tsmoha - Sending Txurruka there as well really did pay off in the end. Some teams, with just one leader, might have come home virtually pointless if such a travesty befell them.
I say that he won't enter the ToA next season, but we might go back on our word! The thing is we would realy like to enter a GT, but is not a GT and the ToA too much? ... Well as our main goal next season is to have more fun/enjoyment, we may be back yet.
knockout - Turns out we made that RCN goal. It is probs mathematically impossible to miss out on the America goal as well! Riding in a GT is a dream for Bonsucro!
fintas - Yeah, he has done more than a recent ride for the team. Can't expect him to do much in the realy mountainous GCs but ideal for stage races against the clock.
Dippofix - We had some rotten luck there, but we can never say never. Maybe we should go back to banish our demons!
We entered this mountainous c2 race with a goal: finish in the top 5. Could we pull it off against a formidable line-up?
Godoy on the attack!
The team got off to a fantastic start down in Colombia. Sergio Godoy attacked deep into the latter half of stage 1 with two other quality riders, joined the early break and subsequently contested the stage win. He may have narrowly been beaten in the finale but he would gain a vital 2 minutes on the peloton, with the knowledge that he was the most capable GC rider who made the break. We were thrilled to have made this move on stage 1 after having missed out on many similar moves throughout the season.
Godoy leading the attacks on stage 4.
After stage 2 and stage 3 saw little change to our race Godoy showed his stage 1 effort wasn't a flash in the pan. He would put in some attacks and finish with a large group of favourites.
Godoy digging deep on stage 5.
Stage 5 was the real decider in this race with a difficult mountain top finish. Against all expectations Godoy really went into his reserves, went with the right moves and at the end of the stage managed to maintain his second position in GC. Godoy would finish 7th on the stage.
Txurruka goes against team orders and attacks on the final stage.
The final stage was, on paper, a hilly one and therefore Godoy might have been amongst the stage favourites. Txurruka finally awoke in the race and was amongst the earliest of favourites to attack, however, this did more harm than good as this might have contributed towards Godoy being dropped on the run-in to the finish. To add insult to injury Txurruka was dropped by the select favourites group in the final.
Godoy digging deep.
Godoy would lose one position on the final stage, perhaps unnecessarily, however his third place finish is a fantastic result for him, after a lacklustre season, and us: our first ever goal to be completed in the Man Game!
A result which also:
- pleasantly overshadows Txurruka not performing like he can.
- sees us gain even more points towards the America Standings.
We look forward to the Tour of Utah, a race which we feel, on paper is a more unpredictable race than this, with the same combination of Godoy and Txurruka.
Many sponsor changes will take effect at the end of the season, with many ins and outs. Thanks largely to the good manner of a number of our sponsors for next season the team will remain as: Bonsucro.
O Boticário, the largest cosmetic company in the world, will bring with them significant investment sufficient to help the team thrive next season. O Boticário, themselves very eco-minded, could have demanded a say in the team name but were very humble in that they encouraged the team name to stay as it is.
We switch clothing suppliers for next season. Incoming Etxeondo have more experience than Kirschner and will look to design kits which will be more effective in more terrains than they have been this season.
With Caloi 100% behind the team we will have bikes designed specifically to our wonts. Herbalife, aside from Werba, were the last sponsor to come on-board, in exchange for providing us with top notch nutrition and health tips they have ardently stated their desires that we will continue on from this season and perform well in the USA in addition to the more southern Americas. This may well see some Americans on our roster next season in addition to a change of mind concerning the Tour of America!
--------
So that sums up our sponsors for 2015, appears unlikely any changes will take place. Speaking of 2015, amidst the aftermath of, GC leader, Txurruka crashing on stage 1 of the Tour of Utah (shades of ToA), we have this to say to the Man Game Gods:
" Bring on your bad luck. Next season we will take all the bad luck you can throw at us, we will bathe in it and we will relish it. Next season the team will not be in some frantic, rat-race like, promotion race, we will simply be there to enjoy every moment. Whether that means promotion, relegation or whatever. Bring it on!"
The final stage race of the season for the team. Could Txurruka finally pull the rabbit out of the hat and ride a solid GC in a course which looked well suited to him?
Oh No. Txurruka hits the deck on stage 1.
