5 Jours de Dunkerque is one of those few stage races that can be won by cobbled classics specialist, and in the presence of a very tough day on Stage 4 we think there is no-one better to win the race than our superstar, Jerome Baugnies.
Win
Tour of Battenkill
Intrestingly enough, the toughest cobbled one day race will not happen in Belgium in the PCT, but in fact - USA. Jerome took a great win here last year, and with being even tougher this year, we fancy our chances here.
Top 5
Wanze Arenberg
Surprise Suprise! Another goal, another cobbled classic. I see a pattern here. Wanze Arenberg famous for its tough cobbled sections offer us another chance for a very good result and rather obviously becoming our 3rd goal.
Top 5
Kenya Moutain Classic
florentino Marquez is not the greatest puncheur, however not many can match his climbing skills, and this course is as perfect as it could be, we expect a tough battle here, but hope we can snatch a Top 5 here.
Top 5
PCT Team Standings
Our aim is to try and fight for promotion, with this aim in mind this goal is the obvious choice, hopeful, but definitely achievable if the transfer period goes okay for us. Definitely the most risky, but rewarding goal we have chosen.
Keeping it simple, Morton will be re signed by the team, however will be available for transfer. A deal involving Morton will likely need to include movement of a rider our way too. Saying so, we'll not let him go just for the sake, he has future in our team, but he's also looking at other options.
Florentino Marquez
The Spanish climber has been our best performing rider last year, we will be hoping to reduce his wage and will very likely stay in our team, a deal involving Marquez would need to be very special indeed.
Nick had quite an amazing year, with the highlight of getting a medal at the U23 race, and I am confident to say he'll be with the team next year too, a really special offer would be needed for him to leave.
Ian Boswell Kenneth Vanbilsen Tom Van Asbroeck Marc Goos Pieter Serry Zico Waeytens Enrico Barbin
All of these 6 riders could leave our team. Is it likely? Not really, but we will listen to all offers. All 6 riders will be available on loan to PT where they can already be more than decent domestiques and in case of Boswell, Vanbilsen and Serry - provide some results too. However I am sure we can also take them up the next level without any loans, however all interest welcome.
Sander Armee Julien Berard Marc De Maar Kenny De Haes
This season these four riders proved to be more than decent domestiques, and in few cases took some of the most amazing results last season, its very unlikely we let any of these go as they form the core of our team.
Pavel Potocki Olli Kulppi Wouter Wippert
Our three trainnes all had good times in our team with Potocki taking an excellent win in GP Wallonie as well as taking road race title, this future top-climber will be staying in our team, doing more than enough to warrant a pro contract. Olli will be likely staying, meaning we will likely be saying goodbey to Wippert.
Patrick Lane Yvo Kusters Dries Van der Ginst Stijn Vandenbergh Kenny Van der Schueren
Patrick Lane will be leaving a team, the other 4 riders we don't really want to let go since they have been us since the beginning, however we might. It's not decided yet, but 3 will leave on a free transfer, and all should prove good domestiques on CT level, hopefully getting some results too like they did for 2 years with us.
Edited by Alakagom on 03-03-2014 00:10
All of these 6 riders could leave our team. Is it likely? Not really, but we will listen to all offers.
Also transfer offers? Or only loan offers?
Yes, all could guy at right price. Saying so for example Vanbilsen would need truly stunning offer to buy him off.
Also I forgot to add another great talent in our team to that list ( who probably had most chance of being tempted away from us) which is Zico Waeytens.
* Damn we really do have a few nice talents in our team :-P *
@CountArach You should try for sure, although I don't guarantee success
@Ollfardh Good to know, I hope our free agents can find a job in your team
@Mhaley45 We are glad to take interest in him, good luck in building your team too
Race
Category
Goal
5 Jours de Dunkerque
HC
Win
Tour of Battenkill
HC
Win
Wanze Arenberg
HC
Top 5
Kenya Moutain Classic
HC
Top 5
PCT Team Standings
PCT
Top 5
Win
5 Jours de Dunkerque
5 Jours de Dunkerque is one of those few stage races that can be won by cobbled classics specialist, and in the presence of a very tough day on Stage 4 we think there is no-one better to win the race than our superstar, Jerome Baugnies.
Win
Tour of Battenkill
Intrestingly enough, the toughest cobbled one day race will not happen in Belgium in the PCT, but in fact - USA. Jerome took a great win here last year, and with being even tougher this year, we fancy our chances here.
Top 5
Wanze Arenberg
Surprise Suprise! Another goal, another cobbled classic. I see a pattern here. Wanze Arenberg famous for its tough cobbled sections offer us another chance for a very good result and rather obviously becoming our 3rd goal.
Top 5
Kenya Moutain Classic
florentino Marquez is not the greatest puncheur, however not many can match his climbing skills, and this course is as perfect as it could be, we expect a tough battle here, but hope we can snatch a Top 5 here.
Top 5
PCT Team Standings
Our aim is to try and fight for promotion, with this aim in mind this goal is the obvious choice, hopeful, but definitely achievable if the transfer period goes okay for us. Definitely the most risky, but rewarding goal we have chosen.
Good luck with your goals Alkagom the only problem I can see you having is if Burghardt stays PCT other then that i think you should have a great chance in your cobbled win goals good luck
@TheManxMissile Thanks. I hope Thomas doesn't challenge Baugnies much But I do hope you get some nice podiums with him ( even a win is possible on +5 and a sprint finish to a classic )
@jt1109 Yep, cheers mate There's always a slightly bigger gamble with cobbled races, but oh well, we are Quickstep after all
Providing the bikes is our last year sponsor Specialized, with a new designer on board he outdid himself, many thanks to Fintas for creating this piece of art.
We also care about the safety of our riders, combing all the new technology with a stylish design, bwiggins has created anotjher great piece of equipment
We also like to thank you aidanvn13 for designing our jersey, maybe not categorized as equipment, but anyway. It took a few designs and many hours of hard work, but we finally came to a conclusion and we are definitely most happy about it. Thanks to all these guys once again for making the Man-Game prettier every year!
Edited by Alakagom on 05-03-2014 17:17
Can't say our teams have that much in common. We'll probably meet at the Dunkerque HC band (although I'm not a big fan of cobbles we might have a sprinter who could feature there).
Anyway, as I don't think I'll see much of Quickstep come racing and even transfer season, I wish you the best of luck
Hmm. Had hoped you had grown less attached to Olli Kulppi than it appears. As a Finnish based team we will probably have to get in touch later on anyway - perhaps he is angry at the management for labelling him as Estonian in the team overview
Vantomme
Marquez
Froome
De Maar
Skjerping
Barbas
Barbin
Potocki
Scheit
Okbamariam
Bahir Dar
Taldykorgan GP
Int. Osterreich Rundfahrt
Nelspruit Classic
København Byrundtur
Baltic Tour Chain
Tour of Faso
Japan Cup
Olli Kulppi
![imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg](https://imgur.com/KlJUqDx.jpg[/img[img]]https://imgur.com/yUygrQ.jpg)
good luck
