The last non-draft rider to join the squad this year is the Frenchman Franck Bonnamour. The 23-year old will have his first professional season with us, and will be a stagiare, the only one in the team.
After an unsuccessful run on the team's French targets, it was decided that the least that could be done was to have a French stagiare coming in. Bonnamour is a rider that can have a future in the team, he may be useful this season already depending on his calendar as he has a good ability to ride in the cobbles.
An angry Belgian who is not afraid to drag people down with him
Yes we're back! After a finnancial mistake we were forced to come back on the market and straight out of the Minions squad is Oliver Naesen, a cobbled rider who came in as part of a trade with Andzs Flaksis. We are expecting Naesen to fulfill the Latvian's spot as Eeckhout's main domestique in the rough races and as a crash expert we are expecting him to take down some important riders during critical moments of the race.
Transfering Flaksis wasn't an easy deal, we were excited to see his agressive racing and his upcoming NC jersey this season, so we hope that Naesen is able to fill the spot nicely.
With the addition of the draft into CT for this season meaning that 2 extra riders were coming in each team. We were no exception and we have made the most of it.
Masatoshi Oba
Masatoshi Oba was the first rider being chosen, he was signed because he fits the team's exact needs at this point. With Flaksis' departure from the team Oba brings some extra support for the cobbles that was needed. And adding to that, his time-trialing is the other big reason for why he was hired, his and the next rider's presence in the team will make for an excellent TTT setup that the team will look to put to the test in the most effective way.
Oscar Cabanas
Andorra is calling The team has a new rider from our home nation, and a planned transfer was successful when the draft came. Cabanas not only brings extra Andorran presence, he brings time-trialing power to complete the TTT setup and also brings solid climbing qualities, making for a complete stage racer that will be indicated to perform with the leaders in the hardest races, and those against the clock.
Inspired by fellow manager @maxime86 we decided to display the average stats of our riders, we felt really curious to see the evolution of the team regarding to last season.
Total team average:
Stat
2017
2018
Balance
Flat
67,8
68,84
1,04
Mountain
66,6
66,42
0,18
Hill
66,8
67,5
0,7
TT
66,9
68,7
1,8
Cobble
56,65
60,05
3,4
Sprint
61,55
59,79
3,76
Accelaration
66,85
65,37
1,48
Although not a great measurement tool, it's possible to see the general picture of the changes in the team this year. The uplift of the focus on the cobbles is evident, aswell as the drop in focus on sprinting (after last year's sprinter have only given us 2 points we are still reluctant in trusting in one).
The uprising of TT depth is also a major factor for this season, although no top addition, both our new stage racers are capable of riding strongly against the clock, and the entry of two other time-trialists will provide us with a flawless TTT setup with 9 riders above 72TT.
5 strongest rider in each stat average:
Stat
2017
2018
Balance
Flat
72,6
72,6
0
Mountain
76,4
77,2
0,8
Hill
71,8
72,8
1
TT
75,4
75,8
0,4
Cobble
67,8
71,4
3,6
Sprint
69,8
66,2
3,6
Accelaration
71,6
70,2
1,4
But here is where we see the most important differences. Although small because of a pre-established focus on the mountains, we do still present a significant improvement in the mountains, aswell as in the hills where our climbers may have a shot in the roughest hilly races. In the TT as previously mentioned it was the depth that got bigger so in here we don't see a big improvement although it's there.
And of course a much bigger focus on the cobblestones, we tried to provide Eeckhout with some good support for the cobbled races in which we expect some constant results, as Naesen can also score if he finds himself in a lucky race situation. And the lack of a sprinter directly influenciates our sprint drop, Kireva is a might all-rounder where under the right circumstances he can use his fast finish but other than that we don't expect sprint to have a difference in our team's performance.
Interesting analysis YJ, and I think you have an exciting season ahead of you. I wouldn't class you as a promotion certainty, as already seen two or three of your competitors look perhaps a step ahead in terms of all-round points scoring potential, but you could well be in the battle for the remaining slots with your improved line-up this season. The full post-transfers DB will reveal all (or at least a lot!). I also liked your draft picks who as well as being good helpers, may grab some points in their own right.
