1st	Vattenfall Cyclassics	Alessandro Ballan
Stage Win	Vuelta a Espana	Karsten Kroon
5th	Milano – San Remo	Alessandro Ballan
.
Total Wins:	14
Pro Tour:	15th
CQ Ranking:	22th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The season was rather disappointing for BMC. Cadel Evans failed and didn't achieve a single good results, only Alessandro Ballan did quite well in a couple of classics. All in all, there's a lot of room for improvement in 2012.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With Manuel Cardoso, BMC was able to sign a rider with one of the most impressive developments of last year. BMC now has a world class sprinter. They didn't lose one of their top stars, but with Van Avermaet, Tschopp and Kroon, they lost quite a lot of strength in aspects of depth.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cadel Evans decreased quite a bit, but Manuel Cardoso should be able to bring in some results. Apart from them, the team is mostly designed for the classics, where they should be able to perform well, although they don't have contenders for the very big races. But as last year, their remaining in the World Tour can't be taken for granted.

1st	Vuelta a Espana	Samuel Sanchez
1st	Vuelta al Pais Vasco	Samuel Sanchez
2nd	Tour de France	Samuel Sanchez
.
Total Wins:	19
Pro Tour:	5th
CQ Ranking:	12th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Euskaltel had an amazing season, mostly because of Sammy Sanchez. He rode fanstastically, supported by a great team. Igor Anton was mainly his domestique and thus didn't get that many good results.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Igor Anton can't be replaced equally and the loss of Jonathan Castroviejo hurts as well. With Mikel Astarloza, they have at least one bigger signing, beyond that, they'll have to rely on the development of their Basque talents.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sammy Sanchez is still the undisputed leader of this team and the team is completely designed around him. Mikel Nieve had a strong development and will be a strong supporter. Koldo Fernandez should be able to bring in some good results in the sprints. In general, Euskaltel has an average team in comparison to the other ones.

1st	Paris – Nice	Sandy Casar
1st	Tour de Romandie	Sandy Casar
Stage Win	Tour de France	Sandy Casar
.
Total Wins:	34
Pro Tour:	-
CQ Ranking:	10th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As the season ended with the promotion to World Tour, it can just be considered as a big success. Sandy Casar did some very good things in ProTour.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: None of the new signings are able to really shine in World Tour, although Eeckhout and Van Huffel will strengthen the team in terms of depth. But especially Anthony Geslin will be missed.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sandy Casar will have to repeat his amazing season and his team mates have to increase a lot if FDJ wants to have a chance to stay in World Tour. Anyway, they are one of the top candidates to be relegated again.

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Taking into account that the managers of GreenEdge focussed on Australian riders, they couldn't have done much better. Also, they strengthend the team with a couple of central europeans, which should be a good base for their first World Tour year.

1st	Giro di Lombardia	Alexandr Kolobnev
1st	Gent – Wevelgem	Filippo Pozzato
2nd	Liège – Bastogne – Liège	Joquim Rodriguez
.
Total Wins:	20
Pro Tour:	2nd
CQ Ranking:	4th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Katusha had an absolutely great season. They tapped their full potential on nearly every race, especially Joaquim Rodriguez and Filippo Pozzato performed very, very well. The Russian team was a prevalence on the one day classics.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Alexandr Kolobnev is the heaviest leaving for Katusha, but he's replaced more than well: The team strengthend it's Italian influence with eight new Italians. Basso, Bertagnolli and Pellizotti will surely bring in lots of points for the different rankings.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Katusha is very well-placed in almost every metier: With Ivan Basso, they signed a top stage racer, their puncheur fraction is beyond question the strongest of all teams and Filippo Pozzato proved that he is one of the best cobblers. The only thing they lack of is a real world class sprinter, but Denis Galimzyanov is very promising. All in all, we can expect Katusha to be one of the most defining teams for the new season.

1st	Amstel Gold Race	Damiano Cunego
2nd	Giro d'Italia	Damiano Cunego
5th	Tour de France	Michele Scarponi
.
Total Wins:	16
Pro Tour:	8th
CQ Ranking:	13th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Lampre had a pretty good season. Cunego performed well on his limits as well as Scarponi did. Five stage wins in Grand Tours are a really good balance.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The team had not what you would call a strengthening during this transfer season. With Bertagnolli and Damiano Cunego, the team's two best puncheurs left the team. Danilo Di Luca and Tadej Valjavec are for sure no adequate replacements. Only Daniele Bennati is a real boost for the team.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The Italians don't really have the strongest team, still they have some winning aspirants, especially of course Michele Scarponi, and should make their appearances in World Tour.

