It was previously thought that South African TT champion, James Lewis Perry, would be moving on this season; supposedly heading for new SAR CT team, MTN - World Bike Relief. However, a leaked image of a national champions jersey may suggest that Perry will be re-signed by the team. The image is below.
(In truth, I don't know whether to sign him or not, but I just LOVE the SAR NC jersey, so felt like making one )
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Bjartne wrote:
Nice jersey mate, really liked it! You have put your own style to what reminds me of Robbie Hunters Garmin-jersey
Thanks It is meant to be like Hunters Garmin jersey, their new take on the SAR champion was far better than the old two stripes that was used. Very stylish looking now, and I just wanted to have one in my set of airBaltic kits
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aidanvn13 wrote:
Daaaammnn, that's a nice jersey. The new version of SA jerseys are way better. It's more obvious that it's South African than the 2 stripes.
I must say however, I still want him to be with my team
It's silly, I know I should let him go as he doesn't fit the team any more, but that jersey is just too pretty ;-;
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Estonian Champ joins Baltic venture.
Beyer and Perry head for new pastures.
It's news both positive, and sad. Beginning with the good news, airBaltic have managed to secure the services of the reigning Estonian national champion, Gert Rajala.
Rajala in action at the combined Baltic/Finnic championships.
The climbing domestique showed a batting performance to take the title away from our own Rene Mandri. He will be key to helping the team out when the road goes up, and his national champions jersey will help spread the teams fame throughout Estonia and the baltics.
Now, for the less joyful news, as two of the team make their departure.
Firstly, Chad Beyer; the young American was traded in a deal with Sram - Ribboxx, in order to secure Rajala's services. However, he is looking forward to riding with the American outfit, and the move should provide a new lease of life for his career.
In a similar situation is South African TT champion, James Lewis Perry. The veteran rider served the team loyally last season, and rounded off a good year by securing a successive TT national title.
Perry on his way to national glory.
Perry is excited by the move, which sees him return home to South Africa, as he joins the MTN - World Bicycle Relief project, which looks to be a very strong project for the development and growth of African cycling. Perry is looking forward to the opportunity to help teach and mentor the younger riders from the nation, and schooling them on what it is like to race in Europe and the rest of the world.
To both Perry and Beyer, we thank them for a services and wish them both the best of luck for the future.
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Two latvians and a lithuanian become the first to join our team from the free agency.
Indulish Bekmanis, from Latvia, will be donning the airBaltic jersey for the coming season. Still young, he has plenty of space to grow and develop into a strong rider. For the coming season, he will act as a domestique, as he learns the ways of the peloton from the team's older members.
airBaltic - Endura believe Bekmanis has the potential to win in the future.
Another latvian youngster, Andris Vosekalns has a very bright future ahead of him.
A future star for the team.
Team scouts believe he has what it takes to make it at the highest level, and he will have plenty of time to develop under the team's banner.
The final of the three joining is lithuanian Paulius Siskevicius. Like the two before, he has plenty of growth potential, and will, in time, be a very valuable member of any team. All three riders are part of a plan that will make airBaltic - Endura a very competitive team in the future.
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I'm sure we both wanted the pair I think this worked out best for both of us, though. Depending on how bids go, and if you have wage cap space, he may be available for loan
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Teams biggest signing as Cavendish joins airBaltic - Endura
Management have just confirmed their leader for the coming season, in British sprinting legend, Mark Cavendish. The manx missile was contested hotly by the part-british outfit, and ProTour team, Simply Red Bull, before accepting a contract as team leader with Endura.
When asked about the move, Cavendish said he was most excited about not having to wear leopard print any more.
Cavendish taking a stage win in the Tour of the Czech Republic.
Cavendish will spearhead what is already a formidable sprinting team, comprised of Briggs, Docker and Vaitkus. It is also believed that another young brit is on his way into the fold to act as Cavendish's final lead-out, though this is yet to be confirmed.
