131. Óscar Guerao
132. Mathieu Bernaudeau
133. Tim Dees
134. Ivan Kovalev
135. Anthony Lavoine
136. Pierre Rolland
137. Benoît Sinner
138. Chris Anker Sørensen
139. Geert Steurs
The King of Cycling, The Tour de France. Every team wants to shine here, but while we are a french team we had realistically toned down expectations here, with no real GC candidate. In the future we want to make this our race, but for now we have to be realistic. Our setup was based solely on stagewin, and with Guerao in front we got exactly that. No less than 4 stagewins makes Guerao the man on everyones lips during this race. With strong support from especially Anthony Lavoine, Óscar was able to become the best sprinter of the race, end hadn't it been for the overrepresentage of mountains, Guerao would have taken the Green jersey. 4 stagewins is a huge result though. For the respect of the race we will highlight the top 10 despite Festina being far far behind.
1 Angel Madrazo Santander 91h26'36
2 Damiano Cunego Lotto - Cervelo + 1'16
3 Andy Schleck Vesuvio - Accumalux + 3'41
4 Beñat Intxausti Team Bacardi + 6'09
5 Justo Tenorio Santander + 7'46
6 Andrei Amador UBS - BMC + 9'01
7 Janez Brajkovic Heineken presented by California Giant Berry Farms + 9'18
8 Romain Sicard Pearl Adidas + 9'27
9 Aleksandr Pluchkin Team B&O + 11'41
10 Walter Pedraza Koenigsegg + 13'02
Edited by SotD on 23-08-2013 09:38
71. Diego Ulissi
72. Marco Brus
73. Piter Campero
74. Jason Donald
75. Óscar Guerao
76. Cedric Lebris
77. Laurent Pichon
78. Benoît Sinner
We were back to the lesser prominent races of the Pro Tour calender, but expectations was not let down. Óscar Guerao gave another strong performance snatching a stagewin, spiced with another 2nd and 3rd place on similar stages. He was also awarded 2nd in the sprinting competition behind superior rider Ben Swift. In the GC it was set for a hard time, as Diego Ulissi didn't have the legs to really shine, but fortunately for us Laurent Pichon did not lack the spirit of an attacker, and due to two well timed attacks he ended up 7th in the GC to take his, by far, strongest result of his career. Diego Ulissi took 11th to make it a strong team performance. Next up is a flat New Zealand race, in which we have no big expectations.
1 Matthias Frank UBS - BMC 37h28'03
2 Jonathan Castroviejo Project 1t4i + 1'08
3 Frantisek Rabon Milka - AVG + 1'37
4 Tejay Van Garderen Wikipedia + 1'39
5 Jan Bakelants Pearl Adidas + 1'59
6 Edvald Boasson Hagen Aker - MOT + 2'00 7 Laurent Pichon Festina-Canal+ + 2'05
8 Stefan Schumacher UBS - BMC + 2'12
9 Dimitri Claeys Lotto - Cervelo + 2'20
10 Philippe Gilbert Pendleton's + 3'05 11 Diego Ulissi Festina-Canal+ + 3'09Edited by SotD on 19-09-2013 11:13
121. Anthony Lavoine
122. Mathieu Bernaudeau
123. Ivan Kovalev
124. Bauke Mollema
125. Ramunas Navardauskas
126. Geert Steurs
127. Ioannis Tamouridis
128. Panagiotis Vlatos
Anthony Lavoine got his debut on the big leaders scene, and despite his rather large talent we didn't have the biggest expectations. Anthony did decent, but not good. 13th is a respectable result for him.
1 Daniele Bennati Team Puma - SAP 4h26'35
2 Tom Boonen Pokerstars.com s.t.
3 Matthew Goss Wikipedia s.t.
4 Romain Vanderbiest Pearl Adidas s.t.
5 Sam Bewley Milka - AVG s.t.
6 Michael Vanderaerden Lotto - Cervelo s.t.
7 Sergio Marinangeli Pro Team Venchi - Sugoi s.t.
8 Maximiliano Richeze UBS - BMC s.t.
9 Maxime Vantomme Rothaus - Aegon s.t.
10 Kobe Vanoverschelde Aker - MOT s.t.
We are looking to get a new shirt for next season. I have asked a bit around whoever I know capable of doing so, but no one has got the time unfortunately.
