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[PCT] Compal-Merida (2015-kit)
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 06-02-2015 10:00
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Classics Specialist
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Compal-Merida team starting to take shape
After several months with struggling, it seems like the Taiwanese based cycling team project finally is starting to work.
After Liu's stage win recently, Compal have been busy with racing both in Australia, the Balkans and is currently in Britain.
The Herald Sun Tour was a major success for Compal-Merida! After just barely missing the podium on the Time Trial, our only Japanese rider striked back in the mass sprint to take important bonus seconds. Those seconds he secured in the stage win and the TT secured him a brilliant 6th overall.
Kosuke Makino takes his first ever stage victory
Then, this morning, our development team just finished their C1-race from Zagreb to Ljubljana. Being ranked as the worst team in the pack, nobody talked about Compal prior to the race, and even the manager him self didn't follow the race, as he is currently busy with preparation to stage 4 in Tour of Britain. But in a brief phone message he texted: - "Really? Banihammad won a C1 race? OUR Banihammad? Wow, 'bout time he did something else than winning those nonsense NC's in the middle east. Congratulate and give him an extra cup of turkish tea, some couscous or whatever he likes, I have to go back to the tactics room.
Yousef Mirza Banihammad outsprints the other up the devastating last hill and secure his first career win |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 06-02-2015 19:46
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World Champion
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You have more wins than I do this season, in fact double the number of wins I think, so congrats to you, although the rankings dont show it.
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| Ad Bot |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 07-02-2015 01:44
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Classics Specialist
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Well, The thing is, our wins are more or less only from breakaways, (that mass sprint with Makino was ridicilous  ), so I never get any solid points from the GC. However, that's in a way also my strength I guess. Because I'm never a favourite, I'm often allowed in to breakaways.
Thanks, mate. But are you serious? I know the PCT have been a tough season because of the sprinter inflation, also our team have struggled and scored close to nothing with our 78-79 sprinters, but have you really been that unlucky with Napolitano and Lo Cicero? |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 23-02-2015 09:27
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
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Mahdi Sohrabi to step down
The only rider left from the original Team Armavia, Mahdi Sohrabi, has told Iranian press that it might be time to end his career. He don't want to continue racing for Compal next year, but said "I want to go into a trainer role for the sprinters here, we have some really nice prospects, especially Ricki will grow into a very nice sprinter and I want to contribute with my experience"
He also added that if another team offered him a contract and promised him race days, he would definately consider it, but he is realizing that he's not getting any better at his age.
Manager Bjartne want to thanks for his faithful service in this team, and said he was glad to hear that the legend Sohrabi want to join the staff after his career will come to an end. Whether it's after this season, or later, he is more than welcome to join us, he finished.
Mahdi Sohrabi winning back to back national championship for Iran
Edited by Bjartne on 23-02-2015 11:49
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 23-02-2015 20:39
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World Champion
Posts: 12986
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Bjartne wrote:
Well, The thing is, our wins are more or less only from breakaways, (that mass sprint with Makino was ridicilous ), so I never get any solid points from the GC. However, that's in a way also my strength I guess. Because I'm never a favourite, I'm often allowed in to breakaways.
Thanks, mate. But are you serious? I know the PCT have been a tough season because of the sprinter inflation, also our team have struggled and scored close to nothing with our 78-79 sprinters, but have you really been that unlucky with Napolitano and Lo Cicero?
Pretty sure I have about 4 wins.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-02-2015 20:45
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
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valverde321 wrote:
Bjartne wrote:
Well, The thing is, our wins are more or less only from breakaways, (that mass sprint with Makino was ridicilous ), so I never get any solid points from the GC. However, that's in a way also my strength I guess. Because I'm never a favourite, I'm often allowed in to breakaways.
Thanks, mate. But are you serious? I know the PCT have been a tough season because of the sprinter inflation, also our team have struggled and scored close to nothing with our 78-79 sprinters, but have you really been that unlucky with Napolitano and Lo Cicero?
Pretty sure I have about 4 wins.
Yeah, if I wasn't your fiercest competitor in that regard, I would feel really sorry for you.
(I hope you don't get that wrong, it's still tough to see  )
I guess Napo declining helps you decide how to approach next season?
Edited by cio93 on 23-02-2015 20:45
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| The Rider |
Posted on 23-02-2015 21:02
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
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valverde321 wrote:
Bjartne wrote:
Well, The thing is, our wins are more or less only from breakaways, (that mass sprint with Makino was ridicilous ), so I never get any solid points from the GC. However, that's in a way also my strength I guess. Because I'm never a favourite, I'm often allowed in to breakaways.
Thanks, mate. But are you serious? I know the PCT have been a tough season because of the sprinter inflation, also our team have struggled and scored close to nothing with our 78-79 sprinters, but have you really been that unlucky with Napolitano and Lo Cicero?
Pretty sure I have about 4 wins.
Really! That would mean I have covered at least 3 of them (If I am right you had two at Denmark + 1 at Taihu (maybe)). Can't be right...
Bjartne - Will be interesting what you can concoct next season. Surely less breakaway wins and more wins like Makino in the Herald Tour are on the cards.  |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 27-02-2015 04:04
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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Kazakhgold joins Compal-Merida
Finally some major news for the patient Compal-fans. Today 11:40AM Taiwan-time, it was announced that a new sponsor would join the existing Compal project.
Although it's just a minor sponsor, Compal has agreed to make sure their name will be widely made known during the 2015-season, both on the jersey, but also through a promise to race all Kazakh races, and as many Central-Asian races as possible to maximize their importance in that region. Another clause in the contract was that Compal will do everything possible to sign at least one additional Kazakh, making it the total of 5 Kazakhs in the team.