1st	World Championships ITT	Fabian Cancellara
2nd	Paris – Nice	Brice Feillu
2 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Fabian Cancellara
.
Total Wins:	33
Pro Tour:	3rd
CQ Ranking:	3rd

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The supposed new hyper-team of last year failed quite impressively. Although they were pretty close to the top in many races, they never – leaving out the GT stage wins and Cancellara's WC – really won anything important. They constantly were the runner-ups, and in the Grand Tours, they weren't even that. 9th for Andy in the Tour was the best.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the disappointing last season, Leopard really did spread the money. With Igor Anton, they now have three great climbers. And Fabian Cancellara should now have better chances to ameliorate his cobblestone results with Sylvain Chavanel as a support. Daniele Bennati and Linus Gerdemann will be missed though.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With the top transfers, Leopard even more provides the top team of the World Tour. For both the Grand Tours and the classics, they have top victory contenders – just as they had last year. Now, they just have to deliver.

3rd	Giro d'Italia	Marzio Bruseghin
2 Stage Wins	Giro d'Italia	Marzio Bruseghin
4th	Vuelta a Espana	David Arroyo
.
Total Wins:	14
Pro Tour:	13th
CQ Ranking:	18th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Movistar had a mediocre season. Marzio Bruseghin and David Arroyo did some good results in the Giro and the Vuelta, also Rojas was okay, but apart from them, there wasn't much. Eventually, it was enough to remain in World Tour.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: What a couple of imense transfer coups for Movistar: Most important is of course Alberto Contador, who came over with his domestiques after the Saxo Bank dispute. But also Ezequiel Mosquera, eigth of the Vuelta, and Jerome Coppel, the talented young french, will definetly boost the squad. Plus, the only important loss is Francisco Ventoso.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Contador has a strong mountain squad to support him, and should definetly bring in some wins. Rojas developed into a world class sprinter, but it's the only real sprinter they have. Traditionally, they don't have any cobblestone rider either.

1st	Liège – Bastogne – Liège	Philippe Gilbert
1st	La Flèche Wallonne	Philippe Gilbert
2nd	Amstel Gold Race	Philippe Gilbert
.
Total Wins:	8
Pro Tour:	14th
CQ Ranking:	26th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Last season was pretty much a one man show of Philippe Gilbert, who did really well in the Ardennes and with two Grand Tour stage wins. Van den Broeck's Tour performance was okay, but still has room for more.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Steven Kruijswijk and Nick Nuyens are really some strong improvements for the squad, while Jussi Veikkanen and Matthew Lloyd will be missed. In general, a rather good transfer period for Omega Pharma.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Omega Pharma – Lotto has a strong squad for every terrain. Philippe Gilbert will definetely bring again big results. Van den Broeck should improve his results a bit, while Andre Greipel also has room for more – I think we can expect quite a bit from them.

3rd	Amstel Gold Race	Alexandre Vinokourov
3rd	La Flèche Wallonne	Alexandre Vinokourov
1st	World Championships	Allan Davis
.
Total Wins:	13
Pro Tour:	10th
CQ Ranking:	15th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Astana had a pretty good season. Alexandre Vinokourov did very, very well in the one day classics and the Tour and the rest of the team also brought in results very close to their limits – except for Roman Kreuziger.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Well, not much to say. With Allan Davis and Roman Kreuziger, two of the team's three best riders left and Haimar Zubeldia and Francisco Ventoso will have to do a lot to fill that gap.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Apart from Alexandre Vinokourov, the team totally lacks of top riders. The rather-good-but-not-world-class riders like Kiserlovski, Gasparotto or Ventoso really need to exceed their limits to keep them in World Tour.

1st	Paris – Roubaix	Tom Boonen
2 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Tom Boonen
Stage Win	Tour de France	Gert Steegmans
.
Total Wins:	27
Pro Tour:	11th
CQ Ranking:	8th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: QuickStep had a decent season. Tom Boonen proved to be Mr. Roubaix, nearly repeated his success at the World Champs and had a strong performance during the Tour de France. Also, Gert Steegmans won the prestigous stage on the Champs Elysées.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The leaving of both Sylvain Chavanel and Gerald Ciolek are pretty bad for QuickStep and they aren't replaced equally, although Rosseler, Hammond and de Gendt might be good enhancements.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: QuickStep has an average team. Tom Boonen will probably again be strong and with Gert Steegmans and Francesco Chicchi, two strong sprinters are good for some results as well. De Weert, Seeldraeyers and Cataldo might have some outside shots at Top 10s in the Grand Tours.

