Jaguar-Eritel will ride in 3 ProTour races this season: East Midlands Cicle Classic, Gent-Wevelgem and Criterium du Dauphine Libere. The team has had some good wildcard results in the past: Adam Blythe 10th in the 2011 Paris-Roubaix, Chris Froome 5th in the 2012 Tirreno-Adriatico, and the two results illustrated below.
Alex Dowsett takes 2nd on Stage 17 of the 2013 Vuelta a Espana
Andrew Tennant wins Stage 4 of the 2012 Tour of Oman
This year we ride our home race for the first time since it went ProTour, the East Midlands Cicle Classic. Our leaders for this race, as well as Gent-Wevelgem, will be Africans Azzedine Lagab and the great Amadou Bakari.
Meanwhile Ian Bibby will lead the team at the Dauphine Libere. He finished 32nd in the Vuelta on our wildcard last season, and won a stage of the Tour de France while on loan to Wiggle the previous year. The route is good for him, although competition will be harder in PT than in PCT. The race clashes with the important Tour of Eritrea, so we will not be able to send our strongest possible team.
The Lagab/Bakari leadership question will be interesting for the HC/C1 cobbled races too. If playing it safe I would just send Lagab, but where is the fun in that?
The Dauphine wasn't particularly part of our plans, but I decided to go for it with nobody else interested, and Bibby being free. I had an all-Eritrean squad for the last Tour of Eritrea, but was aiming to do a bit more in the race this year with Berhane at the helm. There is also a race clash with the C2 Giro del Capo, which I had plans for.
My best talents may well ride the Dauphine, but that will be thanks to the PT teams who are loaning them this year, not me!
Rather than just post a list of races, here is some full detail on Jaguar's calendar for the season.
January
Tour Down Under
The big race for us in January will be the Tour Down Under, as Alex Dowsett will return to defend his title in the race he won last year. He defeated Efimkin on Willunga Hill and was consistent enough elsewhere to secure the GC by less than 1 second. Those two were the stars of the field last year, but more competition is expected this time around with the race being the most popular one on the calendar. We do have the advantage of local favourite Lachlan Morton on our side.
Vuelta al Tachira
For the last 5 years Vuelta al Tachira has been on the calendar, and we have had the chance to ride, but chosen not to. So it is about time we make our debut in the race! It seems like a perfect route for Natnael Berhane to make his first step up to team leadership for us. And if the sprinters stayed away, there may be an opportunity for Sam Bennett.
Down Under Classic
The first race of our season, and one with little prospect of a big result, given the amount of sprinters in the division this year. All we hope for is that Sam Bennett gets himself involved in the sprint, to ensure we do not start the year with a zero pointer! Only Emile Bintunimana and Jani Tewelde will ride both Down Under races this year.
February
Gisborne GP
26th February is a big day for puncheurs, with two races coinciding. In the hope that many of his rivals will be drawn towards the greater prizes available at the HC Strade Bianche, Alex Dowsett will ride in New Zealand, where Chris Froome finished 3rd for us last season.
Tour of South Africa
As the African HC hilly race, the Tour of South Africa is clearly important to us. We can only hope for a better race all round than last year, with some hills that make a difference and can drop Nolan Hoffman! Alex Dowsett finished 12th last year - Top 10 is a minimum requirement this time around.
Bahir Dar
We bring two African team leaders to this Ethiopian cobbled race. It would be a perfect race for a Amadou Bakari if not for the uphill finish at the end, so perhaps Azzedine Lagab will fare better. Local rider Tsgabu Gebremaryam Grmay gets a home outing, but probably can't do much here.
Other Races: Strade Bianche
March
Driedaagse de Panne
Another one of our selection gambles, as Ian Bibby makes his season debut in a race that features cobbles! If the hills prove more decisive than the cobbles on Stage 1, then we could be well placed for the time trial, with Andrew Tennant here too.
Olympia's Tour
It is a busy month for Andrew Tennant. He supports Bibby in De Panne, will be key in the TTT train for Berhane at the Giro del Trentino, and here gets a leadership opportunity in the Netherlands. Two time trials could make it popular, but the Tour of Ukraine is at the same time, and should attract the many riders who are good at both time trials and hills. We expect somebody like Michael Rogers to be the man to beat here. Sam Bennett is here too, for some sprinting fun.
