.94
€540,000
●
George
Bennett
33
80MO, 75HI
76.99
€250,000
●●●●●
James
Fouche
26
78MO, 75HI
76.26
€140,000
●●
Florian
Vermeersch
25
76CB, 76SP
76.13
€145,000
Salim
Kipkemboi
26
75MO, 77HI
75.35
€105,000
●●●
Morne
van Niekerk
29
78TT, 76FL
73.97
€50,000
Henok
Tesfaye Heyi
31
75FL, 73HI
73.87
€75,000
●
Jamalidin
Novardianto
30
76FL, 79AC
73.80
€60,000
Ilan
Van Wilder
24
75MO, 73TT
73.60
€50,000
●●
Corbin
Strong
24
73MO, 72HI
73.21
€50,000
●●
Johann
van Zyl
33
74HI, 73TT
71.70
€60,000
●●●
● strong intention to keep | ●●● open for offers | ●●●●● clear intention to sell
George Bennett - Mr Xero. An incredible rider, and one who would still do very well if he stays with the team he's ridden for since he was 27, however with a TT-heavy stage racing calendar in the Pro Tour he may be better suited to kiss the team goodbye on their way up, and remain in the PCT or even - here's a scary thought - absolutely destroy the CT and earn another promotion, this time basically single-handedly. 4th in the Giro d'Italia, Tour of America winner, wins basically every hilltop finish he races on - this is a premium rider, still would be one of the best climbers in the PCT especially in MO/HI races, and given his age will be going at a far better value than younger leaders who could do the same role. This will be a rider who can take your team to where you want to be, and with a good renewal will remain a great rider for another season with solid backups still. Just don't sign Schomber from free agency too.
The team are also looking at bringing in some PT Loans, preferably paying a fee to bring in a rider who can contribute well in return for developing them and the owning team paying all or a majority of the wage. However we are pretty flexible so please hit us up to discuss any loan ideas you might have. Or transfers. Or anything. It's been so long since we did a proper transfers, we're just excited for it!
The bombshell news that George Bennett would be leaving Xero Racing after his legendary seven-year tenure shook the team and fans to their core last week, and his departure has now be confirmed, as he heads to Spark Team NZ to try and leave his mark on another Kiwi team as he looks like one of the greatest riders to ever head to the Continental Tour. Mr Xero will never be forgotten as perhaps the iconic Xero Rider, the undisputed greatest rider of the team's first six-year journey to the Pro Tour, and for his achievements after that winning the Tour of America and coming 4th in the Giro d'Italia. A full tribute to George will take place in this HQ after transfers.
The deal which sent Bennett to Spark was facilitated through Oxxo - Frisby, with the team trading their greatest legend to the Mexicans in return for Oxxo's greatest legend, the Flying Finn himself, Matti Manninen. The first top sprinter ever signed by the team, Manninen is a true star and the team's first pure lead sprinter since Tosh van der Sande in 2018.
Manninen winning in green - 2022 Tour de France
Matti Manninen 32 | Maxed | 410,000
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CB
SP
AC
FT
DH
PL
74
65
66
69
71
75
77
58
81
80
70
71
76
Career Palmarès
- 2x GC Circulo de Juarez (’20, ’23)
- 3rd GC Baltic Chain Tour (’20)
- GC Tour of Qatar (’22)
- 3rd GC La Tropicale (’18)
- Riga - Jurmala GP (’21)
- 3rd Veenendaal - Veenendaal (’21)
- Hanko Classic (’21)
- 3rd Torshavn GP (’21)
- Finnish NC RR (’20)
- 4th GC Baltic Chain Tour (’19)
- 4x Stage Deutschland Tour (’20-23)
- 4th Hanko Classic (’18)
- 2x Stage Tour de France (’22)
- 4th Heistse Pijl (’18)
- 2x Stage Giro d'Italia ('19)
- 2x 5th Down Under Classic (’20, ’23)
- 2x Stage Tour of Qatar (’22)
- 5th GC SAA Tour d’Afrique (’21)
- 2x Stage Cheshire CT (’20)
- 5th GC Circulo de Juarez (’18)
- 2x Stage Tour Down Under (’21)
- 5th GC USAPCC (’18)
- 2x Stage C. de Juarez (’20, ’23)
- 5th Frankfurt Eschborn (’23)
- 2x Stage Olympia’s Tour (’19)
- 5th Nakhon Ratchasima Trophy (’21)
- Stage SAA Tour d’Afrique (’21)
- 5th Betonexpressz GP (’18)
- Stage Ras Tailteann (’23)
- 2x Points Circulo de Juarez (’20, ’23)
- Stage Arab Tour (’20)
- Points Tour of Qatar (’22)
- Stage Baltic Chain Tour (’20)
- Points Deutschland Tour (’20)
- Stage Tour of Uppsala (’20)
- Points Cheshire Cycling Tour (’20)
- Stage La Tropicale (’18)
- Points Tour Down Under (’21)
- 2nd B World Champs RR (’21)
- Points Olympia’s Tour (’19)
- 2nd GC Ras Tailteann (’23)
- 3rd Points Tour de France (’22)
- 2nd GC Tour Down Under (’21)
- U25 Barbados Cycling Festival (’17)
- 2nd Paris-Tours (’19)
- U25 Baltic Chain Tour (’17)
- 3rd GC Deutschland Tour (’23)
Rankings History
2017
PCT
120th
Matti Manninen
Valio - DeLaval
123
2018
CT
16th
Matti Manninen
Valio - DeLaval
335
2019
PCT
44th
Matti Manninen
Valio - Viking Genetics
455
2020
PCT
4th
Matti Manninen
Valio - Viking Genetics
1042
2021
PCT
3rd
Matti Manninen
Los Pollos Hermanos
1068
2022
PT
16th
Matti Manninen
Los Pollos Hermanos
1256
2023
PCT
3rd
Matti Manninen
Los Pollos Hermanos
1052
The Flying Finn has been one of the sprinting stars of his generation, and has totalled 29 career victories - 24 Stage Wins, three GCs and two Classics. His decorated palmarès above speaks for itself, really, but still, a summary of our new man's career to date to catch up his new fans.
