In the new, aggressive, SanCor media-campaign, a new hashtag is being launched as of this minute. It's the #QuestionForTheManager hashtag in which people all around the world can launch their questions for SanCor's new manager, Señor Aguirre. Aguirre evidently agreed to this form of Q&A if "this gets you PR leeches of my back".
So don't hesitate to ask Señor Aguirre everything you always wanted to know about ...
Rofl Sørensen, Danish TV2:
Getting closer to your roots and only Argentine will no doubt limit the options some.
Do you expect to meet the goal's that was originaly planned, based on the now only Argentinian team ?
Señor Aguirre, you ruthlessly released three riders with contracts within three minutes. All of them are now living on the street without a job, begging for change to feed their families. Do you have no honor?
#QuestionForTheManager
Not the biggest crowd, but that only means more chances to ask questions. We'll start with this scruffy-looking gentleman in the front. I now give the floor to Señor Aguirre.
All right, it's been a tiring day, I think we all want to go home. So... Any questions?
Rofl Sørensen, Danish TV2:
Getting closer to your roots and only Argentine will no doubt limit the options some.
Do you expect to meet the goal's that was originaly planned, based on the now only Argentinian team ?
Of course it limits our options heavily. During the transfer season we had to question ourselves multiple times, why, with just one or two foreigners we could strengthen our team greatly. But we want to stay true.
Our goals will not be easily met, I admit. But I expect our boys to fight for them 100%, and if they do that, the result will be what it is, but I won't be disappointed.
Señor Aguirre, why do you think you can do it better than the previous team manager? Do you any previous experience as a manager?
I managed my son's U10 soccer team and found myself resigning after my son reached the age of 11. I will not lie: it was hell.
But this is something entirely different. I come from real business and it's a pleasure going into sports and working with these people. It's been a good start and I hope to get results.
The last manager was a wildcard. He had some strokes of brilliance, but was independable and nearly ran this great squad into the ground. I plan to be reliable as a manager. Will I promote on my first year as the previous manager did? Probably not. But we focus on endurance, on long-term goals.
Señor Aguirre, you ruthlessly released three riders with contracts within three minutes. All of them are now living on the street without a job, begging for change to feed their families. Do you have no honor?
There is no mercy in business. However, the three riders received a pay-off which will allow them quite some time to find a new job. You needn't worry about their wallet.
I had no use for them in my squad. It was nothing personal.
Señor Aguirre, who do you consider as main favourite for your home race, Tour de San Luis?
Ah, San Luis. Obviously, I hope our new man Diaz can play a role in this race and fight for the title. He'll have the home crowd on his side. But then again, the climbing strength in the CT is just scary. I haven't been able to catch up on all transfers and I need to take a look at the racing schedule, so I can't give a clear favorite as of now.
But as it stands, let us say proudly: Diaz. For the biggest win in our team history.
One final question, arriving through Twitter!
What's you're favourite dairy product and how do you stand regarding spiking bottles with cream? #QuestionForTheManager
That has to be milk, no contest. I'm not much of a cheese-eater. Yoghurt is acceptable, cream is okay. Butter is pretty good. But milk, it's my daily dose of heaven.
This second part, it is the first I hear of it. Personally, I'd drink anything that comes in a glass. But I expect my riders to think before they drink. And that includes, most of all, creamed drinks.
Thank you all for coming. Stay and have a creamy drink on me.
*Hastily leaves the room*
Edited by Ian Butler on 15-09-2017 20:34
With the transfer season over, we have been eagerly anticipating the squads for the 2017 ManGame season. Below is the SanCor squad.
We see a squad consisting of 17 Argentine riders and one Brazilian. It's not the strongest squad built in the CT league, we are looking at a lower half team. But SanCor has never been about performances alone. It's taken a new route which will only make it harder for the team to get results. It'll be counting on the riders to have the heart of a lion this season and fight for everything they're worth. And more.
Which they will have to, if they want to finish somewhere not-last.
And yet the team stands proud. This jersey might not make the podium much for the upcoming season, but you can be sure everyone will know it instantly. The proud colors of SanCor will color up every race possible.
And when expected the least, they will strike.
As SanCor has always done.
