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[PCT] Boeing-Bulgaria Bicycling 2014
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 02-03-2014 13:33
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World Champion
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Mohoric? Well good luck, we will meet for sure. 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 03-03-2014 20:06
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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As a team we would like to officially withdraw all of our previous comments surrounding rides and the upcoming transfer period. Following recent discussions we fell that many of those comments could have influenced other manages planning or thinking in relation to the transfer period. It has been brought to our attention that such action falls into a questionable area, and as such we have opted to play it safe. We have not been able to find all of our comments regarding riders and transfers at this time, but efforts to remove them will be ongoing.
As of this moment the future contract status of all Boeing-Bulgaria Bicycling riders is unknown. No rider is guaranteed a contract, but neither is any rider guaranteed to leave the squad. We are also going through a process of re-planning our transfer goals and hence none of our previous stated interests are valid. The chances are that some of those previous declarations will make it into this new planning however we are not at liberty to suggest who. The same goes with our current roster, in that some of previously leaving riders might now remain with the squad for 2014, but we cannot say whom.
If you bring any news or rumor to us we will deny the comment as default. Any information involving any of our riders, or our interests in other teams riders, will be equally denied by default.
We may or may not see you in the forth coming transfer season. My you all enjoy or dislike the coming period.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 05-03-2014 17:09
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With Renewals about to take place, news is emanating from the Boeing-Bulgaria HQ of some significant late changes! A couple of previously safe riders may be axed while another previously axed rider could now be safe! It's late in the day but it seems that the scouts are really being listened to in Seattle.
Rob Britton, one of only three riders from North America, has been viewed as a key sponsor rider this season. However with new local talents emerging the Saskatchewan native might not make the cut! Rob is a low level climber and his wage should buy in better, more sponsor pleasing, talent this transfer period.
Pavlin Balinski, part of the key Bulgarian core, has been viewed as a key sponsor rider this season. However with a number of new Bulgarian riders being discovered by the scouts he is now on the bubble. He is still one of the better sprinters and it will be all about his future abilities if he is to stay.
Ahmed Ahmed, part of the key Bulgarain core, has been viewed as a key sponsor rider this season. However with a number of new Bulgarian riders being discovered by the scouts he is now on the bubble. He is still one of the better time trialists and it will be all about his future abilities if he is to stay.
JTL, one of two UK riders, has been a strong domestique and breakaway man this season. However he is not important to the sponsors and they feel a more local rider can be sourced for the same wage. Previously right on the edge of the bubble that position is changing following some outside interests.
Francesco Chicchi, one of two Italians, was the teams lead sprinter this year. The aging Italian is not as good as he was in the past but still looks to pack a serious punch. In a deep sprinter market a bargain can be found, however with little focus on the flat in the team he could now be saved from the axe.
Mihaylov, Gyurov, Hristov, Georgiev, Aleksiev, Stoenchev, Grashev, Colorado, Bustamante, Thomas, Sparling and Routely will all be renewed. However Colorado and Bustamante are transfer listed and should be of interest to a number of teams.
Bucciero and Bakari are still being released straight up.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 07-03-2014 18:03
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 11-03-2014 08:50
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First calendar draft now posted. Includes all the HC races we'll be attending, plus three other races some of our riders will be racing. Will be updated in the future of course. Goals are highlighted in Blue, with the three of them coming straight after each other making April and May key months for the team
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-03-2014 10:59
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Tour de France Champion
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The Great Big Transfer Post
With Renewals complete, the new DB coming today, and Transfer starting either tomorrow of Friday we now feel more comfortable entering back into the wider transfer chat and discussion. He we'll go through the outcome from renewals, although there are pretty much zero surprises. Then we'll take a bit of a look at how our transfer planning has evolved and confirm some of the names on our lists.
