redordead wrote:
Judging by that list this looks to be the most stable team in PCT. Looking forward to sharing the roads this season with a top rider like Pluchkin
You say that until you realise every race you ride against him, you're riding for second
It's shame to have to announce our so beloved Kazakh stage racer has left us during this transfer window. Yevgeni has saved our team from relegation a few years ago by an excellent demonstration of his skills in Portugal, however his age is starting to show, and before the end of his career we have allowed him a final chance at a succesful season in the Pro Tour with Isostar Slovenija.
Paolo Scarponi
The second great climber leaving us is Sammarinese rider Paolo Scarponi. He didn't really look to part with him, however when his local team Sauber Petronas Racing reached out to us, we couldn't reject their wish to have the very best rider from their nation on their time, especially since they've been wanting this for a long, long time.
Jakub Skala
Generali were looking to add a cobbler to their team, and we happened to have Czech talent Jakub Skala, who had already been at the Italian team in 2017 as part of loan deal. When they offered us one of the riders we had on a loan in 2013, we couldn't resist the chance for a double reunion!
Deins Kanepejs
Our Latvian puncheur talent needs some experience at a higher level of cycling than we can provide him, and therefore we are extremely glad T-Mobile have been more than willing to take him in their roster for the season, allowing him to return to our team next year.
Incoming Transfers
Mikayil Krasnoperov
He's back, not quite sure what more to make of that though...
Andrii Bratashcuk
One of the riders that has been on our list for many years now has finally joined us. Andrii is a very strong rider in Ardennes-like race, and will be a key domestique for Oleksandr Prevar in these.
Nicolae Tanovitchii
Another reunion, after Krasnoperov, is Tanovitchii who comes to us from Generali. Nicolae is not quite the same level Pluchkin is, but he's certainly another very fine rider from Moldova and will be a prat in Prevar's team mainly, but should also have a free role in many other races with his amazing spirit.
Martin Laas
Martin joins us as a part of the deal which involved Nepomnyachsniy. He's a strong rider who's good at almost any terrain and will be a domestique for both Pluchkin and Prevar over the course of the season, and just like Tanovitchii will enjoy a number of races with freedom to attack.
Wojciech Pszczolarski
A name. And not a bad rider! Wojciech is a very versatile domestique, who could in the right conditions fight for a GC win in a flat race with a short time trial.
Aliaksandr Riabushenko
The first talent we've signed this season is a strong sprinter from Belarus. Riabushenko will need a few seasons to reach his top level, and is quite a late bloomer, but will certainly be a very good rider in the years to come.
Vadim Pronskiy
Pronskiy is a pure climber, and still very young. He will get time to explore his talents, but we expect him to become a very good climber to aid Padun in the future.
Stagiares
Kent Main
Kent Main will join us later this season as a stagiare. Mainly to help Padun in Avenir, but also to show he deserves a full contract. If we had the budget, he would've been on the right away, now he needs to prove he's worth it for next season.
Gordian Banzer
Banzer is the second rider signed just to help Padun to his Avenir title. Chances for Gordian to secure a long term contract are smaller, but we won't rule out anything before we have seen any action.
Manager of Team Popo4Ever p/b Morshynska in the PCM.Daily Man-Game
Nice to see Banzer getting a home for this season. Would have loved to sign him as a Stagiaire, but no cap space left... Anyway, should be a nice season for you, with beast Pluchkin crushing everyone once again