The Tour of Northern Europe is over and it was a very successful race for the team. As said earlier, we did aim this race with high ambitions with 4-5 potential GC riders.
In the end the best combination in cobbles, hills and time trials led to Lars Boom being our best placed GC rider and he was actually not too far from winning the race. With a 3rd already on the 2nd stage he started well and it got better and better when he attacked the GC leader Cancellara on the hilly 7th stage. This results in a 2nd GC, which is Boom`s best performance in 2014 and gives us new hope to eventualyl stay in the Pro Tour.
Luis Leon Sanchez winning the stage ahead of team mate Roux and Van Garderen.
But there were more highlights. The biggest surely the 1-2 stage performance by our puncheurs Luis Leon Sanchez and Anthony Roux on the 3rd stage. First got nice help by our cobbler trio on the paves to reduce his loss. In the end he finished on a good 16th delivering more points.
We were able to close the gap to the teams ahead Volkswagen, Vueling and Bouygues. But it is still quite a bit. So we really need overperforming results in the next month.
Maximillian Schachmann is riding his 3rd season in professional cycling. The first two with our team weren`t the most successful for the young German with less than 40 race days in both seasons making him a slow developer.
In 2014 it was supposed to be a bit better and by going down to CT level with team ONCE he indeed had a bit better season but faces a new problem now. His future in the team might depend a lot on the relegation fight. Only if the team stays up and he can go into his first PT season, he can realistically get enough experience to fully develop.
When going down to PCT though it`s not very easy for the team to give him that last boost and at the moment Schachmann is not sure if yet another loan would be ideal for him as this would not really show a lot of trust in him by the team management.
The rider and team manager had some talks earlier this week and it`s not even said, that the rider will renew his contract due to this reasons. So only staying in PT could see him in Aegon colours next season it seems.
All other young riders apparently will stay with the team in 2015 as the development plan can be continued as expected.
Edited by roturn on 26-02-2015 14:22
Sanchez Gil with a strong sprint onto the podium on the 4th stage in Catalunya, which results in 2nd GC
Gomez Marchante taking his 2nd stage in the Giro also securing the KoM jersey
Young talent Olivier proving his future potential on the 8th stage in Avenir being eventually the strongest this day finishing as 3rd on stage and GC
Keizer taking the ITT in Colombia leading to a top10 GC
LLS winning stage 3 in the Tour of Northern Europe ahead of his team mate Anthony Roux
Boom putting Cancellara under pressure in the Tour of Northern Europe. 2nd in final GC.
The Best
As you can see we had a hand ful of outstanding results, which was a nice experience on the highest level against the very best riders. Unfortunately our way to get a balanced (and pretty young) squad did not work out to keep us over the relegation line.
But for the team it was more than a good experience and is surely helping them in the next season to immediately fight back as the main core will stay the same.
Obviously the two Spaniards were a big part of the 2014 team, but as Gomez Marchante is hit yet another time by the hammer, it`s time to say goodbye to him after a very nice season, which was better than most of us did expect.
For Lulu Sanchez it`s not yet decided and a lot might depend on the transfer season. But surely he could help the team to immediately come back to the highest level of cycling.
The 3 Dutch riders, who were also mentioned in this report will surely stay in our team. Martin Keizer is expected to lead our mountain squad in 2015, while young Olivier steps up into Gomez Marchante`s role as co-leader even though he still has a bit left to learn.
Boom will go into his 4th! season with our team as one of the few riders since the MG debut. His combination paid out in the Tour of Northern Europe nicely and this will work even better in the PCT as shown in the first two seasons with our team.
Look into the Future
In the first season we signed 3 young talents. Except for Johim Ariesen (transferred to Fletcher pre season) those were the German duo Thomas Koep and Alexander Krieger. Those two will be our first self developed talents from 1.0 -> 4.100. We though have to thank Vesuvio and Simply Red Bull for taking them from 3 -> 4 on a 1-year loan deal in 2013. Those two will be of great help. First is a good domestique in all mountain races as also a nice part in TTT squads. Planning will also show if he is going to lead the team in some races. Alexander Krieger developed into a really good sprinter prospect. He might not be the best fighting for wins on any single day. But he surely will show himself in the stage fight here and there and will play an important role in 2015.
