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[PT] Aker - MOT 2015
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| Kami |
Posted on 10-03-2015 11:40
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3485
Joined: 19-06-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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A great talent pool and very well balanced out! You mention Breen & Laengen, but Enger should also be able to do very good. Pairing them togheter with Hagen and you got a great team going on!
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| roturn |
Posted on 10-03-2015 11:43
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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So many overrated Norwegians. 
Just kidding. Those things make the MG special. You impressively managed to improve a new region while still survive in PT. Well done on that.
Those two leading might lead to very small points only in those races. EBH better shines in his races a bit more then. |
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| Heine |
Posted on 10-03-2015 11:45
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4116
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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I like the look of your team, and I really love riders like Laengen, riders who can contribute in TTT and mountains are really valuable helpers
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| Roman |
Posted on 10-03-2015 12:07
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4386
Joined: 29-05-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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One of my favourite teams, that amount of Norwegian talents is amazing! Especially Laengen could be with some training a really special rider for your team. 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 10-03-2015 12:10
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Certainly a talent development programme i have taken great inspiration from. A likeable team becuase of that focus. You'll be a very competent team for a very long time
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 13:25
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Bot Agent
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| tastasol |
Posted on 10-03-2015 13:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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That team is just looking splendid. Happy to have had two of your guys on loan, helping them with their development, won't say the same about Breen and Holst Enger. That being said, I was thrilled to see his podium in Omloop, as you said in the brilliant(as always) article by Per Mandagsfjord.
As for your future focus, I won't mind if you would let it be some "leftovers" Norwegians 
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| SotD |
Posted on 10-03-2015 15:33
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Very nice talents indeed. I hope you can keep the focus and further develop norwegian talents.
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| Bushwackers |
Posted on 10-03-2015 17:23
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Sprinter
Posts: 1907
Joined: 07-02-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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That really is a great block of talent. I'm envious of what you've been able to do. I've been trying very hard to do a similar setup with Swiss riders, but I haven't been nearly as successful.
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| ember |
Posted on 10-03-2015 23:35
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Thanks to all of you for the nice words!
@Kami: Yeah, Holst Enger is definitely a great prospect as well, most likely the biggest talent of them all, but I don't expect anything from him already as this season has shown it's difficult for a sprinter with 79 as his sprint stat to bring home any result in the bunch sprints.
@roturn: Indeed, if enough decent Norwegians/talents are available, we really need Boasson Hagen to step up like he has never done before to stay in the Pro Tour. Iit will certainly be very interesting to see who are available when that time of the year comes!
@Roman: It would be very cool to train Stake Laengen in the future, hopefully PCM becomes slightly friendlier to those with a low acceleration stat in future editions considering his weakness
@TheManxMissile: Thanks for the nice words, and it's nice to hear that you've been inspired by such a way to build a team. I greatly appreciate that.
@tastasol: I can only say a big thank you for your help to develop both Dyrnes and Hoem. Hopefully you're satisfied with the results they produced for you as well, especially Dyrnes was surprisingly strong, I feel.
@SotD: Don't worry, the focus will definitely be kept
@Bushwackers: I guess I've been a bit lucky, especially in the transfer season for the 2013 season, where I got most of the Norwegian talents without any real bidding wars as others didn't seem to be interested. Though, I had to give up on a couple of the greatest prospects like Galta, Kogstad Ringheim and Holst Enger when they were FAs, but I decided to try to get as many as possible instead of a few top talents.
Edited by ember on 10-03-2015 23:44
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 22-03-2015 06:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2797
Joined: 06-11-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Wow, I feel like an idiot for missing the last while in this thread. 
Firstly, nice job on your talent development. You might not have an 80 average rider, but you certainly have a great base of solid riders to build a squad on.
Mmm, JvH and potentially Impey are available? Seems very interesting... Very interesting indeed. Although I had a different plan for transfers, so I might just have to wait a year before I make a big offer on Impey.
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| ember |
Posted on 23-04-2015 18:56
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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The New Jersey Is The Old
Well, the new season is definitely here, but not much changes for Aker - MOT. The sponsors stay the same, the jersey stays the same, and the core of riders stay the same.
We're very proud to once again wear the jersey that was named the second nicest jersey in the peloton about this time last year. All credits for the jersey and the work behind it goes to Sykkel_Freak.
Fellow manager Smowz has always labelled Aker - MOT as an ambitious team, and after several talks with the sponsors, there's no doubt the team will continue in a similar way.
After some serious thought, the goals were adjusted to the "usual" level for the team, having originally been quite modest, meaning they're overambitious like every season. Though, we won't confirm any goals or targetted races yet. Team manager ember made this comment regarding the team's goals:
Originally we aimed at making four goals as easy as possible due to the obvious danger of relegation with a team of almost only Norwegians, and thus secure a nice budget, but a last minute change means we're definitely aiming at something better than relegating with goals accomplished.
