Although now riding in the PCT, Bacardi - Itera is still interested in Simon Spilak, and we'll probably search contact during the transfers, if he's still available by then (and also depending on our own transfers).
Edited by Kami on 12-03-2014 19:07
aidanvn13 wrote:
Wow, ember, I cannot tell you how attractive Augustyn is with that wage! Dammit! Some serious offers might be coming your way
Looking forward to it!
Kami wrote:
Although now riding in the PCT, Bacardi - Itera is still interested in Simon Spilak, and we'll probably search contact during the transfers, if he's still available by then (and also depending on our own transfers).
Hope to hear from you. Still feel kind of annoyed "stealing" Spilak from you last transfer season, but he turned out to be a must have for me last season.
Kami wrote:
Although now riding in the PCT, Bacardi - Itera is still interested in Simon Spilak, and we'll probably search contact during the transfers, if he's still available by then (and also depending on our own transfers).
Hope to hear from you. Still feel kind of annoyed "stealing" Spilak from you last transfer season, but he turned out to be a must have for me last season.
Don't have to feel annoyed what so ever, the bidding battles are part of the game, and the way you handled it was a pleasure. Still want him though, so i'm trying again this year .
We're not done with our transfer season, but there's no doubt we've made some major changes thinking of who will lead our team. Just have a look!
Speaking of the obvious leader first. we're thrilled to say Edvald Boasson Hagen are riding with us in 2014 as well. It took three tough rounds of negotiations, but in the end he accepted our offer and is more motivated than ever to win a monument in his rainbow jersey. Speaking of the rainbow jersey, we hope Sykkel_Freak will make it soon. He'll be our leader in whatever race he races. We're yet to decide which stage races he'll ride, but there's no doubt he'll join all hilly classics.
Boasson Hagen will have another go at a monument win in 2014.
Boasson Hagen's lieutnant and key domestique for the classics will be Guillaume Levarlet. The French rider has joined us from Bouygues Telecom, and with a low wage and superb abilities on the hills, we hope to see him shine in our colors. He'll also get to lead on several stages in different tours. We might even see him race Tour de France, where he dreams of a stage win.
Coming to the mountains and stage races, there's no doubt Alberto Contador will lead our team. He had a good 2013 after a tough 2012, and we hope he can build on that. At least his confidence should be high. He's one of the best climbers in the world, and combined with great secondary stats, we expect him to fight for a top 6 whenever he races. It's yet to be decided what Grand Tour he'll race. He might even do two.
Igor Antón will look to support his fellow countryman in the most prestigous races Contador races, but he'll also get a lot of chances to lead the team. He's a huge personal favourite for our manager, and there's no doubt that played a part when we decided to sign him this transfer season. He's ready to challenge on the big scene after a couple of seasons at the Pro Continental Tour. We also find his wage decent thinking of his stats.
For the sprints, there's no doubt we've upgraded our team. The South African duo Daryl Impey and Juan Van Heerden will be a great force to count on in various stage races and flat classics. Impey has finally reached his potential, and he's motivated for his best season ever. Van Heerden had a hard time last year, but we trust him and think he has what it takes to perform at top level. We're looking very much forward to see what the duo can make of 2014.
Finally, we've also strengthened our team for the cobbles. We've been following Michel Sibilla since his great performance in Paris-Roubaix 2012, where he played a key role for Boonen's win, and we're happy he'll ride as a captain for us this season. We don't expect top results from the Frenchman, but it will certainly be nice to at least be able to fight for top 20's in the cobble classics. Last season we were adimttedly nowhere near the front when those races were decided.
That's all for now. We believe we've strengthened our team thinking of leaders. But that's obviously impossible to say for sure before the racing starts.
We'll also announce our complete team when we're ready to do that. But as said, our team is still to be completed.
ember
Aker-MOT
Selwink wrote:
Ah, fellow chess player, will follow this team closely this season.
Thanks! Hopefully we can make a couple of beautiful combinations Edited by ember on 19-03-2014 17:47
We're happy to say our transfer season is only a few hours from being completed. Admittedly, it ended earlier than expected, but we got an anonymous tip on what to do with the money we've got left, and we'll do just that.
