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[PT 25] ELCO - ABEA | Q1
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| SotD |
Posted on 05-08-2025 18:13
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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@TheManxMissile
Hehe yeah, training money helped indeed, and true. All revenue from the tourist industry is funelled directly into this project  And thanks a lot for the kind words! I sure hope you'll keep your project up aswell. But it's not sustainable unless some sort of sales options or points generators are in the setup aswell. I have definately come to that conclusion after the last relegation.
@knockout
Thanks, I found it interesting aswell. In the past some money (not much though) was also invested in Vlatos, which haven't been included. If I decide to funnel the training cash solely into Karatsivis I would expect him to be a future GT winner (at 30), but I'm not sure it's viable to get him all that way. Perhaps a future GT podium rider would be interesting.
@Booker
Atleast he's available  - Nah, I know he's not a superstar. But he would be a nice fit for a national focused team!
I'm sure we can find a viable solution. I had a couple of offers very late last season, that I would have normally taken if it wasn't for the fact that I needed A LOT to move into the next training category. So let's see if we can't find a good deal for the both of us.
@sammy93
If I was somehow able to get enough training money to move Giannoutsos to 82 MO and Farantakis to 82SPR then I'd might be interested in giving it a go, but I think I'm a couple of years too early when Karatsivis isn't yet training eligeble unfortunately. I hope I won't have to stop the development entirely, but It is a somewhat high-aged-leaders-team I have with Ioannidis and Spanopoulos being on their final age as maxed, and Mavrikakis and Kortsidakis having just one more year. And then the riders aged 28-30 will soon follow. The new "rules" with 1-2 new names each year to the DB makes it difficult to start the new long term plan, but atleast there are some non-developped riders elsewhere that I can hopefully sign in a couple of years time.
@Fabianski
I'll might get in touch as to getting a few tricks, because I certainly wasn't very succesful in my last attempt, with a very similar team + Coquard I think your TTT setup worked pretty well last season, and the two hilly riders I'd suspect would score much better than my cobblers would in the PT - but I'd agree that there's many similarities. Of course Greece is superior - We just need you to forget all about training Schmid!
@Heine
Thanks a lot mate - Indeed a very different take now that back when my team was among the top tiers. It's somewhat more fun this way for me - but It gives me some limitations in the transferperiod which I'm not all that happy about. I always love to do a lot of deals, and this doesn't really give me much option for that
@jandal7
Yeah he got into an infight with Soulious and Vila that disagreed with the assesment, so we have to deal with that
Thanks for all those kind words. I really appreciate that! I'm looking forward to the battle aswell, eventhough you are now vastly superior with an absolute awesome team. It's incredible how you managed to build such a strong and yet young team with Areruya, Pidcock, Ganna, Vermeersch and Fouche. And still above 1mio to equip 10 riders for a very wellrounded team. I can only expect you to fight for a PT podium this season!
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 05-08-2025 18:55
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Sprinter
Posts: 1803
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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Not sure we'll talk much in transfers, but it'll be interesting to see who the non-Greek (and Cypriot) leaders are you're bringing in.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 06-08-2025 20:11
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Team Leader
Posts: 7374
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Very tempted by some of the riders showing as available or maybe there, though may be less keen when I see the prices you want 
Curious to see how you approach this season, as I guess you'll want to make sure you stay up and also acquire riders you'll later be able to sell to fund training? |
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| liefwarrior |
Posted on 12-08-2025 08:41
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 996
Joined: 04-07-2019
PCM$: 300.00
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Some interesting names there on the availability lists, but not any that I think will tempt me to do any buying right off the bat. That said, I'm sure there will be some new entries once your annual deal-making extravaganza begins.
Either way I am excited to see whether this is the year that Greek cycling establishes itself in the highest echelon of the professional peloton.
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| SotD |
Posted on 12-08-2025 20:18
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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@kandesbunzler26
It's very much up for grabs really. I see a good list of FA riders aswell as contracted, but somewhat available riders, potentially fitting in very well
jph27
I don't have a lot of high value riders this off seasons, so whether they are going to be sold, or used in swapping in other assets/subleaders is yet to be decided. The plan is indeed to see if I can create a team that can survive, while being able to sell some riders next season to keep training going. This isn't the season with the most trainings needed. Obviously I would love to see f.e. Giannoutsos or Kiriakidis taking another step, but It's not a given that it will happen this time
liefwarrior
I actually haven't made all that many deals in recent years. Mostly signing some cheap FA's late to hopefully sell next season. But I definately hope this year is a bit more active. I think that's needed to survive tbh. I definately hope to stay up, but it's not a given even with the moves I'm planning to make
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| SotD |
Posted on 12-08-2025 21:23
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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To get the season off to a running start, here's the availability list in numbers.