For a squad of mainly just one nationality, that's a very good squad you've got. Diaz should do well for you in the mountains, and he's got decent support, and of course his good TT stat should help him in the stage races. Also, having 4 good sprinters, 3 of whom are in the one-nationality bracket, is quite good depth and should allow you to score quite a few points in the bunch finishes. As for the hills, you should be able to pick up a good few points there as well, but the key weaknesses in your squad have to be the TTs, and the cobbles, where you will struggle to score points, and the lack of a strong set of TTers could cost Diaz a lot of time in stage races with TTTs.
Good luck for the upcoming season mate, looking forward to some battles in the CT with you, but also to seeing how your one-nationality policy works out, to the point that if it's successful, I may consider trying it myself.
Love the nationality focus, impossible not to support!
Sadly the division is very strong, Diaz is a nice leader and if Richeze is as strong as in 2015 and your depth of riders on the uphill leads to many attacks you may have a shot at still a decent result in the final standings, although promoting will be a stretch; not that I don't hope you do manage it! It will be a fun season nevertheless with a squad like that.
Martii_Scots01 wrote:
For a squad of mainly just one nationality, that's a very good squad you've got. Diaz should do well for you in the mountains, and he's got decent support, and of course his good TT stat should help him in the stage races. Also, having 4 good sprinters, 3 of whom are in the one-nationality bracket, is quite good depth and should allow you to score quite a few points in the bunch finishes. As for the hills, you should be able to pick up a good few points there as well, but the key weaknesses in your squad have to be the TTs, and the cobbles, where you will struggle to score points, and the lack of a strong set of TTers could cost Diaz a lot of time in stage races with TTTs.
Good luck for the upcoming season mate, looking forward to some battles in the CT with you, but also to seeing how your one-nationality policy works out, to the point that if it's successful, I may consider trying it myself.
Thank you! Diaz is a real gift and our season will depend mainly on his dedication. We're certain he'll play a vital role and he'll be motivated to race for an Argentine team!
Cobbles and TTs are a pain with only 1 rider for each discipline. Lots of points being left on the table but nothing much we could do about it.
In our first season, we promoted to PCT with a heavily Argentine team, but we still had about 10 other nationalities with multiple strengths. It'll be harder this season!
viking90 wrote:
Impressive squad with only one nationality.
Even if Diaz is he only real leader you have good depth.
Good luck
We did our best, cheers! Diaz will have to deliver or we'll fail terribly. But we intend to do our best and finish mid table, perhaps!
trekbmc wrote:
Love the nationality focus, impossible not to support!
Sadly the division is very strong, Diaz is a nice leader and if Richeze is as strong as in 2015 and your depth of riders on the uphill leads to many attacks you may have a shot at still a decent result in the final standings, although promoting will be a stretch; not that I don't hope you do manage it! It will be a fun season nevertheless with a squad like that.
Promotion is not the agenda just this season Richeze is getting old but we hope he'll have one blast-off season with lots of victories!
SanCor is going into its third year of existence. The team has a somewhat special history. Today we present to you: the top 5 greatest wins of the SanCor Team!
5. Carlos Barredo: Vuelta al Tachira 2015 - stage 4
Going into a suicidal breakaway duo, Barredo showed he had the SanCor spirit to the bone. Never give up, keep on riding. He managed to lose his breakaway companion and crossed the finish line over a minute before the peloton, good enough for the biggest win in his career and two days in the leader's jersey. And that in a peloton where SanCor was considered the weakest team!
4. Maximiliano Richeze: Great Ocean Road Classic 2015
With his B-WC jersey, Richeze proved to be among CT's top sprinters. His season and SanCor's history was off to a phenominal start, outsprinting Corioni (Strava) and Sulzberger (Gatorade - SIS)
3. Florentino Marquez: Giro del Trentino 2016 - Stage 2
Marquez is, along with Richeze, probably the greatest talent to ever ride for the team. In SanCor's PCT season, he was one of the few point-scorers for SanCor. In Trentino, he managed to lift everyone's spirits by taking stage 2 and the overall classification. During that time, SanCor was troubled by management-problems. This win by Marquez represents the positive power this squad possesses, even in tough times.