More riders will reach their full potential after the 2014 season. Those are Dutch time trial specialist Tom Dumoulin, German roleur Björn Thurau and Italian sprinter Giacomo Nizzolo. All three joined us before the season and will play bigger roles next year. In especially Nizzolo (sprint leader) and Thurau (free role) will get a lot of opportunities to go for results. But also Dumoulin should do well in stage races without too much climbing.
Then there are those talents, that are still not at their maximum as Olivier. Villella is already a worthy rider next year and will get some freedom in the hilly races. Sbaragli is going to be an important piece in our sprint preperation and should make himself a name within the next years. Already in 2014 he showed some signs of his potential with decent results in a few classics. Frison came to us via a swap deal with Bpost pre season. He is a pure time trialist just like Dumoulin and will strengthen our team a lot in future even though he might have to wait another year until his full potential can be seen.
With Grand and Edmondson two more riders will rejoin our team after being on loan in the CT in 2014. First is a young Swiss cobbler, who should be of good help in those races, while 2nd is a prologue specialist and sprinter. After an impressive season, he might have to be more a helper next season but he is going to learn a lot for his future career.
More Veterans
First we want to thank Anthony Roux and Alessandro Ballan for a good season. Both won`t ride with us in 2015. Ballan was a nice piece in our cobbled season which highlights with a 8th in the Ronde Vlaanderen as also a stage podium in Tirreno-Adriatico. He will leave for Free Agency still being a good rider for the CT division or as helper in higher divisions. Roux is going to be renewed but it`s expected to see him moving on during transfers. The French puncheur is still in a very good age with a lot of potential.
Also Müller is one of those riders who is leaving as known pre season. He was signed as addition for the TTT squads and he did exactly this. So he will also be on the FA market for 2015.
The next couple of riders will stay with us in the PCT helping the team to move up again. Those are our two cobblers Vanmarcke and Nooytens. First with a 4th in the Ronde Van Vlaanderen impressed already with a few more results while Nooytens was a strong helper for him but also stronger in some races such as his 8th in Strade Appia Antica. Both should be seen in the PCT cobbled stages fighting for the first spots.
Schädlich, a German time trial beast is also riding for us next year going the Oz Cycling way of strong time trial results.
Last but not least Berden De Vries and Maximillian Schachmann. Both might ride for us or might leave for FA. Nothing is decided on them yet as all opportunities must be considered carefully.
Sponsors
As announced some weeks ago, we had some sponsor change. While Aegon, Stevens Bikes, Trigema and Unilever will all stay, the main sponsor Rothaus has left us and is replaced by the Italian coffee brand Lavazza. Not much is changed with our focus as it stays Benelux/German/Italian with some exotic additions like Aussie Edmondson or Swiss Grand and as said earlier Spaniard Lulu Sanchez.
Our former sponsor Rothaus impressed his love for the team once more at the end of the season and said, that the move was never in any relation to our relegation. After 3 years though it was time to move away from cycling, looking for other projects. They enjoyed improving the cycling in Germany even more and are proud to see young Germans like Krieger or Koep to be always seen together with the Rothaus beer lady.
Our new sponsor Lavazza is not focussing to get one of the big Italians as some like Cunego or Bennati are on the market. They are happy with our current team seeing that we have a good amount of young riders in Nizzolo, Villella, Sbaragli as also were part of the development of Bongiorno and Guardini.
The new jersey is not published yet but apparently a first version (though not very sharp) was reveiled. Final version coming at a later date.
First version of 2015 jersey reveiled. Obvious colour change visible (All Credits to OlegTinkov)
The Loanies
As mentioned just before we had some loanies this season to give them some Pro Tour experience. Those were Guardini (La Vie Claire), Bongiorno (Puma SAP) and Reguigui (Jaguar Eritel). All three were of some use and helped us a lot. In especially Guardini obviously, who immediately became our strongest sprinter immediately getting three top 5 results over the season. The other two were mainly doing helper tasks or joined the breakaway a few times but without much success.