 | Ioannis Spanopoulos | 4.100 | 32yo | Stage Racer | €105.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 69 | 77 | 75 | 72 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 54 | 60 | 64 | 66 | 62 | 73 |
Available
Spanopoulos has often been a useful pointscorer in short GC races with a little bit of climbing, hills and timetrials. Recently got 7th in Tour de Vineyards, 9th in Tour of California and 13th in Tour of America, mostly as a domestique.
 | Kees Duyvesteyn | 4.100 | 27yo | Puncheur | €70.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 68 | 70 | 77 | 65 | 67 | 71 | 68 | 60 | 64 | 76 | 75 | 67 | 65 |
Available
Duyvesteyn is a newly maxed and very aggresive puncheur, well suited for stagehunting in stageraces also.
 | Alexander Edmondson | 4.100 | 32yo | Cobbler | €70.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 73 | 58 | 64 | 64 | 72 | 71 | 77 | 74 | 77 | 75 | 67 | 64 | 74 |
Available
Edmondson was signed as a leadout rider last season, but showed his quality when winning a stage in Tour of America. He was also often a very important part of the cobbles season, where he could be even better with a fast cobbled leader.
 | Yikui Niu | 4.100 | 31yo | Allrounder | €70.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 72 | 74 | 72 | 67 | 76 | 69 | 75 | 56 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 70 | 67 |
Available
Niu have a strong history of helping top riders, like Demare, to great results while often sticking around for long enough to score decent himself. He also had a solid season without a good leader this season, crowning it by winning the National Championships.
 | Mats Wenzel | 3.09 | 23yo | Stage Racer | €50.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 67 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 60 | 58 | 70 | 65 | 68 | 72 | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | | ↓↓↓ | | | ↓↓↓ | | 68 | 75 | 72 | 74 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 60 | 58 | 71 | 65 | 68 | 75 |
Available
Wenzel is yet to reach his full potential, but will max out as a very handy young GC rider well equipped for short GC races with atleast one TT. Also a great fit for all GC focused teams as a domestique, and with stats well rounded for further training.
 | Edgar Andres Pinzon | 2.16 | 24yo | Climber | €50.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 65 | 70 | 67 | 55 | 69 | 73 | 68 | 59 | 64 | 68 | 67 | 65 | 55 | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | ↓↓↓ | | 66 | 76 | 73 | 57 | 71 | 77 | 72 | 59 | 64 | 73 | 72 | 65 | 57 |
Available
Pinzon is still some way from being a fully developped rider, but will max out as a very solid climber, who could be invested further in. Can be developped easily in all divisions.
| | Michail Mavrikakis | 4.100 | 31yo | Stage Racer | €120.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 70 | 79 | 72 | 71 | 74 | 73 | 69 | 54 | 61 | 67 | 63 | 64 | 71 |
Maybe Available
Mavrikakis have developped from 77 to 79 MO during his long stay at the team, and have been our secondary GC riders for a long time. He was a vital part in the promotion back to the PT, and have numerous decent GT results as both leader and domestique to his tally. Recently got 6th in Tour de Vineyards behind winner Giannoutsos.
| | Zisis Soulious | 4.100 | 29yo | Puncheur | €120.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 69 | 74 | 75 | 66 | 76 | 75 | 69 | 51 | 71 | 78 | 63 | 76 | 66 |
Maybe Available
Soulious is a very well rounded puncheur/climber with a very nice final kick. He came frustratingly close to a stagewin on 3 occassions in last seasons Tour of America, but was beaten by the stat-wise superior Ivan Sosa. With a fast punchy leader he could score a significant amount of leadout points, and being just 29 yo, he could also develop f.e. to 79 HI and become a very very strong rider.
| | Aimiliano Vila | 4.100 | 28yo | Puncheur | €100.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 70 | 71 | 77 | 64 | 70 | 73 | 74 | 54 | 67 | 74 | 76 | 69 | 64 |
Maybe Available
Vila is the classical puncheur. Nothing spectacular, but very well rounded, and a good attacking gene also for GC race stage hunting. Being just 28 yo there is also still a potential to push for a top puncheur if needed over the next 3 seasons. More realistic though is that you get a very solid lieutenaint for your puncheur leader.