Could anyone reading this be interested in helping me?
SotD wrote:
We are looking to get a new shirt for next season. I have asked a bit around whoever I know capable of doing so, but no one has got the time unfortunately.
Could anyone reading this be interested in helping me?
*Everything in this is purely fictional, and hopefully a way to start a fun discussion. Feel free to comment, and or sign in on a rider to start more rumours.
As the season comes to an end, the rumours have started for the ever-exciting transferseason. Several riders at the Festina-lineup has been rumoured away from the team during the season. We have decided to follow up in the rumours.
Alberto Contador
- Alberto Contador has been rumoured away from the team, and most teams are wondering whether or not he could be heading towards Santander in a part trade with talented GT rider Justo Tenorio. The team manager has made it clear that Alberto won't be leaving the team without the gain of a similar quality rider coming in.
Markus Fothen
- A lot of german teams have been put in for the former Tour de France winners signature for the upcoming season. Teams such as Rothaus - Aegon, Volkswagen-Mapei and Team Puma - SAP are rumoured to all be very eager for the top GT riders services. The manager confirms interest, but is unwilling to confirm which teams. He also confirms that this is probably the last season for Markus Fothen in the Festina outlet.
Diego Ulissi
- Several teams have voiced interest in the young italian supertalent, and media is concerned that he will never fit in at Team Festina considering the teams new french talent philosophy. The ambitious Metinvest-Emirates side have been heavily linked with the talented rider, but media is also looking at likely choises to be PT team Wiggle Professionel, demoting team Pro Team Venchi, but also PCT teams Vespa and Cisco should be lurring from behind the lines. Another interesting guess could be Team Vueling Airlines, whom seem likely to promote - And since Sinkewitz doesn't have Pro Tour capacity it seems like a nice bet. The fact that Festina have voiced their interest in several french talents of the team such as Viennet, Kadri and german talent Reimer could indicate that there is something to it.
Bauke Mollema
- Bauke Mollema never hit the resultlists like hoped, and rarely have he been impressing, despite a few positive results throughout the season. It's seems likely that he will move down a step, although Project 1t4i could be interested. Medias are putting up a low odds for the rider switching to Team Gazelle though, as the rider seem to match the teams ideals with punchy riders. Obviously the nationality of the rider is also an aspect of this.
Laurent Pichon
- Having recently joined the team, and fitting the teams future plans it seems unlikely that the young puncheur will leave the team, although a couple of teams should have been looking at him.
Tim Dees
- Dutch TT rider Tim Dees are over his youth days, and ready to step up. Media are speculating as to whether or not he, aswell could be in line for the newly promoting Team Gazelle. It seems, however, more realistic that he wants to stay in the Pro Tour, and Team 1t4i are obviously highlighted in the newspapers. Rothaus - Aegon has been voiced as interested aswell.
Chris Anker Sørensen
- Danish climber Chris Anker Sørensen joined the team on a one-year contract and has expressed his interest in leaving the team. Team manager Andreas Jøhnke have confirmed, that he is likely to leave. Many teams seems interested in the little climber, but in front of all are danish side Team B&O and promoting side Vueling Airlines. Swedbank-PEAB also seems interesting in aquiring the danish rider.
Ioannis Tamouridis
- Having fairly early in the season declared that he wants to leave the world of cycling, it seems pointless discussing his future at the team. Manager, aswell as rider, have confirmed that the contract will not be renewed.
Piter Campero
- Talented bolivian climber, Piter Campero seems to fit in well with his team mates, and being signed at such an early ages seems to indicate that he is likely to stay within the team. Boeing-Vivacom and Evian-MIAT have been linked with the rider though, but whether or not it is on loan basis is yet to be revealed.
Óscar Guerao
- The team has been using a lot of energy on providing Guerao with best possible work circumstances. And with a couple of very competent sprintes re-joining the team after this season, it seems like the spanish sprinter is set to stay. The former Santander rider, however could be tempted if his former team was ready with an offer, media seems to know. Team manager of Festina have denied that the sprinter is leaving any time soon.