I would council though that I think you are perhaps being a little unfair on Nazir's performance last year - you signed a guy suited as a good CT lead-out, but used him as a lead sprinter. Not surprising that he had a hard time delivering for you given the raft of 79 and 80 rated sprinters that he was constantly competing against .
Yes last year I blamed my lack of experience, I didn't know that a 77 sprinter wouldn't be able to be competitive but I never really had the intention of focusing on the sprints as it is indeed very unreliable if you have no leadout (and I wouldn't get a top sprinter anyhow).
Perhaps next season I'll give some space for a sprinter and a small leadout but certainly that will never have a major focus. Anyway I do consider my two draft pics and genuinely strong helpers in the team I'm happy with them and I hope they do well this season
Our final roster has been updated, and our calendar finally reveiled. Like last season we are targetting the more mountainous races, with a little difference of having more focus on outsie-of-C2HC time-trialing challenges. You can see here if we will race together this season
So what are our goals for this season?
.Top5 in the Team Standings
With experienced gained over the whole last season we have decided that this year there is the clear goal of moving up. Top5 is a realistic goal although it won't be easy, but the real goal is to promote no matter what place we end up.
.Win in the Vilnius GP
This was the first goal we had as soon as we saw the calendar. We already had quite a TT depth and we had the care to hire leaders with good capacity against the clock. Looking at the current CT line-up we believe it is very possible to win in Lithuania, although not the strongest 5-rider squad in terms of TT, in 8-rider squads we do have the best team.
.Top5 in the Windhoek ITT
Last year we had a disapointment in Namibia as Mottin only managed to 11th and Laizer 9th. But with this year's update to a two-day race, and the less evident quality in the TT scene, Mottin finds himself as a big favourite to win this race. We don't expect a win as there are plenty of riders capable of beating him, but we believe either him or Laizer can pull off a Top5.
.Top5 in the Tour of Bulgaria
Bulgaria was good to us last season, and with Warbasse and Kiserlovski's presence in the team, the 22Km ITT in the second day of the race should favour both of them into be on the fight for the final win. We weren't sure initially of the mountain quality we'd have before the transfer season start so we went for a modest goal-set in terms of mountains, but we are fully confident that we can fulfill this goal.
.Stage Win at the Tour of Slovenie
A rather risky goal but the least important one. With a hilly and a very long flat ITT we have two great chances of taking a stage win in Slovenia and we will indeed look to cause some damage in that race.
We are back! The begining of the season for the Andorran colours out on the road and damn it feels wonderful.
Although slightely different the roads of Venezuela are loved by our team who last year got 1 of their 2 stage victories here, just days after their official debut. That rider was José Rujano and he is back this year, although with a different role as his age is starting to weigh on him, still he brings a valuable mountain strenght and will act as team captain for a limited 6-rider squad led by Larry Warbasse who will be debuting himself in the team's newly changed colours. The American is targeting the podium in his debut, quite ambitious but very realistic eyeing his competition.
The other two riders who will look to support Warbasse in the mountains are Carlos Baltazar and Bonaventure Uwizeyimana who if in great shape, can try to score some points with a Top20 place themselves. Uwizeyimana also has the goal of a Top3 in the U25 classification which is a realistic goal. Finally completing the squad are the two youngsters Omer Goldstein and Adria Urcelay who will start here their planned development which will take them across many races this season. They will mostly aid in the flat terrain, with minimal mountain support.
We will have a daily update right here on each stage as the race goes by, like last season.
Stage 1
A solid day out. Big excitement for the riders as they begin their season, and the mission for the day was accomplished, which was keeping Warbasse safe.
Spoiler
Stage:
27 Omer Goldstein s.t.
28 Lawrence Warbasse s.t.
75 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
79 Adria Urcelay s.t.
83 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
104 José Rujano s.t.
Stage 2
The wind was present today but caused no harm as our 3 main riders finished in the peloton. Warbasse giving good signs with his positioning.
Spoiler
22 Lawrence Warbasse s.t.
47 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
49 Omer Goldstein s.t.
65 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
123 Adria Urcelay + 4'27
126 José Rujano s.t.
Stage 3
Not much from today. The team was hidden for most of the day, but there were time gaps in the end, Uwizeyimana and Baltazar have lost around 1'30 to the peloton but they were integrated in a big group with some other GC contenders.