Well we certainly haven't had the best of luck concerning crashes this season. Hopes of Txurruka riding a good GC were ended on the flat stage 1 as he crashed and would lose 5 minutes. His 9th place in the ToA would be his best GC result this season.
Rodrigues would be the star for the team over the next two stages. The tour of the Middle East stage winner would make the break on stage 3 and hold on for a decent position.
Paulinho on the attack on stage 4.
We will look back on stage 4 as one of the top 10 stages for the team all season long. First, Melo would make the break then Paulinho would put in a potent attack with 22 KM to go.
Godoy's first win for Bonsucro!
But the man on form would be the one to take the victory. Godoy, the stage favourite, achieved our first win in over 35 stages as he continued on from his excellent RCN form. Txurruka would crash again, the following stage he would lose 17 minutes.
Txurruka attacking on the final stage.
Despite suffering injuries, Txurruka would be on the attack on the final stage in his last hurrah for Bonsucro. Godoy would lose one position but hold for a grand fourth place in GC, his form is at its peak as we head into the last race of the season.
tsmoha - Thanks. Once again having multiple favourites really saves our bacon. Txurruka falling twice in the final race pretty much sums up his season, and to think some people tipped him to be in the top 10 in the rankings!
ToA - Until we see the calendar we really can't make a decision on it!
There is but one race to go of this very long season. Promotion beckons for the team and, of course, with all the impending sponsor changes, a new jersey will be donned next season. Now, we won't be releasing the jersey until the start of the next season, however, a female version which won't differ too much from the final jersey, available to the public, is already on sale:
jt1109: Oh it will likely be very similar. If I am right there aren't planned to be too many green liveries in the PCT next season, so it should be a decent contrast!
The final race of the season. Godoy, as ever in hilly races, would start as a decent outside favourite, but, in truth, we were just here to enjoy the final race as Godoy couldn't be expected to challenge for the win based on his record in hilly classics this season.
Godoy riding across to the lead-group deep into the classic.
Godoy would be amongst the most aggressive favourites on this final stage. He would fatigue in the final, however, he would be our best finisher. The real story of the stage for Bonsucro, though, had to be our stagiaire, William Chiarello. In his only race of the season he would be in the points after a day out in the break and subsequently finish 22nd. As we would finish the season just 7 points clear of ONCE in 3rd that was a vital ride!
So that wraps up the season. In the coming days look forward to a recap on the goals (tomorrow) followed by a review of all the Bonsucro riders throughout the season.
How did the team do in its five goals of the season? Let's find out!
Goal #1: Win - Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid
Result: Txurruka 8th
It was always going to be a monumental task to pull this one off considering our all-round team didn't possess any of the very top climbers of the division as the less rounded teams did. Txurruka wasn't on top form and could only manage 8th, disappointing considering the likes of Orozco made the top 5.
Goal #2: Top 5 - Rutas de America
Result: Manarelli 12th
A pan-flat sprinters race, Manarelli entered the race on great form and was to be considered a favourite for the podium at least. However, the race went to a late attack from a rouleur and Manarelli could only finish 12th in the bunch sprint, very disappointing considering second tier sprinters rounded out the podium.
Goal #3: Top 5 - Classico RCN
Result: Godoy 3rd
Deep into the season Bonsucro achieved their first goal in the Man Game. Sergio Godoy made a successful late attack stick on stage 1 and endeavoured to suffer no end through the rest of the race to resist the challengers and complete the top 5 goal.
Goal #4: Top 10 America Tour
Result: 3rd
The team secured this one from a long ways out. Victories at the Tour of San Luis and Rutas de America supplemented by strong showings in the Tour of Utah, Classico RCN and Bucks County Classic saw us finish comfortably 3rd. If we didn't have such a 'mare at the Tour of America then second place would have been ripe for the taking, 3rd, however, is a super position for the team to finish in.
Goal #5: Top 3 - CT Ranking
Result: 2nd
We were very sceptical whether we could finish anywhere near the top when the season started, however, throughout the season the team's depth showed that this goal was more than in reach. Some mishaps prevented the title reaching us, however, to finish in the top 3 and achieve such a goal is overwhelming!
3/5 goals is a great outcome for the team. We take heart that we didn't rely one rider to go after the majority of our goals, in keeping with team's theme.
