"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday dear Marcus, Happy Birthday to you!" I stared at the 24 candles trying to burn my cake.
"Well, come on, make a wish and blow. I'm hungry," Grace said.
I did and we ate. They say to never to tell what you wish for. But, this is what I wished for, to be in this exact moment surrounded by a loving girlfriend and the world at my fingertips. I feel invincible.
My first Pro Tour season wasn't exactly amazing, but it was a valuable learning experience. Here is a recap of the 2023 cycling season.
While transfer rumors start to swirl, I just have to focus on the task at-hand. Feyenoord hasn't got off to the best start this season. But, there is still time to turn everything around. I think we have a good enough team to do that.
Match Day #13 at ADO Den Haag (4-8-2)
December 3, 2023
First road contest in a few weeks.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 0, ADO Den Haag 0
Summary: Snooze fest.
Rating: 6.8 - Hangover performance after the Liverpool win.
Player of Game: Efren Ramirez, Feyenoord (7.1)
Match Day #14 vs. N.E.C. (4-5-5)
December 6, 2023
Ajax just keeps winning, while we fall further behind.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 1, N.E.C. 1
Summary: Yellow cards for everybody! Seven in total. But no winner. Although, Marcus Diamond breaks out of his recent slump with a goal.
Rating: 7.3 - About time. But it means nothing in a draw. Need wins to have any chance of catching Ajax.
Player of Game: Thomas Meunier, Feyenoord (7.8)
Match Day #15 vs. Excelsior (3-8-4)
December 10, 2023
Last time Excelsior won this Rotterdam derby was in 2010.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, Excelsior 0
Summary: Feyenoord continues its dominance over an in-city rival. Marcus Diamond comes out and scores in a second straight game, and it's in the conversation for Goal of the Year in the Eredivisie.
Rating: 8.2 - You know things are looking up when you can ping in a strike from 20-plus yards in a downpour.
Player of Game: Marcus Diamond, Feyenoord (8.2)
UEFA Europa League at Partizan
December 14, 2023
GS#6: Already locked into to the next round, but we can win the group.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 1, Partizan 0
Summary: Sven van Beek heads home the winner off a free kick taken by Yassin Ayoub. The slim 1-0 win allows Feyenoord to win the group over England powerhouse Liverpool. The wait begins for the next round draw to see who they will face first in the knockout round. Feyenoord is back in the knockout round for the first time since the 2014-15 season. They have won this competition twice: 2002 and 1974.
Rating: 6.9 - Glad we got that goal in the first half, otherwise I don't think anybody was going to score in this boring game.
Player of Game: Yassin Ayoub, Feyenoord (7.9)
Match Day #16 vs. FC Eindhoven (3-12-1)
December 17, 2023
No rest, it's game after game at the moment.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 2, FC Eindhoven 0
Summary: Two quick goals in succession, including a penalty shot snuck in by Ivo Swinkels, lift Feyenoord to a much-needed league win.
Rating: 6.8 - Subbed in during the second half and basically chewed up minutes. Team was happy with a 2-0 win at that point.
Player of Game: Yassin Ayoub, Feyenoord (7.5)
KNVB Beker Cup vs. ADO Den Haag
December 21, 2023
Third Round: "But, I'm not a newbie anymore. Why am I playing today?"
Spoiler
ADO Den Haag 2, Feyenoord 0
Summary: Stunner. Absolute stunner. Feyenoord goes with its younger 'B' squad, but includes Marcus Diamond for some extra firepower. Well, turns out Diamond needed more help. Despite bringing on Nicolas Messiniti and Kristian Bagger in the second half, the damage was done. Defending champions Feyenoord are out of the KNVB Beker Cup.
Rating: 7.0 - Clear sign our youth ranks are in trouble.
Player of Game: Stefanos Kapino, ADO Den Haag (8.1)
Match Day #17 vs. PSV (11-1-4)
December 24, 2023
Last game before the holiday break and it's a huge one.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 0, PSV 0
Summary: The spectators who packed the De Kuip didn't get the early Christmas present they desired. Instead, they were treated to scoreless spectacle that featured eight yellow cards. Hard to say if this result was fair. Feyenoord held more possession (54%) but really not enough shots on target (4-3) for either team to steal a victory in hopes of tracking down league leaders Ajax.
Rating: 6.7 - Came off the bench again due to ongoing game fatigue. I'll happily take a few weeks off to recover and regroup.
Player of Game: Alfons Huntink, Feyenoord (7.6)
League Standings (17/34 Games Played)
League Leaders
UEFA Europa League
Group Stage
Round of 32
KNVB Beker Cup - Quarterfinals
Calendar
Club
International
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Feyenoord Training Facilities Boost:+1.5 Points Per Member
Spoiler
- Each member gets 6.5 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Only stats that aren't locked can be upgraded.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Double Stat Lock (Resolved): Flair and Aggression have been locked.
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Most of my attention was on the football pitch this month, but we always have time during the holiday season to turn our focus to what the 2024 cycling season has in store. We start we a SEG Racing Academy overview and my race schedule.
