|
[PCT] Podium Ambition
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 24-11-2024 14:55
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 12-09-2021 21:50
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
The Great Big "Pirates of the Caribbean, Dead Mans Chest" Post
Yep, we're sticking with ridiculous title concept! Another day of transfers in the bag, and we seal up the first of the battle FA's. Significantly more expensive that we hoped for, however as a future investment we are happy. And yes it's fairly clear we're not looking at PCT survival, this is a full on re-build that will probably end in relegation.
Anyway, onto the next batch of new faces!
 | Joshua Gayral | 24 | 71HL 70CBTTSP | 65k | JG |
JG signed up to become Bridges 2.0. Had to work to confirm his signature but the all-round coverage can be very useful. A long career ahead on the team for sure.
 | Akil Campbell | 25 | 73TT 70CB | 50k | Ak |
Ak is the next signing, nice and straight forward this time. A tough rider with multiple strengths and options, will be making use of the Fabian training scheme. Nice niche going forwards on the classics and TT units.
 | Critian Perez | 22 | 71TT 71PL | 100k | Perez |
El Cubano! Boy this was fight to sign, but we were ultimately successful. A future 78TT, with 75FL makes him a good TT option and lead-out train man, but also with 76FTR as an attacking option. Perez has some potential for training into a fun and hard riding racer.
 | Jacob Morales Ortega | 22 | 68HL 67MO | 55k | JMO |
A climber? I said this was a full rebuild! Jacob breaks our mantra of "No climbing" from the past two years. He's got the potential to become an aggressive little pocket climber with 76MO 76HL 75AC and 76FTR.
We welcome yet more new faces to the squad. Already we're close to fielding our own Avenir team for the first time in 3+ years. There are still more signings to come in the coming days, and there's a real buzz around the HQ as everyone celebrates the new found focus and enjoyment in the MG.
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 14-09-2021 18:07
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
The Great Big "Pirates of the Caribbean, At Worlds End" Post
Onto update #3, and like the film series this one is a little underwhelming but certainly answers some lingering questions.
Firstly we say aurevoir to Ramon Domene, yes we know he's Spanish and not French, who joins up with CC Crabbe-Chevigny on a one-year Loan deal. It's cheaper than sacking him.
On with the one new confirmed signing of the day;
 | Alexandre Mayer | 23 | 74HL 71SP | 100k | Mayer |
Alex Mayer was another fight to sign! But with a solid HL stat backed up with SP & TT skills we really wanted the Mauritian. We're thinking of a focus on the hill skills as he develops as a strong pairing with other new signing Lagane and existing rider Le Court.
We're not quite finished with transfers yet, despite having made 9 Free Agent signings. We are hoping to tag one more and some stagieres to round out the new wave of Caribbean cyclists.
|
| |
|
|
| the_hoyle |
Posted on 14-09-2021 22:48
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7651
Joined: 28-05-2009
PCM$: 200.00
|
Live scenes of the new signings arriving at Podium Ambition HQ:
.: Manager of :.
.: My Awards :.
 |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 17-09-2021 21:25
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@hoyle - How else do you build teamwork?
The Great Big "Pirates of the Caribbean, On Stranger Tides" Post
Update #4, and again like the film series it's getting less and less relevant to the general public. Although unlike the film series at number 4, these riders are quality and have a bright future!
 | Jonathan Croes | 24 | 71HL 70TT | 50k | JCroe |
The games first pro level Aruban rider! Not a world beater but we know he can make a servicable stage race support rider. Or given this teams history, he'll be our undisputed GC leader!
| | Nathan Alexander | 23 | 71HL 70MO | 10k | Nate |
Nate comes as a Stagiere trying to earn a long term deal. He's surprisingly strong for this role but has limited potential. But alongside riders such as Croes he can play a part as we build a well-rounded Caribbean power house squad.
 | Jacob Kelly | 22 | 68TT 68SP | 10k | Kelly |
Jacob will have some big shoes to fill, as the obvious replacement to the team legend Matthews. Not quite as strong but we see opportunities and a useful role in the team with abilities in a fast finish, up a short hill, in a time trial, or over cobbles.
| | Dylan Redy | 22 | 69HL 68SP | 10k | Red |
Dylan was part of the now defunct Azteca team. He has a surprisingly bright future, as Mauritius continues to turn out punchy sprinters. He won't be as strong as Mayer or Lagane but he'll be close.
| | Kemp Orosco | 22 | 70MO 68HL | 10K | Kemp |
The final signing! Another climber, we've clearly gone mad. Kemp will have to work hard to bag that long term contract but he's got a good starting point.