Renewals
 | Geraint Thomas | CB79/SP74 | £170,000 | Unavailable |  | Martin Grashev | CB75/MO72 | £60,000 | Unavailable | | Spas Gyurov | TT73/CB70 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Georgi Georgiev | MO74/HL70 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Aleksandr Aleksiev | HL69/MO67 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Valentin Stoenchev | TT67 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Nikolay Mihaylov | TT74/SP70 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Stefan Hristov | CB73 | £50,000 | Unavailable |  | Will Routely | HL74/CB70 | £50,000 | Unavailable | | Jamie Sparling | CB74/FTR78 | £50,000 | Unavailable |  | Francesco Chicchi | SP77/AC76 | £50,000 | Available |  | Edwin Parra Bustamante | MO76/TT70 | £60,000 | Available | | Francisco Colorado | MO75/HL68 | £50,000 | Available | | | | | | | JTL | HL71/MO68 | £0 | Released | | Ahmed Ahmed | TT73/FL70 | £0 | Released |  | Amadou Bakari | CB81 | £0 | Released | | Antonio Bucciero | SP71/CB70 | £0 | Released | | Pavlin Balinski | SP71/FTR71 | £0 | Released | | Rob Britton | MO70/TT70 | £0 | Released |
So Geraint has the biggest wage. Initial negotiations were ambitious from both sides, but in the end an agreement was reached. Despite not winning at all in 2013 he takes only a small cut as we all understand his importance to the team.
Behind him only Grashev and Parra Bustamante are above £50,000 and even then only just. Grashev is key cobbled support so we value him around that wage. Parra Bustamante might not bag serious results but his ability is above that wage band.
Chicchi also remains! With the majority of stages ending in sprints we will need some sort of sprinter this season. He's declining, but only a little. And for £50,000 it's a worthy investment. However he is transfer listed as we have eyes on some other sprinters. If he is to go we would need enough in return to be fairly certain of getting a replacement.
Parra Bustamante and Colorado are up for transfer. We anticipate much interest from the wave of new American teams and are happy to sell them both. We welcome any interest as we do not want to keep either of them and both will be leaving the squad.
Transfers
As a result of these cuts, and the release of 6 riders, our wage budget has been drastically slashed. We will have significant funding, more than our entire budget from 2013, to push into the Free-Agent market. Our overall budget is lower hence the focus on FA's. We will need at least 6 more riders, and will look for around 10 new additions.
Top of that list, unsurprisingly, is Petar Panayotov. The former National champion is marked as our climbing leader as we are very keen on bagging his signature.
Dombrowski is also high on our list. The USA NC is going to garner huge interest so is is doubt-able whether he will be in our colors for 2014.
Of the new big talents both Hirt and Mohoric are named targets. The fight could be fierce but with our available funding at least one could very well be ours in 2 weeks time.
Previously we've said we are not pursuing Canadians. Well that's not quite true. We have two young ones in our sights, along with a previously unnamed American rider.
Only two currently contracted riders are of interest to us. Tacoma native Tejay Van Garderen and Oregon lad Ian Boswell. Unlikely we'l get either of them but we will be enquiring anyway.
Total we have 36 names on our list in 5 categories. It's going to be a busy transfer period as we restructure the team for the PCT. We'll see how it goes
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| CountArach |
Posted on 12-03-2014 11:02
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Grand Tour Champion
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You are going to have a ton of money to throw around this transfer season! It will be interesting to watch.
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| Roman |
Posted on 12-03-2014 11:11
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4386
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I really like the idea you are possibly targetting Jan Hirt. Good luck with that! 
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 13-03-2014 23:57
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I take it that you will be keeping Geraint Thomas ? |
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Posted on 25-11-2024 10:11
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 13-03-2014 23:59
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Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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sutty68 wrote:
I take it that you will be keeping Geraint Thomas ?
Yes, he is the cornerstone of our squad with 2 of our goals specifically designed for him. Of course every man has his price, just that it will be beyond your budget.
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| sutty68 |
Posted on 14-03-2014 00:03
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 34654
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TheManxMissile wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
I take it that you will be keeping Geraint Thomas ?
Yes, he is the cornerstone of our squad with 2 of our goals specifically designed for him. Of course every man has his price, just that it will be beyond your budget.