I don't have any January races this upcoming season, so we will spend that month taking a closer look at what the Pro Tour peloton looks like now. And a first look at all the new colorful jerseys, which includes a new updated kit for our squad too. I've seen the prototype design and can't wait to see the final product. I'm hearing rumors that pink bikes might be on the horizon as well.
The Captains
Complete 2024 Squad
My Thoughts
We have a rather interesting bunch this season. With the loses of the Yates brothers the team decided to focus more on the hills by bringing in Mathieu Van Der Poel and the big signing of former World ITT Champion Stefan Kung. We are expected to be one of the top TTT units squads this season.
As for the climbs, we have two developing youngsters who SEG believes can be future stars in the sport: Harry Zuurman and Tomas Hyravy. Don't count out my girlfriend Grace Garner either, she has put in the work this offseason.
Her sister Lucy van der Haar gets a team captain role mostly due to her experience. Arguably, the fastest man on the team is Niklas Markl.
Then, for the classics and cobbles, I'm your guy. If there is a mountain in the way, I can comfortably get over those as well. They call me, Mr. Versatile.
Marcus Diamond's 2024 Race Schedule
*Pending invitation*
Date
Race
Top 3 Recent Results
Feb. 24
Omloop Het Nieuwsblad
16th (2023), 21st (2022)
Mar. 4-11
Paris-Nice (S8)
--
Mar. 14
Danilith Nokere Koerse
11th ('23), 13th ('22), 6th ('20)
Mar. 23
Record Bank E3-Harelbeke
20th (2023)
Mar. 25
Gent-Wevelgem
36th (2023)
Mar. 28
Dwars door Vlaanderen
19th (2023), 15th (2022)
Apr. 1
Ronde van Vlaanderen
23rd (2023)
Apr. 2-7
Itzulia Basque Country (S6)
--
Apr. 8
Paris-Roubaix
36th (2023)
Apr. 15
Amstel Gold Race
30th (2023)
Apr. 18
La Fleche Wallonne
--
Apr. 22
Liege-Bastogne-Liege
26th (2023)
May 4-27
Giro d'Italia (S21)
--
June 19
Halle-Ingoolgem
--
June 28
GB ITT Championships*
33rd ('22), 23rd ('21), 31st ('19)
July 1
GB RR Championships*
8th ('22), 18th ('21), DQ ('19)
July 7-29
Tour de France (S21)
--
July 31
RideLondon-Surrey Classic
12th (2023), 16th (2020)
Early Aug.
Olympic Games*
--
Sept. 14
Kampioenschap van Vlaanderen
--
Sept. 27
Famenne Ardennes Classic
10th (2022), 16th (2020)
Sept. 30
World RR Championship*
4th ('23), 17th ('22), 47th ('21)
Grand Tour Hype
My first appearance in a Grand Tour was a disaster as I crashed out of the 2023 Vuelta a Espana after four stages. Well, the team decided to double down this season and put me in two grand tours along with my classics schedule. If I stay healthy, I'll get my first taste of the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France.
I'll be mostly used as a stage hunter, but I also think there is a chance I could slip on the yellow jersey during the first week of the Tour de France. Got to give love to the race organizers for each including one cobble stage early on.
Evaluation
Offseason Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Upgraded Training Facilities Boost:+1 Point Per Member
Spoiler
- Each member gets 4.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades
Stat Lock (Resolved): Sprint has been locked.
Offseason Boost: Whichever attribute receives the most training points will have its points doubled. If there is a tie between stats, then a random generator will be used to choose which attribute gets doubled.
New season hype Love the calendar, a busy five months from March to July But lots of opportunities and excited for the two GTs. Marcus and Grace should both enjoy some stage hunting opportunities in those and other mountain races they go to without a nailed on GC leader in the squad - maybe even a romantic couple's breakaway? Zuurman and Hyravy seem exciting in that department though.
Olympics are intriguing to have this year, would be really cool to make an appearance for Team GB. How is the route?
+4 Resistance
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
The Olympics committee has released the cycling schedule for the 2024 Olympics Games to be held in Paris, France. It should be noted the Olympics is following in the UCI footsteps and will be running these events as mixed-gender pelotons.
Event #1 - Road: Time Trial
August 2, 2024
Event #2 - Track: Keirin
August 3, 2024
Event #3 - Track: Elimination Race
August 4, 2024
Event #4 - Track: Sprint
August 5, 2024
Event #5 - Track: Time Trial
August 6, 2024
Event #6 - Track: Points Race
August 7, 2024
Event #7 - Track: Scratch
August 8, 2024
Event #8 - Track: Omnium
August 9, 2024
Event #9 - Mountain Bike: Cyclocross
August 10, 2024
Event #10 - Road: Race
August 11, 2024
GB Selection: The British Cycling Federation has reached out to Marcus Diamond shortly after the 2024 Olympic cycling calendar was released. They believe the 24-year-old budding star has a chance to bring home a few medals for his home country, and have given Diamond the option to compete in three Olympic events of his choice. What will he choose?
Number your Top 5 choices with the top selection getting five points, second getting four points, third getting three points, etc. The three events that get the most points will be the events Diamond will train for and compete in at the 2024 Olympics.
