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[CT] Podium Ambition - "-pation!"
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| Marcovdw |
Posted on 15-08-2023 22:07
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Grand Tour Champion
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Biggest Bermudan talent and the team registered in Bermuda didn't even make a bid smh
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| DarkWolf |
Posted on 18-08-2023 06:25
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Protected Rider
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YES! Great to see Kaden Hopkins signing for your team and adding great value to the Caribbean cycling.
Now, you bring the rum and I'll bring the beer. 
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 18-08-2023 18:57
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
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@wj - I have a feeling he won't saty 50k at max 
@Mre - There are some upsides to running a very specific project with a lot of passion. I did allocate 300k to getting Hopkins, so staying away was the right move 
@Nemo - Marte sits nicely alongside Campbell as classics support... just need a leader...
@Marco - There's another Bermudan you avoided... *hint*
@DarkWold - The non-American American's gotta stick together!
The Great Big "This Is For The Now" Post
We snagged the talents early on. The acquisition of scoring and leading riders was much trickier. However we've secured the signatute of one obvious candidate, and two surprise interlopers!
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wge | Pot |  | Chequan Richardson | 71 | 61 | 67 | 63 | 68 | 68 | 64 | 78 | 60 | 61 | 75 | 66 | 63 | 73.34 | 4.100 | 30 | 65k |
Chequan! After several years, and admitedly not much effort on our side, the obvious Caribbean arrives on the Caribbean team. It took a bit of battle, seeing his wage climb to 65k, but still within acceptable limits. We're keeping expectations limited, the 78CB stat masks some overall weaknesses, but a few surprsies and any points will help.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wge | Pot |  | Ben O'Connor | 70 | 77 | 70 | 71 | 70 | 72 | 75 | 53 | 58 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 74.32 | 4.100 | 28 | 75k | 5 | | Brendan Canty | 70 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 52 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 74 | 74.12 | 4.100 | 31 | 60k | 4 |
What! Non-Caribbeans! TMM have you betrayed everything you've worked for these last three years?! Well um... yes and no. After three years of sucking and sucking hard, now is the time to pushfor promotion. So splashing 750k here we hope tips us over the edge. Plus we have a long long history with Aussies, and in dealing with Tsmoha - it's always a pleasure.
Canty could be a weapon in TTT stage races when backed up by our squad. O'Connor should be able to hold his own amongst the divisions best GC riders. Plus on low wages there's room to manouvre again next season if we don't quite reach the next division. This isn't an all-in move, but a smart one that we think should just be enough.
We must also shout out to Minions, cycleYorkshire and Cedevita. These three teams are taking Alexander, Perez, Norbert and Croes on loans. We payed out 200k in fees to do this, but only carry 5k from Croes on our wage cap. Yes, we really are pushing for promotion and using every ounce of our budget towards that aim.
Two more riders to come in the CT Draft. Will we recall previous T3A riders? Go further on interlopers? It's exciting times for sure, as we finally, FINALLY, turn the corner and start the long climb back to the PT.
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 20-08-2023 10:11
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3367
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PCM$: 425.00
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What Zepuntke is for PCT, Richardson can be in CT. High cobbled stats and nothing else is all you need.
Good luck with the promotion push. definitely two interesting Aussies to help you with that 
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 22-11-2024 13:04
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| Ezeefreak |
Posted on 21-08-2023 06:45
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Domestique
Posts: 555
Joined: 06-07-2009
PCM$: 300.00
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Need to see the whole team but some nie additions to your already growing team. Should make a huge difference so you (and hopefully me too) dont need to chill at the end of the CT ranking anymore
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| Imladrik |
Posted on 21-08-2023 08:37
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 808
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Can't wait to see the pirates crush the CT
“...the secret of the Great Stories is that they have no secrets. The Great Stories are the ones you have heard and want to hear again. The ones you can enter anywhere and inhabit comfortably."
A. Roy
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 21-08-2023 18:52
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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@Nemo - We'll see how he does, but my points expectations are low. A better proper classics leader will be needed eventually.
@Ezee - Whole team can only come after the Draft of course! Not totally sold it can be a promoting team anymore, but we should indeed be off the bottom together.