Konstantin Kraznozhan, CEO of Kazakhgold, was very enthusiastic, when we speaked with him.
- Why did you choose to just go in as a minor sponsor?
That's a good question. Of course we would want to be the main sponsor of a team, but unfortunately that was not a possibility after doing some research on the market.
- So why did you choose to co-operate with Compal?
After we received the sad news that Kazzinc chosed to leave the cycling sport, we immediately thought that it's a shame not to see a Kazakh team in the world of cycling. As previous mentioned, we didn't find any team willing to let us sponsor them, so then we moved on to see the possibilities to be a minor sponsor. The first we contacted was Compal, which after Kazzinc has been the most notable team to front Kazakh Cycling, with signing our national champion Sinebolov, our legend Dyachenko, the countries best puncheur in Zeits and having developed Fominykh from a nobody, to become one of the leading time-trialist in Kazakhstan. Compal is being held in high regard in Kazakhstan because of this, and the choice was easy, really. We also like the strong asian focus they have. Now we hope to continue the good relations between Compal and Kazakhstan and Asian cycling in general
Manager Bjartne was extremely happy that the deal went through, and guaranteed Kraznozhan that the future of Kazakh cycling is in the best hands.
The brand new 2015-jersey are due to be released at the next press conference.
Edited by Bjartne on 27-02-2015 04:05
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 27-02-2015 06:18
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World Champion
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Going (part) Kazakh! I like it! Looking forward to how the jersey will look.
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| Dippofix |
Posted on 27-02-2015 06:26
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Ah, had strongly considered taking a Central Asian focus myself, good to see the region will be well represented eventhough I decided against it. Signing that one more Kazakhstani should be easy enough with Kazzinc disbanding. 
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 27-02-2015 06:52
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Posts: 2907
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The Rider: Yes, I think you're right, but less breakaway wins could also mean no wins at all
Valverde: Our main focus area is still Eastern Asia, the only change is that we will emphasize slightly more towards Central Asia in racing focus and in a transfer or two. So bottom line is that I'm still crazy after 85% of your team and that Choi is not for sale
Dippo: I'm glad to see you continuing developing Irish cycling, as I think you're doing a great job and that you have a fun team to follow. However, as I said, my main focus will be Eastern Asia so there would probably be more than enough place for a devoted Kazakh team to join, if I get one or two decent Kazakhs, I will keep the sponsors happy and I won't come close to have economy to go for the Nepomnyachsni(?)-brothers next season anyway |
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| valverde321 |
Posted on 27-02-2015 06:58
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World Champion
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Bjartne wrote:
Valverde: Our main focus area is still Eastern Asia, the only change is that we will emphasize slightly more towards Central Asia in racing focus and in a transfer or two. So bottom line is that I'm still crazy after 85% of your team and that Choi is not for sale
Pssshh you're jumping to conclusions Where did I mention anything about Choi in my post
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 27-02-2015 07:06
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Interesting news, looks like i will have to fight you for all these Kazaks i have on my shortlist after expected disbandment of Kazzinc.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 27-02-2015 07:12
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
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valverde321 wrote:
Bjartne wrote:
Valverde: Our main focus area is still Eastern Asia, the only change is that we will emphasize slightly more towards Central Asia in racing focus and in a transfer or two. So bottom line is that I'm still crazy after 85% of your team and that Choi is not for sale
Pssshh you're jumping to conclusions Where did I mention anything about Choi in my post
I know your evil ways |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 27-02-2015 07:12
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Classics Specialist
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Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Interesting news, looks like i will have to fight you for all these Kazaks i have on my shortlist after expected disbandment of Kazzinc.
Oh great...  |
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| Avin Wargunnson |
Posted on 27-02-2015 07:19
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World Champion
Posts: 14236
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Bjartne wrote:
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Interesting news, looks like i will have to fight you for all these Kazaks i have on my shortlist after expected disbandment of Kazzinc.
Oh great...
Dont worry, there are like 20 useful guys and i also like his italians.
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 27-02-2015 07:23
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
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Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Bjartne wrote:
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Interesting news, looks like i will have to fight you for all these Kazaks i have on my shortlist after expected disbandment of Kazzinc.
Oh great...
Dont worry, there are like 20 useful guys and i also like his italians.
Haha, nice. You and Valv can fight about them |
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| jt1109 |
Posted on 27-02-2015 08:52
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Bjartne wrote:
valverde321 wrote:
Bjartne wrote:
Valverde: Our main focus area is still Eastern Asia, the only change is that we will emphasize slightly more towards Central Asia in racing focus and in a transfer or two. So bottom line is that I'm still crazy after 85% of your team and that Choi is not for sale
Pssshh you're jumping to conclusions Where did I mention anything about Choi in my post
I know your evil ways
Did I hear something about Choi 
On the news of Kazakh it was always going to mean more teams tried to hit that focus with Kazzinc gone but from what I see you'll have a really strong CT squad anyway so shouldn't be too hard for you to promote. |
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| Bjartne |
Posted on 04-03-2015 01:33
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 2907
Joined: 15-07-2007
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New Jersey revealed
We've already had some training trips in the kit, prior to Tour of Beijing, and now we're ready to announce the fine work by kit desiger Bikex. He have given us a black/lime combination, with a stylish silver line, who greatly respresents the two main sponsors. And KazakhGolds yellow profile gives a nice twist together with the other colours, as well. We are very satisfied with the jersey and are looking forward to see if it will be the first to really bring glory to the team.
Edited by Bjartne on 04-03-2015 01:34
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| cio93 |
Posted on 04-03-2015 02:23
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World Champion
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Nice jersey! Will definitely stand out.
Shhhh you ran out of bandwitdh
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