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[CT] MTN - WBR | 2014 Plans
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| cio93 |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:23
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Looks really nice if it wasn't for that dreaded .99 there...as a talent hunter, that hurts to see 
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 21-01-2014 16:28
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That looks really great, but of course 2.99 is quite awful indeed. 
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 26-01-2014 18:38
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Project Africa has sights set on Augystyn for 2014
Team manager of MTN-WBR (Project Africa as of 2014), aidanvn13, has revealed that he is fixed on obtaining the signature of South African star, John-Lee Augustyn. He had the following to say...
"While we're moving into the last racing month of the season it's time to look back at our current standing as well as making our plans for next season public. We came into the year as a brand new team with minimal experience and a host of riders coming together who've never ridden in each other's company before. Considering all this, I'm delighted to see us rank mid-table.
"We're likely stay in the continental league for 2014, but having said that, we aim on promoting next year. This goal hinges on signing a top-class leader for next year. I believe that leader is none other than John-Lee Augustyn. He fits perfectly into our team for a number of reasons.
"For starters, he's South African - born and raised. He's also a stage-racer and climber. The team aims to sign a lot of up-and-coming climbers from the continent to offer strong support, as well as fend for themselves when the time comes.
"I spoke to him not too long ago and hinted at the possibility of riding for us. While assuring me that he's very happy at Aker, he admitted that the prospect of riding as an absolute leader and on a South African-based team really entices him. Along with the perks of team leader, he'll serve as a mentor to the younger generation - especially Louis [Meintjes] as he'll turn out a similar rider to John-Lee.
"The whole plan hinges on securing a deal with Aker-MOT and manager, ember. He'll be hesitant to let Augustyn go especially after being a worthy lieutenant to Spilak. However, I trust that ember will 'cut us some slack', so to speak, when attempting to make a deal and hopefully he'll appreciate our unique project and team we're trying to build."
Augustyn climbing to 2nd on stage 20 and 17th overall in the 2013 Tour de France.
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 18:13
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| ember |
Posted on 26-01-2014 19:44
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Augustyn has finished his season for Aker-MOT this year, and as he's looking to prepare himself for 2014 home in South Africa, team manager ember has talked about the possibility to let Augustyn leave the Norwegian team.
"Augustyn has been a key rider for us this season. He has been the lieutenant to both Boasson Hagen and Spilak in all the biggest races. He was also our captain in Tour de France, where he put his mark on the race always riding aggressive in the mountains."
"Augustyn, as he has told you himself, is very happy riding in our colors. Though, riding as a an absolute leader for an African team is definitely what he dreams of doing one day. However, as he's currently enthustiatic about his future in Aker-MOT, we must admit nothing is settled thinking of Augustyn and 2014. We would love to see him continue in our team, but if we get a great offer from an African team, we might allow him to leave."
Team manager ember also admitted that Augustyn's future depends on the budget for 2014.
"We've already thought a lot about what we might do next season. Augustyn certainly figures as a valuable rider in many of those thoughts. It will be a really though decision to make when the time is there." |
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 30-01-2014 18:46
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ember wrote:
Augustyn has finished his season for Aker-MOT this year, and as he's looking to prepare himself for 2014 home in South Africa, team manager ember has talked about the possibility to let Augustyn leave the Norwegian team.
"Augustyn has been a key rider for us this season. He has been the lieutenant to both Boasson Hagen and Spilak in all the biggest races. He was also our captain in Tour de France, where he put his mark on the race always riding aggressive in the mountains."
"Augustyn, as he has told you himself, is very happy riding in our colors. Though, riding as a an absolute leader for an African team is definitely what he dreams of doing one day. However, as he's currently enthustiatic about his future in Aker-MOT, we must admit nothing is settled thinking of Augustyn and 2014. We would love to see him continue in our team, but if we get a great offer from an African team, we might allow him to leave."
Team manager ember also admitted that Augustyn's future depends on the budget for 2014.
"We've already thought a lot about what we might do next season. Augustyn certainly figures as a valuable rider in many of those thoughts. It will be a really though decision to make when the time is there."
Just saw this, you may recieve an offer from another 'African Team' come the transfer season, depending on how successful my efforts to sigh my main targets are. Hopefully Impey is available as well as I'm very interested in him. I'd be happy to include Galta in a deal as well for him 
And I love your new rider profiles Aidan  Very classy. Unlucky with Meintjes as well, 2.99 must be very frustrating. Hopefully it doesn't affect your team too bad. |
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 31-01-2014 06:22
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FroomeDog99 wrote:
Just saw this, you may recieve an offer from another 'African Team' come the transfer season, depending on how successful my efforts to sigh my main targets are. Hopefully Impey is available as well as I'm very interested in him. I'd be happy to include Galta in a deal as well for him
And I love your new rider profiles Aidan Very classy. Unlucky with Meintjes as well, 2.99 must be very frustrating. Hopefully it doesn't affect your team too bad.
We'll definitely clash this transfer season. Going to have to use some clever tactics to avoid both of us completely over-paying for riders When the time comes
Thanks a lot! Very unlucky. On the bright side, I would've loaned Meintjes out to PT, but now he can spend another season with us. If we manage to promote after next season, then there is a great chance to keep him with us and still completely develop him
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 04-02-2014 20:13
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More transfer rumours: Reinardt JvR in the spotlight
On the first weekend of the month of February, the manager of MTN-WBR (aidanvn13) was seen having coffee with the promising South Africa time trialer, Reinardt Janse van Rensburg, at a local coffee shop in Stellenbosch. Reinardt JvR is spending a few days in the area to compete in a series of local night-style criteriums.
