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A New Beginning - It´s over
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 18-02-2015 15:28
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
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PCM$: 2100.00
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 Contract Trip #8  Baltic States 
We had a close vote between some experienced superdomestiques. The man who finally made it is...
...Gatis Smukulis from Latvia. He will add a great engine for flat races and time trials to our team. This abilities were significant for his years at Katusha before he joined us.
Current Team
 | Frank Schleck | Leader |  | Lieuwe Westra | Leader |  | Marcus Burghardt | Co-Leader | | Bob Jungels | Co-Leader |  | Kristof Vandewalle | Co-Leader | | Rick Zabel | Talent Free-Role | | Mathieu van der Poel | Talent Free-Role |  | Petr Vakoc | Talent Free-Role | | Patrick Gretsch | Pro-Domestique | | Laurent Didier | Pro-Domestique | | Jelle Wallays | Pro-Domestique |  | Lasse Hansen | Pro-Domestique |  | Johann Tschopp | Pro-Domestique | | Julian Kern | Domestique | | Alex Kirsch | Domestique | | David van der Poel | Domestique |  | Martin Velits | Domestique |  | Sebastian Balck | Domestique | | Gatis Smukulis | Domestique |
We now have 19 riders in our team, so I think we have only two spots left. And these will be chosen by you! We have a list of riders we have a look on, they will be automatically in the final vote:
Gastauer
Drucker
Martens
Geschke
Herklotz
van Baarle
Kroon
Keukeleire
Vermote
P.Velits
Page
Konovalovas
Your Task
Now your task is to fill the list with riders you want to see in the team! There are no rule containing nationality. You can feel free to make any proposal, it would be nice if you give an explanation why your proposal should sign a contract with us. And I think it will increase their chances on signing with us. 
Feedback Corner
trekbmc wrote:
sutty68 wrote:
The team is certainly beginning to look good in strength and depth
+1 
that´s because of your work  |
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 18-02-2015 19:12
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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It's my duty to suggest George Bennett. He is a great young talent and domestique in the mountains, and I think he would go for a slightly more bumped role here than at Lotto NL.
I would like to present Hayden Roulston. An experienced head and domestique on the cobbles and flats.
More to come!
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
5x  x5
2x  x2
2x  x2 |
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| Selwink |
Posted on 18-02-2015 19:30
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Just a short list here. All are pure domestiques, which this team IMO still lacks.
Hugo Houle - excellent domestique for the flat, also good time trialist.
Ronan van Zandbeek - experience at PCT level, very good allround domestique
Martijn Maaskant - Much experience, has a good palmares. Could be very helpful on the flat and cobbles.
Marcin Sapa - Very experienced domestique. Might be a bit too old.
Morris Possoni - PT experience, several top-10s in HC
Staf Scheirlinckx - Very experienced classics man, but also quite all-round
Pawel Bernas - Quite young puncher, very strong on the flat as well.
Nikola Aistrup - All round domestique, quite young but still has some years already.
In terms of nationality some might be a bit unrealistic: Possoni and Houle especially.
Since this team is quite young Scheirlinckx has my preferance, hopefully Kroon can be added as well.
From the list of options it's quite safe to scrap Geschke (Leader at Giant in the Ardennes, top-10 competitior already), Martens (Already rides for the same team for about 3000 years), Van Baarle (he's not safe to scrap, he won't come definitely. Already quite far at Garmin), Keukeleire (classics leader in WT) and Drucker (signed with BMC)
Edited by Selwink on 18-02-2015 19:31
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 18-02-2015 22:01
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Damn I missed the vote!! I agree with selwink for Maaskant, and the riders that can be scrapped as they are 'too good' for the team.
Addition of Velits and Konovalovas would also be good 
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 19-02-2015 07:00
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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Not going to suggest anybody (although I will be in the vote) because I already want some of the other suggestions more than anybody I can think of.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-02-2015 10:01
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Huge Feedback Corner - Rider Suggestions
jandal7 wrote:
It's my duty to suggest George Bennett. He is a great young talent and domestique in the mountains, and I think he would go for a slightly more bumped role here than at Lotto NL.
I would like to present Hayden Roulston. An experienced head and domestique on the cobbles and flats.
More to come!
They´re in, not surprised to see this suggestions from you
Selwink wrote:
Just a short list here. All are pure domestiques, which this team IMO still lacks.
Hugo Houle - excellent domestique for the flat, also good time trialist.
Ronan van Zandbeek - experience at PCT level, very good allround domestique
Martijn Maaskant - Much experience, has a good palmares. Could be very helpful on the flat and cobbles.
Marcin Sapa - Very experienced domestique. Might be a bit too old.
Morris Possoni - PT experience, several top-10s in HC
Staf Scheirlinckx - Very experienced classics man, but also quite all-round
Pawel Bernas - Quite young puncher, very strong on the flat as well.
Nikola Aistrup - All round domestique, quite young but still has some years already.
In terms of nationality some might be a bit unrealistic: Possoni and Houle especially.
Since this team is quite young Scheirlinckx has my preferance, hopefully Kroon can be added as well.
The suggestions are great, I really like your idea on how the team should be look.
Possoni and Houle have great experience in european cycling, also in our main regions, so no trouble with that
I have two additions to your list: Marcin Sapa is out due to his suspension until 2016. It seems like Possoni didn´t race since 2012 (ProCyclingStats), do you know anything about that?
From the list of options it's quite safe to scrap Geschke (Leader at Giant in the Ardennes, top-10 competitior already), Martens (Already rides for the same team for about 3000 years), Van Baarle (he's not safe to scrap, he won't come definitely. Already quite far at Garmin), Keukeleire (classics leader in WT) and Drucker (signed with BMC)
I think you´re right, I would just keep van Baarle in there. He wasn´t the captain at his Tour of Britain result (I think he got the time through a breakaway), and we could give him more chances. In addition we have a man with great knwoledge and connection pointing at talents from the Netherlands (Adrie).
the_hoyle wrote:
Damn I missed the vote!! I agree with selwink for Maaskant, and the riders that can be scrapped as they are 'too good' for the team.
