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[PCT] Euskaltel-Air France
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 13-11-2015 00:00
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Sorry for the lack of HQ posts this season, have been rather busy this year and hopefully activity in this regard will pick up next season. But for now time to show the younger riders who have developed over the season!
Ruben Fernandez  24 years old, Pot 5, Lvl 4.05 -> 4.100
Having spent a season in the top division of world cycling riding for Volkswagon Ruben will return a stronger, more experienced rider. He will be useful to us especially if we end up relegating. We thank Volkswagon for developing him over the season.
| FLA | MO | HIL | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SPR | ACC | FIG | DWH | PRO | | 66 | 75 | 75 | 66 | 72 | 69 | 72 | 57 | 60 | 66 | 72 | 72 | 65 |
Nazir Jaser  26 years old, Pot 5, Lvl 4.26 -> 4.100
The Syrian sprinter who be took on board during the last transfer season hasn't actually competed for us in a race yet as he spent the season away on loan at Pokerstars.com where he learnt looking after some top sprinters. He is a better rider and brings sprinting depth for us next season.
| FLA | MO | HIL | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SPR | ACC | FIG | DWH | PRO | | 73 | 61 | 66 | 56 | 72 | 68 | 74 | 53 | 77 | 75 | 62 | 67 | 65 |
Milos (Boris) Borisavljevic  21 years old, Pot 6, Lvl 2.81 -> 3.26
The best of our talents in terms of the future is Borisavljevic. Having joined the team at the start of the season he has enjoyed his first season and next year is likely to find himself out on loan as he developes to reach his maximum potential!
| FLA | MO | HIL | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SPR | ACC | FIG | DWH | PRO | | 66 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 70 | 54 | 59 | 63 | 63 | 67 | 70 |
Alex Frame  22 years old, Pot 5, Lvl 2.43 -> 3.03
The young Kiwi was another rider to join us for this season. He has the potential to become a good sprinter but more importantly a strong rider for the progloues. It may be difficult for him to develop as quickly as possible but he is likely to go out on loan next season.
| FLA | MO | HIL | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SPR | ACC | FIG | DWH | PRO | | 67 | 50 | 61 | 68 | 67 | 70 | 63 | 62 | 72 | 72 | 52 | 67 | 75 |
Haritz Orbe 24 years old, Pot 5, Lvl 2.77 -> 3.15
The one prospect who has now spent 2 seasons with the team and will unfortunately max out at an older age. A rider who may struggle to find a home next season to further develop into the very good fighter that we believe he can be. His future at the team is yet to be decided.
| FLA | MO | HIL | TT | STA | RES | REC | COB | SPR | ACC | FIG | DWH | PRO | | 72 | 65 | 68 | 65 | 67 | 67 | 70 | 67 | 63 | 66 | 75 | 72 | 66 |
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 17-11-2015 10:16
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Season 1 saw us finish 4th in the CT and resulted in promotion to the PCT. However this season in the PCT has been a difficult one for the team where we have really struggled to put a good run of results together. The one standout being the Tour de France where we not only managed a stage win but also saw Valls finish in the Top 15 of the GC. This was the one moment that all of our management and sponsors enjoyed thoroughly and was one of few as Valls struggled throughout the rest of the season.
This has led to our team finding ourselves being relegated to the Continental Tour. Therefore our sponsor Air-France has made a decision to pull out of sponsoring the team. In their opinion our results were not up to the standard which was required and their investment wasn't paying for itself. We fully understand their decision which will potentially see them moving onto bigger and better things in terms of sponsorship. However this does not mean that we are not going to have any French riders as many of them will be staying in the team for our next season in the CT.
Euskaltel on the other hand have committed themselves to another season as in their belief Basque and Spanish cycling is very important and their continued sponsorship is partially due to the public donations and support they and the team has received. The performance in the Tour de France was the deciding factor in their minds and they hope to see us back there in a few seasons time. This does mean that the team will be looking to further strengthen the slightly younger core of Spanish riders who will hopefully continue their journey with the team over the seasons to come.
