Ian Butler wrote:
I haven't followed him yet, so the small recap of past 2 seasons was very helpful, can't wait to see him in action!

PCM rulezz wrote:


me too, will follow from now on

Again, thanks for the positive responses. Everyone who didn't read the last two seasons is of course cordially invited to catch up on that

The recap/presentation of the savegame/season preview continues, however, with the first part of the team presentation. Those who read the last part before my savegame crashed already know it, but it's with PCM12 graphics now so I hope it's worth a read for everyone

4th	Paris - Nice	Stijn Devolder
4th	Ronde van Vlaanderen	Stijn Devolder
5th	Paris - Roubaix	Stijn Devolder
.
Total Wins:	19
Pro Tour:	17.
CQ Ranking:	16.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Skil's one and only goal was to stay in the World Tour which they achieved, so the season can be considered somewhat successful. The big man in the teamw as Stijn Devolder. The Belgian had an amazing spring. The rest of the team has room for improvement, although the sprinters performed well and 19 wins are pretty good.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Argos tackled their main weakness, the climbing squad: With Sprick, Kern and especially Mollema, they signed some very decent riders for the mountains. Langeveld and Martens should be strong additions to Devolder for the classics and compensate Kroon and Zaugg more than well. A very good transfer period for Argos.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Argos has a decent squad on all terrains. Veelers, Van Hummel and Kittel should bring in some sprint wins, Langeveld and Devolder are a force to be reckoned with in the classics, and for the first time, they have good climbers as well - if they can live up to their potential, the team should be save for another year in the World Tour.

Stage Win	Tour de France	Cadel Evans
Stage Win	Tour de France	Taylor Phinney
1st	GP de Montreal	Mauro Santambrogio
.
Total Wins:	7
Pro Tour:	15.
CQ Ranking:	19.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Only Mauro Santambrogio's strong autumn results saved BMC from relegation to Continental Tour. The rest of the team disappointed, despite two stage wins in the Tour. Evans didn't win anything important (except that stage), Quinziato, Ballan and Hincapie were nowhere near the top in the spring classics. And Manuel Cardoso couldn't contribute more than one to the only seven season wins.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: BMC reacted to the bad season and signed two top stage racers in Ivan Basso and Levi Leipheimer. Both had a mediocre season but Basso showed two years ago what he can do: Still in the Liquigas jersey, on the podium of both the Tour de France and La Vuelta. Cadel Evans would be a major loss if he hadn't performed that bad. In general, I'd say the team got a bit stronger.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Ivan Basso and Levi Leipheimer could do well in the stage races, Matthias Frank is a decent climber as well. For the classics, the team is rather strong in terms of depth but lacks of a real top star. BMC has one of the weaker teams and might again have to fight against relegation.

Stage Win	Tour de France	Samuel Dumoulin
Young Riders	Tour de France	Rein Taaramäe
7th	Tour de France	Rein Taaramäe
.
Total Wins:	29
Pro Tour:	22.
CQ Ranking:	10.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis had a dream season. They dominated the continental rankings and only two teams scored more wins over the year. Especially the Tour de France, their home race, has been fantastic: Rein Taaramäe finally had his breakthrough and Samuel Dumoulin scored the important stage win. Consequentally, they got promoted.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis reacted to promotion and signed some very strong riders. For the classics, Björn Leukemans and Greg Van Avermaet will be a strong duo lead. Ardila will support the climbing squad around Moncoutié and Taaramäe. And with Kevyn Ista, only one of the better supporters left.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: For a new World Tour team, Cofidis is pretty strong. I expect some good results especially from Rein Taaramäe and Björn Leukemans. And those results will be needed, since the remaining in World Tour can't be taken for granted.

