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[CT] Podium Ambition - "Kicking and screaming"
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-07-2025 19:22
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Podium Ambition 
Sponsors
IMAX
The Canadian's who created the best film format provide a unique partnership. Global reach, constant evolutions, a great sponsorship that means a lot to the Manager. Willing to sacrifice more specific regional riders for the unique access to a fundamentally landscap sport to demonstrate the advantages of IMAX.
Caribbean Tourism
A region wider sponsor consisting of numerous stake holders from small shacks selling Piragua, up to major Government departments. A major player on the team and heralding our major focus shift to the great Islands with the white beaches and incredible sporting passion.
Mount Gay Rum
The Barbadian alcohol firm is the oldest producer of Rum in the entire world. It's a huge global brand with interests in all markets, especially the Americas. For them growing brand awareness against other Caribbean companies is key, doing this on a platform of local riders could be fun.
Mauritius Commercial Bank
The Mauritian bank is the largest and oldest in the country. In the last few years it's been a real innovator and grower in the African market. A great opportunity for them to begin growing more globally and for us to get a unique partner. They love marketing one of the two females in the peloton.
Hincapie Sportswear
The American sportswear manufacturer continues with the team this year. Steeped in cycling history the famous Hincapie name is well known in the top echelons of cycling. A growing market globally they want more North American rider presence to market from.
Cervelo
The Canadian bike manufacturer joins us as an official partner. Poneering together on an all-new carbon negative bike range, Cervelo has been a long time supporter of the project. Flying the flag of more ecologically supportive cycling is a win for all involved.
SRAM
Back together with a previous partner out of the USA. All part of our push to try to make the team more environmentally sustainable, as well as putting components together that really are suited to the bike.
Sea Turtle Conservation
Our primary NC sponsor. Cycling is one way to save the planet, so at the same time we want to boost our eco footprint. We are raising awareness of a range of projects across the Caribbean to try and protect as many of these amazing animals as possible.
Kraken
Our partnership management unit handling the day-to-day running of the franchise. The revolutionary partnership will help drive the teams counter-culture concepts and boost us to a new age!
Edited by TheManxMissile on 28-11-2025 17:15
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-07-2025 19:23
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Pot | Wage |  | Christopher Lagane | 70 | 70 | 74 | 78 | 66 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 65 | 76 | 77 | 70 | 63 | 65 | 76.48 | 4.100 | 27 | 6 | 200,000 |  | Alexandre Mayer | 68 | 69 | 73 | 77 | 70 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 61 | 72 | 77 | 76 | 60 | 71 | 75.08 | 4.100 | 27 | 2 | 100,000 |  | Andrew Norbert | 75 | 67 | 69 | 71 | 70 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 55 | 77 | 75 | 70 | 69 | 76 | 75.03 | 4.100 | 27 | 6 | 130,000 |  | Jacob Morales Ortega | 66 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 61 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 55 | 63 | 75 | 76 | 73 | 62 | 74.98 | 4.100 | 26 | 5 | 90,000 |  | Jay Major | 74 | 50 | 58 | 66 | 57 | 74 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 74.84 | 4.100 | 30 | 4 | 60,000 |  | Akil Campbell | 74 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 75 | 68 | 73 | 67 | 66 | 75 | 74.23 | 4.100 | 29 | 4 | 75,000 |  | Hasani Hennis | 70 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 69 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 76 | 73.75 | 4.100 | 28 | 5 | 75,000 |  | Abner Gonzalez | 67 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 61 | 71 | 73 | 66 | 60 | 63 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 62 | 73.7 | 4.100 | 25 | 5 | 50,000 |  | Jonathan Croes | 66 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 76 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 56 | 62 | 65 | 66 | 69 | 75 | 73.95 | 4.100 | 28 | 3 | 50,000 |  | Tyler Cole | 76 | 64 | 67 | 69 | 76 | 70 | 72 | 67 | 66 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 69 | 75 | 73.35 | 4.100 | 26 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Chequan Richardson | 71 | 61 | 64 | 67 | 63 | 68 | 68 | 64 | 78 | 60 | 61 | 75 | 66 | 63 | 73.34 | 4.100 | 32 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Kim Le Court | 70 | 70 | 73 | 76 | 60 | 67 | 70 | 68 | 62 | 64 | 66 | 76 | 70 | 