This does mean that the team will be sponsored fully by Euskaltel in the upcoming season. This ends the co-sponsorship which has meant that Euskaltel has become more willing to provide full funding for the team's operations. This will result in another change of jersey for next season and a slight change in transfer strategy, yet to be seen. The budget will also decrease as we move down to the Continental Tour.
The team is backed by the management and by Euskaltel to rebuild over the off season and come back to the world of cycling with a better team. We expect to be back in the PCT as soon as possible!
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-11-2015 10:39
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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Relegation must be a bitter pill to swallow having fallen so late in the season. I'm certain the Euskaltel mountain goats will be prevalent in many a CT race and that you'll be bouncing back to the PCT in no time at all. At least you can now start planning your renewals properly.
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| Ian Butler |
Posted on 17-11-2015 10:41
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 21854
Joined: 01-05-2012
PCM$: 400.00
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Sad to see the sponsor go after relegation, but I'm sure Euskaltel will bounce back stronger than ever  |
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| Atlantius |
Posted on 17-11-2015 11:15
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Team Leader
Posts: 6795
Joined: 21-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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I think you have a good base for bouncing back up and I for one will be looking forward to a pure Euskaltel backed team.
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| jph27 |
Posted on 17-11-2015 11:23
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Team Leader
Posts: 7339
Joined: 20-03-2010
PCM$: 900.00
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Sad to see you relegate, but I expect you to bounce straight back up with your depth - if Bouhanni finds himself looking for a new home with your change of focus you know where I am  |
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| the_hoyle |
Posted on 17-11-2015 12:23
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
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Shame to see the squad relegate and Air France pull sponsorship, but I'm sure you will bounce back if you keep the main core of your team. Look forward to doing battle next season!
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
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| roturn |
Posted on 17-11-2015 12:33
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Team Manager
Posts: 22246
Joined: 24-11-2007
PCM$: 3900.00
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Quite an old team you have there. So it shouldn`t be a big problem to get lots of wage down. Bigger problem could be to get Valls to a reasonable CT salary.
If you are able to do so, you will have a nice core after renewals. But anyway you should have a decent core for CT by getting back a leadout and CT eligible stage racer from loan. A bit unfortunate that you only have like 4-5 progressed guys in your squad then.
Result wise I think it should be a nice 2016 season for you and a quick promotion again. |
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| fjhoekie |
Posted on 17-11-2015 17:09
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4476
Joined: 25-07-2010
PCM$: 200.00
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Feel somewhat sorry to push your team into the relegation zone this late... Your team seems to be ready to bounce back up, but the fact a few of your riders are pretty old doesn't really help with building a future (same applies to my team btw). Good luck in the CT, and I hope we'll meet again in the PCT.
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game |
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| dev4ever |
Posted on 17-11-2015 17:59
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Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2282
Joined: 13-03-2011
PCM$: 200.00
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Sad to see you go down as a fellow spanish based team but seem luck you ran out of luck in the end. Wouldnt predict you to go down at the beggining of the season, but then Valls let you down at a few occasions.
Keeping Valls and still getting a competive team behind might be though. trust me, I know all about overly-expensive CT leaders(Steegmans 450k, Arroyo 350k etc) 
But I would probably do the same in your shoes, im sure well talk in the transfers anyway! 
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 18-11-2015 03:28
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Thanks everyone for the good luck wishes for next season!
Roturn: I agree that the team is far too old on average and the plan with this forced change is to hopefully freshen up the team a bit, a lot of older guys declining no longer worth the wage. The return of Jaser as a lead out will be very useful on a minimum wage and Ruben Fernandez will be a good CT stage racer.
dev4ever: Obviously it's good that you're still up in PCT and hopefully Movistar will remain in the WT, a good distribution of Spanish teams then. Decision will be made on Valls based on what we can decline his wage down to, chances are we may renew and sell. Look forward to the transfer chats!