Spoiler
49 Adria Urcelay s.t.
53 Lawrence Warbasse s.t.
82 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 1'44
109 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
121 Omer Goldstein s.t.
129 José Rujano s.t.
Stage 4
The first GC defining day for some. A weird situation saw some riders escape before the final climb, Warbasse chased but still managed a stong 3rd place, gaining bonus time and some seconds on most of his rivals, alongside minutes on some more of his direct rivals.
Spoiler
3 Lawrence Warbasse + 1'04
34 Carlos Baltazar + 4'07
38 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
58 José Rujano + 5'53
72 Adria Urcelay + 8'02
121 Omer Goldstein + 14'29 GC
3 Lawrence Warbasse + 1'16
Spoiler
Warbasse putting on the chase
Spoiler
He still makes it over in third, leading the group home
Stage 5
A relaxing day in paper, the last one before the arrival of the mountains, but it was far from that. Nothing apparent caused it but a group of 30 riders escaped from the front of the peloton carrying just one GC major contender, Pinot. It was a confusing situation but Warbasse did not loose time to his rivals.
Spoiler
44 Omer Goldstein + 1'18
56 Lawrence Warbasse s.t.
61 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
64 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
68 Adria Urcelay s.t.
92 José Rujano s.t. GC
5 Lawrence Warbasse + 2'34
Stage 6
With Rujano infiltrating the break in his home roads there was hope he could do something special today, as he was part of a large break with good chances of making it. The attacks came soon in the final climb, Warbasse took it by pace all the way which was quite stressful as he looked to be in serious trouble. Rujano was caught but still managed a good 11th place whilst the North American finished 6th and remains a favourite to finish on the podium. Little mention to Uwizeyimana who climbed to 3rd on the U25 classification.
And he pushed the group yo it's breaking point, good stuff from the veteran
Spoiler
Warbasse starts a very late chase, and begins flying through groups
Spoiler
It was hard to believe our eyes, he actually passed entire groups alone and finished right up there with the main bulk of favourites
Stage 7
A hard day in the saddle but Warbasse proved his abilities by finishing second on the day and actually winning time to Pinot. But most importantly climbing to 2nd on GC. Uwizeyimana keeps his 3rd place in the U25.
Spoiler
2 Lawrence Warbasse + 25
36 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 1'59
39 Carlos Baltazar + 2'05
48 José Rujano + 2'30
80 Adria Urcelay + 3'46
113 Omer Goldstein + 4'33 GC
2 Lawrence Warbasse + 4'32 KOM
3 Lawrence Warbasse 18 U25
3 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 5'43
Spoiler
Warbasse finishes a brilliant time-trial
Stage 8
We were expecting a calm day and it sooned proved to be. There weren't serious attacks and both Warbasse and Baltazar finished in the main group.
Spoiler
4 Lawrence Warbasse s.t.
21 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
37 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 2'26
50 José Rujano + 3'51
75 Adria Urcelay + 8'24
113 Omer Goldstein + 17'35 GC
2 Lawrence Warbasse + 4'52 U25
3 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 8'09
Spoiler
A strong sprint earning him a 4th place
Stage 9
By some it was called the queen stage, it was nonetheless the last opportunity to see big gaps. We rode a conservative race and a glimpse of work done by Baltazar was a great sign as he had a great day, and Warbasse managed to counter the attacks of some rivals to be able to keep his 2nd place safe, a successful day.
And he finished in the chasing group, consolidating his 2nd place
Stage 10
Although we were expecting some action like last year, the pace was very high and it didn't allow anyone but Dylan Teuns to get away. Most of the team finished safely in the peloton, thus closing down what's been a succesful week (and a half).
Spoiler
8 Lawrence Warbasse + 33
23 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
24 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
54 Adria Urcelay s.t.
83 José Rujano s.t.
115 Omer Goldstein + 10'38 GC
2 Lawrence Warbasse + 6'49 U25
3 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 11'09
The team was split into 3 groups of 6 to take on the first race clashes of the season. In Venezuela, like last year, we come out very happy with the results, with Warbasse managing to finish a targeted 2nd place with some additional points from secondary classifications and stage results.
