Welcome to my preview of the 2014 Pro Continental tour. In short, hope you enjoy reading and don't think too much into it as after all it's just a prediction and evaluation of the teams, which almost definitely not be true so no worries if your team is closer to the bottom. Feel free to prove me wrong!
I'll be doing teams in five batches of six over the coming days, to keep things interesting. Feel free to share your views and discuss, that's what previews are meant to do after all. Once more, hope you enjoy reading.
Allianz - BMW Cycling Team Manager: Jaxika / Prediction: 18th
After a successful year as a continental team last year, Allianz have once again put together a strong team one of the best among the promoters which I think could reach to near the top half of the division. Their depth in all terrains stands out.
Of their riders, Kangert could be their biggest achiever being a great all-round stage racer. He isn't anywhere near the best climber in the division but his great TT and Hill abilities can serve him well.
Maes is one of the best cobblers in the division, and Roy can go decently on the hills in the flatter races. Richeze could also do well in some sprints should the competition not be too much in a division packed with sprinters.
No leaders are in the very top bracket of riders in their preferred disciplines, but they should all maintain a steady stream of points which should propel Allianz to a good finish and a good first year in the middle division.
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AMEXpc Manager: Mhaley45 / Prediction: 16th
After a first season where they consolidated their position in the division well, AMEX will be looking to push higher this year. However, their transfer season didn't go completely to plan and could be facing a second season of mid table stability.
Their best rider is definitely Marko Kump, who isn't maxed but will still be a massive rider this year. Being potent on the hills and in the sprints the Slovenian could prove to be a real asset this year, if the right races are found for him.
They are also relatively strong on the hills and cobbles, with a trained Mehr-Wenige being another rider joining who could do something on the hills, although there are undoubtedly better puncheurs. The one-two Eisel and Breschel combination should also do well for them on the cobbles.
A strong team for the classics on most terrains but could struggle with their secondary leaders to find consistent results all year around. Still, they could be placed in the top half if everything goes to plan.
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Bacardi Limited Manager: Kami / Prediction: 1st
2013 was a season of disappointment for Bacardi as the team slipped down from the heights of the ProTour into this division. Now with a renovated team though, bouncing back should not be a problem with the Bermudan-based team being odds on to win the division.
Undoubtedly they have the two best stage racers in the division in their arsenal, with Úran and Intxausti both expected to pull off results everywhere they go. Both grand tour top 5 potential, these two can expect together to dominate all mountains on offer this season.
That isn't their only strength though - former Milan - Sanremo winner Ulissi also has been recruited and should be one of the strongest riders in the division on the hills. Also throw in decent sprinter Aberasturi and you have the perfect recipe for promotion. The sky's the limit.
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BelarusBank Pro Cycling Manager: Ste117 / Prediction: 30th
Last year riding as Credexbank, the team struggled to put together a string of good performances all year and ended up at the bottom end of the division. After a bit of a disappointing transfer season for the Belarussian team, the same sort of season could be ahead.
Top rider Cavendish should be one of the best sprinters in the division but there is plenty of great competition for him to deal with, and top results may not beckon every time for the manxman, even if a good points haul should be possible.
Behind him, Thorsen and Kanovsky are both fast but lack the backup stats to stay strong at the back end of races, as we saw last year in the continental tour from the final two. Hutarovich could grab a few results as well in the sprints while Kiryienka could also get a few decent results in races with TTs.
If Cavendish can fire and the rest can pull together some surprise results then anything could happen, but it could be a tough season for the boys from BelarusBank. I have a feeling it could be a relegation battle from the start.
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Boeing - Bulgaria Bicycling Manager: TheManxMissile / Prediction: 29th
A favourite of many people's, Boeing performed below many's expectations and ended up finishing well within the bottom half of the continental division. Promotion still happened but they went talent chasing in transfers, which has left them a bit short leaders-wise.
Their talisman should remain Thomas despite the step up, who's cobbles ability could leave him bringing in points as one of the top cobblers in the division. He needs to perform for Boeing to do well.
Bulgarian Panayotov should be a good climber, but isn't among the very best in the division. Nothing is beyond him though on his day. Lloyd could also do something if firing on the hills. No real standouts apart from that, except maybe wonder-talent Ewan who will be a top sprinter in a few years.
Relegation could be the outcome, but it really depends on their leaders as they could pull off something unforseen. Thomas and co do could have the talent to get out of jail with some luck.
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Riding as PFG - Armavia in 2013, the team struggled and apart from a few surprising results they ended up propping up the rest. After being saved from relegation, manager Bjartne has renovated the team and it could be a season of building on last year by trying to avoid the bottom five.
No standout leader was signed, with Zeits probably being the closest thing they have to one. Results should come on the hills with him, although there is plenty on competition in that area that he'll have to contend with.