@Imladrik - Me too! Fingers crossed...
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| Laurens147 |
Posted on 22-08-2023 15:14
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Some great additions with Richardson (in a weaker cobbles field) and Hopkins (for the future). You already had a good TT setup, so no reason for O'Connor not to shine this season
Best of luck!
MG - Lotto - Caloi
[MG] New Manager of the Year - PCM.daily Awards 2022
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 23-08-2023 18:13
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
PCM$: 0.00
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@Laurens - Thank you
The Great Big "Squaddy P" Post
Transfers are officially over. CT Draft, at least for us, is complete. Thus we have a completed 2023 Podium Ambition squad to present!
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wge | Pot |  | Christopher Lagane | 70 | 70 | 77 | 66 | 70 | 71 | 68 | 65 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 63 | 65 | 75.95 | 4.100 | 25 | 145k | 6 | | Alexandre Mayer | 68 | 69 | 77 | 70 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 61 | 72 | 77 | 76 | 60 | 71 | 75.27 | 4.100 | 25 | 100k | 2 |  | Gaetan Pons | 72 | 66 | 73 | 67 | 73 | 74 | 69 | 67 | 74 | 76 | 65 | 67 | 69 | 74.4 | 4.100 | 31 | 0k | 3 |  | Jay Major | 74 | 50 | 66 | 57 | 74 | 70 | 74 | 70 | 77 | 78 | 62 | 66 | 64 | 74.39 | 4.100 | 28 | 50k | 4 | | Ben O'Connor | 70 | 77 | 70 | 71 | 70 | 72 | 75 | 53 | 58 | 68 | 68 | 70 | 70 | 74.32 | 4.100 | 28 | 75k | 5 | | Brendan Canty | 70 | 75 | 73 | 75 | 71 | 71 | 73 | 52 | 68 | 67 | 66 | 65 | 74 | 74.12 | 4.100 | 31 | 60k | 4 |  | Hasani Hennis | 69 | 67 | 70 | 76 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 69 | 75 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 76 | 74.02 | 4.100 | 26 | 80k | 5 |  | Akil Campbell | 74 | 63 | 68 | 76 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 74 | 68 | 73 | 67 | 66 | 75 | 73.71 | 4.100 | 27 | 60k | 4 |  | Wataru Mutsumine | 69 | 69 | 77 | 64 | 73 | 70 | 68 | 58 | 63 | 71 | 64 | 70 | 64 | 73.7 | 4.100 | 31 | 0k | 5 | | Chequan Richardson | 71 | 61 | 67 | 63 | 68 | 68 | 64 | 78 | 60 | 61 | 75 | 66 | 63 | 73.34 | 4.100 | 30 | 65k | 4 |  | Darren Matthews | 72 | 61 | 66 | 70 | 70 | 67 | 71 | 75 | 76 | 76 | 74 | 66 | 74 | 73.3 | 4.100 | 32 | 50k | 4 |  | Joshua Gayral | 74 | 65 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 75 | 62 | 71 | 72.89 | 4.100 | 26 | 55k | 3 | | Kim Le Court | 70 | 70 | 76 | 60 | 67 | 70 | 68 | 62 | 64 | 66 | 76 | 70 | 61 | 72.72 | 4.100 | 27 | 55k | 4 | | Kristian Vanderpool | 68 | 64 | 64 | 77 | 63 | 64 | 61 | 60 | 60 | 63 | 62 | 62 | 76 | 72.14 | 4.100 | 28 | 50k | 3 |  | Jacob Morales Ortega | 65 | 71 | 71 | 60 | 69 | 70 | 71 | 55 | 63 | 71 | 71 | 72 | 61 | 71.05 | 3.76 | 24 | 50k | 5 | | Jacob Kelly | 70 | 63 | 68 | 69 | 68 | 70 | 60 | 67 | 71 | 73 | 74 | 65 | 71 | 70.66 | 3.27 | 24 | 50k | 4 | | Connor White | 73 | 66 | 68 | 71 | 69 | 71 | 66 | 63 | 69 | 69 | 71 | 72 | 73 | 70.24 | 3.9 | 24 | 50k | 5 | | Tyler Cole | 72 | 64 | 68 | 72 | 67 | 69 | 64 | 66 | 70 | 71 | 72 | 69 | 71 | 70.22 | 3.36 | 24 | 50k | 4 | | Abner Gonzalez | 66 | 72 | 68 | 60 | 69 | 71 | 62 | 60 | 63 | 66 | 70 | 69 | 61 | 69.34 | 3.11 | 23 | 50k | 5 |  | Jesus Roniel Marte | 66 | 65 | 68 | 65 | 68 | 69 | 66 | 68 | 66 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 62 | 68.88 | 1.0 | 22 | 50k | 4 | | Kaden Hopkins | 65 | 60 | 64 | 67 | 70 | 63 | 63 | 55 | 70 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 70 | 68.03 | 1.0 | 23 | 50k | 5 |
Leaders