We will leave with a full summary of the team's victories throughout the season, before long an extensive review of the team will be posted here, so look out for that.
* 2 General Classifications
-- GC: Tour de San Luis (Pedro Nicácio)
-- GC: Ruta America del Sur (Bruno Borges)
* 1 One Day Race
-- Rund um den Eschborn-Frankfurt - (Lluis Mas)
* 9 Stage Wins
-- Stage 4 Tour of New Zealand (Bruno Borges)
-- Stage 8 Tour de Langkawi (Carlos Manarelli)
-- Stage 5 Ruta America del Sur (Bruno Borges) -- Stage 10 Tour of the Middle East (J.E. Rodrigues)
-- Stage 3 Circulo de Juarez (Carlos Manarelli)
-- Stage 5 Circulo de Juarez (Carlos Manarelli)
-- Stage 1 Tour of Poland (Bruno Borges)
-- Stage 1 (TTT) Tour d'Azerbaijan
-- Stage 4 Tour of Utah (Sergio Godoy)
Other:
Spoiler
* 2 KOM jerseys
-- Tour de Langkawi (Alberto Losada)
-- Circulo de Juarez (Bruno Borges)
Notable Results:
GC DNF - Tour of America
GC 12th - Volta ao Algarve
GC 10th - Tour d'Azerbaijan
GC 6th - Tour of the Middle East (2nd - Stage 8)
GC 4th - Vuelta a Burgos
GC 1st - Tour de San Luis
TTT - 1st - Tour d'Azerbaijan
It is really a case of what might have peen for, Pedro Nicácio, Bonsucro's most expensive signing. He never finished lower than 12th in a GC, however, he was surely one of the unluckiest riders of the whole season. He abandoned on stage 3 of the Tour of America, meaning 35% of his race days went up in smoke. A race where he could have feasibly taken home at the very least 90 points, as fourth place in the GC there would have been the likely minimal he could have hoped for.
His highlights include being apart of a phenomenal team effort at the Monterrey TT and the Tour d'Azerbaijan (two of our zenith moments this maiden season). However, his top moment had to be winning the Tour de San Luis.
Even if we don't take the Tour of America in to account, we have to say Pedro probably just underperformed throughout the season. He only finished one stage, not including a TTT, in the top 4 and rarely shone in the one day races.
Riders comparable to Pedro Nicácio:
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Ranking
Points
Martinez
Yasmani
69
76
72
73
73
71
76
51
67
75
75
62
73
17
297
Zoidl
Riccardo
69
73
73
76
71
68
72
56
61
69
75
59
72
18
295
Nicácio
Pedro
69
75
70
75
70
72
73
52
56
70
70
66
75
42
195
It is difficult to say where Pedro Nicácio would have ended in the rankings to call it a good season for him. However, we feel one of the, top, most all-round GC contenders in the continental division should have finished higher than 42nd.
--
2. Jorge Adelbo Soto Pereira - 75%
Continental Ranking: 112 Continental Points: 80
Cost: 200,000 from Karcher-Adira Racing - - Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
GC 4th - Tour d'Indonesia
Stage 2nd - Tour of America Stage 20 TT
TTT - 1st - Tour d'Azerbaijan
It may look that Jorge Adelbo Soto Pereira considerably unperformed for his total price. But consider this: he was one of the last signings we made, so why not sign a top domestique!
After a disappointing time when leading the team at the Tour de Beauce, early in the season, he never looked back. He was a big cog in our TTT machine and more than justified his signing with his GC placing at the Tour d'Indonesia, where he was unfortunate not to finish on the podium.
His versatility was remarkable. One moment he could be seen fashioning a podium from a breakaway, the next he could be seen setting the pace on the peloton and then he could really pull the rabbit out of the hat and finish second in the decisive TT at the Tour of America. A great season for the Uruguayan.
Riders comparable to: Jorge Adelbo Soto Pereira
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Ranking
Points
Soto Pereira
Jorge Adelbo
68
71
70
74
68
70
67
56
61
64
66
78
57
112
80
Bøchman
Lasse
67
71
73
74
68
67
67
58
62
65
71
71
74
130
70
Kasa
Gabor
70
71
72
74
74
70
71
58
63
66
67
65
74
145
60
Join us next time when Godoy, Manarelli and Txurruka will be under the spotlight.