Vaitkus, amongst others was thrilled by the move. The two had battled one another in the previous season in the Tour of the Czech Republic, and Vaitkus could only praise Cavendish's skill. 'He will be another great addition, and should bring some top-class victories', he said when asked about the move.
This move confirms belief that the team are targeting sprint classics and stage wins in the coming season; where Cavendish and co will likely face off against the likes of Napolitano and Vantomme.
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January came and passed pretty swiftly, and soon all the stresses and strains of the preseason build up came to an end, and were pretty soon forgotten, as the responsibility for the season passed from manager to riders. All three divisions of professional cycling kicked off on one day, with China, Cuba and Australia hosting the seasons debut events.
Down Under Classic
Team Line-up:
Tomas Vaitkus
Mark Cavendish
Mitch Docker
Matt Rowe
Ermin Van Wyk
Graham Briggs
Dylan Van Baarle
Evan Oliphant
airBaltic - Endura were pleased to be on the startline of the opening ProContinental race of the season, the Down Under Classic. The race was the team's first race ever, just a year ago, and it proved one of the season's highlights, with team superstar Tomas Vaitkus grabbing fourth place. This season, he was joined by the Manxmissile, Mark Cavendish, plus Matt Rowe and local champion Mitch Docker.
However, with a startlist including Alan Davis, Danillo Napolitano and Andre Greipel, the Down Under Classic was always going to be a tough race.
The team battled hard, but were unfortunately unable to grab the top 5 position we were aiming for, with Vaitkus being our best placed man in 6th. However, Cavendish and Rowe followed in for 9th and 10th, respectively, making our overall points haul for the race very respectable.
Some of the team were lucky to stay in Australia for the fan favourite, Tour Down Under. Last season, Docker led the team, and took an impressive top 10 finish. However, this year's parcour is somewhat tougher, favouring punchy climbers. Richardson, then, was on hand to try and get over the tougher roads with the best in the business, whilst Docker would be hunting stage wins.
As current Australian national champion, Docker was a huge hit with the fans, and most of hist moments off the bike were spent signing posters, jerseys, and the occasional exposed breast. However, his time on the bike was spent battling for stage wins, coming close several times, with a fourth place on stage 1 and then coming second place on stage 4. His star moment came on the final stage, when the team's hard work paid off, and Docker grabbed the stage win, opening the teams race win account.
As for the overall, Alex Dowsett's dominant performance on the queen stage was enough for the Brit to secure the overall TDU race win. Richardson was the team's top placed rider, in a disappointing 26th place.
Stage Winners
Stage 1
Francesco Gavazzi
Team UPC - Boehringer-Ingelheim
Stage 2
Aleksandr Efimkin
Cisco Cycling Team
Stage 3
Heinrich Haussler
Sram-Riboxx Cycling Team
Stage 4
Heinrich Haussler
Sram-Riboxx Cycling Team
Stage 5
Alex Dowsett
Jaguar - Eritel
Stage 6
Mitch Docker
airBaltic - Endura
Overall
1
Alex Dowsett
Jaguar - Eritel
18h50'29
2
Aleksandr Efimkin
Cisco Cycling Team
s.t.
3
Francesco Gavazzi
Team UPC - Boehringer-Ingelheim
+ 12
4
Rui Costa
Team CSC-Orbea
+ 16
5
Romain Zingle
Team BPost
+ 28
...
26
Simon Richardson
airBaltic - Endura
+32
113
Dylan Van Baarle
airBaltic - Endura
+23'16
124
Jörgen Matt
airBaltic - Endura
+ 27'38
131
Mitch Docker
airBaltic - Endura
+ 31'09
135
Graham Briggs
airBaltic - Endura
+32'00
136
Dan McLay
airBaltic - Endura
s.t.
141
William Connolly
airBaltic - Endura
+ 37'29
Points
Mountain
Youth
Team
Heinrich Haussler
Adam Hansen
Alex Dowsett
Sram-Riboxx Cycling Team
Each month, we'll pick the best photo of the team for fans to use as a screensaver, or simply to admire.
