RTG '21 | General
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Fabianski |
Posted on 26-07-2021 20:08
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4667
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Spoiler
Me: Mom, Dad, we need to talk.
Dad: That's fine - as long as it doesn't concern your stupid cycling obsession!
Mom: Ueli, please calm down and let's see what Ruedi has to tell us!
Me: Thanks, Mom. It indeed concerns cycling, but you know I prefer naming it a dream, or passion. I really don't know what's the issue with it.
Dad: What's the issue with it? I'll tell you what the...
Mom: Ueli, please stop. Ruedi, you know your dad and I are getting older, and we need you to take over the farm soon.
Me: Yes, I know. And I love working with the animals, the machines, all that stuff. But you both know I love cycling more.
Dad: Sure, we know that. Instead of taking the bus to go to school, you always take your stupid bike, losing lots of precious time you could spend on the farm!
Mom: But you have to see that our son...
Dad: No, Anna, now it's my turn. You're losing way too much time with that hobby; I'd really love you to stop cycling altogether!
Me: Well, it's pretty much the contrary. Some scouts were impressed by my results in junior races, and so it looks like I could sign a contract with a professional team for next season!
Dad: No way, boy. You know how much we invested in your education, and we have supported your hobby until now - but there's no way we're going to allow you to leave the farm!
Me: Dad, you know I'm an adult now. I can do whatever you want. As I said, I love farming, and the farmer school was great. But cycling is greater. Do you really want to crush my dreams?
Mom: Ruedi, I think that's great news for you. But you have to see as well that our future depends on the farm's future. If you don't take it over, we'll have to sell it - and we'd be left with not much.
Me: Yes, I know. But I'm 18 years old now. If I really manage to do a pro career in cycling, that will take at most 20 years. And I'd love to take over the farm after this!
Dad: I said no - and no it is!
Mom: Ueli, I think that Ruedi's proposition sounds pretty reasonable. I know you think he shouldn't realize his dream, because your father forbid you to realize yours. I think we should give him a chance.
Dad: What do you mean by "give him a chance"?
Mom: I'd say, give him three years. If by then he does have a perspective of making enough money to really call it a profession, it's fine. If he doesn't succeed, he should give up and come back home.
Dad: But don't expect me to pay anything during those three years!
Me: Can we make a deal, Dad? Of course, I'll gain some money, but probably not enough in the beginning. But I'll still help out at home whenever it's possible. It's been a great training so far, and I don't see why I shouldn't do it any longer.
Dad: I see, it's both of you against me anyway... So go and try to find your luck - but I definitely expect you to help us with the farm whenever it's possible! No love stories, no other hobbies!
Me: Sure, Dad. I'll definitely need some time for training, but not all day long. I'll help you and Mom, promised! Thank you for supporting me!
Spoiler
Now you know a little about my story, and how it all started with my professional career. I'm Rudolf "Ruedi" Pieren, 18 years old, living (and grown up) in the beautiful village of Adelboden, Switzerland.
Being (unfortunately) my parents' only child, I have always been working on their farm, run by our family since several generations. It's a work I always loved to do, although it's really hard.
Like all boys up here, I was always dreaming of becoming a professional skier. And I was pretty strong. During summers, we mostly trained on the bike - being on the road or on gravel, in the mountains. That was fun, too.
However, all my hopes of getting a pro skier were crushed the day I had that horrible ski accident. My cruciate ligaments suffered most from it, and the doctors recommended me to stop competitive skiing. The knee just didn't have enough stability anymore.
And that's where cycling came into play. During the summer activities, I got to know Joel Suter, a professional cyclist from Frutigen, the village just "down the hill". He helped me to get started in the local bike club, and we did some training rides together. My passion for cycling only grew from then on.
Of course, I participated in a few local races whenever I had time to do so. I mostly did mountain bike races, given that there aren't that many non-gravel roads around Adelboden. My training rides are mostly up and down - meaning that both climbing and downhilling are among my main strengths. When I did farmer school, I mostly went by bike - to my Dad's dislike.
I'm not a pure climber, though, as I'm pretty muscular due to the farming work. Which is a disadvantage on the climbs, but a plus for tempo riding on flatter roads. At least that's what my coaches told me. And now, I'm here. Ready to sign a contract as a professional athlete. Although it's the "wrong" sport, a dream is coming true. Can it be? Can it really be?