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Posted on 22-11-2024 23:28
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 18-11-2015 04:15
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Euskaltel's National Championships Previews
Spain
Terrain: Hills
Team 1:
Rafael Valls
David López Garcia
David Arroyo
José Herrada
Gorka Izagirre
Delio Fernandez
Team 2:
Juan José Cobo
Amets Txurruka
Hector Duenas Nevado
Francisco Anton Martin
Manuel Lloret
Enrique Sanz
Haritz Orbe
Due to the fact that we have 13 Spanish riders in our team at the moment we were given the opportunity to have two teams and this is how they will line up. Team 1 definitely the stronger of the two which should mean they'll be the chasers while Team 2 stars out best Hills rider in Cobo as well as strong fighter Txurruka. We do expect a decent result and possibly a win if our strength in numbers pays off.
 France
Terrain: Flat
Team:
Nacer Bouhanni
Arnold Jeannesson
William Bonnet
Kévin Reza
Julien El Fares
Benoît Vaugrenard
Amaël Moinard
We are also 7 riders strong in the French national championships which could definitely work to our advantage. The race will be a flat one which should benefit the sprinters. This again works into our favour as Bouhanni will be going for the win with two strong leadout riders in Reza and Bonnet, he will also receive help from our other riders who could also be dangerous in the breakaway. Should be a thriller.
 Colombia
Terrain: Hills
Team:
Rafael Infantino
Julian David Arredondo
Juan Sebastian Tamayo Martinez
Our 3 man team could actually manage a good result here from the breakaway or long range attack. Due to the lack of climbing strength in Colombia and one or two strong riders not being in the race we could certainly benefit.
Serbia
Terrain: Mountains
Rider:
Milos Borisavljevic
Our young up and coming stage racer Milos could have some success here in the Mountains which are his strength. He will be alone so the breakaway is the only option in the smaller, weaker NC. A win here would be absolutely fantastic for him as he progresses into next season.
Syria
Terrain: Hills
Rider:
Nazir Jaser
Here we have a good opportunity to do the double. He has spent the season out on loan but will be a good title to have on the road next season. The TT doesn't matter too much but a win in the Road Race between him and one other will be much better for us.
New Zealand
Terrain: Hills
Rider:
Alex Frame
Another of our younger riders progressing through our talent programme. However, the hills are not his speciality and so a breakaway where he builds a massive gap will be his only hope of a decent result.
 Venezuela
Terrain: Hills
Rider:
Sebastian Anaya
A rider who will be released following this race regardless of the result so we don't really mind what happens here. Not that he has much of a chance anyway.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 21-11-2015 04:26
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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| Name | RD | Points | PPRD | Place | | Rafael Valls | 41 | 383 | 9.34 | 46th | | Nacer Bouhanni | 47 | 233 | 4.96 | 76th | | Amets Txurruka | 46 | 89 | 1.93 | 176th | | Gorka Izagirre | 62 | 115 | 1.85 | 139th | | William Bonnet | 64 | 114 | 1.78 | 140th | | Juan José Cobo | 58 | 97 | 1.67 | 167th | | José Herrada | 58 | 82 | 1.41 | 192nd | | David López Garcia | 58 | 61 | 1.05 | 229th | | Arnold Jeannesson | 55 | 55 | 1.00 | 242nd | | Benoît Vaugrenard | 36 | 33 | 0.92 | 292nd | | Julian David Arredondo | 64 | 58 | 0.91 | 235th | | David Arroyo | 57 | 34 | 0.60 | 289th | | Milos Borisavljevic | 17 | 10 | 0.59 | 418th | | Amaël Moinard | 40 | 20 | 0.50 | 352nd | | Manuel Lloret | 37 | 7 | 0.19 | 446th | | Francisco Anton Martin | 50 | 9 | 0.18 | 430th | | Delio Fernandez | 66 | 9 | 0.14 | 431st | | Rafael Infantino | 61 | 3 | 0.05 | 501st | | Kévin Reza | 61 | 1 | 0.02 | 538th | | Hector Duenas Nevado | 16 | 0 | 0 | | | Julien El Fares | 15 | 0 | 0 | | | Enrique Sanz | 24 | 0 | 0 | | | Juan Sebastian Tamayo Martinez | 28 | 0 | 0 | | | Haritz Orbe | 25 | 0 | 0 | | | Alex Frame | 19 | 0 | 0 | | | Sebastian Anaya | 7 | 0 | 0 | |
As you can clearly see from the above table our riders not only underperformed but my planning was not far from being absolutely awful. This is why for the upcoming season I shall do a lot of planning as to get the most out of the riders I will have, as well as having a very preset transfer plan which will be stuck to in order to ensure that we have an efficient 3rd season.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 24-11-2015 03:22
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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Pre Renewals/Transfer Plan
As we have been relegated down to the Continental Tour that does mean that we will be making rather big changes to the team. The team was old and the majority of riders were climbers. Due to our budget being decreased somewhat dramatically many riders will be leaving.