A late bloomer, Manninen has only seven years in his career but was a winner from the start, and has never disappointed in the rankings. He began his career with his home team Valio, where he rode for four seasons. With the Herd, Matti rose from a solid neo-pro year in 2017 where he already won two U25 jerseys, to be one of the CT's top sprinters in a 2018 promotion effort in 2018. He was 44th in the 2019 PCT, and got his breakthrough on the biggest stage with two stage wins in the team's wildcard entry to the Giro d'Italia. In the team's final year, Matti delivered one of Valio's greatest ever seasons, announcing himself as a true star with 1042 points and seven victories, including his first GC win, for 4th in the Individual Standings.
His first GC win - 2020 Circulo de Juarez
In 2021 he traded the pasture for the coop, signing a contract from free agency with newly promoted Los Pollos Hermanos. He has been riding for the team (now known as Oxxo - Frisby) ever since, and has not dipped below four figures in scoring since he started in 2020. He improved on his 2020 season by stepping onto the rankings podium as the chickens went back-to-back in 2021, winning four stages and two classics and finishing a close 2nd in the B World Championships. In the Pro Tour in 2022 the team couldn't stave off relegation, but Manninen stood out among the world's best, winning the Tour of Qatar, and taking two stages and 2nd in the Points Jersey at Le Tour de France. 16th in the Pro Tour - he certainly has set a target for 2024!
Last season he lead Los Pollos Hermanos in scoring for the third straight season, finishing 3rd as the team stormed to a dominant PCT victory and returned to the PT. And now, he comes to Xero Racing for his final year at the peak of his powers, looking to become a hero for a third different team as we look to cement our position in the highest tier. A full presentation along with his schedule will come in due time, but for now we just want to welcome Matti to the squad!
Didn't even know Juarez was his first GC win for his first team. Now it was his last GC win for his second team as well. Matti loves Mexico, and Mexico loves him.
I always prefer for my outgoing riders to go to a manager and team that I like and is active, and that is definitely the case here. Not ideal to have to sprint against Matti this season though, but I do believe that this time around Zmorka might actually be able to beat him in Deutschland Tour, so there's that. It does help that you're not in PTHC band 5 actually.
But in all seriousness. I hope Matti can do for you what he did for us. Fly towards victories, be consistent and be the best scorer on the team. Areruya, watch out, there is a new sherrif in town.
Xero Racing 2024 
Australia, 
Great Britain (minor), 
United States (minor)
Rwanda, 
The World (minor)
Jhon Stiven Ramirez [Loaned In]
Thomas Pidcock
Hugo Houle
Alan Boileau [Loaned In]
Nils Schomber
Oier Lazkano [Loaned In]
Daniel Habtemichael
Bachirou Nikiema
Darren Young
Yacine Hamza
Stanislau Bazhkou
Jordan Schleck
Luke Rowe
Syver Waersted [Loaned In]
Arvid de Kleijn
Carl Ngamoki-Cameron
Mingrun Chen [Stagiaire]
Than Tung Huynh [Stagiaire]
Akramjon Sunnatov [Stagiaire]
Abofazl Gilanipoor
Marvain Tognama Kossouhorou
Peter Velits
Geremie Nzeke
Rei Onodera [Loaned In]
Egidijus Juodvalkis
Jonathan Salinas
Aleksandr Efimkin
Ok Cheol Kim [Stagiaire]
Tour of Qatar
Copenhagen-Malmo TTT
Classique du Grand-Duché
Praha - Karlovy Vary - Praha
Franceville Classique
Macskako Kerekparverseny
GP Liechtenstein
Scandinavia Open Road Race
Tour de Suisse
Matti Manninen