Arriving from Kazzinc is another Kazachstani in the form of Dyachenko who could pull off some surprises in the mountainous stage races. Nelson is also a good addition that could do well in sprints but could falter against strong opposition. The star attraction is probably Asian super talent Ki Ho Choi, who can become a brilliant stage racer in future.
Quite a few second-tier leaders with a lot of depth is a diifferent strategy to most and makes Compal's position hard to predict. I'm going to put my neck on the line and say that they'll just drop below the red line. It’ll be close, though.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 05-04-2014 19:48
While promotion should definitely be manageable, first might be a bit harder. It will all depend on how things play out, and if the AI favors me this year .
I'm very happy i didn't switch my focus to the sprints, like i was intending at first. I think i've got a better team now then i would have had with Intxaust + Ulissi + sprinter. I would have had some extra money to train either Intxausti or Ulissi, but i think i came out better now, as i can just go all out on the mountains, which there are plenty of. I feel like mountains are also a little less of a lottery then sprints are (although this might have changed in PCM 13, don't know).
Also, you forgot Uran in my team stats screenshot .
Edited by Kami on 05-04-2014 12:22
Nice Preview for now I think we have more or less the same ideas.
Bacardi is no doubt in my view the main candidate for the first place
Just do not know if Belarusbank, will actually be last classified
I'm expecting to see where you put my team
Kami & tsmoha - For some reason he had PT as his division in the file, it's fixed now
fjhoekie & fintas - Looking at all the teams they seemed the weakest, just having sprint leaders in a division packed with top sprinters. Maybe they'll prove me wrong.
FCB - Polska Manager: ggdonovan / Prediction: 25th
One of the top ten teams in the continental tour last year, FCB have stuck to what brought them success and have decided to go all-in with a climbing focus this year. Their leaders should be enough to get them to safety.
Their two main departments have two big South American leaders; Nazaret leads them on the mountains while Betancur is their captain on the hills. Both aren't at the very top of the division but should be good enough I think to bring in a sufficient amount of points.
They don't have many leaders beyond this, but Lejman is good on the hills and could lead when not supporting his superior. The same can be said about Nieve on the mountains who admittedly did well last year on a smaller stage.
I wouldn't expect huge fireworks here, but it should be just enough to not relegate back to the continental tour I think if their best riders can pull some results out of the bag at the right moments.
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Gazelle Manager: DubbelDekker / Prediction: 14th
The kings of the continental division last year, Gazelle have once again assembled a good squad in the transfer season, with lots of hilly and cobbled depth. They won't be right at the top but will definitely be in and around the middle for sure and could be the best of the 'new' PCT teams.
Their biggest rider for this year is probably new arrival Monfort, who's hill capabilities should rake in some points wherever he goes, along with his decent time-trialling talent. A part of a Belgian double act for Gazelle, with Nuyens also arriving to lead on the cobbles and also hopefully score well.
They also have other useful riders to support and lead, with Weening remaining from last year as a rider who should score as well as assisting Monfort. The same can be said about Steegmans on the cobbles, who also impressed in the continental ranks last year with Banco Costa Rica. His sprint could help him to multiple results.
These riders give Gazelle a great classics pedigree and the capabilities to build on that by also performing elsewhere, meaning that another good season shouldn't be too far away for the boys in yellow and blue.
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Heineken - Cal Giant Manager: Levi4Life / Prediction: 4th
Heineken had a poor season last time out which lead to their eventual demise as a Pro tour team and their relegation. Now with a refreshed and strong-looking squad though, they look well-equipped to bounce straight back to the top division.
Big stage racers Brajkovic and Eastman have both been retained, meaning that the American squad will be a force on the mountains this year, much like Bacardi. Both should be able to cover all opportunities well and provide plenty of points across all mountainous races on offer, especially those with time trials.
As well as that they have Holloway, arriving from the Pokerstars train, could be one of the division's best sprinters due to his decent hill stat I think, while both Langeveld and Gaudin should prove to be a good double-act on the cobbles to offer a third dimension to this team. They also have Boswell, a great talent for the future who will be worth watching.
Undoubtedly a strong squad, I see no reason why Heineken can't be promoting come the end of the year due to the abundance of talent they have. If they can distribute their leaders well I think they can beat off competition from other contenders/
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Jaguar had a respectable year last year where they cruised to an upper mid-table position thanks to their hilly and stage racing talent from Africa and across the globe. Another season of the same will be the target, with a few fresh faces looking to keep up the good results.
As with last year, their British leaders should be their main assets, with Bibby a great all-round stage racer. Hilly leader Froome has left so Dowsett will look to step up on that terrain as well, which he is surely capable of.