It's a shame that Nicácio didn't live up to the expectations, but a lot of that has to be justified by his crash in America. He has never been remotely reliable in mid-race hilly stages, where he usually just hides in the pack, so that would justify some of it as well.
But it's great that you didn't really need him to reach promotion
- Heine - I suppose it is a review for anyone, with no prior knowledge, to come in and have a look.
- Gustavovskiy - Yeah ToA was the killer for him. Weren't too many TTs at the continental level either. But the other riders we acquired from Prio-Porto are another story altogether, when we get around to them.
Part 2 of 4:
3. Carlos Alexandre Manarelli - 55%
Continental Ranking: 24 Continental Points: 264
Cost: 140,000 from La Vie Claire - - Wage: 75,000
Notable Results:
GC 2nd - Circulo de Juarez
GC 7th - Tour d'Algerie
2nd - Bucks County Classic
5 podium finishes - Tour of America
2 stages wins - Circulo de Juarez
1 stage win - Tour de Langkawi
Three stage wins for our main sprinter. In the rankings he finished amongst a cluster of other, similar, sprinters which has largely made up our minds to say it has been a decent season for Carlos. Without doubt his two stage wins on his way to a second place in GC in Mexico was the top performance of his season. Decent season if you consider not once can we boast to say he had a good lead-out: he was often seen finishing the fastest, but coming from too far back to contest the win.
That said Manarelli certainly can't be considered to have over-performed this season, certainly not. In virtually all the races he entered he was amongst the top 5 sprint favourites, something that can't be said for all the continental sprinters. He entered the Tour of America as virtually the most all-round sprinter and could not pull off a win in 6/7 stages. We will also look back with irritation that Manarelli couldn't achieve the team goal in the Rutas de America: a pan flat race where we was amongst the favourites. Overall: not bad!
4. Amets Txurruka- 29%
Continental Ranking: 69 Continental Points: 137
Wage: 191,000
Notable Results:
GC 10th - Tour de Langkawi
GC 9th - Tour of America (1 stage podium)
8th - Vuelta a la Comunidad de Madrid
7th - Hill Classic
4th - Transfagarasan GP
Riders comparable to Amets Txurruka:
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Ranking
Points
Kulhavy
Jaroslav
68
76
73
62
68
74
68
55
63
73
71
82
62
10
354
Ochoa Quintero
Richard
67
77
73
66
69
77
67
52
62
70
75
62
66
28
246
Schwab
Hubert
69
77
72
62
68
75
73
51
59
68
75
62
62
93
97
Txurruka
Amets
70
76
73
60
73
71
70
51
60
73
82
62
60
69
137
Not good enough from Amets, not by a long shot. There were Man Game veterans tipping Txurruka to be an outside bet for the top 10 in the rankings, how wrong they were. He wasn't even as half as aggressive as we thought he would be. Such was his season that many races where he underperformed litter his list of notable results.
In his defence he didn't have a complete nightmare like Schwab did and he did rouse in the Tour of America to salvage some points, but we can not be happy with Txurruka's efforts this season. He did fall twice, ruining any hopes of a good Tour of Utah, but that can't explain this season. A few flashes in the pan won't save Txurruka from a 29%.
5. Sergio Godoy - 52%
Continental Ranking: 33 Continental Points: 238
Wage: 106,000
Notable Results:
GC 8th - Tour de San Luis
GC 3rd Classico RCN (1 stage podium)
GC 4th Tour of Utah ( 1 stage win)
3rd - Hill Classic
Riders comparable to Sergio Godoy:
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Ranking
Points
Beltran
Eduard Alexander
68
74
74
65
71
70
68
59
65
72
73
73
65
5
501
Bugge
Vegard Robinson
69
74
75
64
73
74
70
68
63
72
67
63
67
20
276
Schurter
Nino
67
72
75
61
67
71
66
55
66
71
67
80
61
22
270
Feillu
Brice
67
75
74
60
70
72
72
57
63
70
78
58
60
44
190
Godoy
Sergio
68
74
75
65
72
71
67
56
58
63
67
64
66
33
238
How to even begin reviewing Sergio Godoy's season? His season was one of spectacular highs and anonymous lows. We can say this: if he didn't have a spectacular October month then he would massively underperformed overall. His form was phenomenal as he finished in the top 4 in our last two stage races of the season, showcasing plenty of guts.
