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Our plan was quite simple this transfer season; Just before the transfer season started it was announced that only 3 teams will relegate this season... Therefore management of Team Tinkoff - La Datcha decided to take a risk and go all-in for talent this year

We managed to sign Joni Kanerva (puncheur), Roy Goldstein (time trialist), Alan Banaszek (sprinter), Savva Novikov (talent), Kelland O'Brien (talent), Einer Augusto Rubio (talent) and we also re-signed Moreno Moser (sprinter).

So what do you guys think? Good enough to stay another year in the PT?

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The picture show above is literally the only positive action Tinkoff has had during the cobble races so far (6/8 only two more cobble races left this season).

Kamyshev attacked during the first stage of the Cheshire Cycling Tour and ended up 2nd in the GC after 5 stages. All other cobble races were terrible, especially the not even top-10 during the monumental races Ronde van Vlaanderen and Paris - Roubaix were the biggest disappointment of the season.

Hopefully we will score enough points in other races to avoid relegation...

Three important races ahead of us; Tour de Suisse, Criterium du Dauphine Libere and of course the Tour de France!

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Tour de Suisse

Adrian Malori winning Stage 6 of the Tour de Suisse 2018

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The goal for Suisse is quite simple -> stage hunting! In the past we have had some success during the time trials, but unfortunately this year there is no team time trial. There is however a prologue, so of course Yatsevich is on the startlist.

Kanerva (supported by Strakhov) is targeting the hilly stages (3/6), while Banaszek is looking forward to gain experience during the flat stages (2/4/5).

Sivakov and Mamykin (supported by Foliforov and Shalunov) will try to do their best during the mountain stages (7/8), race situation will decide whether that will be getting in the morning breakaway or quitely sneaking into the top of the GC.

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Criterium du Dauphine Libere

Timofey Kritskiy losing his podium place on the downhill during Stage 8 of the Criterium du Dauphine Libere 2016

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Although Kritskiy managed to get 5th twice in the GC (2016/2018), we have never won anything at the Criterium du Dauphine Libere. Therefore - just like Suisse - the goal for the Dauphine Libere is -> stage hunting!

The team time trial (stage 2) is probably our best shot for victory; Zakarin, Vorobev, Dal Col and Goldstein together with Kritskiy hopefully will deliver. A good team time trial will help Kritskiy in the GC, but that is just secondary.

Vlasov and Rybalkin will support Kritskiy during the mountainous stages (4/6/7/8), while Moser is targeting the flat stages (1/3).

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Tour de France

Ilnur Zakarin winning Stage 14 of the Tour de France 2015

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After finishing the Giro d'Italia (60th) and the Vuelta a España (53rd) this season, Nikita Novikov can write ManGame history again by extending his own record -> completing 20 consecutive Grand Tours: 3569km from Olonne-sur-Mer to the Champs-Élysées!

Novikov together with Les Trois Mousquetaires (Rybalkin, Foliforov and Shalunov) will support Kritskiy as much as possible for his general classification ambitions, but we have a polka dot jersey goal from our sponsors... Maybe losing time and going for stage victories/KoM instead of the GC is the way to go.

Only 5 flat stages this year, would be nice if Banaszek can get a top-10 result, Chernetskiy (supported by Strakhov) will have a free role during all the hilly stages (8 in total).