| | Dimitrios Christakos | 4.100 | 26yo | Stage Racer | €85.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 69 | 77 | 72 | 70 | 69 | 74 | 72 | 58 | 61 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 73 |
Maybe Available
Christakos have also been developped in our own ranks, and is now training eligeble at the age of just 26, with a good base of solid stats, mainly rangeing from 69-74, behind the key stat. He won the U25 GC of Tour of America last season, and finished 3rd U25 in Criterium du Dauphine, Tour of California and Japan Tour - all of them as a domestique.
 | Andreas Miltiadis | 4.100 | 29yo | Attacker | €65.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 68 | 75 | 75 | 67 | 70 | 71 | 66 | 68 | 61 | 75 | 67 | 68 | 67 |
Maybe Available
Miltiadis is another rider who have been with us for numerous seasons, with a career highlight in winning a stage in the Tour de France as the first Cypriot rider ever. He has shown great attacking strength in many seasons, and have a nice "hidden" 68 COB stat which have often seen him perform pretty well in difficult cobbled races.
| | Alexandros Matsangos | 4.100 | 26yo | Cobbler | €55.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 73 | 68 | 70 | 71 | 74 | 71 | 63 | 75 | 62 | 69 | 67 | 67 | 71 |
Maybe Available
Newly maxed cobbler Matsangos is yet to prove his worth, but as a very well rounded rider, that can also climb and timetrial, he could be an interesting asset for a couple of niche races, aswell as an easy plug'n'play domestique for almost all terrains. Being just 26 years old, there is also room to develop him further if wanted, coming of next season.
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| SotD |
Posted on 17-08-2025 20:03
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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We wish the one and only Greek Titan back on the team after a year abroad. Panagiotis is riding what seems to be his last season as a professional rider, and we are so happy that it is with us. With a staggering career points total he is a long long way ahead of the next greek rider, which in fact is still the pensioned Georgos Tzortzakis who stopped after the 2019 season.
His stats are not as flashy as they used to be, but we still expect him to take his turns in the Timetrials and Team Time tirals
| | Panagiotis Vlatos | 4.100 | 35yo | Timetriallist | €50.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 68 | 50 | 62 | 77 | 67 | 65 | 58 | 64 | 63 | 60 | 64 | 50 | 77 |
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| SotD |
Posted on 17-08-2025 22:42
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Three new riders joined the team today, and we are very pleased with our mission of aquiring new talents to the roster. In fact we are a bit overwhelmed with the fact that it all worked out, as we actually see them all as steals looking at the wages.
Davies will remain at the team this season, while the others might be looking at lower divisions. Nothing is set in stone just yet though.
 | Scott Davies | 4.100 | 30yo | Stage Racer | €50.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 65 | 73 | 70 | 74 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 55 | 61 | 69 | 64 | 65 | 74 | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | | | | | ↓↓↓ | | 65 | 75 | 71 | 76 | 72 | 73 | 75 | 55 | 61 | 69 | 64 | 65 | 76 |
INFO: Davies is no youngster, but can make an immidiate impact as a domestique, aswell as further develop into a very solid GC rider, for depth scoring.
 | Marco Schrettl | 1.00 | 22yo | Puncheur | €85.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 64 | 67 | 71 | 58 | 68 | 71 | 66 | 55 | 56 | 65 | 60 | 71 | 59 | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | 65 | 76 | 79 | 59 | 71 | 75 | 73 | 55 | 56 | 72 | 68 | 72 | 60 |
INFO: Schrettl is easily the strongest puncheur talent we have aquired in years! If he was Greek he would have been an easy pick for future development.
| | Alexander Hajek | 1.00 | 22yo | Climber | €85.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 67 | 68 | 70 | 60 | 69 | 70 | 68 | 57 | 58 | 66 | 64 | 71 | 57 | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | ↓↓↓ | | 68 | 77 | 78 | 61 | 72 | 74 | 75 | 57 | 58 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 58 |
INFO: Hajek is a rider with many resemblances with Schrettl. He's a slightly better climber, and generally endures longer stage races better. He too would have been the star of tomorrow if he was greek.
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| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 17-08-2025 23:19
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 3914
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
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Schrettl and Hajek are nice buys at 85k. Can you become Austro-Greek?
And it feels right with you back in PT picking up 4.x guys you can max easily and sell at a huge profit.
Congrats on Vlatos, back where he belongs.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
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| Heine |
Posted on 18-08-2025 10:59
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4460
Joined: 08-04-2007
PCM$: 200.00
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Great to see Vlatos return home, and some awesome talents you've picked up!