Anthony Lavoine
- Despite being young, and french Anthony Lavoine have been chased for the past two seasons, and nothing seems to change that. Evian-MIAT, Vuelling Airways and Bouygues Telecom seems very eager to sign the young sprinter, and he could be interested in leaving according to new rumours. He doesn't feel he will ever have a chance at stepping up to the plate while Guerao is in the team, and thus it seems likely that he could leave.
Benôit Sinner
- Former french champion Sinner has had a disastrous season, and the manager of the team have more than indicated that he is on his way out of the team. Alstom-RBC should be first in line for his signature, but also Evian-MIAT, Allianz-BMW, Team Bpost, and Wikipedia could be interested in signing the rider.
Marco Brus (Loaned)
- Having been with the team on loan for a year, it seems likely that the rider will simply move back to his original team. Team Festina are in no ways interested in making the deal permanent, it seems.
Geert Steurs
- Belgian cobbled expert Geert Steurs feels misfitted in the team, and wants to leave. His manager are not interested in holding the rider against his will and media might be speculating in a swap deal with Gaudin in Volkswagen-Mapei, Sibilla in Simply Red Bull or Lhotellerie in Bouygues Telecom. Several other teams such as Lotto - Cervelo, HTC Nieuwsblad and Bpost also should be ready to make a move on the cobbled leader.
Cedric Lebris
- Cedric Lebris are voicing his happiness in the team, and the manager likewise. There doesn't seem to be any indications of a splitup in the coming period.
Pierre Rolland
- Despite having performed below-par this season Pierre Rolland seems to be part of the long term strategy for the team, and despite interests from Vueling Airlines it doesn't seem too likely that a switch is to happen.
Mathieu Bernaudeau
- The talented timetriallist have been part of the team for a long time, and he seems to put on his quality every single year. It seems likely that a contract renewal is already printed, and ready for signature.
Jason Donald
- American Jason Donald was bought for the Team timetrials, but since the recent results in those have been less than satisfying it seems unlikely that an agreement can be reached between the two teams. Possibly demoting team Heineken should be interested in signing the aging star, as should Hollister Pro Cycling and AMEX Pro Cycling.
Ivan Kovalev
- Russian TT phenomena Kovalev have been sincerely happy with his time in the team, but could be forced away due to the manager not being interested in too many different languague barriers. Tinkoff Bank should be very interested in the rider, but media are speculating in whether Metinvest or Lukoil could be ready for a rather massive offer to avoid him going to Tinkoff.
Ramunas Navardauskas
- Another youngster of the team, who have been with the manager for quite some time. Ramunas Navardauskas is very talented and seems to fit in well, but AirBaltic and Ekspla-Cision have voiced their interest for quite some time, and a decent offer from either could eventually see the young lithuanian rider leave the team. The team manager doesn't have any comments on the subject.
Panagiotis Vlatos
- Greek TT talent is perfectly designed for the teams future, and it seems unlikely that he would be leaving the team any time soon.
Pierre-Henri Lecuisinier
- The teams largest talent seems like the platform for years to come, but speculation isn't whether or not he will be leaving, cause he won't - But should he be loaned out another season? the media is a bit splitted on the matter, and it seems the manager is aswell.
Yoann Paillot
- Talented french timetriallist Yoann Paillot is set for another season away from the team, despite having had a decent run in the lower divisions. It seems unlikely that the rider will stay in the PT for the coming season.
Bryan Coquard
- Young sprinter Coquard have also had a season in the lower rankings, and without a doubt in his mind, team manager Andreas Jøhnke commented that he would like for him to take another season in the divisions.
Clement Koretzky
- Having had a very nice debut season Koretzky seems ready to take the next step up. The team manager are very eager to get the young puncheur back for the upcoming season.
Nacer Bouhanni
- French sprinter Bouhanni is set for a season as a sprint train gunner, and Guerao is seemingly impressed with the progression of the young rider.
Alexis Gougeard
- Talented french puncheur Gougeard should according to media be ready for another season in the divisions as his progressions have been less that acceptable. A sale could also be interesting for the team, if one of the french teams were to voice their interest.