Rider Presentation:
Rudolf "Ruedi" Pieren
Name: | Rudolf Pieren | Nationality: | Switzerland | Specialization: | Stage Racer | Favourite Team: | AG2R Citroën Team | Career Goals: | Win Tour de Suisse | | Win Maillot à Pois (TdF KoM jersey) | Height: | 183cm | Weight: | 75kg |
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Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 26-07-2021 22:31
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3259
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Damn, Ruedi starting with some pressure on his shoulders. 3-years to make it.
Welcome to all the new riders.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling
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MacC |
Posted on 26-07-2021 23:04
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Sprinter
Posts: 1594
Joined: 15-07-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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I would like to join, can do an intro tomorrow night I hope
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DarkWolf |
Posted on 27-07-2021 05:47
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
Joined: 21-09-2020
PCM$: 700.00
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It all started with a tricycle. A birthday gift from his parents he couldn’t get enough of and from which he had to be pried for meals and sleep. Then his grandfather taught him how to ride a bike and the same thing happened again. While other children kicked a ball or played their games he preferred his bike rides across the roads of the town or on the slopes around it. At home he was glued to the stories, pictures and videos of Marco Pantani, Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador.
But his relationship with his idols was bitter-sweet, while he savored their style, demeanor and victories the dark shadows of doping left him disillusioned and disappointed. That and the fact there was no cycling club around his home town made him chose the rides together with his father, training on his own and finding his own path. They raced and enjoyed their time together at MTB stage races such as Titan Desert or Appenninica, but it was at Andorra Epic Series where he caught the eye of a Spanish scout.
He was invited to join the Spanish junior team of Quadis Trek - C.C. Sant Boi and after consulting carefully with his father he did just that. However, the timing was not perfect in the least. With the COVID pandemic hitting the world he was left with only a couple of months of training with the Spanish team and only with a brief plan for an uncertain future. He still managed, towards the end of the year, to race with his teammates at Vuelta al Besaya, Vuelta a la Subbetica and Cursa Ciclistica Llobregat and it seems that was enough to draw the attention of the professional cycling teams.
He sits now with a few offers on the table and ponders his future. The childhood dream is still there, strong and healthy, and it seems this is the next step to make it a reality. He envisions himself in the grand races of the world and dreams to be the first Romanian at Tour de France after 85 years, joining the riders who did that 1 time in history, Mormocea, Tudose, Hapciuc and Tapu. Not only that, but he dreams of raising the hands in victory on the mountains of France, Italy and Spain, of wearing the yellow, pink and red jersey and, why not since the dreams can grow as much as they wish to, winning the 3 GTs and maybe winning them all in 1 year. Something no one has achieved.
Name: MIHAI STOIAN
Nationality: Romania
Specialization: Stage Racer
Favourite Team: N/A
Career Goal: Winning the 3 GTs, perhaps even winning them all in 1 year
Height: 183 cm
Weight: 65 kg |
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 27-07-2021 07:35
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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@Fabianski and DarkWolf: Riders approved.
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MacC |
Posted on 27-07-2021 22:19
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Sprinter
Posts: 1594
Joined: 15-07-2008
PCM$: 700.00
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Name: Seánie Coss
• Nationality: Irish
•Specialization: Time Trial
• Favourite team: Ag2R
• Career Goal: To use TT skills to wear the leader's jersey in all 3 GTs
• Height: 182
• Weight: 80
Coming from a large family in a busy community Seánie Coss always sought solitude. By nature the young boy and man was always at his happiest when alone.
Cycling was a natural fit but still that annoying “teamwork” stuff was a drag. Then one day as a young boy watching the Tour on TV Seánie noticed that the riders were cycling on their own. He asked his father what was going on and was very interested to learn this was a “Time Trial”.
And so his path was set...
He dreamed of following Irish cyclists down through the years who looked to France for a start.
He learned to tolerate others but he grins and bears the flat, the hills, cobbles and mountains waiting for his chance to strike against the clock.