61 | 73.27 | 4.100 | 29 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Joshua Gayral | 74 | 65 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 62 | 71 | 73.06 | 4.100 | 28 | 3 | 50,000 |  | Nathaniel Forbes | 72 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 63 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 74 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 72.66 | 3.19 | 23 | 6 | 120,000 |  | Shaquille Sinclair | 70 | 57 | 59 | 61 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 74 | 55 | 76 | 75 | 60 | 67 | 70 | 72.39 | 4.100 | 32 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Renze Postma | 69 | 69 | | 71 | 68 | 64 | 63 | 63 | 59 | 65 | 67 | 72 | 70 | 68 | 70.44 | 3.0 | 29 | 5 | - |  | Hidalgo Vera Hernandez | 70 | 66 | | 66 | 65 | 67 | 65 | 64 | 64 | 69 | 72 | 60 | 65 | 67 | 69.1 | 2.0 | 29 | 3 | - |  | Kaden Hopkins | 70 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 68 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 55 | 77 | 77 | 63 | 68 | 75 | 73.75 | 4.26 | 25 | 5 | Loan Out |  | Jesus Roniel Marte | 70 | 65 | 69 | 72 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 68 | 73 | 66 | 68 | 72 | 67 | 62 | 72.51 | 4.38 | 24 | 4 | Loan Out |  | Connor White | 75 | 66 | 68 | 69 | 74 | 71 | 72 | 68 | 63 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 73 | 76 | 72.28 | 4.50 | 26 | 5 | Loan Out |
Jersey
NC's - 17
Hasani Hennis - Anguilla TT
Josh Gayral - Antigua & Barbuda RR & TT
Jonathan Croes - Aruba TT
Jay Major - Bahamas RR & TT
Nathaniel Forbes - Cayman Islands RR & TT
Andrew Norbert - St Lucia RR & TT
Alexandre Mayer - Mauritius TT
Abner Gonzalez - Puerto Rico RR
Jacob Morales Ortega - Puerto Rico TT
Akil Campbell - Trinidad & Tobago TT
Connor White - Bermuda TT (Loan Out)
Jesus Roniel Marte - Dominican Republic RR & TT (Loan Out)
Edited by TheManxMissile on 31-08-2025 11:34
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-07-2025 19:23
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Goals
| Zuri-Metzgete | WIN | In Progress | | Monterrey TTT | Top 5 | Success - 1st - Podium Ambition | | Clasico San Jose | Win | Failed - 5th - Chris Lagane | | Vuelta Pais Vasco | Stage Win | In Progress | | CT Team Standings | Top 5 | In Progress |
Results
5th - Clasico San Jose - Chris Lagane
1st - Stage 5 Tour Down Under - Chris Lagane
3rd - Stage 3 Vuelta al Tachira - Jay Major
1st - Monterrey TTT - Podium Ambition
Breakaways
Clasico San Jose - Hidalgo Vera Hernandez
Copa Placci - Hidalgo Vera Hernandez
Edited by TheManxMissile on 27-11-2025 18:49
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-07-2025 19:23
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Thr Great Big "Down, But Not Out" Post
A return to the teams traditional home in the CT. A long... very long... deliberation has resulted in one final year for the Pirates of the Caribbean project. Yes it's a final yaer for the project. If we miss the Top 5 then it's over, as to not even field a promotion worthy team after all these years is a big failure. If we make the Top5, it's still over, as we know this squad is still a long way from PCT competitiveness. And frankly i really don't have the energy to either keep failing, or yo-yoing. So it's one more final hurrah. One that shot at going out on a high note.
Renewals were completed. And without sharing the results yet (that's against the rules) you can take a guess based on the fact we're even back in the same guise with the same focus nations. More detail to come on what exactly the 2025 Podium Amtion team looks like, and how we envisage mounting a pure promotion challenge will look. Again no spoilers, but you'll be somehwat surprised by the results.
Then, what can you expect from the squad as it enters its final season? Hopefully a return to form in the HQ which saw us win an Award - yes, a reminder we won a reward for these ramblings not long again! Regardless of results i will spend this season celebrating the great and the good and the bad of the Caribbean-era of Podium Ambition. We'll interview team legends. We'll review the careers of our best and brightest. We'll actually regularly talk about the racing of the season.
But wait, theres more! The MG is best served when managers are motivated. So i'll share with you a selection of oddities that capture my passion. Which in turn, may hint at where the next era of Podium Ambition goes after this eason!.... wait... after this season? Yes fans, that's correct. There are actual plans to stick in the game beyond this year. Calling time on this project as it is has already reinvigorated my love of the MG, so why not at least try something new in 2026.
Until then... gifs!!
Edited by TheManxMissile on 12-07-2025 19:37
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 13-07-2025 13:54
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Sprinter