Carlos Baltazar and José Rujano did a fine work in support, as did Uwizeyimana who managed to grab some points for his 3rd place in the U25 classification.
From our estimations we got ourselves 72 points which is a great start of the season, although some rival teams are clearly ahead like GCN and Valio.
Robert Kiserlovski had a very successful debut in team colours (although wrong jersey which the MGUCI has been investigating) with a brilliant 6th place against PCT competition. A climb that he rode at tempo, frequently hovering in the wheels and in the final kilometers moving from the group he was at and crunching the other CT riders present, which needless to say is also a big motivational sign for the rest of the season.
Here he was supported by his lieutenant Ole Hirschlein, Masatoshi Oba, and the Andorran armada of Oscar Cabanas who is also debuting, Guy Diaz Groiller and Ivan Vila.
1 Sergio Luis Henao Montoya Philips - Continental 6h52'09
6 Robert Kiserlovski + 3'19
28 Ole Hirschlein + 10'54
71 Oscar Cabanas + 21'06
76 Guy Diaz Groiller + 23'00
81 Ivan Vila + 25'02
The second group of 6 was here and managed to bring home 32 points, which adding to the points gathered in Tachira makes for an amazing 104 points for Janurary alone. The team is also in Australia for the Great Ocean Road Classic but scoring will be unexpected, as the time-trial and classics core will try to infiltrate the race's offensive moves.
Edited by Yellow Jersey on 30-08-2018 18:26
Lineup Albert Kireva Oliver Naesen Richard Laningo Laizer Kevin Eeckhout Miguel Afonso Hugues Mottin
So the last 3rd of the team is in Australia, although Albert Kireva will be spared he will depend on a very agressive race to be able to score, and virtually no rider is consealed to a domestique labour. Fellow time-trialists Richard Laningo Laizer, Miguel Afonso and Hugues Mottin can be good engines to a possible break presence, while Belgian hardmen Oliver Naesen and Kevin Eeckhout have already planned a secrete detour through a cobbled street that can earn them a d̶i̶s̶q̶u̶a̶l̶i̶f̶i̶c̶a̶t̶i̶o̶n̶ few seconds out on the road.
Great result in Pico Basile! Kiserlovski is still a decent climber for PCT races where top favourites aren't around, and he proved that with a 6th place which gives some nice points to start the season, together with Warbasse's performance in Tachira
They have a very split calendar, Kiserlovski will take some C1 races and having this result is very good as it seems he may be able to get some decent results. And C2HC should see him win some stages (and maybe races) too if he keeps his best form!
Lineup Bonaventure Uwizeyimana Miguel Afonso Carlos Baltazar Omer Goldstein Ole Hirschlein Richard Laningo Laizer Adria Urcelay
Last year our journey to Malaysia was a significant one, as Ivan Vila became the first rider in MG history to get a stage win.
This year we will hope to get the same through breakaway opportunities, and the team won't have a set leader but a three-pronged approach. Last year Bonaventure Uwyizeyimana surprised and finished 19th overall and 3rd in U25, this year he will have the same target and he is the supposed team leader. We are counting more on Ole Hirschlein and Carlos Baltazar, if one of them rides strongly in the mountains they have a good shot at a Top15, and will be a good opportunity to give our main domestiques some freedom and see what they can do on their own. Youngsters Adria Urcelay and Omer Goldstein just arrived from Venezuela and will be looking to keep supporting their leaders, whist Richard Laningo Laizer will do the same buut will have an eye on the initial prologue and as we've seen in the past he is capable of surprising the peloton.
Every stage will be reported here.
Stage 1
Not an important day for much, just to set the leader who unsurprisingly is Chavanne again. Laizer finished 8th and Uwi gave good signs.
Spoiler
8 Richard Laningo Laizer +6
23 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana +8
29 Miguel Afonso +9
43 Ole Hirschlein + 11
84 Adria Urcelay + 15
101 Omer Goldstein + 16
124 Carlos Baltazar +18
Stage 2
A flat day in the saddle like many that will follow, so the team took it easy in the peloton, all 3 co-leaders arrived safely.