However, this super month didn't fully make up for a mostly lacklustre season otherwise: considering, with Bugge, he was the best climbing puncheur in the continental ranks. Apart from the hill classic he struggled to make the top 20 in one day hilly races despite being tipped as an outsider for a top 3/ top 5. 52% for Godoy then.
That wraps up the reviews of all the riders who cost us more than 100,000 in total. Find out next time how the rest of the squad performed.
I look at these ratings and wonder what you were expecting from season a bit. It seems if they all hit their minimum expectations you were looking to not just win the CT, but win it by quite some margin at that!
Well, depends on how you read the numbers: 50% = as expected.
Apart from Txurruka, we have Nicacio (40), Soto (75) and Godoy (52) definitely in this range of "expected"
Still, I see your point, TMM. Guess Bonsucro couldn't expect all their single pieces to deliver big time everywhere. Depth paid off here and that's fine.
TMM - tsmoha is right, we can only speculate on how well we would have done if one of our top riders over-performed majorly (ONCE had Guillen & Kulhavy, Nutresa had Beltran) but we didn't have anyone in that respect. The key to much of our points tally was the ability of the domestiques/super domestiques to score well, some are coming up right now!
Notable Results:
GC 15th – Volta ao Algarve
GC 9th – Tour d’Azerbaijan
GC 8th – Vuelta a Burgos
GC 7th – Tour of the Middle East
GC 7th – Tour d’Indonesia
1st – TTT - Tour d’Azerbaijan
He was our Chicchi. Granted we didn't expect much from Aguilar this season, but to only deliver two fifth place finishes all season as his best results is a travesty. Both his top results came when leading out Manarelli, who would finish 3rd on both occasions. In the half a dozen or so times he set up Manarelli for the sprint not once can we say he delivered a great lead-out. In the races where he was leading us in sprints, eg. Barcelona Classic, he was nowhere to be seen - outside the top 50.
A minor Uruguayan sponsor is joining us next season, but that will not save Aguilar a place on this team. A generous 17%.
8. Jonathan Camargo - 43%
Continental Ranking: 185 Continental Points: 39
Wage: 75,000
Notable Results:
GC 18th - Tour of America
GC 17th - Classico RCN
GC 17th - Vuelta a Burgos
A Venezuelan climber who is, supposedly, decent on the flat and hills. Like Aguilar there wasn't much expected of him this season, having said that we would have liked to have seen some more spirit from the Venezuelan this season. His stand out result occurred in his stand-out race: 4th place on stage 16 of the Tour of America. That was a good race for him as he was one of the most aggressive riders in the second and third weeks there. To his credit he did well to hover around the top 20 in a clutch of GCs.
Aside from the continental GT there wasn't much evidence of Camargo's existence this season when there probably should have been, 43%.
9. Alberto Losada - 89%
Continental Ranking: 40 Continental Points: 209
Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
GC 14th - Tour d'Indonesia
GC 5th - Tour d'Azerbaijan (Stage Podium)
GC 4th - Tour de Langkawi (Stage Podium)
11th - Transfargarasan GP
2nd - Tour of the Middle East stage 2
1st - TTT - Tour d'Azerbaijan
Riders comparable to Alberto Losada:
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Ranking
Points
Losada
Alberto
70
73
73
68
72
71
67
53
64
68
68
64
64
40
209
McConvey
Connor
69
74
73
64
71
71
70
57
61
63
72
67
67
86
107
Jones
Carter
69
73
72
69
71
70
67
53
63
66
73
68
69
220
28
What a season for Losada! At just 50,000 proving there is great value to be had with some sagacity on the free agents market. He could go missing in some races, however, when he turned up boy did he punch above his weight. One of our most aggressive riders this season, a season which saw him put in countless attacks in the last 30 kilometres in many races. One of the top moments of our season has to be seeing Losada distancing the very best continental climbers on a mountain top finish in Azerbaijan to finish as the best out of the bunch. The positives really outweigh the negatives here: 89%.
This is a very slick and well produced HQ full of genuinely interesting analysis.
I particularly like the comparable rider stats - though of course luck and race selection comes heavily into play. Certainly looking forward to seeing how your team fares in the PCT next year. Hope Manarelli finds a long term home here.