Without further ado, here's our team:
Edvald Boasson Hagen Captain, 84 hills, 820.000 Euros
He's our true leader. He had an outstanding 2013 after a couple of tough seasons, and we're looking forward to hopefully see him use momentum after last season and start 2014 flying. He'll wear the rainbow jersey after a great win in Stuttgart last autumm.
Stake Laengen had a nice 2013. He learned a lot, and he's looking to learn even more this year. He did well in Deutschland Tour, a race he ended 48th, and chances are good he'll lead our team on a couple of occasions this year as well. But his most important individual goal this season is to develop into a better rider.
Lorents Ola Aasvold Climber, 74 mountains, 73 hills, 50.000 Euros
The 26 years old climber is looking to finish his development nicely. He'll be a rider to count on for Contador and Antón whenever they race the same races. There's no doubt he has the abilities to show himself in tough races already this year.
Sigurd Nesset Climber, 73 mountains, 50.000 Euros
Nesset is back from a season with Iberia - Comunidad Valenciana. He clearly enjoyed his stay in Spain, but racing 2014 in the colors of the only Norwegian Pro Tour team will be a highlight in his career so far.
Lars Petter Nordhaug Puncheur, 72 hills, 50.000 Euros
Nordhaug is one of two riders starting his third season with Aker-MOT. He'll be a domestique to trust in any race, and he might be able to chase a couple of good results from breakaway as well, like he did in 2012, especially in Vuelta a Burgos, where he won a stage.
Kristian Dyrnes Puncheur, 73 hills, 50.000 Euros
Dyrnes had a nice time with fellow Norwegian team Risa-Ergon in 2013, and he's now ready to take on the biggest scene. He's looking to develop into a solid puncheur, and he's likely to race some of the biggest classics this season.
Sondre Holst Enger Sprinter, 76 sprint, 80.000 Euros
Holst Enger was one of our biggest targets in the transfer season, and we're thrilled to have him. He'll be one of the best sprinters in the world in a couple of years. This season will be all about learning from our experienced South African duo, and try to lead them out on a few occasions.
One of our rare, true climbers. He's all about mountains, which is something we value highly in our team, as we've always had a thing for the true climbers. He'll definitely get his Grand Tour debut this season, and he might ride two of them.
Sven Erik Bystrom Puncheur, 72 hills, 50.000 Euros
He was without any doubt one of our bargains last transfer season, and we're happy he enjoyed his stay at Iberia-Communidad Valenciana to come back to come prepared back to us this season. Thoug, 2014 will be all about developing for him, as he'll look for a bigger role in our team next season.
He joined us from Risa-Ergon this season. He'll be a nice domestique in cobble classics, as he's looking to lead our team in such terrain once in the future.
Anders Lund Fighter, 73 fighter, 50.000 Euros
He's a great to have in our team, as he's having a valuable role protecting our leaders on flat stages. He's a late bloomer, and we hope he can even improve this season.
Daniel Hoelgaard Puncheur, 72 hills, 80.000 Euros
A personal favourite for the manager. He was loaned out to Team PrivatBank last season, and he's looking to be loaned out to Team CSC-Orbea this season, where he's hoping to be of nice value to the team in hilly classics and races.
Loaned out last season to Cisco Cycling Team, he managed to sensationally become the Norwegian champion. It means a lot for us that he's contracted to our team, but we've decided to loan him out this season as well. Hopefully he'll continue to develop in Risa-Ergon, where he should shine in his beautiful jersey.
Johan Fredrik Ziesler Puncheur, 74 hills, 50.000 Euros
We're happy to help Risa-Ergon develop Ziesler into a rider who can lead a CT team in hilly races. He'll race several of the greatest races and classics for us this season, and we think he'll prove valuable to Boasson Hagen and our hilly team.
