The Sound: Safe to say everyone knows who you are so let's dive right in.
Argentina, caught people by surprise. What's the reason for that?

Ian Butler: Ever since I decided I wanted to join the ManGame, I was thinking about the nationality I wanted the team to have. Obviously my first thought was Belgium. But I didn't think anyone would care about another Belgian, or any European, team, so I decided to go for another continent. With Richeze winning the B Worlds and a close friend of mine having gone to Argentina for 2 months, the decision was easy to make.

Belgium would've been an easier choice for me, I could put together a list of more than 100 names that I'd want for my team. Argentina is a challenge for me. I hope it works out fine!

TS: There's a number of South American teams in the PCT, got any plans to cope during transfers?

IB: Yes, the competition in the transfer season will be hard. To be perfectly honest, we're all a bit afraid of the transfer season at the team. We fear me might end up short on the right riders. With the upcoming transfer season being our very first, we have much to learn, so other teams will have the edge on us there. Our plan is just to dive in and grab whatever we can. We'd love to build a team with as many Argentine riders as possible, but if we come up short, we'll look for additional riders from Brazil, Colombia, Chile and other South-American countries.

TS: Is your target then to get a 100% South American team this season, or is the call of Belgium too strong to ignore?

IB: The target is to get at least 75% South American riders. We don't exclude the possibility of bringing in two or three European, experienced riders to set up our team and fulfil a role of team captain.

TS: Obviously DeLaval are being talked up as your rivals, any other teams you see as rivals?

IB: In a way, DeLaval is our main rival. However, some of us at the team don't consider DeLaval a true rival. We're both promoting a healthy lifestyle with our dairy products. But, of course, cycling can only survive thanks to our sponsors, so we owe it to them to get their names out there.

We see some interesting names in the peloton, and we look forward to making friends rather than enemies. I think that is the best way to describe SanCor's vision.

TS: Looking at those new managers, who do you think we should keep an eye on?

IB: Well, looking at my personal experiences in Cyclo-Cross: A New Dawn, I should say keep an eye on Shonak, matt17br, jandal7 and trekbmc. But in the end we'll all have to find our own way in the ManGame and you never know in advance what that will bring.

The Sound: At the time of this interview there is no HQ for your new team, but you have confirmed sponsors. So tell us about your team. [The HQ has since gone live with more information]

Felix_29: I'd rather keep this answer short, because the HQ is most likely coming later today. The team will obviously have a focus on Belgian riders and races but some other countries that the main sponsor has a big market are interesting as well.

TS: Of the new managers you are possibly the most interesting. This is your second time in the game. Talk me through what coming back is like.

F29: It feels great! I'm not quite [as] excited as i was the first time though, probably because i know what to expect. Being given a second shot adds some extra pressure, knowing there are members who missed out.

TS: Do you think that previous experience will give you an edge on the other new managers, and of those new managers who do you think we should keep an eye on?

F29: I'm not sure. When I joined, there were a lot less teams and no CT at all and in the second season, I could renew the contracts of my strong riders. With a smaller budget and a more competitive transfer market, I might have a small edge having completed two transfers season. I haven't played the latest versions of PCM, so managers who have and know the AI a lot better than i do probably have an edge on me.

It's really hard to tell which new managers will do the best job. Shonak seemed to be really well prepared, two other managers I think a very capable are Ian Butler and matt17br.

TS: I think that transfer experience will be key. A chance we'll see several Germans making their way back to you?

F29: Everyone knows Germans' love for beer, so it's an important market for my sponsor. There'll be at least one German rider in my squad, why not someone i've been working with in the past?

Other nationalities that have been discussed with AB InBev are the USA, China and Brazil.

TS: Any long term ambitions or just looking to get through Season 1 and take it from there?

F29: I just want to get through my first season, but not without promotion in mind. Thus, i'll be looking for some more experienced riders, who can earn the points necessary and some young talents who will be competitive a few years from now.