1 race in the entire month of September, yet the month is almost completely filled with action! 21 days in America will be the last chance to shine for legends Popovych and Kashechkin who are starting to get a tiny bit old now. They should not be underestimated though, as both still climb very well and are decent against the clock. Key domestique Kononenko will be of great value in the mountains, and the likes of Gruzdev and Athanasiades should be able to protect the leaders. On the flat stages we expect Ulanowski to make a last jump towards a stage win this season, which should be possible looking at his Giro performances.

The final month of the season kicks off in Italy. The classic race between Milano and Torino is mostly flat, but 2 steep hills near the end shall cause some minor chaos. After his recent performance in San Sebastian we hope Oleksandr Prevar will pull another surprise here, forcing us out of relegation danger.

Picture of a long wall at the end of a long season, how cute… We hope to go out with a bang, and in case we’d relegate we would like a final, strong showing here in China. Prevar may be an outside bet on the hilly stages and the GC, and his support is more than average with a couple of old riders probably ending their careers, and a few youngsters who have yet to start theirs. I’d say a nice mix to resemble the end of something, and the beginning of something even better.

Probably good bye PCT, for now, and hello CT?