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| redordead |
Posted on 18-08-2025 11:36
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Team Leader
Posts: 5509
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Hajek is a great get at that price.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 05-12-2025 06:25
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| knockout |
Posted on 18-08-2025 12:31
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8233
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Nice pickup with Davies and the austrian duo is excellent for those wages! I'm curious who will have the better career, i think i like Hajek slightly more!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| quadsas |
Posted on 18-08-2025 14:24
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2727
Joined: 18-01-2013
PCM$: 300.00
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Had both Austrians on the radar, but figured I'd leave them for a PCT Austrian team, cause they were good riders. I guess they will have to buy them at a premium later on
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| SotD |
Posted on 18-08-2025 17:42
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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@Ulrich Ulriksen
Hehe might be the way to go in the future. If the Austrian teams don't want the Austrian talents, it seems like an obvious route - Thanks on Vlatos, and agree that Davies is basically the type of rider I have always turned to. I think he is worth more than 50K, and I'm sure he will ask for that next year.
@Heine
Thanks a lot mate. Vlatos indeed makes me happy, although I really wanted him back last year so he could play a vital role in promoting us.
@redordead
Thanks - And I agree. Didn't expect to get both. Was willing to pay 150K for just one of them.
@knockout
Yeah I agree, Hajek is likely the better rider, when also taking the FL and FIG into account. But then again, Schrettl +2FL is barely an investment once maxed.
@quadsas
Happy you didn't go for them. I hope they can bring some money when I really need it for training Karatsivis, but you'll never know what is possible
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| SotD |
Posted on 18-08-2025 22:21
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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We haven't had a puncheur at this level since 2022 prime Koretzky, and we experienced last time we were in the PT, that it was necessary, regardless of the few amount of hilly days we tried to get into our plan. The reality is probably that Kinoshita is somewhere in the middle ground of the 2022 and 2023 Koretzky. He has a slightly better physical package still, but is not quite as strong as a finisher and attacker. Only time can tell if we did the right move here - but one thing is for sure: He will quite obviously be our hilly leader!
Despite not being as strong as he once was, it is a rider with an amazing palmares in the biggest one day races on the calender:
#1  Liege-Bastogne-Liege (2022)
#1 Fleche Wallonne (2020)
#5  Amstel Gold Race (2022)
#7  Giro d'Lombardia (2020)
 | Tomohiro Kinoshita | 4.100 | 34yo | Puncheur | €250.000 |
| Fl | Mo | Hi | TT | St | Rs | Rc | Co | Sp | Ac | Fi | Dh | Pr | | 71 | 70 | 81 | 64 | 77 | 74 | 70 | 57 | 66 | 74 | 71 | 69 | 64 |
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| knockout |
Posted on 18-08-2025 22:28
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8233
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Kinoshita looks like he can still play an important role. Curious how strong he will be!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 19-08-2025 08:30
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7770
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 20845.00
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That's about 1/3rd of what he demanded in renewals, but taking a pay cut in order to ride for one of the most historic teams is understandable. Hopefully you can squeeze a good season out of him!
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| cunego59 |
Posted on 19-08-2025 17:54
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Team Manager
Posts: 6546
Joined: 14-09-2008
PCM$: 1290.00
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I think at that price tag, Kinoshita is a great somewhat low-risk option as a leader for the hills. Hopefully he'll contribute enough. And, as others have said, great pickups with the two Austrians!
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 19-08-2025 20:59
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Yeah, this year we should've had focus on Austria instead of Switzerland, both of them are easily better than what "we" got... Congrats on signing them pretty cheap, will make you quite some money later on 
Vlatos was an obvious pick, good to see he gets to score a couple more points. And Kinoshita can be hit or miss - probably still competitive in the "classic" puncheur races, but struggling even on medium-lenght climbs. It could still pay off for you - and for 250k you can definitely take that risk
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| SotD |
Posted on 22-08-2025 17:18
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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@knockout
I hope you are right. Yeah me too. I was really in doubt as to whether I should go for him, or a more well rounded GC kinda puncheur. But I guess I had a few of those at semi-decent level already.
@Marcodw
Thanks mate! He was also significantly stronger last year - But sometimes it doesn't really show in the output.
@cunego59
Yeah that was my take on things too. I can probably find more secure point scorers at 250K wage, but with the raceplan I have and the rider combination it was a gamble I was willing to take. Thanks - I am very pleased with the Austrians too!
@Fabianski
Hehe just change your focus hardcore next season Yeah, Vlatos was a must pick, despite not really useful anymore. I agree. Kinoshita can go both ways. He can get a couple of top 10s in one day races I otherwise wouldn't have gotten, and that's good enough. Other than that he's probably more of a stage hunter and not picking the obvious route. Often he would be in the way of riders like Ioannidis and Kiriakidis which isn't good.
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