This month, it simply had to be Mitch Docker, showing off the Australian champion jersey on the final day Down Under.
A quick preview of all the races the team will be competing in during the coming month.
February sees the team racing on three continents, as things continue in Asia, and the racing kicks off in Africa and of course, Europe.
Tour of South China Sea
The team's super sprinters of Cavendish, Vaitkus and Docker will all be in China, in a race that looks to be unpredictable and exciting.
Tour of South Africa
Newly formed African team MTN - World Bicycle Relief have somewhat kickstarted the interest in Africa, and South Africa in particular. This HC rated race will start to shape the pack in terms overall rankings, and our own Ignas Konovalovas hopes to be in the mix of things.
Thuringen Rundfahrt
The first European race for the team, and we hope it will be a good one. Again, Konovalovas leads the team, and the mix of hills and TT miles should suit him perfectly, and we're expecting the same sort of top 10 consistency he provided last season, giving the team a constant, dependable source of points.
We take a trip down memory lane, to see how the team, or a particular rider, were performing in years gone past.
The final stage of Tour Down Under, 2012. Docker was the only man to really challenge overall race winner Alan Davis. Docker was 2nd this day, and of course went one better in 2013 to nab the stage win.
Edited by ANFreeman on 02-03-2013 20:29
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Already a month into the season, and the long winter period seems quite distant. Frantic planning and replanning have all been replaced with the far more dependable turning of pedals, as the management game marches onwards.
Fans of the sport have much to enjoy, as the ProTour in particular tackle France, Italy and Spain's iconic week long tours; meanwhile, the ProContinental tour heads to Africa and indeed Europe, where the racing is certain to heat up to a nice constant simmer, that should keep boiling all season long.
First off though, one last stop in Asia...
Tour of South China Sea
Team line-up:
Mark Cavendish
Tomas Vaitkus
Graham Briggs
Mitch Docker
Dan McLay
Mihkel Räim
Dylan Van Baarle
The third race of the season, and another in Asia, this time in China. Our last visit to China was a profitable one, in the last race as Cyclevox, Rene Mandri took a superb victory. The whole team were hoping that this trip would be just as successful, but with uncertainty regarding the difficulty of the terrain, it was always going to be dubious. Cavendish was intended as team leader, with a strong trio of sprinters to help him get to the line first. However, Napolitano, Vantomme and Cav's former team-mate, Kennaugh, were all at the start line, ensuring that this would be a hotly contested race.
Constant attacking on the undulating course forced us to try new tactics, sending Vaitkus in one of the breaks. It was a risky move, because if he was caught, Cavendish would be a man down in the lead out. If it paid off, however, Vaitkus would be perfectly set for a strong shot at the win.
And that's how it played out.
Kennaugh's team of Vueling Airlines were left alone to do the chase, and without any cooperation between sprinters teams, the break were allowed to go. Vaitkus took the opportunity and successfully outsprinted all opposition to grab the team's 1st race win of the season.
The biggest race on the continent of Africa, and it attracted the attention such a race deserves. With the success of joint British - African team, Rapha Condor Quebekha, now Jaguar - Eritel, cycling in Africa is on the rise, and indeed new south African outfit MTN - World Bicycle Relief have also helped this increase.
Pre-race favourites for the event were possibly Chris Froome (who used to race under a Kenyan license, let's not forget) and Tour Down Under champ, Alex Dowsett, both riding for Jaguar - Eritel, who are looking to make an impact here in Africa. Joining them as favourites, and the third Brit to be considered such, is Jonathan Bellis, now riding for Rothaus - Aegon. Ginanni and Gautier were also hotly considered at the start of the race.
However, it wasn't to be for the puncheurs. Home favourite Nolan Hoffman was able to secure two stage wins on the sprint stages, and then hang on with the best of the climbers throughout the decisive stages, giving the South African an impressive home victory. Konovalovas was present in all the major finishes, but unable to do anything to gain time. He finished the race in 16th overall, just 2 seconds shy of a top 10 finish.