1st	Vuelta al Pais Vasco	Samuel Sanchez
1st	Clasica San Sebastian	Samuel Sanchez
3rd	Tour de France	Samuel Sanchez
.
Total Wins:	22
Pro Tour:	10.
CQ Ranking:	9.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: We couldn't have expected more from that team. It was once again a one-man-show by Samuel Sanchez, at least in the big races, but Euskaltel managed to achieve all main goals: They won the home races in the Basque Country and two podium spots in the Grand Tours. 22 wins are also very respectable and they were never close to relegation.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Benat Intxausti is an enormous strengthening for the team and Aitor Galdos is a good addition to the weak sprinting fraction. The leaving riders can be compensated by many upcoming talents and established climbers.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sammy Sanchez is still the major rider in this squad but he is supported by several teammates who will also be able to shine. If Sanchez can repeat his performances from 2012 and if Mikael Nieve finally breaks through, Euskaltel once again shouldn't have to worry about relegation. Otherwise, they'll have a really hard time.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With José Rujano and Fabio Duarte, two of the world's strongest climbers unite in this great squad. Supported by Tiago Machado, Robert Kiserlovski and others, they make up one of the best squads for the mountains. But that is also the biggest weakness: The squad is very one-dimensional. They lack of a real top rider in sprinting, cobbling or time trialing. Yet, they should make a big impression and quickly find their place in the World Tour.

1st	Tour Down Under	Franco Pellizotti
3rd	Liège-Bastogne-Liège	Joaquim Rodriguez
3rd	Vuelta a Espana	Joaquim Rodriguez
.
Total Wins:	17
Pro Tour:	5.
CQ Ranking:	4.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: I'm not sure what to say about Katusha's season. On the one hand, they were one of the most consistent teams and had good results in most of the important races. But only good, not great results. The very big wins were missing. The 5th place in the World Tour ranking just cannot be the aspiration for such a squad.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Ivan Basso disappointed with nothing but an 8th place at the Giro. So Katusha decided to replace him with Denis Menchov who did nothing but an 8th place at the Tour de Suisse. Well... Cobo (6th Vuelta) and returnee Kolobnev (3rd MSR) should be good additions, though, while the other leaving riders won't hurt too much.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Once again, Katusha provides one of the strongest and most complete teams. Especially in the classics, they should be prevalent. If nothing else happens, they will again fight for the top places in all rankings.

2nd	Giro d'Italia	Michele Scarponi
2nd	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya	Grega Bole
Stage Win	Vuelta a Espana	Vitaliy Buts
.
Total Wins:	12
Pro Tour:	13.
CQ Ranking:	13.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: A very bad season for Lampre is only saved by Michele Scarponi's second spot in the Giro, behind an overwhelming Vincenzo Nibali. Apart from that, there wasn't much. The placements in the rankings reflect that.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Andre Greipel is a major signing and, along with Andrea Guardini, will strengthen the sprinting squad of Lampre. They easily make up for Bennati's leaving. Marko Kump is one of the biggest cobbled talents and compensates Grega Bole. All in all, the team got stronger over the winter.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Michele Scarponi is a top-notch stage racer and with Kump and Greipel, they have strong riders for the sprints and the cobbled classics. But the team really lacks of strength in terms of depth which is why I suppose we will again see them in the mid-table of the rankings.

1st	Ronde van Vlaanderen	. Fabian Cancellara
2nd	Paris - Roubaix	.Fabian Cancellara
1st	Tour de Pologne	Igor Anton
.
Total Wins:	24
Pro Tour:	2.
CQ Ranking:	2.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After a really bad first season, the second year of existence was better for Leopard. Fabian Cancellara finally achieved that very big win in Vlaanderen and along with Sylvain Chavanel, they were prevalent in the cobbled classics. Andy Schleck also had a good week in the Ardennes. Then again, the Grand Tours weren't as good. Though a fifth and a sixth place in France and a fifth place in Spain are respectable, it didn't totally match their expectations. Also, Frank Schleck was nowhere to be seen during the whole year.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sylvain Chavanel and Igor Anton were responsible for a major part of the team's success. Now they leave to become absolute leaders in other teams. Vansummeren and Hermanns are only small replacements and won't be able to bring in as good results as the former.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Although the team got weaker, Leopard still has one of the best squads. If the Schleck brothers finally outperform and Cancellara repeats his performances, they will be among the top teams of 2013 again.

Miguel98 wrote:
But who designed the shirt? Was that fcancellara?