2nd	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya	Luis Leon Sanchez
4th	Tour de France	Robert Gesink
3rd	Tour de Suisse	Luis Leon Sanchez
.
Total Wins:	23
Pro Tour:	6th
CQ Ranking:	5th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As you can see, Rabobank didn't really win anything bigger than one stage of the Vuelta, still I consider the previous season a success for them. Lots of Top 5 places are good for a team that has no real world class rider – apart from Robert Gesink, who developed into one during last season.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Alexandr Kolobnev, winner of Giro di Lombardia, is surely a strong improvement for the squad, as well as Thomas Dekker. But the loss in both terms of strength and depth due to the leaving of Boom, Brown, Kruijswijk and Langeveld is just very heavy and prevails the positive signings.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: In terms of depth, Rabobank provides one of the strongest teams in World Tour. With Alexandr Kolobnev, they got a real victory contender for the hilly classics and Robert Gesink should be able to show really good performances in the Grand Tours.

1st	Tour du Limousin	Mattieu Sprich
1st	GP d'Isbergues	Tom Veelers
1st	GP Stad Zottegem	Kenny Van Hummel
.
Total Wins:	43
Pro Tour:	-
CQ Ranking:	11th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Skil had a wonderful season with the second most wins of all teams and the promotion to World Tour. It's just that they never shined in Pro Tour. Still, a top season.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: In contrary to FDJ, Skil reacted to their promotion and really signed some riders who might score some World Tour points, above all De Ronde winner Stijn Devolder. Also, they were able to keep all their stars and got some promising young talents like Coen Vermeltfoort.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Looking at the squad, the only goal is pretty obvious: It's to stay in World Tour. Though the team has the potential to achieve that, they need to show that they can do more than winning sprints in continental races. As a newcomer, they're one of the top contenders for relegation.

Points	Tour de France	Edvald Boasson Hagen
2 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Edvald Boasson Hagen
3rd	Liège – Bastogne – Liège	Simon Gerrans
.
Total Wins:	31
Pro Tour:	9th
CQ Ranking:	9th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: An ambivalent season for Sky. While Bradley Wiggins failed, Michael Rogers surprised in the Tour de France and Suisse. And while Juan Antonio Flecha couldn't live up to the expectation on the cobbles, Edvald Boasson Hagen played a trick on all the established sprinters by winning the green jersey at the Tour. So lots of highs and lows for them.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Few spectacular transfers. Heinrich Haussler is a strong improvement while Simon Gerrans will be missed.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: All in all, Sky provides a very strong squad, but except for Heinrich Haussler, they lack of riders who are capable to take a really big win. But as Michael Rogers and Edvald Boasson Hagen did last year, we sure might expect some surprises from Sky this year as well.

1st	Milano – San Remo	Thor Hushovd
2nd	Ronde Van Vlaanderen	Heinrich Haussler
2nd	Paris – Roubaix	Heinrich Haussler
.
Total Wins:	35
Pro Tour:	4th
CQ Ranking:	2nd

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Garmin had a pretty impressive spring classics season with the 1-2 in Milano – San Remo being the early highlight and a couple of second-to-fourth places afterwards. Also, the team convinced with four Grand Tour stage wins and two Grand Tour Top 10s.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Two mediocre, experienced rider plus three young talents versus seven rather strong, or, in the case of Heinrich Haussler, extremely strong riders – no good transfer period for Garmin.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Thor Hushovd and Tyler Farrar are still two world class riders and behind them, they have loads of riders of the second row who are always in for a surprise. Still, the team lost a bit of it's strength from last year.

1st	Tour Down Under	Mark Cavendish
2nd	Dauphiné Libéré	Marco Pinotti
2 Stage Wins	Tour de France	Mark Cavendish
.
Total Wins:	30
Pro Tour:	16th
CQ Ranking:	17th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Still being HTC-Highroad, the team had an awful season. Except for Pinotti's good place in a weak Giro, the team failed in all of their goals. Only two stage wins at the Tour and no chance for the green jersey, Tony Martin did nothing good at all, neither did Matthew Goss. A season to forget, and not that much of a surprise that HTC folded as the main sponsor.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the sponsor change, a lot happened in the squad plannings. Of course, T-Mobile wanted a stronger German influence and therefore signed a lot of German riders – some of them really helping the team (Gerdemann, Klöden, Ciolek), some rather not. Also, Kim Kirchen gives a surprising comeback and Jesus himself wants to help. Still, Michael Albasini, Matthew Goss and Marco Pinotti are hard losses.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The squad should defenitely be able to performed a lot better than last year, especially as they aren't concentrated that much on sprints any longer. Still, it would be too much to call them one of the strongest teams.