Behind those two a rejuvenated Berhane will be a strong rider on the mountains and should prove to be another useful, point scoring leader even if he isn't in the very top bracket of climbers. Tennant is a good rider in time-trials and will be a threat in those races this season, while Lagab adds an African flavour on the cobbles.
So plenty of capable riders there, more than enough to finish comfortably away from the newer teams and potentially quite high up. Even a top ten could be in sight if things go their way, but I think just below that is where they'll end up.
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Kappa - ENI Manager: Stevenag / Prediction: 21st
Kappa had a great first year in which they came third in the continental division to only the mighty Iberia and Gazelle squads. They're back for more this year in this division, and have focused on climbing like last year.
They have one big rider on their team - Pozzovivo arrives on a massive wage, the highest in the division, and will be expected to be one of the top stage racers whenever he races. Kappa's season could depend on him, as if he doesn't fire then they could be in trouble with lots of their budget going on him.
In all likelihood he will though, and behind him there are a couple of other interesting riders as well. Gatto is one of these, a new signing who could prosper this year as one of a few that combine a good climbing ability with a fast finish as well, which makes him one to watch. An ageing Marzano can contribute with points here and there as well.
Overall, I think it should be enough to stay away from the relegation dogfight and keep Kappa in a decent position. If Pozzovivo can't do well with his small amount of racedays though, it could be a totally different story.
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Karcher - Adira Racing Manager: fintas / Prediction: 19th
Lower mid table was the result this squad had last year as the Adira - Isq Project, and that will probably where they'll end up again I think, after a solid transfer season where they brought in some quality leaders that should do well, if not brilliantly.
Known for their hilly strength last year, Karcher's best terrain this year is probably the mountains where they have added well. Leading there is Karpets, who is a great all-round stage racer at this level even if he isn't the best climber around. Along with some good support he should be capaple of scoring well.
The team hasn't completely given up it's focus on the hills though, with McEvoy and Gerdermann both strong there. The latter is very solid on the mountains and in TT's as well and should do well wherever he goes as a very well-rounded stage racer and climber, and could end up being their star. Kupfernagel and Davis should be a decent sprinting pair even in this division while Barth adds TT depth.
A good squad with plenty of variety to do well wherever they go, but no top bracket riders that will really propel them upwards apart. Still, they should still finish well away from the drop zone and could potentially end higher with some clever planning.
Nice previews so far - shame I'm an 'M' team so I have to wait for tomorrow to see my team previewed..
I think everyone will agree on Bacardi - a surefire promotion candidate if there ever was one.
I think we'll end up agreeing most on the bottom teams, but Compal's 'We have lots of good riders' strategy could pay off. I guess I should get around to posting my preview then. Can't wait to see who's predictions are more accurate at the end of the season!
baseballlover312, 06-03-14 : "Nuke Moscow...Don't worry Russia, we've got plenty of love to go around your cities"
Sarah Palin, 08-03-14 (CPAC, on Russian aggression) : "The only thing that stops a bad guy with a nuke is a good guy with a nuke"
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Firefly, DubbelDekker & Valv - Thanks! Nice to know that you're enjoying them. I hope you all feel that you're teams are/will be relatively well judged, I found Magna especially tough to place.
FroomeDog99 wrote:
Firefly, DubbelDekker & Valv - Thanks! Nice to know that you're enjoying them. I hope you all feel that you're teams are/will be relatively well judged, I found Magna especially tough to place.
547984 - I wonder how that happened to Portela...
It evolved in the last season, and had 85 fighting was a mistake and gave him +1, Had reported this error from the first db
Riding as Cisco last year this team had some great results through absolute leader Efimkin and with other results dotted around they just about managed to get to safety. This year he's gone though and Pelli has gone for depth in point scorers, which may or may not come off.
Their talisman this year is likely to be the Yevgeni of the
Nepomnyachsniy twins. He has good climbing and time trial abilities, admittedly nothing extraordinary, but a combination that could help him to do well in mountainous stage races with longer time-trials.
Lead sprinter Megzec isn't the best in the division but could grab a few wins in stage-races where there is less competition. Pozzo and Agudelo strengthen their climbing department and could potentially do well enough to score a bit, while riders like Boaro and Danacik could be threats in races against the clock. They also have Taillefour and the other Nepomnyachsniy twin to fight on the cobbles but they could falter if they encounter speedbumps.
The massive depth in rider is there, it's just that they lack the big point scorer in front of it to really challenge at the top, and I think that could be the difference. A bottom half finish could be the limit this year once more.
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La Vie Claire Manager: jph27 / Prediction: 10th
A bottom half finish was a good one last year for D2 newcomers Evian - MIAT. Now moving it's base from Mongolia to Sri Lanka (?) they should have a better chance at achieving a high finish due to a good if not completely orthodox shopping spree in transfers.