Lagane & Meyer set-up as one of the bst duos at anything in the CT. We're hoping they can deliver big, at the least it'll show us where to invest training fees next season. Major heads the sprints, although will he be usurped by the TT-SP combo of Hasani? O'Connor delivers our best stage racing bet since Talansky way way back, decent, cheap and hopefully effective. Richardson gets thrown at the Cobbles because frankly it's a down year in the CT and he could be a marvelous signing.
Lieutenants
Canty we feel could be a secret weapon when backed up in a TTT stage race. Campbell would be part of that, and alongside Matthews can be a cobbles secret shot. Free Riders Pons & Mutsumine will be important and possibly scorers in their own rights.
Domestiques
Gayral was a PT sensation last year, but such a useful all-rounder. Le Court in support of the hills. Vanderpool a lynchpin of the TTT. Then a range of young talent in JMO and Gonzalez for stage races, Kelly on the cobbles, White and Cole for the TT and Sprint respectively.
Newbies
Which brings us around to the new talent. Future superstar Hopkins (we hope) and Future RVV winner (let us dream!) Roniel begin their long pro careers.
Loaned Out
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wge | Pot | | Andrew Norbert | 73 | 67 | 70 | 70 | 74 | 75 | 66 | 55 | 75 | 73 | 70 | 69 | 74 | 73.12 | 4.1 | 25 | 0k | 6 |  | Jonathan Croes | 65 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 72 | 70 | 70 | 56 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 69 | 73 | 72.66 | 4.0 | 26 | 5k | 3 | | Nathan Alexander | 72 | 72 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 70 | 71 | 60 | 61 | 67 | 66 | 68 | 71 | 71.59 | 4.0 | 25 | 0k | 3 |  | Cristian Perez | 71 | 63 | 66 | 74 | 72 | 71 | 71 | 69 | 66 | 68 | 74 | 69 | 74 | 70.51 | 4.0 | 24 | 0k | 4 |
Summary
Is promotion guaranteed? No, unfortunately not. But by sticking strong to our mission and focus nations it was always going to be tough. The small concession to add O'Connor, Canty, Pons and Mutsumine however could prove crucial in this chase. That's what we want, to get to the PCT this year, and I really do believe this squad could achieve that target. Or at the very least, bag some Goal points so we can begin the long long task of building genuine Caribbean leaders.
Also it's nice to now feel we have a core of the squad in place, so we can as this year, relax and target just two or three talents to keep the system turning over year-to-year. So even if we can't promote this season, we have salable assests and a very few declines to worry about.
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| cio93 |
Posted on 23-08-2023 18:44
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World Champion
Posts: 10845
Joined: 29-10-2007
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I know you'll probably have to go the SotD way of spreading training across many riders, but man would I love to see you promote this season and then fully invest into Lagane to see if he can take over the void Demare will leave!
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| seancoll |
Posted on 23-08-2023 21:29
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Domestique
Posts: 480
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Love the Mutsumine draft pick and almost thought about it myself. Such a strong and deep team and should be able to scare some folks in TTT and longer TT GC races.
Definitely leaning closer toward promotion than not from what I see. |
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| redordead |
Posted on 24-08-2023 07:04
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4881
Joined: 18-10-2017
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The team looks very good and balanced. With the flexbility the CT calendar provides now it should be easier to find all the best races, but like I said the team is balanced so you have a wide array to work with.
