Very interesting reads through some career statistics or season highlights. Cleary you were kind of lucky to have two KoM attackers in GTs this season, which worked well in a season where Andy Schleck struggled with punctures and/or beyond prime.
Gastauer really was an on/off surprise. Either around top15, top5 or far off.
Good to see that after a great 2015 and pretty good 2017, he was back for another nice run in 2019. Hard to say, which was the best, likely 2015 with the double podium but therefore 17/19 had 4 consistent races.
Surely one of your key riders in a season where scoring had to come from more than 1-2 riders.
@BBL: Yep, as ever an interesting transfer season awaits - there's a good chance that it could be my first transfer season in a long time where I look to spend more transfer fees than I receive in sales! Time will tell if that will result in new leaders joining the fray.
@Roturn: Yes, it's interesting to track the trends of points scoring. So much so, that I decided to go into more detail!
---
Looking back as far as 2012 - where we set the all-time record for points scored in a season; or 2014 - the all-time record for points scored by a team finishing 2nd; and all years since - much has changed in where our points have come from, and how many points that is! (Comparisons wise: 132 PT RD in 2012 to 78 PT, 42 PTHC coming up in 2020 - so there are slightly less total points available now)
It's largely a consistent pattern that those not amongst the team's top scorers contributed around 1000 points to the overall total - 2012 the one exception. As such, it's the scores of the top ten performing riders that matter most.
After 2017 and 2018 achieved similar scores, 2019 saw a drop off of around 1000 points, and that led to the drop down the table to 14th.
Looking at the percentage contribution of our top 10 riders, to that 10 rider tally, shows that a large chunk always comes from the top rider, and the top 2 riders usually account for at least half of the tally. 2019 this really differed, and actually saw much more comparable contributions across all of the Top 6-7 scorers.
Spinning a different view of that data shows the drop off in best performing rider - from never below 1500 points before, to a much lower 675 points. The improved contributions for those ranked 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th - at least against recent years - demonstrated how improved performance in depth helped to avoid a relegation scenario.
Rider wise, the fall of Andy Schleck is evident. The two Grand Tour strategy having been foiled by torrid puncture luck at the Tour, without the same stats to support a recovery. Van der Lijke also endured a worst season, and with the sale of 2018's #4 and #5 (Kittel, Keinath), and a decline from 2018's #6 Reimer - there would have been every reason to think, given that, that relegation was on the menu.
However, the aforementioned improvements from Gastauer, paired with the significant year on year increases for Goos, Kneisky and Kirsch; sustained points from Godoy; and new contributions led by Wirtgen and Smit, all came to the rescue.
Updating our Top 8 tables, Goos just becomes our 4th top scorer in history, with a remarkable improvement on the previous couple of years, despite no stat gains. Training certainly did help Kirsch, only making this Top 8 list twice in 7 seasons, no coincidence the first appearance since 2014 follows a Mountain stat increase this season.
That`s some huge statistics for your team, you have calculated long term.
The drop of in especially Frank Schleck but also Andy is incredibly steep. Frank after a pretty prime season score going down to very low. Andy was having bad luck as otherwise his score should be quite a bit higher.
Iirc Frank Schleck won some stage/classic in his last/penultimate season, so this was at least something to celebrate late in his career.
Let`s see if Wirtgen/Kirsch and co can make it at least a bit towards your Luxembourg trio for a long time going into the team`s top3-4 with the others all on the decline.
Eritel Accumalux Vesuvio (EA Vesuvio) [Vesuvio] are now set for the 2020 transfer season with renewals all completed.
With 23 riders renewed at a total cost of €2,570,000, the squad is well set up for an interesting couple of weeks. More wage space going in, than probably ever, and already with the minimum squad size met - another rareity.