Kenya Mountain Classic
Maybe Natnael Berhane will get his best result this month in Italy at the Giro del Trentino, but the Kenyan race just edges that in terms of our priority list. Zakayo Ndbri led the way for Africans last year, and we expect it will be Mwangi Samwel to do that this year - but Berhane should be in the mix for a Top 15 placing. We get to send Kenyan Hussein Manfred here too.
Other Races:Giro del Trentino, Tour d'Rwanda, E3 Prijs
PT Wildcards: East Midlands Cicle Classic, Gent-Wevelgem
April
Tropicale Amissa Bongo
The sponsors have asked us to win here, which makes it the most important race of the season. Alex Dowsett is unlikely to start as favourite - but since when did favourites always win the race? Having two leaders at last year's race did not work out, but still Dowsett managed 5th. Only a 4 place improvement required!
Tour of Taiwan
Another race for Alex Dowsett here. He took 2nd on a key stage last year but a lack of consistency across the race meant he only ended up 9th overall - so it is time to come back and try again. Bassirou Konte will be supporting him throughout the season and had his best race of the year here last year, finishing 13th.
Tour of the Battenkill
Our third and final race of the month is the very hilly and very cobbled American offering to the HC calendar. It could be a good route for Azzedine Lagab, but of course, Amadou Bakari will be here too to get in the way.
Thanks to OlegTinkov for the stars that I've stolen from the Tinkoff HQ
Very nice post and i like the mention of Nolan Hoffman is South Africa part, he will be there to shine again for sure. (i know he will fail this year, but he cant miss it)
Forgot to post the rest, so will do it now in one go!
May
Tour of Japan
Last year Ian Bibby was ridiculously consistent, but all that got him was the points jersey. 3rd overall and no stage win was a bit of a frustrating outcome. And in their only dual-ride of the year, we have brought Natnael Berhane along too.
Cartago - Irazu
A Top 10 is the target for Natnael Berhane here, since many stronger climbers should be riding the Sibiu Tour instead. As in most races this season, alongside him will be Lachlan Morton.
Tour of the Czech Republic
Last year's Stage 2 was particularly destructive, too much for Andrew Tennant. Tennant returns anyway, but the team won't be going for GC, instead we hope for Stage 2 to be just as divisive, with Alex Dowsett at the forefront. Dowsett cannot win the race, but he can win that stage. A good result is needed, to justify the decision not to send Bibby here.
Other Races: 5 Jours de Dunkerque, Berlin ProRace
PT Wildcard: Vuelta a Espana
June
A very busy month for the team, so busy that we had to make a late withdrawal from Giro del Capo, as otherwise there would have been a day where we rode 4 races at once.
Tour of Eritrea
Our home race! Last year we sent an all-Eritrean squad and made no impact, which just isn't acceptable to repeat. Fortunately, we now have a strong team leader here - and even better, he is Eritrean. Natnael Berhane will surely improve on his 110th from last season. There are only 2 other Eritreans in our team - 3 of our best are on loan to PT this year after all - but we have brought Sam Bennett in order to ensure competitivity on every stage.
Tour of Bulgaria
Thinking of ways to use 6 race days for Alex Dowsett, the Tour of Bulgaria may not immediately spring to mind. There are at least 3 hill classics that he won't be riding after all, but hill classics on repeat is boring, and a stage race like Bulgaria is potentially quite fun indeed! The target will be the hill stages here, but if the peloton play slow on the mountain stage, maybe a surprise result could beckon.
Vuelta a Espana and Criterium du Dauphine Libere
Ian Bibby's ProTour adventures see him return to the Vuelta after 32nd last year, and also ride the Dauphine Libere which should be more suited to his talents. The Dauphine is also the only team he will ride alongside fellow British champion Alex Dowsett. These two unexpected additions to the calendar also give a good opportunity for talents to gain XP - including a Grand Tour debut for future contender Lachlan Morton.
Other Races: Tour des Pays de Savoie, Eneco Tour, Monterrey Team Time Trial
July
Manx International and Isle of Man ITT
The Manx double header sees our British champions take aim at both races. Alex Dowsett for the road race, Ian Bibby for the time trial. Bibby is is British, good at time trials and good at hills - so the route could hardly be better for him. Meanwhile Dowsett reluctantly played second fiddle to Froome, whose lack of sprint made that a foolish decision. Top 10 at the Manx International is our sponsor goal - but Dowsett is expected to do better than that!