2. Lionel Biondo: 4 Jours de Dunkerque 2016 - Stage 1
Biondo's win in Dunquerke was unique. It was a solo of unheard proportions, with a general classification win as a result. Biondo surprised friend and foe with what he still calls 'the best day of my life'. Strava finished 2nd in the GC and that's no coincidence. SanCor's history is interwoven with that of Strava. Although Strava is now considered a top team, while SanCor needs to rebuild completely. Opposite ends, but of the same spectrum.
1. Julián Rodas: Tour de San Luis 2015 - Stage 5
Rodas, the ManGame legend. SanCor and Rodas was a perfect match and Rodas, albeit no Argentine, was at the heart of SanCor. This victory is what this team is all about. Coming out of nowhere, surprising everyone with an incredible attack. When you least expect it, they strike. They don't often win, but when they do, it's so beautiful.
We hope that you've learned a bit more about SanCor with this list. SanCor belongs in the CT, where it can lurk in the shadows. Always the underdog, but with performances you'd rank among the very best. At heart, SanCor perhaps hasn't got the winning mentality, but they've got the fighting down to a T.
Daniel was born for the mountains and he can't hide it. We're proud to have him at our team for the first time, coming from Red Bull. We look at him to deliver in the stage races. His climbing abilities, along with a good downhill and a decent time trial, should get him a good GC spot, especially in San Luis!
Daniel Juarez
€ 70 000
AVG 73,33
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
74
64
74
65
73
72
70
67
74
74
68
68
70
Daniel is our ultimate all-rounder. Yes, he lacks high skills. But he can deliver pretty much anywhere, albeit no high mountains or cobbled roads. Yet we expect a lot from him this season and let's see if he can step up his games.
Rafael Andriato
€ 60 000
AVG 73,08
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
71
55
64
61
72
68
75
56
78
76
63
67
72
Rafael is our only non-Argentine rider, but he feels like one of us completely. He's been with us since the start and he's given us so much already. It didn't feel right leaving him behind and so we are a 100% Argentine squad, with Rafael Andriato! He's been the lead-out man that you can count on, although this season he'll get much more chances of his own. He'll grab them with both hands, no doubt!
Lucas Manuel Gaday
€ 100 000
AVG 72,85
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
67
66
73
65
72
70
68
74
68
71
59
63
68
Lucas is our youngest lad, at 24 years old. He's known as the only Argentine able to ride cobbles. Nobody will expect him so he'll have the role of the underdog to his advantage. Winning races will he tough, but we see him contesting for top 10s on good days. He's always great to have on board, always with a smile!
Mauro Richeze
€ 50 000
AVG 72,75
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
73
58
62
61
70
68
77
56
77
76
64
61
61
Mauro has always been Max' little brother, but he's never complained. This season, we feel Mauro might actually be a little stronger than Max. His wage doesn't show it, but we might end up giving Mauro more and more chances to go for his own glory, rather than sacrifice him for his brother. His high recovery will be his big weapon in stage races.
Sergio Godoy
€ 55 000
AVG 72,45
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
68
74
75
65
72
71
67
56
58
63
67
64
66
Sergio loves climbing, short and longer climbs. We hope to see him in breakaways mostly, where he can play out his strengths better than against the top of the CT league. Winning a race is priority n°1 for Godoy, who's reaching his physical peak!
Walter Trillini
€ 60 000
AVG 72,32
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
69
63
73
65
73
68
72
57
73
75
69
67
73
Walter signifies the ultimate SanCor rider, or rather, the ultimate attacker. He's got the perfect skillset to break away, stay ahead and finish it off against remaining breakaway companions. Walter has won the National Road Race two years ago and will be looking to get the jersey back this season.
Gabriel Juarez
€ 70 000
AVG 71,86
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
70
63
74
63
75
68
67
56
64
71
64
69
67
Gabriel is a perfect domestique. He's selfless and a good friend in the group. He's perfect for hilly stages, where he can support the team leader up until the finale.
Enzo Moyano
€ 50 000
AVG 71,81
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
67
75
72
57
71
67
68
55
65
64
71
56
57
Enzo is a silent and calm man. He sets his targets and works very hard to achieve them. We're counting on him to get results, even though it'll be hard. Enzo is one who's gotten to where he is by sheer work. We couldn't appreciate him more for it.