Great rider-by-rider write ups mate. I guess as with all of us, some of our riders surprised us (positively!) and some disappointed.
On the over-performance front from Bonsucro, I would have nominated Losada, and two other yet to be reported, a certain Portuguese rider (BB) definitely shone, and having your lowest rated (by overall stats) rider not far off the top 100 overall across the season is also a stand-out.
Look forward to more battles at the races with you next season in PCT. Hopefully not too many (needless) battles in the transfer season! .
Edited by Scorchio on 16-03-2015 22:05
Smowz: Thanks. I will hope to refine the HQ a bit more next year so everything feels more conjoined and related, if that makes sense.
Manarelli, phew, he was frustrating at times. But barring the likes of Ciolek and the very best, which sprinter wasn't? All in all a good season for him.
Scorchio: You are absolutely right there. Some ups and some downs, but that's the way it goes. Those three were amazing for us, but having a big name rider over-performing is where the massive points are at!
You have been a great addition to the Man-Game yourself and it is great to see you have been following it with watchful eyes. Hopefully you will fulfil your promise and take up some reporting in the new season.
If memory serves me well we didn't really clash in the transfer window. I only remember Kent out-bidding me on about 10 different riders, but that did not turn out bad for me in the end! Will we clash in the new season, who knows!
Part 4 of 4:
Stats for the final bunch:
Spoiler
Last name
First name
Flat
Mountain
Hill
TT
Stamina
Resistance
Recovery
Cobbles
Sprint
Acceleration
Fighter
Downhill
Prologue
Borges
Bruno
68
68
73
59
70
71
68
54
69
77
72
64
59
Melo
Rodrigo
67
73
70
68
70
62
69
54
62
74
75
69
66
Broco
Hernâni
71
72
69
72
68
71
70
51
54
57
78
61
72
Rodrigues
Jose Eriberto
66
73
70
67
70
67
69
57
56
67
70
65
67
Oyakaua
Patrick
67
58
62
74
66
69
64
50
59
70
63
56
74
Araujo
Willian
73
61
67
54
67
67
72
61
73
73
57
63
54
Oyarzun
Carlos
67
69
70
73
69
66
67
50
58
66
64
59
60
Gaspar
João
69
66
69
62
67
67
68
55
61
64
68
67
62
Silva
Rafael
65
62
68
65
68
67
53
63
71
73
62
63
60
Chiarello
William
68
67
66
62
67
67
67
55
57
62
66
63
62
Mas
Lluis
70
61
64
65
62
66
57
56
66
73
66
64
65
10. Bruno Borges- 98%
Continental Ranking: 14 Continental Points: 313
Cost: (LOAN) 50,000 from Prio - Porto - - Wage for us: 0,000
Notable Results:
GC 1st - Ruta America Del Sur
14th - Hill Classic
1st - Stage 5 Ruta America Del Sur
1st - Stage 4 Tour of New Zealand
1st - Stage 1 Tour de Pologne
What a unlikely rider to be the biggest points scorer for Bonsucro. Crazy! Bruno Borges scores less than 20 points than both Nicácio and Txurruka combined. He was the epitome of our luck this season. Without doubt his highlight was winning stage 5 of the Ruta America Del Sur, the precursor to him winning the GC there.
But, it would be just plain wrong to say Borges only succeeded from breaks. Behind Bole and Geschke it is difficult to say that there have been many more effective sprinter/puncheurs than Borges in the continental ranks this season. Aside from the notable results he has a cluster of top 5 finishes out of the pack, you can't forget he won stage 1 of the Tour de Pologne from a depleted bunch sprint.
Borges to Bonsucro on loan has to be one of the top transfers of the season: perhaps even the top for value? He will return to Prio-Porto next season after gaining a level, however, we would love to have him back. Our only regret with Borges is that we didn't use all of his race days up!
11. Lluis Mas- 96%
Continental Ranking: 117 Continental Points: 76
Cost: (LOAN) 000,000 from Prio - Porto - - Wage for us: 0,000
Notable Results:
1st - Rund um den Finanzplatz Eschborn-Frankfurt
If there was one rider we expected nothing, absolutely nothing, from then it was Lluis Mas. Yet he really pulled the rabbit out of the hat and won a one-day race in Germany from the early break, our only one-day race victory. For that he will be lauded for a long time yet. Aside from that, little else barring a few breaks, he sneaked some points here and there from finishing around 22nd in some one day races. No complaints to be had as the loan deal with Prio - Porto cost us the grand total of 000,000!