The presence of MTN-WBR manager sparked rumours that he's interested in contracting van Rensburg for next season. Currently the young South African represents the American outfit of Wikipedia on the Pro Tour, but speculation is open as to whether that will change. We asked aidanvn13 to comment on the matter.
"Of course I'll love having Reinardt represent my team in 2014. He's a youngster bursting full of TT talent and I believe that he'll be a great ambassador for our 2014 team - as we move towards the 'Project: Africa' initiative. Unfortunately, it's never quite that simple. Everything depends on the circumstances under which he's currently riding at Wikipedia. Reinardt said he doesn't mind taking the step down to CT level - especially if it is for a project as ours and if he's able to stand a chance of racking up quite a few wins.
"Other than that, we'll have to convince dave92 [Wikipedia manager] to let go of him and then we can only start to negotiate a deal. Our budget will also be tight for next season, so we're going to have to pull some rabbits out of quite a few different hats if we want to accomplish all our ambitions."
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 12-02-2014 14:59
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New Bikes for 2014 Revealed!
It is with great pleasure that we reveal to you our equipment for 2014! As mentioned in a previous article, Trek extended their partnership with the team for another year. The team is proud to be racing on the best performing and the best looking bikes in the professional peloton. We'd like to extend great thanks to head-designer at Trek, Fintas, for the amazing design concept.
Click on image to enlarge.
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Edited by aidanvn13 on 12-02-2014 14:59
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:21
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News Flash: Africa in Pro Continental Ranks in 2014!
It is with great pleasure that we announce we've been promoted to the Pro Continental ranks for next season. It comes somewhat as a surprise as the team finished 13th in the CT rankings but due to a large number of disbandments, a space has opened up. Also joined is fellow African team, Kenya Airways - congrats to them as well!
With this big news comes a bigger budget! The team has been rumoured around even more South Africans, not denying that Hoffman, van Heerden and Impey are riders of interest for the team! Seeing as the team has numerous American sponsors (World Bicycle Relief, Hincapie, Trek, Sram, Giro) the team might try to attract riders from the USA. However, the team will try its best to build a squad made up only of Africans.
More news to come at a later date...
The locals were ecstatic to hear their favourite cycling team promoted
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| Alakagom |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:23
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It'll be great having you in PCT, you deserve it due to awesome HQ alone ;-)
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| admirschleck |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:24
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Congratulation Aidan!
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| FroomeDog99 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:30
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Thanks for the congrats, same for you. Should be interesting if both of us can find what we need without overpaying in PCT. Impey/Augustyn should be interesting, with only one leaving.
Best of luck once again, you definitely deserved to promote. |
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| roturn |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:31
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I don`t think you are speaking about my Van Heerden.
Though he`s definitely leaving my team as free agent and would like to become part of all those African teams recently. |
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 17-02-2014 13:38
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Ah, that's great to hear. My favourite team in the whole game, and as Alak said, the HQ is enough to justify the promotion!
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 18:11
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@Alakagom: Thanks! I'll see you at quite a few races next season
@Admir: Thanks - holding thumbs to see you at a few races next season
@FroomeDog: As I said before, we're going to have to have some serious chats about transfers. Otherwise we'll both be doomed Tbh, I want Augustyn and Impey, but I'll be happy just with one. But we should be able to fill decent teams between us - there's Samwel, Augustyn, Impey, van Heerden, Hoffman, Craven, Grmay and Teklehaimanot to name a few. Hopefully SN added some over-powered FAs to the db 
@Roturn: I meant Juan, but Christoff is also a target. Can't have too many South Africans
@Dippofix: Thanks. Hopefully we'll see you in action!
Edited by aidanvn13 on 17-02-2014 18:11
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| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 17-02-2014 18:17
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aidanvn13 wrote:
Samwel, Teklehaimanot to name a few.
Hey, some serious assumptions of availability there Kudus to whoever does well in the African market
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 18:18
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SportingNonsense wrote:
aidanvn13 wrote:
Samwel, Teklehaimanot to name a few.
Hey, some serious assumptions of availability there Kudus to whoever does well in the African market
Some serious assumptions indeed - but then again - everyone has a price!
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| jph27 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 18:19
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SportingNonsense wrote:
aidanvn13 wrote:
Samwel, Teklehaimanot to name a few.
Hey, some serious assumptions of availability there Kudus to whoever does well in the African market
Nah, Kudus is coming to Sri Lanka if his stats are as I expect. |
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| aidanvn13 |
Posted on 17-02-2014 20:47
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 | Win: Tasol Tour to the Sun | (10th and 11th) |
We never signed the climbing leader we had hoped to and instead encountered a very high-powered startlist at a 2-day mountain stage race in Lesotho.
 | Top 5: Nelspruit Classic | (21st) |
After a typical newbie mistake, we selected a tough C1 race without having a leader capable of performing and reaching our objective.
 | Top 5: Kwita Izina | (12th) |
Niyonshuti cracked under the pressure of his home-tour and didn't manage a good result. However, it must be said that PCM12 was partly to blame with poor AI.
 | Top 5: Tour d'Algerie | (2nd) |
Our very first race also included our very first goal. Rodas came away with the stage win on the final stage and finished 2nd overall (missing out due to bonus seconds). This race was probably one of the team's most memorable highlights!
 | Top 5: Africa Tour | (13th) |
Unfortunately I made another newbie mistake of thinking that CT and PCT had 2 different ranking tables. This was quite a flaw in my planning. As a matter of interest - we were the 3rd best CT team!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-02-2014 20:53
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Wow i thought you did better with goals than that! Unlucky but i'm certain 2014 will be better in that aspect
(better than me though)
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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)