It was nice cooperation with the mentioned teams and we hope to stay in good contact with all of them for future seasons.
Rider Quotes of the Year
Lars Boom:"I had up and downs with the team in the last 3 seasons and so had the team as well. We`ll be back!" Sep Vanmarcke:"What a Year this was. Was able to improve on my classic results and will continue with the trust of the team behind me" Alexander Krieger:"After two consecutive PT seasons I know, it`s time to be there as quickly as possible. Next year will be my breakthrough year." Daan Olivier:"PCT seems to be the most perfect division for me in 2015. I will get more chances to go on myself and improve my climbing. Avenir 2015? I`m going to be there." Jose Angel Gomez Marchante:"Perfect season for me to end my prime. Giro double stage win and KoM. WTF? Now planning to join smaller team for the last few years" Thomas Koep:"Thanks for the trust in my skills. Not going to disappoint the team in the next 10 years!"
Team Goals
Win Milan San Remo (15th, Sanchez Gil)
Top 10 Vuelta a Espana (13th, Gomez Marchante)
Top 3 - Giro di Lombardia (15th, Sanchez Gil)
Top 10 Liege - Bastogne - Liege (17th, Sanchez Gil)
Avoid Relegation (-1)
Well. It surely could have gone worse than 0/5. I could have been even more off the goals as Gomez Marchante managed to come close in the Vuelta.
Next year clearly I should pick my goals for a rider, that is definitely staying and not go for Bellis and then trade him off-season.
Nice end of season write-up Roturn, it was a valiant effort to stay up even if in the end it fell short. With so many young riders maturing, the new sponsors are likely to be rewarded with pretty immediate success; Aegon - Lavazza must already be close to the top of the bookies favourite list for PCT in 2015 season.
@Heine: It would indeed be interesting to use this exact jersey.
@Scorchio: I am far less optimistic than some of you. For one simple reason. I have a few talents indeed. But they are around 73-75 in their main stats and will max out at 76-77 like Villella, Sbaragli.
Guys like Olivier are already my best talents, which max out at 79, which is still nothing close to the new row of top talents (Herklotz, Galta, Morton, Lecuisinier etc.). Also Krieger did maxed out at 79 only, Koep at 75 even.
So having a nice depth is one thing. But point scorers are the other. And while my riders would not score a lot in PT as proven, even on PCT level they are not favourites. Look at last PCT season. Keizer would have been like the 11th best climber only. Olivier on level 4 is like 25th.
When trading LLS I would have a 75 hill puncheur as best there. Far, far from the top. With LLS I agree with you, that he is a potential top10 scorer in PCT.
Cobbler: Vanmarcke has the potential to be top5 cobbler next season. Then I hear rumours about Boonen going to PCT etc...
Sprinters: Nizzolo would be around 12-15th best sprinter while Krieger is around 25th best. So again not the best point scorers.
Further scorers: Boom obviously could become important on PCT level again due to his nice all around skills.
So I agree that with LLS I might attack top5 but should imo be behind other teams like Puma, Swedbank/Metinvest/Gazelle eventually? and depending on their transfers behind other relegation teams.
Without LLS I would also be behind quite a few other teams imo.
I can see some of your point, but you've a lot of good youngsters on cheap wages as the core (who should also keep points ticking over and provide strong support for their leaders). Also a rider like Keizer has the opportunity to dominate a number of stage race GC's that combine mtns and TT's (assuming still on the calendar).
Personally expecting a definite 2 speed PCT in 2015, the majority of the existing PCT + relegated teams dominating the top half, the second half being the CT promoted folks (myself included) scrabbling for mid-table security. I'd be highly surprised (and even more impressed) if someone manages to replicate Gazelle's phenomenal 1st PCT year successl.
Fundamentally (as always) transfer season and planning will decide everyones fate; to battle! .
Gomez Marchante could look at joining a certain promoting Spanish Team named Euskaltel, always looking for experienced older riders
Roux is also of interest but likely to go to a team with more money. Would be a huge rider for our French Contingent at the developing Euskaltel-Air France.
Luis Leon Sanchez wrote:
Roux is also of interest but likely to go to a team with more money. Would be a huge rider for our French Contingent at the developing Euskaltel-Air France.