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CO
SP
AC
XP
Age
OVL
Wage
N. Van der Lijke
73
64
76
66
73
71
78
64
82
79
Max
29
78.6
400,000
B. Gastauer
68
70
81
65
77
69
67
58
66
75
Max
33
76.9
220,000
T. Wirtgen
73
76
74
78
75
74
73
65
62
72
4.40
24
76.7
160,000
A. Schleck
67
81
71
70
71
76
76
50
58
73
Max
35
76.6
375,000
M. Goos
71
77
74
76
78
75
76
56
67
73
Max
30
76.1
150,000
E. Afewerki
73
63
63
63
77
70
81
69
79
80
Max
28
76.1
120,000
C. Godoy
68
79
76
67
75
76
77
54
59
75
Max
25
76.1
140,000
A. Kirsch
70
79
74
71
75
73
75
67
68
67
Max
27
75.6
140,000
M. Reimer
74
65
74
67
76
69
75
52
76
79
Max
33
74.7
90,000
S. Kuss
68
78
71
64
74
76
71
50
55
69
Max
26
74.6
80,000
B. Jungels
72
64
68
78
74
75
69
54
63
63
Max
28
74.2
60,000
W. Smit
72
69
75
69
76
72
71
54
68
74
Max
28
73.6
60,000
E. Gesbert
69
72
73
63
75
76
76
62
66
69
3.74
25
73.2
110,000
S. Fritsch
72
67
76
65
74
68
71
61
68
71
Max
26
73.1
50,000
G. Heymes
67
75
71
73
74
71
71
53
54
58
Max
27
72.9
50,000
M. Kneisky
78
63
66
75
74
73
71
57
66
69
Max
33
72.0
65,000
I. Centrone
72
62
70
59
70
66
69
74
53
58
4.18
25
71.7
50,000
K. Girdlestone
69
72
69
70
73
70
71
55
61
67
3.72
23
70.9
50,000
S. Bax
69
66
72
67
73
71
71
62
64
65
3.24
24
70.8
50,000
Z. Rucigaj
68
72
69
69
70
71
69
61
63
63
3.4
25
70.8
50,000
J. Pelikan
72
64
67
74
71
68
67
56
61
68
3.0
25
70.0
50,000
A. Galdoune
70
60
63
64
69
66
63
57
73
73
2.0
24
69.7
50,000
Gastauer and Schleck taking pay cuts after their decline; along with Van der Lijke after a disappointing season. Wirtgen has already developed into our 3rd best rider by OVL, while Godoy and Kuss have now maxed out, bolstering our climbing strength.
Most of our contingent of developing riders remain on the roster. Gesbert leads the way, still well paid after last year's FA fight for him, and we'll see he, Centrone, Girdlestone, Bax, Rucigaj, Pelikan and Galdoune all looking to develop further this season. Assuming they all stay!
Expectations are that it will be more of a buying game this time around, and there's no rider we'll actively be looking to sell. That's not to say that sales and trades won't be considered, and if a deal sounds interesting, who is to say who might end up on the move out.
We're pleased to announce the signings of three new riders, as our 2020 transfer season has made a successful start, as we look to ensure a good squad depth for many years to come.
Luc Wirtgen will help to restore balance to the universe, by ensuring that we have two Luxembourg brothers on our roster. He is of course the younger brother of Tom, and looks forward to the day that he will be strong enough to help support Tom's grand ambitions.
Another new talent from home shores is Kevin Geniets. He is showing a talent for riding well in the hills, and we will pleased to help him along the way - a mentorship with Ben Gastauer will surely be of help.
Finally, utilising Caio Godoy's South American connections, we've signed the Chilean rider Nicolas Alejandro Cabrera. His stage racing skillset was of great interest to us, and we expect him to play an important role in the team in future.
Dan Holloway is our most recent signing, and in homage to his former team McCormick, we think the best way to introduce him is with a Hollowatch - career edition.
First professional victory. Stage 2 of the 2011 Post Danmark Rundt, as he began his career with Pokerstars.com. The win? From a breakaway, in the King of the Mountains jersey!
After a spell on loan with Festina, it was back in Green in 2013, and a first PT win on home roads in California
Two career Grand Tour stage wins - both at the 2013 Vuelta, thanks to top leadout work by John Degenkolb
Degenkolb was the future at Pokerstars, so Holloway signed for American-based Heineken for 2014, racing in the PCT
A highly successful season, with 9 wins. This included an emphatic 4 stages and the GC at the Olympia's Tour
Back in the PT in 2015, riding for Red Bull. His best one-day classic performance, winning the Lisbon Classic
2016's PT victory came at the Deutschland Tour - including a defeat of former teammate Degenkolb
Also in 2016, a win in the Stars and Stripes - at the Continental Championships
Two seasons in PCT with Novatek followed. One of his wins that stood out was a solo victory at Ronde van Het Ijsselmeer in 2018
A fresh challenge in 2019, with the CT McCormick Pro Cycling team. But what a start! Winning the final stage to take the GC at the prestigious Tour Down Under
Winning sprints across C1 and C2 races throughout the season. 12 wins, three GC title, and the overall CT Individual Rankings winner
A strong career was topped by an incredible 2019, applying a victorious gloss to his career achievements. He scored more than 75% of McCormick's ranking points last season, and as they decide upon a change in approach, so does Holloway. His final season as top strength was certainly utlisied, and while no doubt he will get some opportunities of his own this season, he will also be prepared - if required - to turn his hand to the art of the leadout, in support of Nick van der Lijke.