With 23 full time riders and 4 Stagaires we have a sizable squad for the season. It's also very young, with 10 riders 23 or younger, and 16 25 or under. 16 Unmaxed riders gives us plenty of room to grow.
This does come with a lack of clear scoring depth, putting a huge weight on the shoulders of Ewan, Altur and Cataford. But a full presentation will come at the weeked, so stick around!
|
| |
|
|
| DarkWolf |
Posted on 18-09-2021 04:55
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
Joined: 21-09-2020
PCM$: 700.00
|
Love it! A lot of youth and a plethora of Caribbean riders are just my things. I'll follow with interest how these young Caribbean are developing. |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 19-09-2021 10:24
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@DarkWolf - Luckly below you can see our Dev plans & we'll continue to scout more of them for future season.
The Great Big "Pirates of the Caribbean, Salazars Revenge" Post
This post title plan was ridiculous! But we're at the end now and can go back to better ones. Below here is the full introduction to our 2021 MG team!
| Nat. | Name | Age | Key Stats | Wage | Nickname |  | Caleb Ewan | 27 | 83SP 71HL | 600k | Pocket Rocket |  | Marcos Altur | 28 | 82CB 70HL | 300k | Altoro |  | Alex Cataford | 28 | 79TT 72MO | 175k | AC | | Jon Aberasturi | 32 | 79SP 75PL | 110k | Jon |  | Logan Owen | 26 | 78CB 71AC | 95k | Wolverine |  | Julian Alaphilippe | 29 | 77SP 73HL | 80k | Ala |  | Jay Major | 26 | 77SP 70CB | 50k | Jay | | Alexander Edmondson | 28 | 77SP 74CB | 70k | Edmo | | Darren Matthews | 30 | 76SP 75CB | 50k | Darren | | Alexandre Mayer | 23 | 74HL 71SP | 100k | Mayer | | Jyme Bridges | 32 | 72HL 71CB | 60k | Jyme | | Kim Le Court | 25 | 76HL 76FT | 60k | Queen | | Christopher Lagane | 23 | 73SP 72HL | 50k | Lagane | | Joshua Gayral | 24 | 71HL 70CB | 65k | Josh |  | Bram Welten | 24 | 74SP 69CB | 50k | Bram |  | Hennis Hasani | 24 | 72SP 71TT | 50k | Hennis | | Akil Campbell | 25 | 73TT 70CB | 50k | AK | | Nathan Alexander | 23 | 71HL 70MO | 10k | Nate | | Kristin Vanderpool | 26 | 75TT 76PL | 50k | Kristin |  | Andrew Norbert | 23 | 70SP 69TT | 50k | Andy | | Jacob Kelly | 22 | 68SP 68HL | 10k | Jaco | | Jonathan Croes | 24 | 71HL 70TT | 50k | Jcroe | | Dylan Redy | 22 | 69HL 68SP | 10k | Redy | | Cristian Perez | 22 | 71TT 69CB | 100k | Perez | | David Dekker | 23 | 71SP 68CB | 75k | Double D | | Jacob Morales Ortega | 22 | 68HL 67MO | 55k | JMO | | Kemp Orosco | 22 | 70MO 68HL | 10k | Kemp |
With an Average Age of just 25 this is a new look much younger team! After a few slightly lost years in terms of a focus we have now found that long term view which is crucial to success. The downside is we are weak this season, and avoiding relegation is going to be incredibly tough.
The Big 3 of Ewan, Altur & AC will have to carry a huge weight on their shoulders. But with the way the transfer period has worked out we are quietly confident all three can improve their scoring on last season. And we have a wide range of breakaway options that could surprise. Time will tell, but again even if we relegate the future is bright.
As this is a team in development working to improve as our riders go we thought we should detail what that will look like going forwards. With 15 unmaxed riders there's a lot to consider!
