dienblad: Thanks And of course 10.000 is nothing compared to your impressive 180.000, but you've got to start somewhere! I think milestone is used in English the same way as in Dutch.
Daggen: It's taken into consideration
Stromeon: Thanks a lot. I know catching up must've taken quite some time. I was able to get quite some work done in lesser time than expected so I've been having some time for PCM again lately
Jesleyh: Didn't see this coming, thought I'd have another few days. But it makes me happy, 10.000 is an important event in a story
SSJ2Luigi: I believe you, mate
FreitasPCM: Glad to hear from you again. Hope all your work is finished without any stress Thanks!
Ollfardh: I do like zombie movies...
Well, as promised I will decide on their team choice. However, to keep the story fluently and realistic in terms of blogging, I'll do it in the form of a nice blog. So probably tomorrow before filmclub, otherwise Sunday. I sure hope the answer comes to me in my dreams tonight
Thanks a lot for following and commenting everyone, it's been an amazing ride so far!
Today is an important day in our lives. Not only are we finally getting our careers off the rails with some great results, but we can look at another year in the World Tour. That's right, we both signed our contracts with Team Argos - Shimano!
Deduction
It was a hard decision, and we were especially honored to have so many options. The four teams in question were: Argos, Topsport Vlaanderen, Europcar and Acqua. We came to our conclusion through deduction.
The first to fall through was Europcar, simply because we didn't see a great future there. Rolland and Voeckler pretty much steal the show there, as well they should. So we remained with three options.
The next to go was Acqua, this was a harder decision. But going to an Italian team required a sacrifice neither was willing to make, yet. We both wanted to stay in the area, just for now.
So we first decided on Topsport, and we both agreed. Only three days ago, we suddenly changed our minds. Firstly, Topsport has been unbelievably great, offering us a spot during the investigation, making us feel welcome at all times. However, we won't be joining them after all.
Team Argos - Shimano may be a chance in a life time for the both of us. Let us explain to you, why that is.
Team Argos - Shimano
Team Argos is Dutch-based, so it won't require a big change in our lives. Maybe we could rent an apartment in the Netherlands together for a year, but I don't think we'll be there too much. Racing is mostly traveling anyway, and in the breaks, we could easily train home. If not, we're not too far away from the family. We speak the language, and we even know some of the riders personally.
Team Argos will provide us with security. Our monthly paychecks of €3.500 and €3.000 can be depended on, and bonuses can be earned by getting results. We are also guaranteed to a minimum of 50 race days, no maximum.
Willy will be tackling some major races on his own, or with a small team of domestiques, which will allow him to get experience and develop leadership qualities. In the negotiations, we have been assured that Willy doesn't have to ride only WT stage races. If he feels more comfortably splitting up his season into WT races and other stage races (like the Tour of Austria), he can. We both have freedom in racing and choosing our schedules, a few exceptions excluded.
Stijn will be leading the cobbled season. Where he needed to be there for Roelandts this year, he can go for his own race now. However, the support won't be as big as with Lotto. It won't be easy surviving on your own between the big guns like Cancellara, Boonen... But it'll be a goldmine of experience, and it will strengthen him. Stijn will be able to ride some tours and one-day races where he can sprint to his liking. In others he may have to lead-out. This will depend on the calendar.
Important colleagues to-be
Marcel Kittel - one of the world's most promising sprinters. He's strong, fast, and German. John Degenkolb - has shown the world a little less so far, but he's growing stronger with the weeks. He's incredibly strong and a complete rider, riding well on most roads. Alexandre Geniez - The Frenchman is a decent climber, and will be targeting a Tour stage win for sure. With the arrivals of Kruijswijk, possibly Costa (see below) and Slagter, he sees a leading role disappear into thin air.
Other transfers
We filled the final two spots, but Argos will see some more new faces, as some old faces will leave at the end of the season. In total, there are five more names on the list, all quite likely to sign:
- Stef Clement (signed a contract)
- Gianni Meersman (negotiating, he wants a free/leading role in the Ardennes)
- Dennis Vanendert (already confirmed, he's coming with us)
- Alexander Kristoff (will leave Katusha because of wage-problems. Most probable to join Argos.)
- Rui Costa (not very certain yet. The Portuguese champion has some demands to lead several races, but Argos is doing what they can to sign him)
Conclusion
Well, that's it. Next year we'll stay in the World Tour league, which is wonderful. It would've felt weird to be out of the picture for a year. The doping allegations were terrible, and we'd like to forget it as soon as possible, but it's not right Willy should hide in the PCT league, he didn't do anything, and everyone knows it.
We will finish off our season the best way we can, though. We owe Lotto a hell of a lot. Despite their reaction to the allegations, they are the ones who gave both of us a starting chance in this beautiful sport. So we thank them.
But mostly, we thank you. We thank you for helping us make the right decision. We hope we won't let you down with Argos.
Tomorrow we will tackle the Tour of Wallonie together. We're both booming with confidence, and we're aiming for another stage win for Stijn!
Until then,
Stijn & Willy
Jesleyh: Thanks, I thought you'd like their decision
No big names have left Argos. Just some domestiques. They'll have a fairly strong team next year, actually! Tom Veelers also remains, of course
Ian Butler wrote: Jesleyh:Thanks, I thought you'd like their decision
No big names have left Argos. Just some domestiques. They'll have a fairly strong team next year, actually! Tom Veelers also remains, of course
How did you know that?!
But great that the team is so strong, and with such freedom at Argos(except some lead-out duties for Stijn), they can have a great year.
Also hope that this team switch won't hurt your motivation
Jesleyh: That's why I did some of the transfers, I got some of my favorite riders in the team, so I definitely won't lose motivation Thanks! I don't think Stijn will mind some lead-out duties, he's no ego tripper.
FreitasPCM: Rui would be an excellent "coach" for Willy indeed!
sutty68: Thank you, I think Argos will allow them to develop into fine riders
baseballlover312: Why do you think so, because of Degenkolb and Kittel? Maybe he won't reach their absolute top speed?
Jakstar22: Thanks.
Stromeon: The team's definitely developing in another way than irl. Kruijswijk, Slagter and Costa will make it a team worthy of WT level for sure! And that sprint train would be quite epic
JuanMotr: Well, what can I say, your story has made me a fan.
rogvi97: No objections here!
As predicted, I didn't have a whole lot of time today. Just got home (roads are dangerously slippery with the car these days), but tomorrow I've only few engagements, so I will definitely start Tour of Wallonie! The signing of the contracts will surely give Stijn and Willy a boost to perform even better!
Thanks for the many replies and for following!
I see your point. Though much will depend on the schedule. He might go to races where neither Kittel and Degenkolb will appear, so he can probably sprint for himself.
And there's also the fast that he's still very young, so maybe in a year or so, he can reach Veeler's level, or even Degenkolb/Kittel's (don't know about that, though, will depend on his development).
However, I still believe it was the best choice, some domestique duties never hurt
So with the Tour ending, we thought we'd give you the results of this year's Tour de France! Jurgen did an excellent job and takes his first podium place in a Grand Tour!
Best Team: Radioshack - Nissan Young Rider: Rein Taaramae Most Aggressive Rider: Anthony Charteau (Team Europcar)
It was a tense battle for the second place, because it was obvious soon enough that despite the long TTs, this year it was Andy Schleck winning.
Our race in Wallonie coming up!
Stijn & Willy
And of course 10.000 is nothing compared to your impressive 180.000, but you've got to start somewhere! 
