Wasn't sure if i was reading Kraftwerk or Podium Ambition preview at times
Cracking stuff, really the stand out preview of the year, and probbably the last couple of years.
Podium Ambition garnering more mixed opinion and prediction, as we have done all pre-season. Ranging from promotion fighters to just avoiding relegation. Not a clue where we will end up.
A lot of comparision to Strava. Well, as i never paid much attention to Strava's planning it's purely coincidence. Happy that someone noticed Yates isn't useless if not particularly noteworthy. Lot of thoughts that Talanksy is overpaid at his wage, but he fitted neatly into the team to provide some sort of uphill scoring when very few options were left on the table. I reckon people might be surprised by his freelance style this season.
Overall comments were positive on the team, burying us right into the middle of the pack. That'll do very happily as we develop Ewan + Yates to max, whilst also leveling up a raft of other youngsters. Marcus and Talansky fill in the saftey gap for 2017, but it's very much a team built around 2018 and beyond.
Oh, and i saw you call us Podium Girls! You weren't sneaking that past these eagle eyes...
Have to say I definitely agree with what was said about my team. My regional focus really limited me, and I tried to sign Liu to develop into my new sprint leader, but that didn't work out. By that point it was a little late to really improve my team, and I had to look outside my focus to kind of ensure I stay out of the relegation zone (imo). Looking at it now I really hope I can promote, but that will be difficult.
Edit: and ofc I forgot, but amazing preview. Really enjoyable read!
Outstanding! Thanks so very much for all the work that has gone into this. Fantastic stuff!
Great content, engaging style, interesting read and some kind words for Kraftwerk, thanks.
As for the Flügel disappointment, yes I was certainly disappointed to see his PCT competition this season and we can expect a big drop in points from him. I rated him 6th best Hills in PCT and have lowered my expectations, if he can make some top 5s I will be happy. Our goal races are going to be nerve racking affairs that's for sure
matt17br wrote:
Ok so first of all this is some very, very nice work.
A less popular call: Primož Roglič. He received a very expensive training this offseason but i don’t think it will change a lot. He still is not good enough to compete with the best in mountains (and hills) and there are plenty of other riders for the hybrid profiles. Lots of similar riders like Kwiatek, Roche, Barguil or Schelling around and also the top specialists might go against him in those races. I believe that matt will have hoped for a far bigger effect of the training.
Second of all! Don't even dare to touch Roglic Sure, he might not manage to score as much as Kwiat or Roche by the end of the year, though I'd argue he's certainly above Schelling, but last year with 2 less points in MO he did score 350 points.
With a team that is pretty much built to just have him carried in the odd 2 or 3 TTTs he'll face, a noticeably less strong PCT under a climbers point of view compared to last year, I absolutely see him increase his point tally to around 525 and I don't think I'm being delusional, with a higher best case scenario. Anything above 500 will have been worth the training frankly, since everything I want from him is to lead us to direct promotion hopefully. He won't really take part in many hilly races either if that was a concern, I believe Strade Bianche is his only one just to fill his RDs.
My concern is that he isn't good enough to compete with the bests on the mountains and not good enough to compete with the bests in the hills. That he only will shine in the races in between. I also see him coming close to the 525 points with good planning but I think he has abhigher chance to stay far under that number than getting far above it. His niche is small and one blown hybrid race could already be enough to make him miss that points number making him a disappointment.
Spoiler
Also I wanted to give a bit provocative answer for the question after going with the obvious answers for many other questions and Roglic was a good candidate for it
Wow, this preview nearly made me want to be PCT again just to be included in it!
Great initiative, impressive execution. Thank you to everyone involved!
Late to the party but finally got some time to read all of the preview. Great job guys and props to croatia for organizing it. So many great teams in PCT this season, it sure is/will be fun to follow now and then, just hoping that the AI gets better soon.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
Well done!
Sure, he might not manage to score as much as Kwiat or Roche by the end of the year, though I'd argue he's certainly above Schelling, but last year with 2 less points in MO he did score 350 points. 