Addition of Velits and Konovalovas would also be good
Do you mean too good or just right?
trekbmc wrote:
Not going to suggest anybody (although I will be in the vote) because I already want some of the other suggestions more than anybody I can think of.
There are already loads of suggestions
I have only one more suggestion, and that´s Ryan Mullen. He is a pretty talented time triallist, and for his age experienced in racing in western europe.
I think we are waiting for tomorrow to start the final poll, if anyone likes to add something or criticize my thoughts
Graphics Test
By the way, we had some test racing from the Leopard Test Team for graphical issues. Look how good the jersey by the_amazing_hoyle sideways looks ingame!
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| Selwink |
Posted on 19-02-2015 10:13
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Wasn't aware of Sapa, so he can be scrapped. I was aware of Possoni though, but it wouldn't be the first comeback.
I do still disagree about Van Baarle though. Developing does not just come from riding in a more free role, but also gaining experience in tougher races. At Garmin he's pretty much guaranteed to ride all spring classics and a GT, while for us that would be a much tougher task. Young riders who succeed at a WT team in the first season just seem too unlikely to go PCT for the next season. Also he's got a Dutch captain for the cobbles with Langeveld.
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-02-2015 10:15
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
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ok i agree with you Selwink, van Baarle is out...i think it would be hard to create realistic stats for possoni, or what do you think
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| Selwink |
Posted on 19-02-2015 10:20
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
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He's in the 2014 expansion pack, which I actually based my suggestion on.
Edited by Selwink on 19-02-2015 10:21
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 19-02-2015 15:54
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
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that looks pretty interesting for us :)
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-02-2015 09:23
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Rico Dene Rogers - Experienced sprinter and lead-out man
Alex Frame - Team Pursuit WC and promising sprinter
Shane Archbold - Top track cyclist and capable sprinter
Dion Smith - Young sprinter and lead-out man
Hugh Carthy - Young climbing prodigy
Michael Storer - Very young, absolute TT beast and decent Sprint to boot.
Agree on Mullen, top pick mate!
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
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 12:34
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-02-2015 09:45
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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they´re in, despite Shane Archbold, I think he just signed with Bora to be re-united with Sam Bennett
Edited by Croatia14 on 20-02-2015 09:46
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 20-02-2015 10:06
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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THE FINAL VOTE IS HERE!!!
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 20-02-2015 10:42
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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Voted! There is one rider especially who I really want in.
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Selwink |
Posted on 20-02-2015 10:45
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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My votes have been cast as well. Hopefully both my votes get in
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 20-02-2015 17:34
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World Champion
Posts: 11395
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1020.00
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Votes are cast! How many will get in?
And yeah, completely forgot about the Bennett connection 
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
5x x5
2x x2
2x x2 |
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-02-2015 18:04
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
PCM$: 2100.00
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Contract Trip - back home in Luxembourg
Home, sweet home! We finished our contract trip all around europe to invite our two last signings to our headquarter in Luxembourg.
Andy got something great for us ;)
Final Vote
Two riders have been decided by your final vote! They will be added to our team, so that we can present you our team later in this post.
We have a clear voting winner, while three are directly behind. I chose the one you mostly discussed about out of these three.
The first rider we sign is  Ryan Mullen He won the close vote, so he will add some talent to our team. Ryan is a great time triallist, who also had some great results at flat races. He also likes terrain with cobblestones. We see a lot of potential in him, looking at his age as well as his palmares.
The last addition to our team is Martijn Maaskant His big advantage is his great experience; our riders, especially the young ones, will learn a lot from him. The flat and classics fraction will be greatly finished, his engine could win races for us; especially our sprinters will love to have him chasing breakaway or protecting them.
You fought a lot for a rider like him Selwink, there you are ;)
THE TEAM
Now we have a final amount of 21 riders, what will be our squad for this season.
| Frank Schleck | Leader | | Lieuwe Westra | Leader | | Marcus Burghardt | Co-Leader | | Bob Jungels | Co-Leader | | Kristof Vandewalle | Co-Leader | | Rick Zabel | Talent Free-Role | | Mathieu van der Poel | Talent Free-Role | | Petr Vakoc | Talent Free-Role | | Ryan Mullen | Talent Free-Role | | Patrick Gretsch | Pro-Domestique | | Laurent Didier | Pro-Domestique | | Jelle Wallays | Pro-Domestique | | Lasse Hansen | Pro-Domestique | | Johann Tschopp | Pro-Domestique | | Julian Kern | Domestique | | Alex Kirsch | Domestique | | David van der Poel | Domestique | | Martin Velits | Domestique | | Sebastian Balck | Domestique | | Gatis Smukulis | Domestique | | Martijn Maaskant | Domestique |
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| trekbmc |
Posted on 22-02-2015 19:40
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Team Leader
Posts: 7366
Joined: 11-07-2014
PCM$: 700.00
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This is a nice squad, hopefully we'll have a good season.
But I wanted Houle and Gasteur so much. 
"What done is, is one." - Benji Naesen
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| Croatia14 |
Posted on 22-02-2015 20:06
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 9099
Joined: 13-03-2013
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trekbmc wrote:
This is a nice squad, hopefully we'll have a good season.
But I wanted Houle and Gasteur so much.
at least Gastauer will stay in our focus due to regional issues |
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| Selwink |
Posted on 22-02-2015 21:11
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8856
Joined: 17-05-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Two good signings, can live with both
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