Ah well, my budget is too small 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 16-03-2014 12:59
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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The Great Big Transfer Post - Part II
Bust opening days to the Transfer period, with a lot of effort going into #TheSoundTakeover on Twitter, as well as into getting hold of some riders. As with many teams our plans have changed and evolved over the course of the period so far. However we had a number of outlined plans and have managed to, if not stick to one, combine them into something that can make us happy as a team. Today has been a big day bringing in 6 riders so far, with another one set to come later this afternoon. Let's take a look:
1) Petar Panayotov
Age: 27
Exp: 4.100
RD: 57
Wage: £325,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 67 | 78 | 72 | 68 | 71 | 76 | 73 | 50 | 64 | 72 | 77 | 65 | 68 |
The Big Bulgarian! We wanted him last season but were denied a transfer, so we took him from the Free Agency. Undisputed team leader in stage races and on climbs, a lot of our season will rest on his shoulders.
2) Simon Yates
Age: 22
Exp: 2.00
RD: 81
Wage: £120,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 70 | 68 | 71 | 67 | 70 | 67 | 65 | 51 | 71 | 73 | 70 | 62 | 70 |
One of the talents on our list, and will be key for our future. Can be either a strong puncher with good sprint, or a strong sprinter with a good punch. We fell he's good value but will take a few seasons to get to scoring power.
3) Eros Capecchi
Age: 28
Exp: 4.100
RD: 77
Wage: £50,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 72 | 57 | 70 | 65 | 71 | 68 | 69 | 54 | 74 | 75 | 72 | 63 | 65 |
Another Italian to keep Chicchi company. Nice ability to get over hills raises him above a lot of sprinters, even if his final kick could be better. Not going to be much of a scorer but that's not his job. A nice cheap extra option
4)  Romain Bardet
Age: 24
Exp: 2.76
RD: 88
Wage: £50,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 65 | 70 | 67 | 58 | 69 | 67 | 65 | 51 | 52 | 69 | 60 | 70 | 58 |
Young french climber. Another future investment as he will be pretty handy when developed. This year will be part of Petar's support so will be of use. Cheap wage makes him a solid purchase, and he's popular.
5) Cayetano Sarmiento
Age: 27
Exp: 4.100
RD: 77
Wage: £63,600
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 65 | 76 | 66 | 54 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 58 | 51 | 66 | 76 | 78 | 54 |
Colombian Road Race Champion! A real steal considering the influx of South American focused teams. Accomplished and aggressive climber can either support Petar or lead on his own for breakaways. Great wage as well.
6)  Caleb Ewan
Age: 20
Exp: 1.0
RD: 88
Wage: £400,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 68 | 61 | 68 | 60 | 66 | 68 | 65 | 65 | 74 | 73 | 63 | 70 | 73 |
Future written all over him. One of the years biggest new talents snapped up on what we view as a reasonable wage. This kid will be big, superstar big. So many options for growth, he will be a threat in any division in a few years. Currently not bad either.
We've also sold off Edwin Parra Bustamante and Francisco Colorado to Euskaltel-Bavaria. Finally we have two more transfers awaiting closure, one to finish late this afternoon. We are still active in the Free Agency leading a selection of riders we really quite want. Some disappointments of course (no Americans, lacking leader depth) but a lot of positives to take away.
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 16-03-2014 13:10
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
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Great deals mate, i hope Capecchi will surprise you from some break maybe. 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-03-2014 10:20
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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@Avin - I hope so, but he'll be good to have in the future in the CT
Just running some Max's and just kind of yay...