Again, thanks a lot for the nice and flattering comments

Of course it was fcancellara who designed the Ferrari jersey. I found it in the shirt database and like it a lot. The team should be able to present it on multiple occasions

@valverde321: I did most of the transfers myself this period, and I think I did well. There are some very nice team compositions About Sella, that's the beauty of random potential. Someone like Cyril Bessy can evolve into a world class puncheur and someone like Sella can decrease rapidly at an early age.

Here's part two of the presentation:

1st	Amstel Gold Race	Philippe Gilbert
1st	La Flèche Wallonne	Philippe Gilbert
1st	Liège - Bastogne - Liège	Philippe Gilbert
.
Total Wins:	21
Pro Tour:	3.
CQ Ranking:	5.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Once again, Philippe Gilbert was the outstanding man of the team. With his wins in Paris - Nice and of course in the Ardennes, he was responsible for the team's biggest results. But in contrary to last year, his team mates could bring in lots of good results over the whole season as well, above all Nick Nuyens and Jelle Vanendert. The big disappointment was once again Jurgen Vandenbroeck, nevertheless it was a good season for Lotto.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Not much movement here. Andre Greipel would be a big loss, but he didn't bring in many results so that doesn't hit the team too hard. Also, with Yauheni Hutarovich, there is a decent replacement for him.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Philippe Gilbert is still one of the best riders in the whole peloton. Along with Nick Nuyens, Lotto should be very present in the classics. And if Jurgen Van den Broeck and Steven Kruijswijk finally start to shine in the stage races, it should be another great season for the team.

1st	Tour de France	Alberto Contador
1st	Tour de Suisse	Alberto Contador
1st	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya	Ivan Gutierrez
.
Total Wins:	29
Pro Tour:	4.
CQ Ranking:	3.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: 2013 was a very good year for Movistar. Alberto Contador and Ezequiel Mosquera were very good in the Grand Tours (the Tour de France win of course outshines everything else). Rojas brought in lots of wins and contributed to the great number of 29 victories. With such a strong team, though, there is still more possible.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Giovanni Visconti developed into one of the best puncheurs of the world and has now the possibility to show that in a world tour team. With Ventoso, they strengthened their sprinting squad and David Blanco will be a good supporter. All that compensates the loss of Intxausti more than well.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: In terms of climbing, Movistar is probably the best team in the peloton. They have two strong sprinters, and with Visconti finally a leader for the hilly classics. Not to forget the best stage racer of the world, Alberto Contador. I think, we can expect big things from this squad.

1st	Milano - San Remo	Tom Boonen
1st	Paris - Roubaix	Tom Boonen
2nd	Ronde van Vlaanderen	Tom Boonen
.
Total Wins:	21
Pro Tour:	8.
CQ Ranking:	11.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Tom Boonen had a fantastic season, especially in the spring. The rest of the team didn't perform too well but achieved at least some decent results. In general, the team found itself in the mid-table of the rankings but Boonen's extraordinary spring still makes it a good season for QuickStep.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The core of the squad stayed together, only a few minor riders had to go. On the other hand, it's also only some supporters who were signed.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: QuickStep has a very balanced team with strong sprinters and good riders for the classics. De Weert, Cataldo or Seeldraeyers might be able to score some results in the stage races, but except for Tom Boonen, no rider is expected to win in a bigger race. Still, I expect QuickStep to have another decent season.

3rd	Milano - San Remo	Alexandr Kolobnev
2nd	Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco	Luis Leon Sanchez
4th	Tour de France	Robert Gesink
.
Total Wins:	16
Pro Tour:	7.
CQ Ranking:	8.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Just like last year, Rabobank was a constant team, present in most races, but without the very big win. A crash on the last stage kicked Robert Gesink from his first GT podium in the Tour de France. In contrary to most of the other teams, a high diversity of riders was responsible for the results, but the results itself weren't good enough for more than an average season.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Kolobnev and Martens were pretty successful last year and Bauke Mollema is a big loss as well. Returnees Boom and Kelderman can't compensate that.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Rabobank has one of the most balanced teams. Gesink for the GTs, Breschel for the cobbled classics, Dekker, Barredo and LL Sanchez for the one-week races and Boom for the sprints. Though a big win would be a surprise, we can expect to see Rabobank at least close to the top in many, many races again this year.