Spoiler
56 Ole Hirschlein s.t.
58 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
61 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
67 Miguel Afonso s.t.
76 Adria Urcelay s.t.
110 Omer Goldstein s.t.
147 Richard Laningo Laizer + 9'51 U25
2 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 1
Stage 3
An absolute brilliant performance from Ole Hirchlein, finishing wuth some of the main podium contenders, gives him a provisional 5th position. Uwizeyimana rode equaly well and is in 13th overall, and will carry the white jersey on his shoulders tomorrow already.
A calm day, all about recovering for the next day's mountain stage.
Spoiler
40 Miguel Afonso s.t.
67 Ole Hirschlein s.t.
74 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
81 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
86 Omer Goldstein s.t.
109 Adria Urcelay s.t.
112 Carlos Baltazar s.t. GC
5 Ole Hirschlein + 1'05
13 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 2'54 U25
1 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana 10h06'39
Stage 5
A hard day in the saddle for us, both Hirchlein and Uwizeyimana had evident dificulties during the climb, which was accentuated by the lack of support from Baltazar who finished a strong 11th, but a meaningless one in this situation.
A day to have a small reward for the team after yesterday. Laizer got the team's first breakaway presence of the season, and managed a brilliant 3rd place after the group managed to stay away. The rest of the squad finished safely in the pack.
Spoiler
3 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
85 Miguel Afonso s.t.
118 Omer Goldstein s.t.
122 Adria Urcelay s.t.
132 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t.
137 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
139 Ole Hirschlein s.t. GC
12 Ole Hirschlein + 5'48
24 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 7'28 U25
2 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 56
Spoiler
Laizer in the day's break
Spoiler
He does not recognize the term sprint.. he naturally prefers a tucked aero swift accelaration
Stage 7
Motivated by yesterday's result, it was the youngster Urcelay's turn to give it a shot today, and he had a strong ride. The break finished it off but he was caught right by the finish, still finishing 10th. The rest of the squad finished in the pack and preserved their places.
Spoiler
10 Adria Urcelay s.t.
69 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
81 Omer Goldstein s.t.
92 Miguel Afonso s.t.
132 Carlos Baltazar s.t.
133 Ole Hirschlein s.t.
144 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana s.t. GC
12 Ole Hirschlein + 5'48
24 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 7'28 U25
2 Bonaventure Uwizeyimana + 56
Spoiler
Urcelay in the break
Spoiler
He gives his all to be able to finish between the best
To add to what has been a terrific month of January, it's another cheerful race for us as Albert Kireva managed to finish 12th in the Great Ocean Road Classic. Like last year there were heavy winds, Rinner had a surprise 15th last year and whilst he's gone Kireva stepped up and put on a magnificent sprint, benefitting from the draining pace imposed in the flatlands.
Laizer also tried to infiltrate the day's break, sadly he was chased down and shockingly the peloton let a single rider do the whole race solo and win it, which was a pleasant thought for the Tanzanian but Kireva's result was a morale boost.
These 10 points aren't much but they are a nice reward for a race we had almost null expectations of scoring, we predict our January tally went up to 114 points which should place us quite well in the month's standings.
1 Johannes Schinnagel Oberfranken 4h37'48
12 Albert Kireva +2'29
101 Miguel Afonso s.t.
115 Hugues Mottin s.t.
119 Kevin Eeckhout s.t.
123 Oliver Naesen s.t.
124 Richard Laningo Laizer s.t.
Has to be enough to catapult up to PCT
The team has a new rider from our home nation, and a planned transfer was successful when the draft came. Cabanas not only brings extra Andorran presence, he brings time-trialing power to complete the TTT setup and also brings solid climbing qualities, making for a complete stage racer that will be indicated to perform with the leaders in the hardest races, and those against the clock.
Albert Kireva
Oliver Naesen
Richard Laningo Laizer
Hugues Mottin
I'm trying to remain careful with Kiserlovski but it sure is a very good sign!
Bonaventure Uwizeyimana
Carlos Baltazar
Omer Goldstein
Ole Hirschlein