Namibian national champion, Ermin Van Wyk was on hand at the beginning of the race to share his insights regarding the increase popularity of the sport in Africa. "I think it's great," he said. "With several teams supporting the sport in Africa, and giving African riders a chance to prove themselves internationally, it's great for the sport. Being a part of that, too, it just feels great."
Time bonuses proved to be essential to essential in this rather unselective race, as four stage winners make up the top 5 on GC.
The team's first stop in Europe brings us to Germany, for what is a truly testing stage race. Consisting of a Team Time Trial, a Hilly Individual Time Trial, and a couple of testing hilly finishes, Thuringen Rundfahrt is a true test for the stage race specialists of the PCT. Konovalovas therefore leads the team, and is hoping to improve on his South African result. Vaitkus will be going for stage wins on the flatter days.
The TTT proved to be a disappointment for the team, but proved to be a perfect springboard for other teams, such as the two home teams, Rothaus - Aegon and Sram-Riboxx Cycling Team, who took first and second respectively, setting their riders up perfectly for a strong race.
The early stages provided a chance for youngsters Vosekalns, Bekmanis and Van Baarle to test their legs in the breakaways. Great for exposure, and experience.
On the queen stage, it was World Champion who took the win, and the third in succession for Rothaus - Aegon. Konovalovas was able to hold on to the rest comfortably, not losing any time.
However, on the following stages he would try to gain time, with severalimpressive attacks. Unfortunately, it was not to be, but was a real show of guts from the Lithuanian champion. In the end it came down to his time-trialling skills that allowed him to end the race in an impressive 9th place, given the pedigree of the opposition.
In the sprints, Vaitkus was a constant presence, but was unable to grab a stage win, coming at best 2nd place on the final stage of the race.
Each month, we'll pick the best photo of the team for fans to use as a screensaver, or simply to admire.
This month is the moment Vaitkus sprinted away from the rest of the competitors to secure the win in China.
A quick preview of all the races the team will be competing in during the coming month.
Volta ao Algarve
Trent Lowe gets his chance to lead the team as we head to portugal, in a race that will see test the riders against the clock, but also gravity, as three hilly-rated stages look to shake the race up. Mandri and Richardson support him.
Vilnius GP
It's a chance for our young stars to show themselves off, as we head to Lithuania for this C2 rated race. Whilst considered flat by the powers that be, the undulating course and the uphill finish should provide an exciting race all round. Dan McLay leads the team.
Olympias Tour
7 days of pan-flat racing. It had to be the Netherlands, the team's next stop this season. Plenty of opportunities for the sprinters, as Vaitkus, Docker and Rowe all make the start line of this week-long race. Fierce competition is expected from the best sprinters the PCT has to offer, but the race could be decided on day 6, a 12km ITT.
Tour of Sochi
Expect the best puncheurs and chronomen to be at the start line here in Russia, and hoping to get into the mix is of course, Ignas Konovalovas. The race is looking to be decided in a grueling hilltop finish, followed the next day by a testing 45km ITT, where Kono hopes to show off his talent in both disciplines. As ever, he'll be supported by super fighter, Mandri and ever-dependable, Richardson.
Tour of Taiwan
Asia's been good to the team so far this season, and we hope it will continue in Taiwan for this week long race. The very best puncheurs are likely to fight it out on the uphill finishes throughout the week, but our triple threat of Lowe, Kono and Mandri should be enough to land us some nice points, and maintain the teams strong position in the Asia Tour.
e3 Prijs
The final race of the month of March takes the team onto unfamiliar terrain, literally - the Cobbles! We're off to Belgium, where home teams BPost and Nieuwsblad look to do battle for supremacy, unless world champion Boom can cause another upset like last year. Vaitkus and Cavendish lead the team, and they'll be hoping to hold on to the coattails off the best cobblers, and get the jump at the finish.