Stay away and spend your money on someone like Maillet instead
Great review there roturn. I expect you'll bounce straight back up, even with losing a few riders. After all, Keizer, Nizzolo, Boom, Vanmarcke and Schadlich are pretty good PCT leaders. And Dumoulin, Olivier, Nooytens and Sbaragli are all pretty strong domestiques.
What i enjoyed less are the signals that Oz will be replaced by Rothaus as my TTT/TT nemesis in PCT. Second year in the row, i will have to compete (and eventually loose) to my favourite team and manager.
I think you are too pesimistic about your chances for next year. All will depend on wages of course, but you should be top5 candidate anyway, it is always like that with relegated teams, it would need some serious bad moves. You still will have much more point scored compared to Metinvest f.e. and our best point scorer will again face incredible opposition even after Oz going to PT...
Roux looks really interesting ,maybe Metinvest can try and get a french rider?
Just realized that I never did a rider development post in my HQ and only on twitter. So here it is. (Stole this layout from Meiji. Thanks Valverde or whoever started this)
Rider Development
Maxed Riders
Giacomo Nizzolo
2014 XP|4.12
2015 XP|4.100
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
71
54
64
57
68
66
70
56
78
77
62
64
66
2015
73
54
64
57
70
67
71
57
80
79
62
64
66
Nizzolo is planned to be our 2015 sprint leader. He made his last step to a potential podium rider. Expect him to ride for us in the biggest PCT races.
Alexander Krieger
2014 XP|4.10
2015 XP|4.100
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
69
58
62
55
69
73
74
62
77
77
62
68
55
2015
71
58
62
55
71
74
75
63
79
79
62
68
55
One of 3 first year talents finally maxing out. So far he was in the shadows of Vantomme and Guardini. Next year he will have to ride for Nizzolo a few times but often can go for himself surely leading our team in several races.
Thomas Koep
2014 XP|4.33
2015 XP|4.100
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
67
73
72
70
72
73
73
53
52
56
54
65
70
2015
68
75
73
72
74
75
75
53
52
57
54
65
72
Our 2nd first year talent. To be honest, I had thought, he would become more valuable first. That said, he might never lead our team in big races but he is a great lieutnant for the better climbers and might be seen in a few breaks for sure.
Björn Thurau
2014 XP|4.00
2015 XP|4.100
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
71
64
73
57
73
70
67
53
66
72
76
67
65
2015
72
65
75
57
75
71
68
53
66
73
77
67
65
Last year was a bit low for him in terms of breakaways. In future I expect a lot more attacks and with a good punch on short climbs surely one to watch.
Tom Dumoulin
2014 XP|4.94
2015 XP|4.100
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
70
57
67
76
73
74
68
52
65
66
66
60
76
2015
71
59
68
78
75
76
70
52
65
67
66
60
78
Not as strong as in real, true. Being more a pure time trialist he will add something to our TTT squad and might get some individual results in TT`s as well.
Still Room
Daan Olivier
2014 XP|3.12
2015 XP|4.84
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
70
74
71
66
73
76
73
59
64
68
67
70
66
2015
71
77
74
67
74
78
75
59
64
70
70
71
67
2016
72
79
75
69
76
80
77
59
64
71
70
71
69
Our most talented rider I think. Not maxed yet, he should be able to lead in some PCT races. He is still learning from Keizer and will be fully maxed in 2016 as great mountain rider. Some training needed though for PT results.
Davide Villella
2014 XP|3.17
2015 XP|4.74
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
70
62
72
60
67
72
65
63
63
76
71
69
60
2015
71
63
75
61
70
73
66
63
64
78
73
70
61
2016
72
64
77
61
72
64
67
63
65
80
74
70
61
Our future hill specialist. Not the man for the biggest races yet but just like Thurau one for many breakaways.
Kristian Sbaragli
2014 XP|3.08
2015 XP|4.71
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
72
55
65
62
72
68
69
69
72
74
58
60
62
2015
74
56
66
62
74
69
75
71
75
76
58
61
62
2016
76
56
66
62
76
70
79
72
77
78
58
61
62
Excellent future leadout rider. Will be important for our leaders. But as already shown in 2014, he is capable of more due to his better climbing on shorter hills and his roleur skills.