12. Rodrigo Melo - 59%
Continental Ranking: 222 Continental Points: 27
Wage: 50,000
No big results for Rodrigo, having said that he did fly the flag high for our team. A great teammate highlighted by the numerous breaks he was apart of and the fact he was a member of our Monterrey TTT squad. A solid season.
13. Carlos Oyarzun - 63%
Continental Ranking: 241 Continental Points: 23
Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
1st - TTT Tour d'Azerbaijan
A solid teammate. He gets a decent rating largely due to his phenomenal Tour d'Azerbaijan where, after gaining the yellow jersey on stage 1, he battled tooth and nail.
14. Hernâni Broco - 41%
Continental Ranking: 256 Continental Points: 19
Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
1st - TTT Tour d'Azerbaijan
A season which could have gone better for Broco, who went largely anonymous throughout the season. That said we were pleased with his efforts in GP Onda - Boavista and his contributions as a team rider.
15. Jose Eriberto Rodrigues - 74%
Continental Ranking: 282 Continental Points: 13
Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
Stage win - Tour de Middle East (Stage 10)
A stage win early on in the season, solely, makes it a good one for Jose. Popping up here and there in races such as the Tour of Utah - yes, we can be more than content with him!
16. Patrick Oyakaua- 77%
Continental Ranking: 285 Continental Points: 13
Wage: 50,000
Notable Results:
GC 10th - Tour of New Zealand
1st - TTT Tour d'Azerbaijan
The pure TT specialist was a key member of what was perhaps the dominant continental TTT squad. For that, and that alone, a 77%.
17. João Gaspar- 40%
Continental Ranking: 345 Continental Points: 4
Wage: 50,000
The young Brazilian made a few notable breakaways, which was pleasant to see. However, in a year where so many breaks succeeded we perhaps should have expected a few more points and showings from João.
18. Willian Araujo- 38%
Continental Ranking: 374 Continental Points: 2
Wage: 50,000
Willian was instrumental in Borges' stage 1 win in Poland, however, apart from that there weren't any highlights to be had.
19. William Chiarello 80%
Continental Ranking: 392 Continental Points: 2
Wage: 10,000
Our stagiare may have appeared only in the last race of the season - but he made the break and was in the points! It is all in good fun giving him a rating, but why not? Will his performance at Zuri-Metgete be a sign of big things to come for the Brazilian.
20. Rafael Silva- 69%
Continental Ranking: 394 Continental Points: 1
Money to us: (LOAN) 80,000 from Team CSC-Orbea- - Wage for us: 50,000
One point in stage 1 of the Tour of Poland for Raphael means all of our riders scored at least one point this season. He made a break in our worst discipline, the cobbles, and can leave the team after a decent season.
And that wraps up the season, a season chock full of surprises with many highlights for us to cherish. Who would've thought, with all of our continental big names, that Borges would end up as our top scorer, eh?
Of course, as we started out as a continental team we were limited to the riders we could attract. As such our squad was solely comprised of Spanish and Portuguese speakers as one might expect of a smaller team. However, we are moving up to the pro-continental level next season and, with the addition of Herbalife as a key sponsor, amongst other things, expect the squad to go through one big metamorphosis.
Come by early next season to see how the squad looks. And remember 'sustainable sugar cane production is where it is at'!
It is probs mathematically impossible to miss out on the America goal as well! Riding in a GT is a dream for Bonsucro! 
Copagra - Farming
Giant - Bicycle Sponsor
Werba – Metal Recycling
Etxeondo - Cycling Clothing
Herbalife - Nutrition
Tour de San Luis (Pedro Nicácio) 
Rund um den Eschborn-Frankfurt - (Lluis Mas)
Tour of New Zealand (Bruno Borges)
Tour de Langkawi (Carlos Manarelli)
Tour of the Middle East (J.E. Rodrigues)
Circulo de Juarez (Carlos Manarelli)
Tour of Poland (Bruno Borges)
Tour d'Azerbaijan 
Tour de Langkawi (Alberto Losada)
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
Sérgio Paulinho- 
Jonathan Camargo - 
Carlos Oyarzun - 