Looking at our core of riders, we're obviously happy to see a majority of Norwegian riders, and as announced, that will definitely be the case for 2015 as well with most foreigners leaving.
Though, wild rumours presented to us by the journalist Per Mandagsfjord insists we're hunting one foreign rider, which, according to Mandagsfjord, understands Norwegian. We shall see, but we expect Mandagsfjord to publish his story soon to see how solid it is.
That last minute change obviously means we're likely to widen our horizont a tiny bit thinking of possible signings, but there shall be no doubt, we can't really see us have more than three riders from other countries than Norway.
That was about it for now. We'd like to use the opportunity to use all colleagues and other teams the best of luck and a good season!
Ola Nordmann,
Press Officer, Aker - MOT
Edited by ember on 23-04-2015 19:07
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| ember |
Posted on 23-04-2015 21:49
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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BREAKING: Aker - MOT chases Guldhammer
Independent sources have confirmed that the Norwegian Pro Tour team's big target this transfer season is Rasmus Guldhammer.
To my understanding, the Dane has always been high up on team manager ember's list of wanted riders, but due to his huge amount of respect for the now disbanded Team B&O, no move was made for him when he had a contract with the former team from Denmark.
ember was reluctant to speak to me about it at their team presentation, his only comment on the matter being:
I've always admired Rasmus' abilities and attitude. But I have no comment for you regarding your claim that he's our big target for the upcoming transfer season. All I can say is that we would like to try to have a realistic shot at all our goals, and due to the fact that one of them has to be Grand Tour related, it's obvious we've to find a rider to be able to complete such a goal with Alberto leaving.
That confirms what sources have told about one specific team goal making ember feel he is forced to make a move for Guldhammer after last season's complete failure on the Grand Tour goal (a top 3 in the Giro d'Italia).
Guldhammer wins stage 10 in Vuelta a Colombia 2014.
Guldhammer should also fit the team well as a Dane with the team having been able to get the best out of Jonas Aaen Jørgensen back in 2012, but also as they enjoyed having Cristopher Juul-Jensen on board in 2013.
I can only repeat what has been reported previously. I can't really see us have more than three riders from other countries than Norway in our team.
That should mean Levarlet, Impey or Kruijswijk will need to leave the team to make way for Guldhammer. Currently we have not been able to get information on who of them that will be forced out the door as our sources have admitted only the team manager knows.
Per Mandagsfjord,
Freelance journalist |
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-04-2015 21:57
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
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82 or 83 MO? .....
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 23-04-2015 22:00
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4573
Joined: 07-10-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Surprising developments here at Aker, good luck with signing Guldhammer. Whatever happens, I'd expect an interesting offer for Impey from us in transfers like last season. I guess this news may improve the chances of a deal happening but we'll have to wait and see. |
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 23-04-2015 22:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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I hope there will be a couple of B&O guys that can slip to CT, but I doubt it. Very hard market in Denmark, and B&O folding makes it even scarier! Best of luck pursuing Guldhammer. It would be very fitting for a Scandanavian team to get him.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| tastasol |
Posted on 23-04-2015 22:38
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2889
Joined: 11-09-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Nice to see that you are focusing so much on a Dane. I like that Is that what, the sixteenth time you have changed focus the last months? 
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| ember |
Posted on 24-04-2015 08:23
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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@cio93: There's a looong way from freelance journalist Mandagsfjord claiming that we're going after Guldhammer to actually try to successfully sign him.
@FroomeDog99: I probably didn't make it clear enough, but Mandagsfjord's articles will mostly be wild rumours and "fun stuff". But indeed, if we sign a rider that is not Norwegian, we'll have to sell one of the three riders that earlier were listed as riders who definitely will stay.
@baseballlover312: Yeah, the market is tough, but B&O having folded should make many of the Danes availability better, at least it opens the door for any team to try to sign them.
@tastasol: You know just as well as me how "reliable" Mandagsfjord might be after his history with your team. There really is only one focus for the upcoming season, and always has been, and that's to try to sign as many Norwegians as possible. But of course we give Mandagsfjord room to light up our HQ, and who knows, he might be right
We'll most likely present our goals, and with it some thoughts on what riders will fit the team, at the end of this week. |
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| SotD |
Posted on 25-04-2015 18:45
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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I like that you might be chasing Guldhammer - If the rumours speak any truth. He is my favorite danish talent, so I would be pleased to see him in a team I like, and with a manager I respect.
I have been looking at him myself, but I guess I can't fit him if I want to keep Spilak, Ricco and Lecuisinier...
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| ember |
Posted on 26-04-2015 22:51
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Well, we must admit we didn't really do well at all considering the goals for 2014. We only succeeded in making a top 10 in the team standings, but failed at winning the Giro di Lombardia, Liège-Bastogne-Liège and Amstel Gold Race in addition to a top three in the Giro d'Italia.