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DavidCorperial |
Posted on 28-07-2021 04:58
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Free Agent
Posts: 102
Joined: 13-06-2013
PCM$: 5600.00
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I'll Return but with a different rider
• Name: David Ginsberg
• Nationality: Israel
• Specialization: Sprinter
• Favourite Team (from the ones in the game): Israel Start-Up Nation
• Career Goal: Win or points victory in a major race while wearing the Israel Flag
• Height: 168
• Weight: 60
Growing up in Beit Shemesh, the son of 2 Americans who moved to Israel, so a dual-citizen Israeli-American dreams rode hard on the very flat roads he grew up on and one day hoped to make a big result while wearing the Israel jersey. Thrilled to see an Israeli based team become a huge name in the sport also made him extremely happy and made him want to ride and succeed for them one day. |
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 28-07-2021 06:09
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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@MacC and DavidCorporeal: Riders approved.
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Shonak |
Posted on 28-07-2021 06:18
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 15615
Joined: 16-07-2013
PCM$: 350.00
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AVA returns too but if he doesnt get some.results.this season I might retire him and go on a different rided.
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
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Ripley |
Posted on 28-07-2021 07:09
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3341
Joined: 25-11-2014
PCM$: 300.00
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Interesting new riders, great work, guys!
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Ad Bot |
Posted on 21-11-2024 19:35
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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IP: None |
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 31-07-2021 10:27
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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The Teams, Riders and Races thread is now up. Fell free to start posting about your riders, teams, season expectations, etc. if you want to.
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ivaneurope |
Posted on 31-07-2021 12:08
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2933
Joined: 09-05-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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A last minute choice - Andrey Yanakiev is returning once more
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 01-08-2021 08:53
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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Team Details are now updated for the 2021 season.
Teams with 30 or more riders will not be making any contract offers this season.
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Nemolito |
Posted on 01-08-2021 20:05
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Jesus Campeon is back and ready to score more than three points next season!
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 07-08-2021 04:54
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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23 riders already signed up for the season, which is a new record for the RTG
Still hoping that the two riders who were in the previous seasons but haven't returned so far, will also be back.
That being said, I think it's a good time to get things rolling.
I will start sending out PMs with contract offers starting today, first to returning riders and then to the newly signed up ones. Here's how it will work...
- You will receive contract offers from two or more teams. The contract length will be mentioned for each.
- Send back your team choice as a reply to the PM. Please don't post in any thread yet.
- Once I have your reply, I will post an announcement in the Teams, Riders and Races thread (won't be one at time but after I have 3-4 replies).
- Post that, feel free to write about it yourself in the same thread.
The following returning riders already have a contract for this season and will not receive a PM for this task:
Jhon Santíago García Cerravalos - Caja Rural - Seguros RGA
Hector César Ernesto Fernández Hernández - Movistar Team
Jørgen Hillestad - Hagens Berman - Axeon
Rocco Bianchi Campagna - Astana - Premier Tech
Harry Stanley - EF Education - Nippo
Tornike Zurabiani - Astana - Premier Tech
Please let me know if I've missed anyone/added anyone by mistake in the above list.
SIGN-UPS remain open. Deadline will be announced soon.
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 08-08-2021 15:28
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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All contract offers have been sent out. I have even started getting back replies. So thank you for that
In case your rider is not among the six riders mentioned in the last post, and you still haven't received a PM with contract offers, please let me know.
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 09-08-2021 06:58
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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There have been more than a few requests over the past seasons to have a rider to manager/handler mapping, so here it is: https://pcmdaily....st_1395731
Let me know if you spot any mistakes.
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 11-08-2021 06:17
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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I have received responses for all but 5 riders for contracts, so that's excellent progress already. Reminder to others to please send them in.
Will start with the Stat update/assignment process this weekend.
Setting a deadline for signups now: 31st August, 2021.
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AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 15-08-2021 14:45
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 11675
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1861.50
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The calendar is available here: https://pcmdaily....st_1396492
Race profiles will also be put up soon.
I have received all responses for new contracts
Stat updates are a bit delayed but should be up soon as well.
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baseballlover312 |
Posted on 15-08-2021 15:26
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
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I think I'm gonna join, cause why not? Have to spend some time later rereading the rules and making my rider though.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
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