Hello all. I have a question about the race calendar in my second season...
I got promoted to the Pro Continental division, which I thought was great. I signed a truckload of riders to deal with the additional racing, too. But I notice from the calendar I am now unable to contest .2 races. Is this correct or have I missed an extra option somewhere?
Argos Shimano and the like raced against me throughout my debut season at .2 level and they were Pro Conti. Why can't I still pick up entries at that level to supplement the more difficult .1 racing?
If not, my second season looks like it will be a nightmare. I will come up against World Tour teams in the majority of Pro Continental races, making it extra difficult to win anything.
I made almost £500,000 in prize money in my first season. There is no way I'll get close to that racing solely at .1 level. I just don't have the firepower.
Is this normal? Do people find racing at Pro Continental level a real headache? Is the secret to find better sponsorship to offset the lack of earnings? Help. Ha.
Any tips, advice or past experiences would be really awesome. I just want to make sure I'm not doing anything wrong. If that is the challenge, then I'm up for it.
Might have to start my career again, though, because there is no way I'm going to be able to win enough money to sustain a 28-rider roster! Ha ha!
Think I've just answered my own question. I based my team in the UK, so the only .2 race I am eligible for - now I've been promoted to the Pro Continental ranks - is Rutland Melton.
I hadn't realised MTN Qhubeka and CCC Popol were just Continental. I thought they were Pro, too. Clearly not. That's why Ciolek turned up everywhere I raced last season. Ha.
I should have based myself in France or Italy. Ha ha. Gonna have a strategic rethink and begin my career again. Build my team very slowly, so I'll be able to cope better with the step up.
Feel free to share your experiences or tips, though. I'd be interested to hear if anyone else has fallen foul of this!