Ewan
Sprinter = 83SP/71HL/70CB/73PRL
TrackSP = 83SP/81PRL/71HL
Cobbles = 81SP/74CB/71HL
S.Yates
Hills = 78HL/74SP/80AC/76FTR
Sprinter = 78SP/74HL/79AC
Robov
Hills = 76HL/77FTR/71MO
ClimberV1 = 75MO/75HL/79FTR
Losch
Sprinter = 78SP/71CB/78FTR
Cobbles = 75SP/74CB/78FTR
Classics = 73CB/69HL/85FTR
Fighter = 72SP/79AC/85FTR
Fighter-Sprint-Combo = 73SP/79AC/84FTR
Bardet
Climberv1 = 77MO/74HL/71REC
Climberv2 = 77MO/70HL/76STA
Hristov
Cobbles = 77CB
Classics = 77CB/72FTR
Stoenchev
TimeTrial = 76TT/76PRL/72REC
Soupe
Sprinter = 79SP/76REC
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 17-03-2014 10:21
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You can change training from Lvl to Lvl and get some intresting combo's for Ewan |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-03-2014 10:23
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@jt1109 - I know! It's so exciting and i can spend days going over all the combos for various riders 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-03-2014 20:55
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The Great Big Transfer Post - Part III
More time ticks by and more dealings are done across the whole game world. It's been another productive day or so for the team as we passed the magic 20 mark to mean we have a complete and legal team for the season. Let's catch up with the movements:
1) Momchil Robov
Age: 21
Exp: 1.0
RD: 88
Wage: £50,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 68 | 68 | 68 | 64 | 65 | 69 | 66 | 50 | 68 | 67 | 72 | 65 | 64 |
The second new Bulgarian. Planning has solidly shifted to future looking and Robov is the best of the Bulgarians in this area. Versatile and talented gives him plenty of development options. Not a scorer, yet.
2)  Max Losch
Age: 21
Exp: 1.0
RD: 88
Wage: £50,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 66 | 51 | 64 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 63 | 66 | 69 | 72 | 78 | 62 | 66 |
The teams first ever Luxembourgian. Max is another of this future investments. He is aggressive as hell already but has options as either a sprinter or as a man for the cobbles. We feel a great take for the low wage, a certain scorer in the future.
3) Matthew Lloyd
Age: 31
Exp: 4.100
RD: 61
Wage: £140,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 67 | 73 | 76 | 64 | 70 | 74 | 73 | 53 | 64 | 71 | 75 | 64 | 64 |
Our second leader singing for the year. Matty will lead the team over the hills and will be fun to watch in some short tours. He's attacking and experienced. Not going to be around for many seasons but will be crucial to the teams immediate future.
4)  Gorka Izagirre
Age: 27
Exp: 4.100
RD: 69
Wage: £150,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 68 | 75 | 73 | 70 | 71 | 69 | 70 | 53 | 62 | 63 | 76 | 65 | 70 |
The teams first ever Spaniard. We had to fight for his signature but now Gorka can provide some nice options. Either supporting Petar in the mountains, attacking away from the pack, or taking the lead himself in tours.
5) Geoffrey Soupe
Age: 26
Exp: 4.08
RD: 81
Wage: £60,000
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | Sta | Res | Rec | Co | Sp | Ac | Ftr | Dh | Prl | | 70 | 64 | 66 | 65 | 70 | 68 | 75 | 63 | 77 | 75 | 57 | 64 | 68 |
Soupe comes in on transfer, and then gets shipped out on Loan to Simply Red Bull. We'll actually pay £30,000 of his wage while SRB pays the rest and takes him to the Max through the season. We'll see him again next season.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-03-2014 21:46
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Trying to get my head around Ewan's development.... So we have:
Sprinter 75 62 71 60 73 70 73 70 83 81 63 71 73
Sprinter1-4 Hills4-Max 74 63 72 60 73 70 72 69 82 81 65 72 73
Sprinter1-3 Hills3-Max 73 63 74 61 74 70 70 67 80 82 67 72 74
Hills1-4 Sprinter4-Max 72 64 76 61 74 72 70 66 78 81 68 72 74
Hills1-3 Sprinter3-Max 73 64 74 60 73 72 72 68 80 80 66 72 73
Honestly can't tell which is best, and then i've got to work him around S.Yates and his HL/SP/etc. combos so i can cover as much scoring ground as possible...
Oh what a problem to have
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 17-03-2014 21:53
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3216
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3rd one just looks like Ventoso whose ok just not a scoring beast I know it sounds boring but the first one would get you the most points i think as he's never going to be a top puncheur but that is nearly as good as Swift . |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 17-03-2014 22:02
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World Champion
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Train him as a TT rider Thats the best coverage you will get imo
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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)