Brought in to lead the team in it's time-trial based goals was Reus who was a second choice after Coppel, but he went to the Pro Tour instead. Still, the Dutchman should be one of the top in the discipline this year, but could struggle against the likes of Ignatiev and Bobridge.
They have a very capable leader for the hills in Gautier, and if he can fire this year unlike in his BPost nightmare then La Vie could have another good point scorer. Haussler looks a good addition having great sprint skills with an ok hill stat. Elissonde and Maillet can also both climb, but aren't race-winning material by any means.
With three strong leaders I think La Vie can reach the top ten. Another team without that massive rider, which could cost them a potential promotion challenge I think.
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Magna - Ryanair Manager: Firefly21 / Prediction: 22nd
Magna hit form at the end of last year's continental season which lead to them getting into an automatic promotion spot, not that they needed it to promote. It was this form that they'll try to replicate this year, in which they will look to stay clear from relegation and get to a solid finishing spot.
Clearly their strategy in transfers was depth, which leaves them with no real star but plenty of point-scoring ability. The one I tip to do the best is probably Vastaranta. The Finn has great climbing and sprint stats which makes him a threat on all hilly races with flat finishes. However, there are plenty of others of those type in this division as well.
An overpriced Cataldo and Rohregger should be an intimidating pairing in mountainous stage races, but could come up short against bigger and better opposition sometimes. Simon adds another punchy sprinter that could surprise, while Drujon adds a sprinting dimension to the team, even if he isn't in the top 20 in the division.
Overall a pretty decent squad, but one that will look to score decently everywhere which can be a good or bad tactic. Eventually though I think this team will finish away from relegation with a view to going even higher.
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The Japanese squad has really built upon last year's lower mid table finish by adding very well in the transfer season and I think it could be enough to put up a real fight for promotion. Their star riders could even lead them to a top five I think.
First of all, Efimkin arrives from Cisco and even though he has declined he looks like he could be one of the top puncheurs in the division due to his good overall climbing strength. He won't be challenging for race wins everywhere like last year but should feature consistently in hilly top fives wherever he goes.
They also have two of the fastest sprinters in the division with Napolitano and Lo Cicero. I think both can be up there with the best this year and that could see Meiji raking in more points from the flat classics. Zaini is another great hilly rider if not as good as Efimkin while Ji should once again pull in some more decent results in the mountains.
Inevitably, with so many top leaders Meiji should be a real handful and should finish very high up. I'm not sure they quite have the fire power to oust one of the relegated pro tour teams and promote, but they could with a bit of luck.
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Another who've really strengthened since last year, Metinvest had a great first year in the PCT ranks last year when an inspired Hoffman fired them into the top half. They now can improve on that and challenge for promotion due to some solid additions.
No doubt the star of this team is Ignatiev, who is the best time-triallist around and should monopolise the hilly stage races with TT's along with Bobridge due to his climbing not being bad either. He could be a massive scorer if he can replicate the sort of form he showed in 2011 when in the continental ranks.
Remaining is Popovych who should still be a strong scorer in the mountains for Metinvest even with the Heineken and Bacardi strongmen around. Rabon is new and adds a leader on the hills even if he isn't among the best in the division. Hoffman stays but it's hard to predict that he'll replicate last season's stunning form. It could be a stage-hunting year for the South African.
Plenty of point scoring riders here as well, which should surely put them in and around the promotion places. I just think that there are a couple of stronger teams that will maybe edge them in the end.
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Mobil - Aeropostal Manager: Miguel98 / Prediction: 26th
One of a lot of surprise promoters Mobil managed to sneak into the top ten in last year's continental tour, but this year may not be such a success. A lack of point scorers could such them into a relegation spot.
Pedraza arrives on a decent wage to lead in the mountains, but there are undoubtedly better stage-racers around and he could end up meeting bigger riders a lot of the time and fighting for top tens due to some poor backup stats. A few results should be achieved, though.
The only other real leader here is Granjel Cabrera, who should be a good sprinter this year due to his decent climbing skills but he should still struggle in sprint classics due to faster men and may have to go stage hunting. There's also an army of climbers lead by Jaramillo and Vasquez but I don't think they are real point-scoring material with very poor hill stats.
Mobil got caught up in the tough South American market and now is left with a team that could be facing relegation. A good season with plenty of surprises is needed to turn things around.
I'd take 10th, although my only real aim is beating Avin. Simply because he ruined my goals by signing Ignatiev. Not too worried about Bobridge though, as half of Reus races are too flat for him. Plus Reus has the best Mountain stat of the trio, so will do well in high MO-HIL ratio races. I hope.
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Gazelle
Heineken - Cal Giant