1st	Dauphiné Libéré	Levi Leipheimer
3rd	Vattenfall Cyclassics	Manuel Cardoso
6th	Giro d'Italia	Haimar Zubeldia
.
Total Wins:	24
Pro Tour:	12th
CQ Ranking:	7th

[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Bad, bad season for former RadioShack. One big win is defenitely too few for a team with that ambitions. No wonder here either why the main sponsor pulled back.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Brajkovic, Cardoso, Klöden, Zubeldia... Many of the team's best riders left after this bad season. The only reason why the transfer season wasn't a complete desaster is the huge signing of Alejandro Valverde (and, partly, Vuelta third Carlos Sastre, who isn't getting any younger).





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Valverde is Unicef's big hope for many World Tour points. Apart from him and the two old Americans Horner and Leipheimer, we can't expect much from the team. Only if Carlos Sastre could repeat his extraordinary season, or if Tiago Machado finally makes his breakthrough, the remain in World Tour should be relatively sure – otherwise, it will be a tough fight.

5th	Giro d'Italia	Stefano Garzelli
Mountains	Giro d'Italia	Stefano Garzelli
2 Stage Wins	Giro d'Italia	Danilo Napolitano
.
Total Wins:	8
Continental Tour:	19th
CQ Ranking:	30th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As usual, Acqua & Sapone put their focus completely on the Giro – and they did pretty well there. Stefano Garzelli did very well on his old days, as well as Danilo Napolitano. The rest of the season wasn't that fruitful.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: True, Stefano Garzelli, the team's leader, left. But with Marco Pinotti, he's at least equally replaced. And the other three major signings are strong improvements for the Italian squad. A very good transfer season for Acqua & Sapone.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: With the new signings, Acqua&Sapone has a relatively strong squad, but as they'll probably again focus on the Italian races, their chances for promotion are rather low.

Probability of Promotion: 10 %

Stage Win	Vuelta a Espana	Nicholas Roche
Stage Win	Vuelta Ciclista al Pais Vasco	John Gadret
1st	Clasica de Almeria	Lloyd Mondory
.
Total Wins:	6
Pro Tour:	18th
CQ Ranking:	23rd

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Not much to say. Project Pro Tour failed completely, they always were on the bottom of that ranking. Also, 6 wins are very few. Only Roche's Vuelta performance gave a little hope for more.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After relegation, Ag2r lost a couple of their best riders. They especially lost a lot of their climbing strength. With Sébastien Chavanel, only one strong rider joined them.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Ag2r provides one of the strongest continental squads with Peraud and Roche being able to shine in stage races of all kinds. They should have some good results in 2012 and might get a shot at promotion.

Probability of Promotion: 20 %

2 Stage Wins	Giro d'Italia	Leonardo Duque
1st	Tour de Belgique	Nicolas Vogondy
1st	Vuelta a Andalucia	Leonardo Duque
.
Total Wins:	34
Continental Tour:	6th
CQ Ranking:	16th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Leonardo Duque was the superior rider of Cofidis' season. His results were really great, but apart from him, there wasn't much. Still, it was enough for one of the upper positions in the rankings.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis didn't lose any of their stronger riders, and Jurgen Roelandts should be a real strengthening for the French.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Cofidis has good riders for every terrain and, just as last year, will have a say in the fight for promotion.

Probability of Promotion: 20 %

1st	Championat de France	Thomas Voeckler
1st	Grand Prix de la Marseillaise	Pierre Rolland
10th	Liège – Bastogne – Liège	Christophe Kern
.
Total Wins:	6
Continental Tour:	13th
CQ Ranking:	32nd

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Europcar didn't have a good season. Some good results in smaller French races were mostly the only good results – a national championship being the top highlight speaks a bit for itself.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Le Mevel and Tour stage winner Trofimov are very strong improvements for the squad. The team obviously focusses more on climbers as they lose two of their best sprinters.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The squad developed good over the last year and with the new signings, it's one of the most promising teams for next year.