Tour of Southland
Natnael Berhane likes the look of the climbing stages here - a hill stage and a mountain stage. Well, two flat stages with climbs at the end at least! We've got a decent TTT squad to support him, led by Andrew Tennant of course. And for complete all roundness, there is Sam Bennett too.
USA Pro Cycling Challenge
Hilly stages, time trials, and a hint of mountains - but nothing too over the top. Greate route for Ian Bibby then! Especially as we know it is safe from Bacardi - they aren't in this HC band. 9th on a similar route last year shows it won't be easy, but it is certainly possible.
Other Races: Post Danmark Rundt, Taldykorgan GP
August
Volta a Portugal
Like Tachira earlier in the season, this is a race we have generally avoided. This year it is a sponsor goal though, with a Top 5 requirement for Ian Bibby. With plenty of hill stages, plus 1 mountain stage and 2 time trials, it is race that he can go well on.
Nelspruit Classic
We won the race last year as Chris Froome delivered on our sponsor's win goal. Alex Dowsett took 6th then, just think what he can do when going for his own interests!
Bayern Rundfahrt
Hard hill stage, and time trial, Ian Bibby is there! Ok, so he is not riding Tour of Ukraine or Tour of the Czech Republic, but at least he will be here! Mikhail Ignatiev has a formidable record here of 1st, 1st and 5th - so we will just have to try and drop him on Stage 2!
Other Races: Clasica San Sebastian, Tour de l'Avenir
September
Tour of Britain
Our second home race - lucky us! The addition of the time trial gives a new flavour to the race this year and should benefit Andrew Tennant and in particular Ian Bibby when factoring in the hill stages on route. The goal is for a Top 10, but surely Bibby can exceed that. Last year's race did not go well at all GC wise, but Richard Cleaver did rescue it by taking the King of the Mountains jersey.
Wanze - Arenburg
A properly flat cobbled race for Amadou Bakari to stick his teeth into. This, along with E3 Prijs, will be the key race in his season.
World Championships
Who knows where it will be, or what the route will be. But at the very least Ian Bibby and Alex Dowsett should be involved.
October
Japan Cup
It is always good to end the season on high, in amongst any last minute relegation or promotion battles. Alex Dowsett will do what he can.
Tour of Beijing
One of many hill stage races last season where we had terrible luck last season, Alex Dowsett will try again here - it is our last stage race of the season.
Giro dell'Emelia
Look, it's another hilly HC race for Alex Dowsett in the final month of the season.
Dowsett and Konte went sprinting on Day 1 in South Africa, finishing in the Top 20
Lahsaini in the break on Stage 3
Konte had the breakaway role on the tough Stage 4, leading with 10km to go, though it would not last
At the same time Dowsett was struggling and finished outside the Top 20
Again slow to react on the final stage, Dowsett eventually fought back for 7th on the stage and 16th overall. A poor show. Does he know the season has started at all?
Amadou Bakari opened his season with 35th at Bahir Dar
In amongst the shiny peloton, Lagab faired better - 9th for him
Souheil Khederi in the large breakaway on the white roads of Strade Bianche. Berhane finished 26th
On the same day, Mektel Eyob went clear at the Gisborne GP
Dowsett improves and finishes in the front group, but is at the back in 6th
Chaotic opening stage at Driedaagse de Panne. Lagab, Bibby and Abelouache survive unscathed
Ian Bibby attacks in the closing stages of Stage 2
That move came back, but a vital finish saw Bibby takes bonus seconds for 3rd and preventing a gap to the lead 2. Lagab also did well in 4th.
The final stage is a time trial and Bibby is 3rd fastest
And thanks to those bonus seconds, it gave him the overall race victory!