Staying:
José Herrada
Gorka Izagirre
Francisco Anton Martin
Ruben Fernandez
Enrique Sanz
Nacer Bouhanni
Arnold Jeannesson
Kévin Reza
Nazir Jaser
Out of those definitely staying we have 4 climbers and 5 sprinters. The 5 sprinters will be our sprint train for next season while we will be making further additions to other parts of our team. The 4 climbers are of top CT quality and will be very important for us.
Available:
Rafael Valls
Delio Fernandez
Julian David Arredondo
The big rider available for transfer is Rafael Valls, the reason for this being that we are hoping to sell him and be able to bring in two other riders, a leading puncheur and either another puncheur or s secondary leader in the mountains or hills. Delio Fernandez will be available for a swap for either a better climber, puncheur or time trialist. Arredondo on the other hand will be available for a rider swap for a puncheur domestique.
For Loan:
Milos Borisavljevic
Alex Frame
We have two riders who will be available for loan. Milos is a developing stage racer who will be looking to get to Lvl4. Frame on the other hand is a developing sprinter/prologue specialist who is also looking to get to Lvl4. They will both need their wage to be paid by the loaning team as I shall look to replace them with other riders. Both will also be looking for PT loans.
Unsure of Renew/Position:
Haritz Orbe
I am unsure as yet what to do with Haritz Orbe. He will be a decent 50k fighter for CT level and may be renewed but it depends on what wage Valls will be looking for.
Released:
David López Garcia
David Arroyo
Juan José Cobo
Manuel Lloret
Amets Txurruka
Hector Duenas Nevado
William Bonnet
Julien El Fares
Benoît Vaugrenard
Amaël Moinard
Rafael Infantino
Juan Sebastian Tamayo Martinez
Sebastian Anaya
Obviously this is a long list of 13 riders who will be released but they are mostly old and losing their ability, keeping them in the team would be a waste especially if we plan to promote back next season. The others can be replaced by better 50k riders or are not part of our nationality focus.
Edited by Luis Leon Sanchez on 24-11-2015 07:20
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| The Rider |
Posted on 24-11-2015 09:06
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4543
Joined: 29-02-2012
PCM$: 200.00
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Keeping Bouhanni and Valls: do that and you are on for a winner!
I definitely think trying to keep a top sprinter is a great tactic for CT: just look at Lavoine last season! Title contenders already perhaps! |
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| SotD |
Posted on 24-11-2015 09:54
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Really interesting that Valls will be available. He was always one of my favorite riders in the Man-Game.
If you can get Bonnet down in wages (somewhat), you should keep him. I would be interested in buying him if the wage was low. Otherwise I would have to give it a go at the FA.
Also Borisavljevic would be very interesting to me, but not on a loan.
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 24-11-2015 10:21
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
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SotD wrote:
Really interesting that Valls will be available. He was always one of my favorite riders in the Man-Game.
If you can get Bonnet down in wages (somewhat), you should keep him. I would be interested in buying him if the wage was low. Otherwise I would have to give it a go at the FA.
Also Borisavljevic would be very interesting to me, but not on a loan.
Problem with Bonnet is that he will be declining over the off season. If I can get him on a 50k wage though he may be considered all assuming that Valls doesn't ask for too much.
Milos won't be leaving unless a very good offer comes in.
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| SotD |
Posted on 24-11-2015 10:41
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World Champion
Posts: 12188
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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I guess I won't be able to give a "very good offer" for a rider similar to my helpers
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