Probability of Promotion: 20 %

1st	Tour de Pologne	Elia Favilli
3rd	Grand Prix de Montréal	Elia Favilli
3rd	Grand Prix de Québec	Giovanni Visconti
.
Total Wins:	29
Continental Tour:	3rd
CQ Ranking:	14th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Lots of good appearances and results in both Pro- and Continental Tour make a very good season for Farnese Vini. Being the third best continental team, Farnese Vini almost promoted to World Tour – a chance they probably won't get again soon.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Bad transfers. A couple of rather weak Polish riders in, two rather strong riders out.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Visconti is the undisputed leader and the only top class rider of the team. Few further victory aspirants will make it hard for the team to fight again for promotion.

Probability of Promotion: 10 %

Stage Win	Vuelta a Espana	Carlos Sastre
2nd	Tour de Suisse	Denis Menchov
3rd	Vuelta a Espana	Carlos Sastre
.
Total Wins:	11
Continental Tour:	24th
CQ Ranking:	20th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Geox concentrated mostly on the Pro Tour events – thus being the only team having a higher CQ rank than continental rank – and did quite well there. Still, they didn't get promoted, which is why the season can't be considered as a success.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Very strange: Geox didn't sign a single new rider! And that although they lost a couple of decently good riders, above all Carlos Sastre. We'll see how that'll work out.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Geox certainly has one of the two best continental team – along with Vacansoleil. Their only goal can be the promotion to World Tour and their season will be pit against the success of that project.

Probability of Promotion: 50 %

1st	Tour de France	Alberto Contador
1st	Tour de Suisse	Alberto Contador
1st	Volta Ciclista a Catalunya	Alberto Contador
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Total Wins:	24
Pro Tour:	7th
CQ Ranking:	6th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Being Saxo Bank, the team had one superior rider: Alberto Contador. The Spaniard had an amazing season, winning 5 races, 4 of them being Pro Tour ones. He alone made the season a great success for the team.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Well, it was clear that after the sponsor change and the voluntary relegation, all the team's top stars left. Still, the new management was able to react to the new Nordic orientation and signed a couple of experienced riders like Veikkanen and Arvesen.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: After the radical change in the team structure, the squad is of course not as strong as last year. Still, it unifies some of the best nordic riders and they should bring in some good results. Nevertheless, promotion is probably only a long term goal.

Probability of Promotion: 10 %

1st	Paris – Corrèze	Jérémie Galland
1st	Route du Sud	Sebastien Joly
6th	Paris – Nice	Sebastien Joly
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Total Wins:	25
Continental Tour:	7th
CQ Ranking:	24th

.
[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Saur's year 2011 was at best mediocre. Only few good appearances in Pro Tour, but at least they had quite a lot of stage and classics wins. Still, they probably hope for more this year.




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalboben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Sure, Jerome Coppel left, one of the most promising young French. But on the other hand, Gadret and Geslin are established riders who almost guarantee good results. So in my opinion, rather good transfers.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilmitte.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Saur has a rather strong team in terms of depth, but John Gadret is the only real victory aspirant for bigger races. Promotion is almost completely out of reach.

Probability of Promotion: 10 %

1st	Ronde van Vlaanderen	Stijn Devolder
4th	Tirreno – Adriatico	Stijn Devolder
6th	Gent – Wevelgem	Stijn Devolder
.
Total Wins:	10
Pro Tour:	17th
CQ Ranking:	21th

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[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: The season was of course rather bad for Vacansoleil as they were relegated to Continental Tour. Still, it wasn't a complete failure, as Stijn Devolder's surprising success at De Ronde outshined everything!




[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/Banner/pfeilhalbunten.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: As usual, a relegation trails the leaving of most topstars behind. In this case, Stijn Devolder and Ezequiel Mosquera, who were responsible for the most important results last year. Nevertheless, Van Avermaet and Boom are good catches for a continental team.





[IMG-r]https://i1221.photobucket.com/albums/dd464/cunego59/pfeiloben.jpg[/IMG-r]Conclusion: Together with Geox, Vacansoleil defenitely provides one of the best continental teams! As for Geox, there's only one goal – the re-promotion to world tour. The squad defenitely has the potential, they just have to unlock that.

Probability of Promotion: 50 %

No, it's fine Glad to have you on board.

Wow, thanks for all the positive feedback, I really appreciate that.

Post 3 is updated with the team presentation! (Thanks @roturn for the inspiration )