We've been able to take our talent update up to 6 riders this transfer season, with three more riders following on from the signings of Wirtgen, Geniets and Cabrera.
Byron Munton was the one talent we really had to go into a bidding war for. His time trialling abilities have already become evident, but we are excited to help him develop a stage racing focus, to provide him with a very interesting skillset.
Our first ever Austrian rider, Felix Gall joins the team with a promising climbing career ahead of him - we think he can become a rider who can perform well in both the mountains and hills.
Finally, we are able to fit an extra Luxembourger into our mix, with Michel Ries. He too is a climber, and we're currently contemplating a different development route for him - focusing on becoming more of a mountain goat, with improved Stamina and Resistance, rather than honing his hill abilities so much.
Now:
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CO
SP
AC
XP
Age
OVL
Wage
B. Munton
66
67
68
71
68
69
69
60
60
63
1.0
22
68.9
115,000
F. Gall
66
68
68
62
67
67
65
58
61
65
1.0
22
67.9
50,000
M. Ries
68
68
66
61
68
67
66
58
61
66
1.0
22
67.1
50,000
In Future:
FL
MO
HI
TT
ST
RS
RC
CO
SP
AC
XP
Age
OVL
Wage
B. Munton
67
74
73
78
73
74
76
60
60
64
Max
25
76.1
-
F. Gall
67
77
76
63
70
71
72
58
61
72
Max
25
75.8
-
M. Ries
70
77
70
61
75
75
71
58
61
71
Max
25
73.8
-
As Level 2 riders, Geniets and Cabrera will remain with us, but we are pleased to have been able to secure prime developmental contracts for our other four, to secure the ability for all riders to reach Level 3 heading into next season.
Luc Wirtgen -> McCormick Pro Cycling Byron Munton -> Project: Africa Felix Gall -> GCN Racing Michel Ries -> Tryg - Ritter Sport
The latter loan deal for Ries has only just been announced, and is pending the 24 hour confirmation window. Also pending is our second link-up with the Tryg team, to bring in Max Kanter on loan. We've taken in 41 riders on loan in the past 9 seasons, averaging 4-5 per season. The promising German sprinter - who will also be our 3rd best cobbled rider - is the only rider we are loaning in this season.
I did consider both Gall and Ries quite heavily, but didn't have the funds to guarantee 1->3 and didn't feel they were worth the investment otherwise, especially when having to fight you for them in the first place.
Great core riders in the future!
I did consider both Gall and Ries quite heavily, but didn't have the funds to guarantee 1->3 and didn't feel they were worth the investment otherwise, especially when having to fight you for them in the first place.
Great core riders in the future!
I made 4 separate bids on him, it counts
After aiming for a bigger talent last year, without committing as much funds as required, hence countless losses - it's nice to have had a more successful approach this time around. I was certainly pleased to get Gall and Ries for 50k - of the selection I was considering, I targeted these two, while others have since seen >50k bids.
Some great signings and nice throwback of Holloway. When I promoted to PCT back then I was bidding on him but didn't manage to get the signature, really a eye-catching sprinter who was invaluable for many teams. His win stat last season is insane.
Love the addition of some talent to keep the team dna even once schleck will eventually retire or leave to race in lower tiers.
all the best for the upcoming campaign!
"It’s a little bit scary when Contador attacks." - Tommy V
I'd consider it a bidding war Really thought I was going to get a steal with Munton and was also planning to ship him off to Project: Africa with a loan deal. Would have been the ideal replacement for Omar Fraile.
Glad he still ends up Project: Africa anyways for this upcoming season, but shame he won't be coming back to Desigual.
Munton should be a fun rider indeed. He was top of my list once I was assured that Geniets had sealed for 70k. It was good that we got all the bidding done in about 20 minutes or so, although it was more good for me of course
Shonak wrote:
Love the addition of some talent to keep the team dna even once schleck will eventually retire or leave to race in lower tiers.
Never! But yes, always good to keep up a Luxembourg presence. And yes, I'm hoping Holloway can still have some fun this season, even after his first decline, and with harder competition.
As a big fan of statistics, i must say i'm very impressed by some diagrams i've seen in this HQ. Very interesting approach! Team Sky professionalisme in PCMdaily
Goos
Gastauer
Kneisky
Kittel
Vanmarcke
Swift
Intxausti
Úran
Godoy
König
Paterski
Aru
Samwel
Medvedev
Iglinski
Tryg - Ritter Sport