This looks like a promotion quality squad, maybe even a title favourite
"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
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| jaxika |
Posted on 24-08-2023 07:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3148
Joined: 16-07-2008
PCM$: 9200.00
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Lagane is a very great rider and this is a very good team. Ill cheer to you that you promote! |
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 24-08-2023 15:24
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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@Cio - If only I had the level of rider to sell SotD has, which of course makes my project that much more impressive and lovable Buffing Lagane would be nice, but 2024 PCT cash might be better spent securing a transfer and a 2025 PCT spot. Fingers crossed it's a dilemma I get to have!
@ sean - Wataru should fit in neatly, but with hindsight I should have played the draft a bit different. Enjoying the TTT look we have, not scary but solid for sure, and i'm hoping it can sneak Canty a few good GC results.
@red - I appreciate the confidence, but I also know this team isn't as good as the one i finished 2nd with a few years ago. If i got my preferred C1 races then we should get some nice points there, and then the Top5 is in reach.
@jaxika - Thanks! I'm gonna be heartbroken if this team finishes 8th or worse... (Top 5 being promotion, 6-7th being reasonable bets for a freebie spot)
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| Luis Leon Sanchez |
Posted on 24-08-2023 15:52
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Team Leader
Posts: 5533
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PCM$: 500.00
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Wouldn’t say you have any big stand-out riders who will be fighting for the Individual Crown but the consistency of scoring should be there from O’Connor (who I think could be great for you!), as well as your Puncheur duo who are both capable of scoring very well in the CT.
I do also like Matthews, much more than Richardson when it comes to points. Although he may not be the strongest, I think he can do well in C2 and C2HC at the very least!
A handful of riders I haven’t mentioned who can also contribute to solid points scoring.
I love your regional focus and I hope for your sake that this year is a promotion year
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| baseballlover312 |
Posted on 24-08-2023 16:30
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 16429
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Team could use a couple of Curacao guys.
Promotion is very possible, but not a certainty I'd say. Might depend on disbands. The core has gotten quite strong, but it's kind of unfortunate that Lagane and Mayer are somewhat similar riders as one worries they may take points away from each other. But planning of course can fix that, and you're more than experienced for it.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy |
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| Gustavovskiy |
Posted on 24-08-2023 22:59
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Team Leader
Posts: 6036
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Very much a solid promotion candidate as others have said. I guess we should have a word about some caribeans next year too.
Good luck. Looking forward to seeing some of these shiny jerseys in the pack!
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| Blasing |
Posted on 25-08-2023 07:16
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Neo-Pro
Posts: 278
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Man, we should be in some very tough fits on hills, mountains, cobbles and sprints! Looking forward to the season!
Manager of JEWA TIROL Cycling Team
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| DarkWolf |
Posted on 25-08-2023 08:02
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1025
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I cannot stress how much I love the look of your team. I am happy we get to ride in the same division, at least this year. I am looking forward for my riders to create some bonds with yours within the peloton.
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| TheManxMissile |
Posted on 25-08-2023 12:14
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Tour de France Champion
Posts: 18187
Joined: 12-05-2012
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@LLS - I also like Matthews more than Richardson, but I kinda couldn't not grab the Bermudan. Frankly i'm still traumatised by the Altur years so my cobbles "strategy" is unclear. Hopefully we won't meet next year after I promote
@BBL - I love seeing the Caribbeans spreading around the game, given the long term target of hosting a Worlds we need the exposure.
I have an idea how to plan Lagane and Meyer apart as they have different enough skills (eg One can sprint well, one has some TT ability). I'll take a disband promotion happily! A bigger single leader instead of O'Connor/Canty was my initial plan to charge at promotion, but I couldn't get close to the fees being offered up.
@Gustav - The jersey should be easy to spot, they'll be the ones winning
@Blasing - I'm just happy my team can actually fight this season!!!
@DW - Same division this year, next, and in three years the PT! As long as you stick with me at the front of the peloton our riders can chat and become friends
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![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
