Another signing from the transfer market rather than the Free Agency. This time it's the wise old Portuguese sprinter, Oscar Avelino.
He joined the team for a very low fee and comes with a not too hefty wage of 190,000. Although we realise that he isn't quite as energetic as we'd ideally hope for, he's still got the legs to contest in the sprints and he'll have plenty of fantastic support to help him along the way.
The time is here to present out squad tasked with attempting survival in the upcoming PCT season.
Climbers/Stage Racers
Our leader in the Mountains is very easy to see. The Irishman will have a huge job to do this season to help claw us out of the relegation area. At 34, he's not getting any younger but he's got this last opportunity at PCT leadership so we hope he shows what he's capable of.
He'll have the trusty stead, Borisavljevic, as his right-hand man. Capable of getting results in C1 races in his own right, the Serb will need to continue to perform for us and provide that very necessary support to Martin.
We then have a handful of very useful domestiques. Fernandez has been with the team for many years now and still has a few years left in him. He'll also support in the hills.
The other new signings in this department are Mat Senan and Hasnaoui. Both riders on the older side but both with at least a good couple years in them to work on the front for Martin.
The Puncheurs
A very obvious leader in Diego Ulissi who, similar to Martin, will need a big season if we are to remain in the PCT. Luckily for us, he has incredible stamina, loves an attack, and has quite the kick from a reduced bunch sprint.
The main lieutenant for Ulissi will be new signing Tesfar Teklit. The experienced Eritrean will be vital to the success of our Italian leader and we believe he is the right man to do this job.
Another older rider in Jonathan McEvoy could actually have a huge role to play this season. He's not as strong as Ulissi in terms of pure uphill ability but he's got an incredible kick so we believe he and Ulissi will provide a strong two-pronged attack.
New signing Russo and the resident Fernandez will also provide support. Russo will be a handy rider to have in the TTTs.
The Sprinters
The team will very much be led this season by the ageing Oscar Avelino. If he is around in the finale, then he'll be a top threat at PCT level.
Tasked with leading out Avelino and ensuring he's there and in position to make a dash to the line are a handful of riders. Fonseca and Batmunkh remain from last season.
The most exciting signing in this department has to be Darshana Prasad. The Sri Lankan will be a strong lead-out man for years to come as he is only 26 years old! Other new signing is Eritrean lead-out man Jani Tewelde who will have a part to play this season.
Talents Riding for Us
We pride ourselves on fostering talent and this year is no different. We haven't adopted anyone from other teams this year due to Loan Cap rules. 2 of these riders have been with us for a little while now, the other is an exciting new signing.
Nicola Conci is a very promising stage racer who will have a part to play as a domestique in TTTs and the Mountains this season. He continues his development with us and will continue to learn from the older heads in the squad.
Abdul Halil was one of our new signings from last season and has already become a useful lead-out man so he'll also have a job to do for us this season. He continues to progress towards being a strong pure flat sprinter.
Last, but certainly not least, is Gerben Thijssen. The 22 year old Belgian has the potential to become a very promising sprinter. We were shocked that no one else seemed to want him and recognize his potential but we'll take him under our wing and develop him into a world class sprinter.
The Support Staff
The unsung heroes of the Cycling Peloton. They don't hunt for glory and live to provide very necessary support to everyone else in the team. Although ours are a little different.
Stelly Robert is in what is likely to be his final season with us. Still a very handy TT rider who will be able to ride for himself in the ITTs and guide our riders through the TTTs. Al Murrawi is similar to Robert but not near as strong. He'll have a job to do in the flats and TTTs. As a rider from the UAE, he's an important sponsor-rider.
As always, we are also required to ride in a few races which include cobblestones in the middle, side and all over the road. We do have 2 riders who specialize in this and have done so for many years. Stijn Joseph will grind along the dreaded cobbles and look to finish in the points. Allonca is a very different rider and one who our older Euskaltel fans will love. The Spaniard loves to attack so expect to see him representing our jersey at the front of the race whenever he is on the startlist.
And finally, one of our late signings. Alexander Richardson joins us on a minimum-wage contract to provide support in flat races. He'll work on the front all day and he actually enjoys an attack or two as well.
Thank you for taking the time out of our day to join us for the Presentation of the Aramco DP Team for 2020. We know we are in for a fight this season but we have the mix of riders who we believe can keep us in the PCT come the end of the season.
Our new Global Focus sees us with riders from 15 different nations represented across Europe, Asia and Africa. The various different cultures will no doubt make for an awesome team environment where everyone will speak the language of Cycling.
With an average age across our 22 riders of close to 30, we know we have the experience required to be in the right position when it matters. This does of course not include our riders loaned out the PT who we will present shortly.
I have to applaud you for actually creating a decent looking PCT setup, while having such a massive amount of riders having the need to be loaned out to level up/max out. I didn't think you would be able to pull that off, but you sure did!
I don't see this team being in any struggle to survive at PCT level, and then next season your team looks very strong - despite having to let go of a rider or two here or there.
Oscar Avelino 