(Note: Cycling training upgrades will no longer be accepted at this time.)
Road Race
Time Trial
Mountain Bike/Cyclocross (could be fun though I assume he's not done much of it )
Points
Scratch
Guessing Nigeria hasn't qualified for football, probably for the best as that would be a complete mess of deciding who to represent
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [ICL] Santos-Euskadi | [PT] Xero Racing
Before jumping right back into Eredivisie league play after the holidays, we had a pair of friendlies to get our legs turning again. Although, any time you can play a club like Bayern Munchen, it's hard ever just a friendly.
It looked like we were on our way to a surprising exhibition win when I scored a go-ahead goal in the 36th minute to put us up 2-1. However, Didier Kouko pulled back the equalizer in the 83th minute to end the contest in a 2-2 draw.
I watched from the stands (not even the bench) for the second and final friendly contest against Kassel, a semi-professional side from Germany. Feyenoord strolled to a 3-0 victory with goals by Kristian Bagger, Yassin Ayoub and Jose Oliveira.
One last note before getting into league play, Nigeria advanced out of the group stage of the African Championship of Nations, which is a competition strictly for native-born players. I'm obviously not, so I can't compete.
Match Day #18 at FC Twente (3-11-4)
January 21, 2024
Easy relegation-fighting opponent to kick things back off.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, FC Twente 1
Summary: Nicolas Messiniti breaks out his scoring slump with a brace. He hadn't score since the Ajax loss on Nov. 25, 2023. Whereas Yassin Ayoub has scored in Feyenoord's last three games (including friendlies).
Rating: DNP - Not sure why, but coach sat me and didn't play me. I'm a little confused, but we won. I guess I can't complain too loudly.
Player of Game: Nicolas Messiniti, Feyenoord (9.0)
Match Day #19 at Roda JC (3-11-4)
January 24, 2024
Another bottom-feeder, so do I get to play today... coach?
Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, Roda JC 1
Summary: Early red card for Mourtala Dembele for a poor challenge going through the back of Yassin Ayoub sets Roda JC up for disaster. Ayoub got his revenge with yet another goal, but it was Otavio with two that sealed the deal.
Rating: 6.8 - First sub off the bench... I guess that's better than not playing at all. Plus, I made a contribution by assisting Otavio's second goal to put the contest out of reach. Surprisingly, my first Eredivisie assist this season. Perhaps that's why I'm starting on the bench.
Player of Game: Otavio, Feyenoord (9.1)
Match Day #20 at AZ (13-6-0)
January 28, 2024
Still stuck on the bench to start this important contest.
Spoiler
Feyenoord 3, AZ 2
Summary: Oh man. Remember today if Feyenoord somehow goes on to win the league title. What a thriller with four goals in the last 10 minutes, and to think Feyenoord thought they had the game won after a first-half goal by Abdulkadir Omur.
Everything turned upside down when Feyenoord defender Sven van Beek headed in an own goal off a corner in the 83rd minute. With a draw on the cards, super sub Marcus Diamond had a one-on-one opportunity to start extra time. Konstantinos Panagi made an incredible one-handed save to force a corner kick.
Lurking on the back post on the corner kick was 18-year-old Dutch product Gerard van Schijndel for his first career goal! What a time for the defender to poach a monumental goal.
But this was far from over. Tijjani Reijnders rocketed in the equalizer in the 94th minute. Seconds before Feyenoord players were berating the official for not calling full time. And now AZ was doing the same as Feyenoord quickly reset and went down the field for one last attack...
Diamond finds Omur out wide, keeps running and gets the through ball back from Omur. Diamond takes a quick glance up to check where the keeper is and gets taken down by a last-ditch tackle by Chidozie Awaziem. Before Diamond can half-heartedly appeal for a penalty the ball finds a charging Emilian Brie at the back post. It's in!
Feyenoord escapes with three points, and gets even better news after the match. Ajax finally lost their first game of the league season — a 2-1 home loss to second-place Vitesse.
Rating: 6.7 - Now that was exciting. The locker room was buzzing after this one. Big win for team morale.
Player of Game: Gerard van Schijndel, Feyenoord (8.0)
League Standings (20/34 Games Played)
League Leaders
UEFA Europa League - Round of 32
Calendar
Club
International
Evaluation
Training Ground *Community Growth Development*
Feyenoord Training Facilities Boost:+1.5 Points Per Member
Spoiler
- Each member gets 6.5 points to spread however they like over the 36 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Only stats that aren't locked can be upgraded.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 1.0.
- Stats are bumped up in FM when they hit that number, ex. 2.9 = 2 in-game, and 13.4 = 13 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 20. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery and is different from the cycling progression scale.
-Comment below to provide stat upgrades.
Stat Lock: Poor month rating wise for Marcus Diamond, so attributes that don't receive at least 2.0 points are at-risk of being locked.
Love the calendar, a busy five months from March to July 
But lots of opportunities and excited for the two GTs. Marcus and Grace should both enjoy some stage hunting opportunities in those and other mountain races they go to without a nailed on GC leader in the squad - maybe even a romantic couple's breakaway? 
Zuurman and Hyravy seem exciting in that department though.