Maximiliano Richeze
€ 175 000
AVG 71,79
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
70
57
63
56
68
64
74
52
77
74
57
58
56
Max has gone down as one of the most outrageous signings ever. His contract is the highest - by far - in the squad, yet he's aging and his skills no longer represent his wage. But he's SanCor history. He's an ex B-world champ, he's SanCor's first string of victories. He's family. He's Maximiliano Richeze.
Sebastian Tolosa
€ 50 000
AVG 71,53
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
71
58
63
61
70
64
65
51
76
77
58
56
72
Sebastian is another fast one. He can sprint well and is a perfect lead-out, or a finisher. He won't get that many chances so he'll have to grab them, which we're certain he will!
Laureano Rosas
€ 50 000
AVG 71,36
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
72
59
65
75
72
70
73
51
70
74
55
61
76
Laureano, also known as the only time trialist in Argentina. Laureano will look forward to some time trial chances, as well as leading the squad over team time trials. Besides racing against the clock, he proves to be an excellent domestique in sprint stages, with a good basic speed.
Ariel Sivori
€ 50 000
AVG 70,74
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
68
73
72
67
72
70
67
52
58
65
70
68
67
Ariel has a great sense of humor. On the bike he's very serious, though. He's an attacker and hopes to get up in the rankings by winning from breakaways. We hope to help him to that this season.
Julian Gaday
€ 50 000
AVG 70,37
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
71
57
64
64
67
68
65
53
75
71
67
61
74
Julian is another rider who can sprint well enough in a small group. No pure sprinter, but not slow either. His high flat stat gives him a place in a lead-out train more often than not.
Lucas Sebastian Haedo
€ 50 000
AVG 68,73
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
67
58
64
51
65
61
65
50
73
71
64
75
51
Lucas has Max' age, and has the same specialty. He's a loveable fellow and is appreciated by team mates, staff and fans alike.
Lionel Biondo
€ 85 000
AVG 68,43
Flat
Mo
Hill
TT
Sta
Res
Rec
Cob
Sp
Acc
Fight
DH
Pr
69
58
68
62
72
70
67
65
68
73
77
67
64
Dubbed by the fans as Lionel Messi. Our monster, our ace in the hole. Lionel hasn't got the most talent, and he might not be the most hard-working professional cyclist. Lionel is a joker, he likes to fool around and make everyone smile even on the off-days. Invaluable to the squad. So when he won against a very strong field in Dunkerque last season, it was the victory of a lifetime. Everyone was so happy for him, rivals and friends. The fans have been singing his name ever since, and we'll never part of him. Lionel is what makes the SanCor heart beat.
Juan could've retired two years ago, and nobody would've blamed him. He's been in cycling forever and he's had a nice career. Aged 36, he's really the oldest in the squad. But we don't want him to retire, we want him on the front line. There's no man with more experience and wisdom than Juan. We're counting on him to lead our troops to victory. He's in the fall of his career and hopefully he can enjoy another season at SanCor, at home.
I could see Gaday being one for the favourites for the Benelux Challenge, I think it's probably going to be between him and Schoonbroodt for the GC there, with those 2 entering the division I think we will struggle to defend the title.
Pretty sure I reported at least one of your biggest wins. Always nice to read some MG flashbacks.
As for your roster: while I have some love for staying close to your focus area and rewarding Richeze with a contract like that, I fear there is a tough season ahead. Don't see much scoring behind Diaz, who ain't amongst the very best as well. But as said in the victory review, SanCor's spirit may bring you some unexpected success here and then Featuring a 36yo veteran is definitely a move. Good luck!
Really like the role-play and focus of this squad and Diaz is a solid climber, whilst your sprint train could do well. Biondo is a legend and Gaday and Juarez could surprise for sure. Good luck and can't wait to race you guys
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
SanCor is the one team everybody wants to win, no matter if you suffer under that yourself or not. And that is for some very good reason. SanCor and their dedication was the first thing that impressed me at the Man-Game, and your unique style impresses me a lot still. Thank you Ian for allowing me to be an opponent on the road but a frenetic fan besides it.
