AG2R La Mondiale
“
Wait, you kept hold of Betancur...?!”
There must be something wrong with the system when a team gets relegated from the World Tour but can still hold on to one of the best punchy climbers in the world. Either that or everyone forgot about him because in real life he likes pies more than life itself. Had I been in charge there is no doubt I would have let Betancur go and got in a replacement, ideally a French rider. But then again, I'm not in charge, so who cares?
With Betancur still there though, I'm afraid the manager is under serious pressure. Anything but an instant return to the World Tour will be an embarrassment. Bardet, Peraud, Gadret and Riblon can get some great results of their own too, while the signing of Markus gives them an actual sprinter that isn't a Belarussian lump. Their classics team is relatively poor and their EPIC riders are nothing to shout about but this squad is too good for an extended stay at this level.
Main Signing: Barry Markus
Leaders: Betancur, Bardet, Markus, Peraud, Chainel
Pros: Actual Carlos Betancur in the CT. Pure ownage.
Cons: Nothing at all for Time Trials. Peraud and Gadret are about 52 years old.
Predicted CT Final Position: 1st
Androni Giocattoli
“
All Hail Delfi, our Lord and Saviour”
Teams at this level understand the importance of EPIC riders because they're allowed bloody tons of 'em. Like seriously, how many OP foreigners does it take to get promotion? Anyway, when Androni's manager heard the 'great' Delfi Cervero was available, he got far too excited and made a mess on the contract document. And that is why it's called a sticky situation.
They also turned to the ancient old fart Ivan Basso, who was beyond awful last year so good luck Androni. Kawasaki is nowhere near as good as Calzone with his complete inability to climb but their climbing department is much improved. Sylvain Lipawsky (or is it Sylvian, nobody seems to know) is a top climber with the general TT allergy that a lot of EPIC riders have. Ignoring the bizarre signings of Roulston, Al-Mohney, Taaramae and Van Baarle, it was a good transfer season for Androni and they should be there or thereabouts come October.
Especially if Lord Delfi bothers this year.
Main Signing: Delfi Cervero
Leaders: Cervero, Kawasaki, Lipawsky, Basso (lol)
Pros: An incredibly strong core of climbers will make them a real threat in most CT races.
Cons: Their sprinters make Graeme Brown look like a mountain goat. And Basso.
Predicted CT Final Position: 4th
Bardiani Valvole
“
What do you mean? We have to go over mountains?!”
Well, well, well. It appears our favourite Hobbit has finally lost it. At some point over Christmas and New Year, he actually sat down on his own in a quiet place and thought “You know what, I don't need all of these silly climbers and puncheurs. Sprinting is the future”. So he went and did that by signing sprinters. And more sprinters. And then some more. And just when you thought he'd finished, he signed another one – the missing piece in his train, he said.
Don't expect anything from the boys in green in the uphill stuff. Poor old Balloni has his work cut out for the GC in the Giro and in the hills, who knows? But if they get lucky with their race selections, they could win lots of sprints at the lower level, which could get them into promotion contention. Sadly, they're still not the best sprinting team in the CT so it was all for nothing.
Main Signing: Elia Viviani
Leaders: Viviani, Brookes, Modolo, Colbrelli
Pros: Their entire team is one long sprint train, so they're bound to have someone left to sprint at the end
Cons: Erm, everything that isn't a flat stage
Predicted CT Final Position: 7th
CCC Polsat
“
Pick 'n' Mix”
Some teams go into the transfer season looking for a specific type of rider (see above) or a specific nationality of rider (which you'll see later). Some managers aren't fussy though and will take just about anything to improve their terrible squad. And on that count, CCC had the best transfer season. This team last season consisted of a 57 year old dopehead and a bunch of Poles nobody saw. Now they actually have a purpose and some good names to cheer for.
Despite having their star man Honkisz poached by Sky (WHAT THE ACTUAL FUCK?!?!), they managed to replace him with some great, young sprinting talent in Trentin and Sinkeldam. If the manager gets their race program right, they could pick up some solid points, especially Trentin, who is very good all-around for this level. Sadly, they still don't possess the high-end quality to sustain any sort of promotion challenge but there's no doubt the squad has massively improved. Di Silvestro and Nokkvason could have big seasons but their battle will be at the lower end of the CT.
Main Signing: Matteo Trentin
Leaders: Trentin, Sinkeldam, Nokkvason, Schneider
Pros: Much improved from last year and can challenge on all terrains
Cons: Still no top class leader and a lot of riders with significant weaknesses
Predicted CT Final Position: 14th (of the managed teams)
Caja Rural
“
More Colombian than Colombia”
Let's face it: this team could not get any worse. After finishing behind Novo Nordisk last year, their new manager came in with absolutely no pressure, the complete opposite of AG2R. Then when he pulled out arguably the best rider possible from the draft, his job got even better. However, whilst it's a gargantuan improvement on last year before the season's even started, don't put any money on them getting promoted.
Arredondo has some stiff competition even at this level and while fellow Colombian Alarcon is a magnificent mountain climber, his other stats leave a lot to be desired. Young Portuguese sprinter Martinez Machado has been talking himself up but is not good enough on the flat to challenge in anything but the easiest races. But with their core of good climbers and mainly Spanish-speaking riders, they're an easy team to like.
Main Signing: Julian Arredondo
Leaders: Arredondo, Martinez Machado, Alarcon
Pros: Some good climbing strength.
Cons: No depth. The top three are a long way ahead of the rest.
Predicted CT Final Position: 12th