Edited by ANFreeman on 08-03-2013 11:13
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Onwards we march, into March, the busiest season yet for the team. With races in Europe and Asia, consistency will be key here, as the pack is likely to be shuffled and reshuffled again and again, and a good early start in the rankings could be key to kickstarting the season well. The team begins the month in 18th on the rankings, but only 100 ponts separate us, and 11th place, so it is easy to make huge strides, both up, and down the table.
Interestingly, the team also lead in Asia, thanks to Vaitkus' win in China. However, this may change, as we miss out the Tour of Langkawi.
It's off to the iberian peninsula and Portugal for the first race of the month, and the mix of hilly stages and an ITT should prove positive for Trent Lowe, as he gets his opportunity to prove he's not no. 2 to Konovalovas.
The very best TTers in the division turned out for the race, including Captain America, Dave Z. Him, and the other strong chronomen were hoping to hold on through the tougher stages, and snatch it in strong style with the final TT.
However, that wasn't the case, as on stage 2, strong winds and narrow roads caused the peloton to split on the undulating route. Missing the cut were the likes of Zabriskie, but also Cornu and Boom. Making sure they were in the front group were, thankfully, Lowe, Mandri and Richardson. They weren't merely content with that sticking with the pace though, with both Lowe and Mandri going on the attack during the stage.
The team's strong performance continued on stage 3, where the strong pace of Lowe and Richardson split the peloton at one point. Both, as well as Mandri, finished fairly near the front, to set them up well for the final TT.
The honours of the TT victory went to Dave Z, with Lowe being the best placed of our men on the day, in 15th. However, this was enough to take 9th place on the GC; a very pleasing result for him and the team. Mandri and Richardson suffered from weaker TT performances and finished the race in 19th and 25th respectively.
Overall honours went to Belarusian, Vasil Kiryenka, who was the most consistent throughout.
Special mention goes out to young Estonian, Jörgen Matt, who's performance in the day one break saw him wear the KoM jersey for two days.
A very young team were at the start line in the Lithuanian capital, as the team took a step down and entered this C2 ranked race. Being a Baltic team, many expected a stronger line-up; however, the purpose here was simply to give the team exposure in Lithuania, and to let the Baltic stars of tomorrow show themselves off a little.
The biggest successes of the race day came in the sale of team jerseys, rather than on the road, with a vastly anonymous performance.
Fellow Baltic team Ekspla - Cision managed to secure 2nd place with Latvian Saramontins, with Kappa - ENI's Lasca taking overall glory.
Olympia's Tour
Team line-up:
Tomas Vaitkus
Mitch Docker
Matt Rowe
William Connolly
Graham Briggs
Mihkel Raim
Clerical errors around the team caused some confusion here in the Netherlands - but the focus was instead on the steams fast men, with many favouring the trio of Rowe, Docker and Vaitkus to show themselves off well in the sprints.
However, a few favoured Vaitkus for a potential podium finish, as he combined strong sprinting abilities with a decent timetrial, and looked strong enough to get over the hilly and slightly cobbled finale.
Indeed, Vaitkus got through the opening prologue in a good position - but he was unable to perform in the following sprint stages. The honours instead went to team mate Docker who took the team's second stage of the season on Stage 3.
Rowe also performed well, taking 3rd on this day, as well on the next.
The stars of the weeklong race, however, were Dominique Cornu, who dominated both the prologue and decisive TT, and Maxime Vantomme, who dominated the sprint stages taking 3 wins on his way to 2nd overall.
)
Down Under Classic 
Tomas Vaitkus
Mark Cavendish
Ermin Van Wyk
Dylan Van Baarle
André Greipel
Danilo Napolitano
Anuar Manan
Maxime Vantomme
Jorgen Matt
William Connolly
Francesco Gavazzi
Aleksandr Efimkin
Rui Costa
Tour of South China Sea
Tour of South Africa
Nariyuki Masuda
Kristian Dyrnes
Gilles Heymes
Andris Vosekalns
Vasili Kiryenka
Jiri Hudecek
Carlos Betancourt
Tour of Taiwan 
David Boily
Dave Zabriskie
Kristijan Durasek
Luka Pibernik
Marco Guillen