Alberto Contador Stage racer, 83 mountains, 77 hills, 670.000 Euros
Coming from Festina-Canal+, there's absolutely no doubts Contador is here to lead our team in stage races. The Spaniard is one of the best climbers out there, and we hope he'll prove just that during the season. It's still being debated which Grand Tour he will ride, but as it looks now, we'll probably send him to his home country.
Igor Antón Climber, 79 mountains, 290.000 Euros
A BIG favourite of the manager, Antón is looking to lead the team in several races, but most importantly, he'll be Contador's lieutnant when it matters the most. A brilliant climber, and he also has a great kick and he's looking for an attack whenever it's possible.
Daryl Impey Sprinter, 80 sprint, 73 hills, 290.000 Euros
The South African sprinter had a great last season with us, winning a stage in Vuelta a España. He has also, finally, finished his development. We hope that makes him even more competitive, regularly challenging for podiums and top fives.
Juan Van Heerden Sprinter, 82 sprint, 68 hills, 150.000 Euros
Just like Impey, Van Heerden has joined us from Simply Red Bull. He came during transfers this season, and we're thrilled to have both him and Impey in our team. He's looking to lead our team in flat stages and races, having a great sprint. Hopefully we can learn him a bit about timing, as he launched his sprint far too early several times last season.
Guillaume Levarlet Puncheur, 79 hills, 135.000 Euros
A great addition to our team! He's skills on hills are superb, and we hope Boasson Hagen can benefit from that in the classics. He'll also get several opportunities to shine, hunting stage wins.
Michel Sibilla Cobbler, 81 cobblestones, 150.000 Euros
An interesting signing, and our team will finally have a leader for the cobble classics. The Frenchman should be able to challenge for a couple of top 20s during the classics season.
Steven Kruijswijk Rouleur, 78 flat, 74 cobblestones, 110.000 Euros
Kruijswijk is a great rider to have in our team, joining from Team B&O. He'll be a key rider when we put up a train for the sprints, and he'll also have a free role in a lot of races and classics, being able to attack and try his luck.
Samuel Pökälä Time trialist, 74 TT, 50.000 Euros
We're happy to loan the Finn from Team Live Nation. He'll be an important rider for us, being one of our strongest time trialists, and also able to help our leaders hilly races.
Damien Howson Time trialist, 75 TT, 50.000 Euros
Another time trialist on loan. Howson is joining us this season to help us out in team time trials. We hope he'll enjoy the stay and all the opportunities he'll get against the clock.
General Thoughts on our Team
We're very proud of the fact that 14 of the 23 riders connected to our team this season are from Norway. Who would've thought that in 2012? We hope to continue developing talents and riders from Norway, and then spice things up with strong riders from other countries, like we've done this year.
All in all, we feel our team should be able to fight for a top 10 once again, but we feel we could also end higher if everything goes our way. Though, with a little bit of bad luck, we could see ourselves fight to avoid relegation as well.
That's a fantastic squad I have to say. And you got decent depth in all your areas. Impey is a total beast, with that hilly stat I would not be surprised to be the star of the team beside EBH of course.
Not sure of other PT teams, but look to me you could be challenging for Top 5 I'd say.
Edited by Alakagom on 21-03-2014 16:14
Though, I feel a top 5 is too optimistic considering we lack a second top class stage racer. Though, both me and Antón somewhat disagrees
If Rujano had signed, my expectations would have been a top 5, but as the team is, I'll be very happy with a top 10
And yeah, I really hope Boasson Hagen can perform something similar to last season, and if Impey does anything similar to what Van Staeyen did last year, I think they'll make a nice trio of, hopefully, heavy point scorers together with Contador.
@Rin: Weeeeell, you mean rivals like we'll mostly end behind your team in all terrains except for (hopefully) the hilly classics?
@alexkr00: Haha! I promise to give you a detailed report when the season is over, but only if you'll make one if your team ends up in front of mine. And then I expect top notch quality!
Then you should write a detailed report on how to make Gesink not crash during a whole season, as my crystal ball says he won't crash and lose time due to crashes/mechanicals this season.
Or we could just cross fingers one of us ends up at least a couple of places in front of the other Edited by ember on 21-03-2014 19:12
We're very proud to present the jersey Edvald Boasson Hagen will ride and race in this season.