Spoiler | . | FL | MO | HL | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FT | DH | PL | | Bram Welten | 76 | 64 | 69 | 58 | 72 | 70 | 82 | 72 | 79 | 77 | 56 | 67 | 59 | | David Dekker | 77 | 62 | 66 | 60 | 81 | 77 | 76 | 72 | 78 | 77 | 65 | 64 | 61 | | Chris Lagane | 70 | 70 | 77 | 66 | 70 | 71 | 64 | 65 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 63 | 65 | | Hasani Hennis | 69 | 67 | 70 | 76 | 72 | 73 | 71 | 69 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 69 | 76 | | Andrew Norbert | 75 | 67 | 69 | 76 | 78 | 77 | 65 | 55 | 74 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 76 | | Alexandre Mayer | 68 | 68 | 77 | 70 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 61 | 72 | 77 | 76 | 60 | 71 | | Joshua Gayral | 74 | 65 | 71 | 70 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 76 | 63 | 70 | | Cristian Perez | 75 | 63 | 68 | 78 | 74 | 75 | 73 | 69 | 66 | 68 | 76 | 69 | 78 | | Akil Campbell | 74 | 63 | 68 | 76 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 74 | 68 | 72 | 66 | 66 | 75 | | Jacob Morales Ortega | 66 | 76 | 76 | 61 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 55 | 63 | 75 | 76 | 73 | 62 | | Dylan Redy | 71 | 70 | 76 | 67 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 65 | 70 | 74 | 73 | 66 | 69 | | Jacob Kelly | 74 | 63 | 69 | 70 | 68 | 73 | 62 | 67 | 75 | 77 | 74 | 66 | 75 | | Nathan Alexander | 72 | 74 | 73 | 72 | 72 | 71 | 73 | 60 | 61 | 67 | 66 | 68 | 72 | | Jon Croes | 65 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 73 | 71 | 72 | 56 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 69 | 74 | | Kemp Orosco | 69 | 76 | 72 | 71 | 74 | 68 | 73 | 60 | 63 | 65 | 68 | 63 | 68 |
That's a look at the brand new look Podium Ambition for 2021, and a glance at beyond. Still to come are Goals & Calendar confirmations, so check back with us soon.
|
| |
|
|
| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 19-09-2021 10:28
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5533
Joined: 12-06-2013
PCM$: 500.00
|
Always liked your team and your approach to team building but you’re right, it’ll be a tough season although Ewan could score very very well and so could Altur so all hope is most definitely not lost.
Huge investment in the future which, as I know, is always a risk but I respect and appreciate it nonetheless!
|
| |
|
|
| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 19-09-2021 14:23
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
Joined: 27-07-2011
PCM$: 10438.70
|
After seeing all these flags beside your new additions, your bids on Cannister make a lot more sense. At the time, I had to talk down De Maar. He was about ready to declare war on your team. 
It's a very noble enterprise to sacrifice this much performance for regional talents. Then again, little risk involved as Ewan and Altur should keep you far away from relegation by themselves, unless PCM 20 is even more cruel to them than PCM 18.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
| |
|
|
| Marcovdw |
Posted on 19-09-2021 20:57
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 7593
Joined: 04-07-2012
PCM$: 15345.00
|
Sold Major with pain in my heart last year, never using him fully maxed. Nice to see he ends up in the Caribbean team, from being a Minion to being a pirate
|
| |
|
|
| Ollfardh |
Posted on 20-09-2021 09:12
|
World Champion
Posts: 14563
Joined: 08-08-2011
PCM$: 9100.00
|
So, last year's fluke staying in made you go even more crazy this year?
Love the approach, but if Ewan and Altur struggle, I don't see a way you stay in.
Changed my sig, this was getting absurd.
|
| |
|
|
| Fabianski |
Posted on 20-09-2021 09:26
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4670
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
|
Ewan continuing as PCT's best leadout or turning into a serial winner will probably make or break your season. Somewhat surprised to see you holding onto Altur after a... history making season, as you called it  If he's in form on the cobbles, he can contribute big time on saving the team, that's for sure.
AC obviously another star, and I expect him to score quite a lot from TT-heavy stage races. And he has to, actually, if you want to stay up.
You already mentioned that it might be asking too much to stay safe this time again, but the future looks bright indeed  Love the regional signings, and some of them really are great pickups for the future!
|
| |
|
|
| SportingNonsense |
Posted on 20-09-2021 09:35
|
Team Manager
Posts: 33046
Joined: 08-03-2007
PCM$: 200.00
|
A great spread of countries there! I was looking at Cristian Perez as my second choice for a rider to train the Fabian way - was happy I didn't have to try to outbid you on one of your targets though, after watching the Cannister thread.
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 20-09-2021 10:53
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@LLS - It was a re-build this year or next, so might as well do it now with a PCT budget and see if we can perform a small miracle.
@BBL - If it was any other team apart from yours i'd have kept going on Cannister! You never know, maybe we'll swap him with Ewan next season
@Marco - Arrghh, he'll fit right in as part of the crew! And the Caribbean does produce some bananas so not a total shock to the system for him.
@Ollfardh - The fluke last year was not challenging promotion. But if we relegate we relegate, and i can sell Ewan/Atlur/AC to become the single richest CT team in history!