That was a painful lesson, but we haven't learned! For 2015, we're once again ambitious.
 | Win | Liège-Bastogne-Liège | | | Win | La Flèche Wallonne |  | Top 3 | Giro di Lombardia |  | Top 10 | Tour de France |  | Top 5 | Team Standings |
Edvald Boasson Hagen had a rough season, but he's hungrier than ever considering chasing that monument win. Thus, we've tough goals in both La Doyenne and La classica delle foglie morte. Our captain came close in last year's showdown in Liège, and we can only cross fingers he's up for it on the day this year as well.
La Flèche Wallonne also suits our captain well, he won it back in 2013, and we believe he's able to do it again.
CLOSE: Edvald Boasson Hagen ended third in the 100th edition of Liège-Bastogne-Liège. This year he'll do everything in his power to do two better.
Then comes the sketchy part, we must admit. For the first time ever we're targetting le Tour de France. It's with a great deal of nerves we decided to go for it, but we really hope we can shine on the biggest stage there is for stage racers. Admittedly we don't have the rider to pull of a top 10 in le Tour as it stands right now.
That means we'll obviously need to chase a stage racer in the transfer season, and apparently Per Mandagsfjord knows his stuff, as Rasmus Guldhammer is a rider we would love to take on board and lead us.
If he decides to join our team, we can also promise him great support from a core of Norwegian riders, which I think will be great for the spirit in the team. But of course there are other stage racers available as well, but we feel Guldhammer must be our first priority considering he's a Scandinavian.
For the final goal, we'll really need Boasson Hagen to have a great season. A top 5 shouldn't be impossible with our Norwegian star on fire, but it's certainly the toughest goal we've got, but after succeeding in ending top 10 in both previous seasons in the Pro Tour, we felt we kind of had to make a more ambitious goal for this year.
That's about it looking at our goals. Edvald Boasson Hagen will obviously be a key rider, and with stronger support than ever from our still developing Norwegian talents, I'm confident he'll be a force to be reckoned with in the Ardennes and the other hilly classics.
ember
Aker - MOT
@SotD: Thanks for your nice words! It would be truly great if I'm able to sign him as I think he suits our team very well looking at his stats, the role he'll have as an undisputed captain and the nationalities on the team. But we shall see, guess I'll have to give Vegard Stake Laengen the chance to lead in the biggest race there is if I can't sign a better stage racer, which would be kind of cool as well. |
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| ember |
Posted on 08-05-2015 19:19
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Team Leader
Posts: 6849
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Too Little & Too Much - Wages
We think we did decent in this year's renewals. Obviously we hoped Edvald Boasson Hagen was going to take a huge pay cut after his rather disappointing season, especially considering the classics, but it wasn't meant to be.
A couple of the Norwegians talent demanded slightly more than we expected and hoped for, but there was never any doubt they would be re-signed, after all they're the real key of this team.
We are also happy to say that none of the foreigners will be paid more than in 2014. In fact Levarlet is the only rider on the same wage as last year with all others having taken a pay cut. Hopefully that should make them attractive for other teams.
We've also given a availability status to all riders, which is correct, where a "Yes" means we will listen to offers and take it from there. Though, it's obvious that for some of the riders it's very likely that it won't take long time to find an offer we like, while for other riders listed with a "Yes" might not even be sold despite good offers. It all depends on the market!
The same goes for those having "Unlikely" as their availability. Some of those will be close to impossible to buy, but you shall never say never (as we learned last transfer season with Spilak), while it might be easier to sell others of them.
| Rider | Wage | +/- to 2014 | Availability | | Edvald Boasson Hagen | 820.000 € | No change | Unlikely | | Vegard Stake Laengen | 115.000 € | + 35.000 € | No | | Sven Erik Bystrøm | 85.000 € | + 35.000 € | No | | Kristian Dyrnes | 85.000 € | + 35.000 € | No | | Sondre Holst Enger | 70.000 € | - 10.000 € | Unlikely | | Daniel Hoelgaard | 65.000 € | - 15.000 € | No | | Sigurd Nesset | 50.000 € | No change | No | | Lorents Ola Aasvold | 50.000 € | No change | Unlikely | | Sondre Sørtveit | 50.000 € | No change | No | | Bjørn Tore Hoem | 50.000 € | No change | No | | Vegard Breen | 50.000 € | No change | No | | Lars Petter Nordhaug | 50.000 € | No change | Unlikely | | Anders Lund | 50.000 € | No change | Unlikely |  Alberto Contador | 650.000 € | - 20.000 € | Yes | | Igor Antón | 240.000 € | - 50.000 € | Yes |  Daryl Impey | 240.000 € | - 50.000 € | Yes | | Juan Van Heerden | 130.000 € | - 20.000 € | Yes | | Guillaume Levarlet | 135.000 € | No change | Yes | | Michel Silbilla | 120.000 € | - 30.000 € | Yes |  Steven Kruijswijk | 90.000 € | - 20.000 € | Unlikely |
Aker - MOT
ember |
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