We feel Sykkel_Freak really has come up with his best creating the jersey, and it's with great pleasure Boasson Hagen will wear it.
We just hope the rainbow jersey will inspire our Norwegian captain even more, as his and our season is about to start.
Below follows more pictures of our world champion.
We're also very happy to say that our equipment is coming soon. Just like last season, we've got KenL to produce it for us, and we really do believe we'll be a great looking team. Though, to all Bianchi fans, we won't disappoint you, our Bianchi bikes will still have the characteristic Bianchi color! Hopefully the riders can bring home some results as well.
We're really looking forward to travel to China to make our season debut versus the best teams in Badaling International.
First of all, a big thanks to KenL for making our equipment. We're thrilled to have KenL with us this season as well, as he's a truly great designer and equipment maker.
It's with great pleasure we can give you pictures of of his work, which we think deserves to be called art.
In addition to gloves and shoes, KenL has made a special design for our helmets, bottles, leggings, socks, handles, corsairs and casquettes.
It's also with true pleasure we can announce the look of our Bianchi bikes.
KenL has even made a special disc wheel for our team, which we greatly appreciate.
We think we've been a good looking team for our two first season, but we also think there's no doubt that we should look even better this year.
Once again, a big thank you goes to KenL, who took his time making all this.
We hope you all like the equipment we'll race with this season!
Our riders are safe in China after a long journey to get to Beijing to prepare for the first race this season. Just like last year, it kicks of with Badaling International, a hilly classic where Edvald Boasson Hagen will lead our team.
Though, what really makes us proud here in China, is that six of our eight riders are Norwegians. We're delighted most of them will follow Boasson Hagen as his domestiques in the Ardennes and other one day hilly classics.
Edvald Boasson Hagen Kristian Dyrnes Sigurd Nesset Johan Fredrik Ziesler Sven Erik Bystrom Vegard Breen Igor Antón Guillaume Levarlet
In addition to the six Norwegians, Levarlet and Antón will make their debut in our colors in China. They've both settled well in the team, adding great abilities, but especially a great humour to our group. They're very much up for the task in China, as they'll try to help us kick start our season with a good performance. Levarlet also hopes to compete for a top 20.
Boasson Hagen is sleeping, eating, training and walking in his rainbow jersey. He just can't get enough of it after getting it as a special delivery when training in China.
We can't really described how thrilled we're to be here in China, just counting down the days and hours before the season starts.
The main sponsor of Aker-MOT was reported to be furious after another no show from their clearly best paid rider Edvald Boasson Hagen in the most important race this season: Tour of Norway on home soil.
Anonymous sources in Aker offices tells several Norwegian medias that powerful people in Aker's administration couldn't believe what happened in 2013 when all the home team could do was 6th place overall in one of few stage races they were favourites to win.
The shock expressed in Aker's HQ after this year's no show of the team's colours is difficult to describe. Only a decent final stage saved them from a complete disaster, as Boasson Hagen ended 4th overall, but he lacked the stage win he got last year.
Knowing this is the final year of the contracted three years deal the Norwegian cycling team has with main sponsor Aker, team manager ember went to visit Aker's CEO and other powerful people last week to try to calm them down, as he hopes the company worth billions will continue their sponsorship as they're a major force with an endless amount of money.
What will Edvald Boasson Hagen's disappointing season actually mean for the team's budget?
But sources has now told Norwegian medias that the meeting was everything except a nice conversation. Aker is also massively disappointed by the lack of results in targeted races this season, and for those reasons, they're not at all sure about continuing their sponsorship. Team manager ember is reported to have defended the team's performance with such intensity that some of Aker's directors don't see any other solution, but not continue to co-operate with the cycling team.
Though, the last word is yet to be said, and Aker's most important man, Kjell Inge Røkke, still hasn't made up his mind considering the next cycling season.
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Edvald Boasson Hagen
Alberto Contador
Daryl Impey
Guillaume Levarlet
Steven Kruijswijk
Samuel Pökälä
Damien Howson