@Fabianski - We invested far too much last season with his training to bail on Altur. And i think the PCT cobbles landscape is a little kinder to him this year. Or if not we have a ready made person to blame for everything #nopressure
@SN - 16 Countries, which i think is a game high this season for diversity. By the time i get this team back to the PT i'd want to represent about 20 Perez i'm more likely to go pure TT, but that may depend on which new riders i can get added next year.
|
| |
|
|
| cio93 |
Posted on 20-09-2021 11:33
|
World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
PCM$: 500.00
|
Your Carribean youngsters all look incredible value for mostly underrated OVLs once maxed, plenty of dual threats among them!
And I guess that even if your leaders fail you even more horribly than last season, it's quite convenient there are exactly 15 unmaxed riders in that squad.
|
| |
|
|
| redordead |
Posted on 21-09-2021 08:07
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
|
Quite a big turnover of riders this year. I like all the regional additions, very colorful when looking at all the flags
Not much depth behind the big 3 leaders, but they are proven quality to keep you in PCT I think
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-09-2021 12:45
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@Cio - All part of the longer term game plans to try and tackle inflation. Drop the main stats, but riders can do more things.
Not a perfect 15 as we'll have some Lvl 4's to Loan out. But yes there's a clear CT team here already we can work from.
@red - Just wait until next year when we get all those NC Jerseys, then we'll be colourful (i feel sorry for the_hoyle who'll have a lot of work to do).
You're more confident on our PCT survival than i am! But going in with zero expectations i can't be disappointed this year.
The Great Big "Giving Wolverine Some Claws" Post
Just a small note that will be missed by most unless we point it out. Logan "Wolverine" Owen has gotten some off-season training! He moves from 77 to 78 Cobble. The 26yo is becoming something of a personal project for the team, as basically the last survivor of our old PNW-Bulgarian team of the first years in the game!
From Bremerton, WA, Wolverine joined up as a neo-pro and we've grown him into a nice little classics rider. He showed some strong flashes last season, making us seriously consider moving on from Altur and backing the American. We're kind of doing both but keeping Altur but still training him up.
He won't become a Summerhill level rider, but if we can stay PCT and keep a healthy enough budget we're hoping to end up with a good little scorer. Maybe not into the 80's for Cobble but we have desires to round out his skillset a little more as we wait the Caribbean's to become training eligible.
Certainly watch him if we do relegate, as he'll be almost our only eligible rider in the CT and all that money from selling Ewan/Altur/AC
|
| |
|
|
| Nemolito |
Posted on 21-09-2021 22:30
|
Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
|
Nice collection of flags you got there, looking forward to seeing your TTT squad in the coming seasons, all dressed in another outfit.
For personal reasons I would accept another year as Ewan being the division's best lead-out.
|
| |
|
|
| DarkWolf |
Posted on 22-09-2021 06:23
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
Joined: 21-09-2020
PCM$: 700.00
|
I would have liked to see Zambezi Richardson on your team too. But I say this because with every new edition of Football Manager or Pro Cycling Manager I have a team based in Anguilla. And of course because I love his name! |
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 22-09-2021 11:45
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
@Nemo - A lack of available info means TT skills tend to dominate Caribbean suggestions. But now we've shown the MGUCI we are committed, next season we can branch out a touch more for a better all-round team.
If only i could charge Ewan's wage to all the other PCT sprint teams 
@DarkWolf - Zambezi was a possible Stagaire signing, but ultimately he lacks the skills to be useful vs other options. Henis Hasani is here to represent Anguilla though!
|
| |
|
|
| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 07-10-2021 12:19
|
Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
|
The Great Big "Still Going Big, And Going Home Empty Handed" Post
Goals! We are possible the team worst team in the MG when it comes to Goals. Our hit rate is so low the Titanic looks down upon us. And yet every year we rock up, shoot for the moon, and remain insanely positive. This year is not a single bit different!
Goals
Barbados Cycling Festival - Top 5
Tour of the Battenkill - Win
Down Under Classic - Win
Chrono d'Arenberg - Win
Team Standings - Win
Major different this year is we only want a Top5 on home roads in Barbados. This is because we can still only ask for 23points total, and made sense to give us good coverage in a race we fail to do well in year-on-year.
Ewan also spearheading the charge right at the start of the year in the Down Under Classic, so we'll get a very early indication on how our season will go.
Marcos Altur gets a change to prove he's finally worth the training. He did almost win here last year btw! And in Arenberg he has an outside change, but former winner Cataford is obviously the hope we might actually pass a Goal for the first time in years.
We are required a Standings Goals. In a year we know we'll relegate. So ignore this one.
We will probably fail all 5 again. But if we succeed in them, suddenly we could be a promotion contender! Really is "Go Big, or Go Home" this year. We'll go down to the CT swinging hard.
|
| |
|
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