Posts: 1803
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Glad to see you still in the game, though it's a shame to see you relegated (although it wasn't really a surprise). Even better to hear you're willing to stay with the game even after folding the Pirates project.
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| Jakstar22 |
Posted on 14-07-2025 00:46
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Grand Tour Champion

Posts: 7541
Joined: 11-04-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Excited to see that you are staying in the game in the future! I'm keen to see what the last season of the Caribbean project looks like. Could get you back up to the PCT in time for your new team ideas
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 15-07-2025 23:36
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Grand Tour Specialist

Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Great news that while it might be the final season of the pirates project (understandably, don't want to wait 20 years to get a PT-ready Caribbean squad), you already seem to have some new ideas!
But before finding out more about those, all the best for the 2025 season - getting a Top 5 would definitely be great to round off this chapter!
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| honkerfred |
Posted on 16-07-2025 19:20
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Amateur

Posts: 16
Joined: 23-07-2023
PCM$: 100.00
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Cool and fun project!
Good luck matey!
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 05-12-2025 09:18
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 02-08-2025 19:14
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 17833
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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@kande - Won't quit, can't quit. Not yet!
@Jak - Fingers are crossed we can be in the promotion battle, but by going 100% regional it's going to be hard...
@Fabi - It's been like 6-ish and we've barely got a CT ready squad, I could not keep going. 5th is the aim, but a close 6th/7th is ok with a disband luck.
@Honker - Welcome! It's been a wild ride, look forwards to competing this year!
The Great Big "All New 2500% Tariffs!" Post
These renewals hurt. So much. Even though we underspent on wages last year significantly (again), that PCT to CT wage cut is absolutely brutal! 1.5mil would suck, but 1.2mil is crazy. Crazy crazy. Especially as our riders agents clearly didn't get the memo. So without further ado here's the new tariffs crippled Podium Ambirion squad.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Pot | Wage |  | Christopher Lagane | 70 | 70 | 74 | 78 | 66 | 70 | 71 | 71 | 65 | 76 | 77 | 70 | 63 | 65 | 76.48 | 4.100 | 27 | 6 | 200,000 |  | Alexandre Mayer | 68 | 69 | 73 | 77 | 70 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 61 | 72 | 77 | 76 | 60 | 71 | 75.08 | 4.100 | 27 | 2 | 100,000 |  | Andrew Norbert | 75 | 67 | 69 | 71 | 70 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 55 | 77 | 75 | 70 | 69 | 76 | 75.03 | 4.100 | 27 | 6 | 130,000 |  | Jacob Morales Ortega | 66 | 76 | 76 | 76 | 61 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 55 | 63 | 75 | 76 | 73 | 62 | 74.98 | 4.100 | 26 | 5 | 90,000 |  | Akil Campbell | 74 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 75 | 68 | 73 | 67 | 66 | 75 | 74.23 | 4.100 | 29 | 4 | 75,000 |  | Hasani Hennis | 70 | 67 | 69 | 70 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 69 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 76 | 73.75 | 4.100 | 28 | 5 | 75,000 |  | Kaden Hopkins | 70 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 68 | 72 | 68 | 73 | 55 | 77 | 77 | 63 | 68 | 75 | 73.75 | 4.26 | 25 | 5 | 50,000 |  | Abner Gonzalez | 67 | 77 | 75 | 73 | 61 | 71 | 73 | 66 | 60 | 63 | 70 | 75 | 70 | 62 | 73.7 | 4.100 | 25 | 5 | 50,000 |  | Jonathan Croes | 66 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 75 | 73 | 72 | 71 | 56 | 62 | 65 | 66 | 69 | 75 | 73.4 | 4.100 | 28 | 3 | 50,000 |  | Tyler Cole | 76 | 64 | 67 | 69 | 76 | 70 | 72 | 67 | 66 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 69 | 75 | 73.35 | 4.100 | 26 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Kim Le Court | 70 | 70 | 73 | 76 | 60 | 67 | 70 | 68 | 62 | 64 | 66 | 76 | 70 | 61 | 73.27 | 4.100 | 29 | 4 | 50,000 |  | Joshua Gayral | 74 | 65 | 69 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 62 | 71 | 73.06 | 4.100 | 28 | 3 | 50,000 |  | Nathaniel Forbes | 72 | 63 | 66 | 68 | 63 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 74 | 69 | 69 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 72.66 | 3.19 | 23 | 6 | 120,000 |  | Jesus Roniel Marte | 70 | 65 | 69 | 72 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 68 | 73 | 66 | 68 | 72 | 67 | 62 | 72.51 | 4.38 | 24 | 4 | 60,000 |  | Connor White | 75 | 66 | 68 | 69 | 74 | 71 | 72 | 68 | 63 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 73 | 76 | 72.28 | 4.50 | 26 | 5 | 50,000 |
Lagane unsurprisingly went up following his training. Hopefully at CT level he can shine at last, because that 200k is a big deal at this level. Mayer did not go up which is great news! Norbert though went through the roof! Zero stat changes, zero big results, an extra 55k, absolute joke. But if we let him go that'd basically be admitting the project was over before the final season even began...
JMO returns from loan fully max'd, and demanded a heft fee in return. Campbell we did get down slightly. Same cut for Hasani. Neat work on the two TT'ers but doesn't begin to cover the raises so far. Speaking of cuts, Forbes does go down, but only 10k! In summary, we got fucked real bad...
Everyone else sits on a nice 50k min. Except the Breakaway GOAT, Roniel Marte, for whom 60k is a bargain! To deal with all those increases, and the fact our budget more than halved, a ton of riders were cut. Which really really really hurts...
Availability! No-one is for sale. As per usual, don't even bother asking. However if you want to Loan-In Hopkins, Marte or White we will be very happy to talk and pay you the requisite fee. We won't be taking any Loan riders ourselves, we looked and this year we didn't scout any worthwhile Caribbeans you could steal away.
So yeah. There we go. Our initial 2025 T3A roster. We got cleaned out in renewals. Decimated. But the lean remains are there for a potential push towards the promotion battle. We will have a bit of room around that to bring in riders. Not going to be an easy final year, that's for sure, but doesn't that make success that much sweeter?!
To end on a positive note: here's a picture of Kim Le Court winning a Tour de France stage - yes you read that correctly. And as usual, a gif.
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| SotD |
Posted on 02-08-2025 19:50
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World Champion

Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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It sucks to see so many riders go - but it was inevideble of course...
I feel like, that if you had the courage (I understand why you don't, as I have followed the same path) that riders like Mayer and Norbert could have been picked up cheaper in the FA, to probably allow for 1 more 50K rider from your target area.
But then again, I assume you are going to be loaning out those 4 non-developped riders, to make room for 200K worth of wagecap coming from the FA pool (or some other team, if any riders out there is interesting to you).
Atleast it's nice to see a rider like Abner Gonzalez come in on a 50K wage. IMO he's the best rider on a 50K wage in the entire DB. So there's that...
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 02-08-2025 20:09
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Tour de France Champion

Posts: 16552
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 13638.70
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The project is the project, and I admire your commitment to it (for on more year), though I agree the Norbert wage increase is tough to stomach. Still, a nice final season will surely be worth it.
Sad to hear you won't be open to taking any young rider Caribbean riders on loan this year though.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
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| sammyt93 |
Posted on 04-08-2025 21:16
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3800
Joined: 03-07-2012
PCM$: 300.00
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Will be interesting to see if you can do any training despite the relegation, especially as we get to guess if it's just to get you promoted or if it's a sign of the next project.
It's a shame to see the project ending when it feels like it's getting close to where my Sammarinese one is at. I feel we'd have had a great battle if I went fully Sammarinese, even if we probably would have kept swapping divisions with each other, taking it in turns to be the PCT also rans if I did that.
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 04-08-2025 22:55
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Grand Tour Specialist

Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Definitely not the best renewals for you, as Norbert already has learnt from other sprinters to ask for unreasonable wages... Sorry to see your team decimated, but I hope you can make the best out of it and in particular have some more fun with Lagane!
And maybe we'll even talk about some loan deal, who knows how things go during transfers...
Good luck for the final year of the pirates - and already looking forward to see what's next!
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| Heine |
Posted on 05-08-2025 06:14
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Grand Tour Specialist

Posts: 4461
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Some riders here I'm not quite a fan of having to race against. Good luck in the upcoming season with your crazy project
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 05-08-2025 08:21
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World Champion

Posts: 11621
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1120.00
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I think whether this project ends on another promotion or a noble miss, it's been a pretty amazing thing you've done with Carribean cycling, some awesome riders who I'm sure you'll be keen to keep around if it fits your next theme!
The Kim Le Court story is awesome in real life as it is in MG
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."
[PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
1x x1
2x x2
2x x2
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| jph27 |
Posted on 05-08-2025 19:25
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Team Leader

Posts: 7374
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Here's hoping for a promotion in the final year of your project! Knowing first hand how tricky it is to build a squad around a strict focus it's really impressive what you've managed to construct here. |
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 06-08-2025 09:02
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Team Manager

Posts: 6546
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1290.00
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I've said it before, but I really love this project. Still, I think it's the right call to have it come to a conclusion, especially if it reignites your motivation. I think it depends a bit on what kinds of rosters other CT teams are able to field, but your squad should at least be among the broader promotion contenders, and I'll add myself to all the others who've got their fingers crossed. And once you start over, I think you definitely have a strong base to build on with more freedom on the transfer market.
Also, it was indeed lovely to follow Kim Le Court's run on the TDFF and I immediately thought of her on this team when I saw it
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 11-08-2025 13:47
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Grand Tour Champion

Posts: 7592
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Fingers crossed the season ends with promotion so that this project ends on a high! Stunning jersey as always for you!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.

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| liefwarrior |
Posted on 12-08-2025 11:11
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Breakaway Specialist

Posts: 996
Joined: 04-07-2019
PCM$: 300.00
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Good luck with the final year of the Caribbean project! I have a feeling that the Continental hills might well boil down to a competition between Lagane and Ackermann. There is a strong TT core and several riders who are good across multiple terrains, but it will be interesting to see if there is enough talent in the region to attain promotion without any Aussie mercenaries.
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| jaxika |
Posted on 12-08-2025 11:15
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Classics Specialist

Posts: 3253
Joined: 16-07-2008
PCM$: 12400.00
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Good luck for the final year of your great project! |
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