Georgos Tzortzakis
- Greek sprinttalent Tzortzakis are returning back with some nice qualities, and most medias expect him to be the last man in the sprint train for Guerao in the upcomming season. Whether or not he will have the capabilities just yet is a question to be answered though.
Charalampas Kastrantas
- Powerhouse Kastrantas have had a nice run in the divisions, and Andreas Jøhnke is looking forward to getting the rider back ready for a solid helpers role.
Jens Keukeleire
- Jens Keukeleire is, like Tzortzakis ready to step up, and be part of the sprint train for Guerao. Many are considering the sprint train to bee too strong, and that a sprinter or two might be unhappy with the general picture. Some media are guessing that Bpost, Lotto - Cervelo and Pokerstars could be very interested in signing the young sprinter.
Steve Morabito
- Having had a nice couple of seasons in the Festina color, it was a bit of an upset for the rider to be loaned out, all of a sudden, and most media agrees that he will not be in Festina when the season ends. The obvious choise for the climber seems to be UBS - BMC but, Sauber Petronas are also interested, and with good friend Hugentobler in the team it could be a good match aswell.
The team are obviously looking to strengthen the team on key areas aswell, and a leading french cycling journalist have taken time off to figure out which riders could be high priority riders for Festina-Canal+ in the coming season:
Jeremy Roy should be a key rider to focus on for the team, having Ulissi likely leaving, but if that is not possible then Guillaume Levarlet, Anthony Roux and Cyril Gautier are likely to be next in line. Despite the teams obvious french interests it seems that Carlos Betancourt, Tanel Kangert and Martin Reimer are also very interesting riders, and would fit in well with the teams morals.
For the climbs it seems obvious that the team is targetting from the top shelf, as they have had some of the very best riders from there in some years. Justo Tenorio was mentioned, but also Thomas Dekker could be very interesting, possibly in a swap deal with Alberto Contador. Team Vueling have previously featured some of Contadors best friends, such as Noval and Pecharroman, and that seems to have a certain amount of importance. The team is also willing to stretch a fair bit for talented rider Thibaut Pinot, while it seems like also Jocelyn Maillet and Kenny Elissonde should be on the secret list.
No list without big targets though, and it seems like the team have a few big targets, well knowing that they can't get them all. Jerome Coppel seems like the main target of the season, as he currently is the biggest french star. Aleksandr Pluchkin have been on the list for seasons, and if Team B&O demotes this season it seems likely that an offer will be provided for the moldavian top climber. Vincenzo Nibali was top priority for the team last season, but the bank was empty in the end. Therefor the team could well be in line for a second attempt at the italian climber. Also french sprinter Romain Vanderbiest seems like an obvious choice for the french team, especially if Anthony Lavoine is to leave the team.
Edited by SotD on 06-02-2014 15:29
Strange as it may seem, the rider I'm the most interested in is Steurs. I'm hoping to expand the diversity in my team for next year, and he could be a good leader for the cobbled classics. You might hear from me regarding him later - depending on how expensive Franzoi becomes.
Ulissi is obviously a rider I'd love to have, but I'm sure there are others who'll be willing to offer better deals.
If I can find the money and have enough space in my wage cap, Diego Ulissi is certainly of interest to Venchi. However, in the situation the team is in, it does not seem very likely that such a big name will be joining us in the transfer season.
Edited by Sykkel_Freak on 06-02-2014 17:01
Several interesting riders for me, Fothen would ofc be interesting if I promote (unlikely), no matter if I'm PT or PCT Steurs and Ulissi would be high on my list, and I know from good sources that Gaudin would be really interested in joining Festina
Avin Wargunnson wrote:
Kovalev you say, hmm. Lets see how much Tinkoff want him
And i see Festina is probably going with Guerao staying, i think Hoffman would be a perfect leadout.
Nolan Hoffman would most certainly be extremely interesting, but considering his wage of 130.000 and the fact that he has been a monster I think he will be very expensive next season. But if I'm mistaken he would be amazing for us.
Kovalov has confirmed that your team seems very interesting.