Frederik Frison
2014 XP|3.00
2015 XP|4.87
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
68
54
65
72
69
69
63
54
63
64
63
66
72
2015
70
54
66
75
71
70
65
54
65
65
63
67
75
2016
72
54
66
77
72
71
66
54
66
66
63
67
77
Future timetrial specialist. A bit weaker as Dumoulin but a great TTT addition.
Alexander Edmondson
2014 XP|1.24
2015 XP|3.01
2016 XP|4.xx
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
66
57
60
64
66
64
65
58
68
69
67
63
71
2015
69
57
61
64
67
67
67
58
72
73
67
63
74
2016
71
57
62
65
68
69
73
58
75
75
67
64
77
2017
73
57
63
65
69
71
77
58
77
77
67
64
79
Every team can need an Aussie I think. So I won`t be too strict with him not really being in our focused area. A great rider for sprints but an even better rider in prologues. So expect some decent results from him in future.
Arnaud Grand
2014 XP|2.28
2015 XP|3.19
2016 XP|4.xx
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
66
58
64
63
68
66
65
70
59
64
63
59
67
2015
68
58
65
63
70
67
66
72
61
64
63
59
67
2016
70
58
68
63
72
69
67
75
61
65
66
60
67
2017
72
58
68
63
74
70
68
77
63
65
66
60
67
Grand will develop into a good domestique on the paves and with Cancellara slowly declining, he is one of the Swiss riders on that terrain in future.
Maximillian Schachmann
2014 XP|3.14
2015 XP|4.02
FL
MO
HI
TT
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FT
DH
PL
2014
64
65
70
55
69
67
62
58
67
73
68
74
55
2015
65
66
73
56
72
68
63
58
68
76
70
75
56
2016/17?
66
67
75
56
74
69
64
58
69
78
72
76
56
One of our tough decisions to make. Riding for us since season one even I think. But not the kind of rider with highest potential and in PCT with difficulties to max him next season.
Frison takes the U23 World Championship Gold Medal
Perfect week for our young Belgium Frederik Frison. Coming into the team via a rider swap with Team Bpost Vlaanderen before the 2014 season, he had a tough season without much individual results. Only a good performance in the TTT squad of Copenhagen - Malmö saw him in the spotlight.
But obviously he built his season all for this one event. The U23 World Championships. Earlier this week he already surprised in his main event, the U23 ITT with a good 7th around some stronger riders.
Being also selected for the Belgium U23 road race, he found himself in the morning break and finished it off in style. When the gap to the peloton looked to be enough for a surprise, Frison found a good wheel and sprinted to Gold. By the look of it with quite a gap to the next. It`s surely his biggest career result so far and despite having learnt a lot in his first Pro Tour season, the 22 year old knows, that there is still a lot more to improve.
roturn wrote:
Well, I had Vantomme 82 sprint for two seasons.
And depending on money, eventually Keizer or Vanmarcke might be 80 as well next year.
Unfortuantely though the 80 stat is sprint, which is basically the lowest quality of all 80 main stats.
Plus if TT is a main stat as well I had two there.
Yeah I know the TT'ers, and I guess they are main stats aswell - True about sprinters though. There seem to be quite a lot 80+ sprinters so secondary stats are very important.
The season is not yet completely finished as we hit the National Championships. Before knowing if we get the honour to take one of those, it`s time to present our basic 2015 jersey made by OlegTinkov, who was contacted again without any doubt after he already designed the present 2014 outfit.
With the withdrawal of Rothaus, the popular beer lady is leaving the jersey after 3 years and also the colour fully goes towards blue now after we started red, became more white and then white-blue. Our two sponsors Aegon and Lavazza are obviously main part of the shirt while Stevens Bikes is also presented nicely as our 3rd sponsor.
Win Milan San Remo 
Top 10 Vuelta a Espana 
Top 10 Liege - Bastogne - Liege 
Martijn Keizer
.
. 
Alexander Krieger
Tom Dumoulin
Alexander Edmondson 
Arnaud Grand 
