"Eastern Riders will join the team in the transfer window" were the words to come out of the mouth of the team manager during a recent teleconference with journalists. When asked what he meant by "Eastern" the manager pointed due South with a rather serious look on his face. It being a teleconference, the journalists took this awkward silence as a sign of intransigence.
Rumors spread nevertheless, although in light of recent belligerence towards the Meiji team none of the rumors are very new.
An uncharacteristically sober manager of California Giant gave a press conference to announce the signing of a pre-contract with a major international company.
The team's manager then pulled a red party cup from under the table and began drinking. Perhaps the liquid inside could shed light on the identity of the sponsor. After 45 minutes and a similar number of red cups, the slurred ramblings of the manager would also provide some clue.
"We keep hearing from other teamssssss that they are disssappointed with their riders" *hic "and given the team's recent successsss" *hic "we will be looking to buy all them disspointss" *hic "and perhaps even bring back Proxixiums Leopard print."
What sounded like gibberish was next to come from our fearless managers mouth. He then apologized, saying that he had hoped that alcohol would have made it easier to pronounce the names of Belgian and Dutch riders.
With three races to go in the season it's time to take a look at what's on tap.
British Invasion
One of our major movers and shakers will finish his season with the team at the Tour of Britain. Samuel Sanchez won the Vuelta a Mallorca, and is currently sitting on 408 points. He will be supported by the unflappable Pieter Ghyllebert, who has had a busy season. Luis Pasamontes earned a solid 12th overall in Britain last season, but he is a year grayer and is here is service to Sanchez. Frischkorn, King, Zirbel, Jacques-Maynes and Rejnen round out the lineup. Given the lack of sprinters in the team we can expect an aggressive performance, with Sanchez being among the pre-race favorites. Three hilly stages in the middle of the race should present an opportunity for Sanchez to show his stuff.
The Champ as my Sheppard
Taylor Tolleson has had an outstanding season, pulling out three stage wins. He is durable enough to be a factor in most races and the US champion will be expected to show his class at the Circuit de Franco-Belge. Haedo will lead the team hoping for a dramatic improvement over last years' miserable result of 14th. With Tolleson at his side we have reason to hope. Ghyllebert, Pasamontes, Frischkorn, Jacques-Maynes, King and Reijnen are holdovers from Britain in the last HC race of the season for the team.
A Slovenian Down Under
Kristjan Koren will lead the team in the final race of the season. With a hilly stage and a short TT, he should have a decent shot at a good result. Sinner will hope to capitalize on the flat stages. Pasamontes, Jacques-Maynes, King and Reijnen will make the flight, along with Steven Cozza, who will be looking to score a point, being the only rider yet to score this season.
In the u23 world time trial championships, young American protege Ryan Eastman set the fastest time over 41 kilometers.
Teammate Brandt also landed in the top ten, with 7th.
Brandt and Weiss competed in the u23 Road Race, with Brandt recording a 10th place finish.
Kristjan Koren recorded a solid 19th in the elite TT.
Kristjan Koren wrapped up an overall win in Australia in the team's last race of the season. The team also took the team competition and one stage podium, the 2nd place finish by Koren in the TT. With this result the team's points total arrives at 3786, which will be enough to ensure promotion to the Pro Tour with a 5th overall finish in the table. Tom Zirbel won the Tour of Turkey and took 3rd at Bayern Rundfhart, killing two goal birds with one stone. The team wrapped up a 4th place finish in the America's tour. Combined with our overall finish, 4 of our 5 team goals were completed.
In addition, Thomas Peterson finished third in the Tour of Colorado, Ryan Eastman recorded a 6th place finish at the Tour de San Luis, Peter Stetina finished 5th overall at Langkawi, and Samuel Sanchez finished 3rd overall at the Tour de Boland. These were races singled out ahead of the season as important to the sponsors. Cha ching.
Edited by Levi4life on 08-10-2012 21:32
A few of the deats from the management's shopping list have been leaked to the press. The email which was leaked is below.
From:
Yo numnuts, leak this to the press. We want to create discord in other team camps so that we can take advantage of them.
From:
The team currently know as California Giant Berry Farms Presented by Specialized is set to pursue riders of the following quality in the coming silly season.
1 rider capable of finishing in the top 5 of Paris-Roubaix, Gent Wevelgem, and that other one.
1 rider to replace Pozzato
1 rider who can actually sprint
From:
mkay, done.
From:
NOOOOOO, not the whole email conversation...
Think not of what your team can do for you
Next is a plea to the riders who will be retained. You will be made redundant should your wage demands put the team's future in the highest echelon at risk. The team is said to be ready to cut another check to Sammy Sanchez, however the Spaniard will have to lower his salary expectations significantly to retain a spot. Kristjan Koren, unable to deliver a stage win all season, will also be expected to take a pay cut. All eyes, however, are trained on the returning Filippo Pozzato. Fresh off a season on loan at Festina, Pozzato has been paid more for his reputation than his results. His age, and inability to be top class at any one aspect of the sport are factors that very much in the minds of leadership. Management has set a threshold for the pre-silly season wage cap, and any rider compromising the team's ability to attract more top talent will face the chop. As it is, the team is not a Pro-Tour team. However there is a solid foundation set.
I might be able to help with a cobbled leader... Maes is possibky looking for a return to the PT and has an 8th place at Roubaix under his belt.
Edited by CountArach on 08-10-2012 00:10
Recent reports surfaced indicating that management of California Giant Berry Farms-Specialized are looking to bring on a Schleck, with Andy being the most likely brother. Management dismissed the reports as ridiculous. When asked a second time, by a different reporter, the same source responded, "Something like that."
More straightforward remarks were made about a different rider. When Gerald Ciolek's name was mentioned, a team representative responded that a rider of his quality would be welcome in the team.