After an awful Olympia's Tour prologue, Andrew Tennant made amends in the later time trial to move into 6th overall, after Sam Bennett had failed to feature in 4 sprint stages
Tennant then went on the attack in the final stage
Ayoune battled to 4th place in the eventual sprint
Rowsell, Berhane, Tennant, Cleaver, Lagab, Morton and Barton ride to 2nd in the Stage 2 TTT at Giro del Trentino
Berhane did his best to climb with 2 of the season's star performers on Stage 3: Brajkovic and Pozzovivvo
He stayed with the front group on the next stage, taking 4th place
Berhane climbed as well as he could on the final stage too, to eventually secure 10th overall and the U25 jersey
Lachlan Morton was the 2nd best young rider
More mountains awaited in Kenya, and we did our bit on front of the peloton
As the race played out, Berhane ended up battling Mwangi Samwel for best African finisher. He just lost out, taking 8th
A first ProTour outing yielded 22nd place for Azzeddine Lagab in Gent-Wevelgem
At the other end of the race category scale, Faycal Hamza got into a breakaway at the Tour d'Rwanda
As did Hussein Manfred
A fine 5th place on the final stage gave Lachlan Morton 8th overall
Issiaka Cisse made the break at E3 Prijs but struggled on the cobbles, crashing
Lagab hid away in the peloton all race, only emerging right at the end to sprint to a fine 5th place
That tactic worked, so time to repeat at the ProTour East Midlands Cicle Classic
But with Boonen and Bewley clear of the rest, here is the peloton sprinting for minor places. No sign of Lagab
Not until the very end! He stormed through into 3rd place
Almost catching the big duo too! Podium in a ProTour classic, fantastic!
3 loanees rode the Giro. Daniel Teklehaimanot was most visibile, in the Stage 18 break, after suffering injury early on. He ended the race 90th.
Youcef Reguigui support King of the Mountains winner Gomez Marchante, and finished 112th
Charles Anguilet was not far behind, in 114th
A Jaguar wildcard for the Vuelta allowed Amadou Bakari to edge closer to his full potential. He made a great friendship with Kevin Predatsch, at the back of the race.
Youcef Reguigui featured in the Stage 5 mountain stage breakaway
Lachlan Morton showed he was not in awe of his PT competitors and got stuck in with mid-stage attacks throughout the race
3rd place for Ian Bibby in the Stage 9 time trial. Great result
Could it get better? Azzedinne Lagab in the Stage 12 breakaway
Attacking inside the final 5km...
Winning a Grand Tour stage! What a season for Lagab
With Alarcon as race leader, Meron Amanuel worked hard on front of the peloton for many stages
After a mid-stage move on Stage 16, Morton eventually held on to 20th place
Ian Bibby leads a strong breakaway on Stage 17. Eventually taking 5th on the stage on his way to a great 16th overall finish
Elias Afewerki was just happy to survive his maiden Grand Tour, finishing 155th out of 157
Daniel Teklehaimanot will be the only Jaguar representative at the Tour de France
Lachlan Morton signed for Jaguar-Eritel last season after an astute piece of business, moving on from HTC Niuewsblad who some may have expected him to stay long term. No such expectations can be made with Morton and Jaguar, as the Aussie's ambitions far exceed the limitations of the British-Eritrean squad.
This year he finished 36th on Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta. He also finished 8th at the Tour d'Rwanda and secured Top 20 finishes at Giro del Trentino, Cartago Irazu and Volta a Portugal - showcasing performances in a variety of race categories.
Now Lachlan needs regular experience of riding at ProTour level but the question is, will he simply be loaned out from Jaguar, or will a team swoop in looking for a permanent deal?
East Midlands Cicle Classic, 
Gent-Wevelgem and 
Criterium du Dauphine Libere. The team has had some good wildcard results in the past: Adam Blythe 10th in the 2011 Paris-Roubaix, Chris Froome 5th in the 2012 Tirreno-Adriatico, and the two results illustrated below.
Azzedine Lagab and the great 
Amadou Bakari.
Tour of Eritrea, so we will not be able to send our strongest possible team.
Tour Down Under
Vuelta al Tachira
Gisborne GP
Tour of South Africa
Bahir Dar
Strade Bianche
Olympia's Tour
Kenya Mountain Classic
Tour d'Rwanda, 
Tour of Taiwan
Tour of the Battenkill
Tour of Japan
Cartago - Irazu
Tour of the Czech Republic
Berlin ProRace
Vuelta a Espana
Tour of Bulgaria
Monterrey Team Time Trial
Post Danmark Rundt, 
Taldykorgan GP
Volta a Portugal
Tour of Beijing
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