4th	Criterium du Dauphine	John Gadret
1st	Vuelta a Mallorca	Jonathan Hivert
1st	Etoile de Besseges	Jeremie Galland
.
Total Wins:	22
Pro Tour:	24.
CQ Ranking:	18.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The season was of course extremely successful, since it ended with the promotion to world tour - which also shows, by the way, how wrong my predictions can be. I said that promotion was almost completely out of reach for them at the beginning of last year.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the promotion was safe, the sponsors decided to increase the budget drastically. With Sylvain Chavanel, they signed the best French rider of last year, Cyril Bessy developed into a great puncheur and Pierre Rolland is probably France's biggest climbing prospect. William Bonnet is also a decent replacement for Jimmy Casper.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Saur is the only team that relies completely on one nationality. They made up some kind of French All-Star Team, but their possibilities will be narrowed. If Chavanel is able to repeat his amazing spring and if the others go to their limits, they should be safe for another World Tour year. Otherwise, it'll be a tough fight.

4th	Paris – Roubaix	Heinrich Haussler
5th	Giro d'Italia	Michael Rogers
2nd	Tour de France	Bradley Wiggins
.
Total Wins:	15
Pro Tour:	6.
CQ Ranking:	7.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sky had a very decent season. Heinrich Haussler had a solid spring, Michael Rogers and Bradley Wiggins exceeded their limits during the Giro and the Tour, Boasson Hagen, Thomas and Flecha scored some good results in the autumn.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The leaving of Heinrich Haussler hits the team hard. With Ben Swift and Chris Sutton, two other fast men go as well. While Matthew Goss is a good signing, he can't completely replace them. Valls and Henao add some depth and talent for the mountains.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Once again, Sky provides a very diverse squad with strong riders on all terrains. But to compete for one of the top spots in the rankings, I think they aren't strong enough. Nevertheless, the team will give everything to compete over the whole season and we should see them up in front several times.

4 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Tyler Farrar
Points Jersey	Tour de France	Tyler Farrar
5th	Milano - San Remo	Thor Hushovd
.
Total Wins:	18
Pro Tour:	14.
CQ Ranking:	14.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Garmin had one highlight: The Tour de France. Tyler Farrar exceeded the expectations winning four stages and the green jersey, beating Mark Cavendish. The rest of the season was rather weak: Thor Hushovd had, especially compared to the year before, a bad spring, and in the Grand Tours overall, they were nowhere to be seen.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Christian Vande Velde declined a lot and his leaving doesn't hurt. But Johan Vansummeren was an important helper for the cobbled classics. But the signings of Matthew Lloyd, a strong puncheur, and Graeme Brown strengthen the team quite a bit.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Thor Hushovd needs to improve a lot and Matthew Lloyd should score some results as well for Garmin to make for a good season. Otherwise, it could again be a tough year, since there is still no rider who might achieve a top result in the stage races.

1st	Criterium du Dauphinee	Andreas Klöden
1st	Eneco Tour	Tony Martin
3 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Mark Cavendish
.
Total Wins:	30
Pro Tour:	11.
CQ Ranking:	6.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: T-Mobile had a great returning year. Tony Martin and Andreas Klöden scored some great results, only Liquigas had more wins and a sixth place in the CQ Ranking is fantastic. The only drop of bitterness is that Mark Cavendish, despite three stage wins, couldn't win the points jersey at the Tour de France.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Not much movement here. Gerald Ciolek leaves but he is more than well replaced by Aussie Simon Gerrans, who joins from GreenEdge to be the leader for the hilly classics.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The team got stronger, mostly from the inside, through the personal development of the riders. Especially for the one-week stage races, they have a good squad, and Mark Cavendish is still one of the two fastest men in the peloton. Simon Gerrans is a good addition for the hilly classics. All in all, we can expect the team to be in the upper mid-table next year.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With Alejandro Valverde and Igor Anton, the Vodafone - Santander has an amazing duo lead. Add to that Nicolas Roche and you can expect them to shine throughout the whole season. They have some strong men as well, especially Ben Swift and Gerald Ciolek, and some nice prospects, above all Pete Kennaugh. I think it's a great addition to the world of cycling.