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[PCT'25] Specialized | January Preview
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 17-07-2024 21:31
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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It came as a surprise to many people after it was announced that WJSM's project had lost the backing of both Lampre and Pinarello due to, narrowly, missing out on crucial goals in the 2023 season. In addition to the low goal completion, manager whitejersey also failed to secure the signatures of any Italian talent besides stagiare Sandri, which created a lot of dismay among the sponsors.
This ultimately led to a point where they pulled their backing and WJ had to scramble to find new funding. Luckily Specialized were able to see the vision of the Dane's management of a truly global team racing under a Canadian license for the future teams. After Isostar's disband Specialized had looked to find a way back into the peloton after sitting out a year.
Specialized saw the chance to join in on the rebuilding of a consistent PCT team that now are looking at their third consecutive season at the next best level in the sport after having lead a turbulent life in the first few years of the team's existence.
Air Canada and Northwestern Territories will stay on as secondary partners with the team riding in Santini clothing for the forceable future.
Edited by whitejersey on 24-09-2025 17:53
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 17-07-2024 21:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Nat. | Name | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Przemyslaw Kasperkiewicz | 76 | 66 | 74 | 72 | 75 | 77 | 70 | 81 | 59 | 67 | 79 | 68 | 74 | 77,83 | 4.100 | 31 | 370.000 |  | Ronnilan Quita | 74 | 74 | 77 | 66 | 75 | 75 | 73 | 60 | 71 | 74 | 83 | 72 | 66 | 76,8 | 4.100 | 30 | 180.000 |  | Danny Van Poppel | 72 | 60 | 64 | 67 | 74 | 71 | 78 | 64 | 81 | 78 | 56 | 69 | 72 | 76,28 | 4.100 | 32 | 140.000 | | Kevin Inkelaar | 64 | 80 | 70 | 64 | 75 | 76 | 79 | 56 | 60 | 74 | 69 | 69 | 64 | 76,24 | 4.100 | 28 | 140.000 |  | Warren Barguil | 68 | 79 | 73 | 68 | 74 | 74 | 77 | 53 | 62 | 72 | 64 | 74 | 68 | 76,03 | 4.100 | 34 | 198.000 |  | Dylan Kennett | 75 | 58 | 65 | 69 | 73 | 76 | 78 | 62 | 79 | 78 | 67 | 68 | 78 | 75,97 | 4.100 | 31 | 180.000 |  | Samuele Battistella | 71 | 75 | 75 | 66 | 71 | 77 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 71 | 74 | 68 | 72 | 75,22 | 4.100 | 27 | 110.000 |  | Alexander Sulimov | 72 | 63 | 69 | 64 | 75 | 69 | 65 | 78 | 64 | 69 | 76 | 74 | 64 | 74,9 | 4.100 | 33 | 195.000 | | Jonathan Milan | 77 | 58 | 63 | 77 | 72 | 80 | 69 | 63 | 74 | 73 | 66 | 64 | 79 | 74,54 | 4.100 | 25 | 82.000 | | Filippo Baroncini | 75 | 65 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 78 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 72 | 75 | 70 | 72 | 74,42 | 4.100 | 25 | 75.000 |  | Pavel Potocki | 68 | 77 | 72 | 70 | 74 | 71 | 75 | 54 | 62 | 64 | 66 | 69 | 70 | 74,38 | 4.100 | 32 | 70.000 |  | Adam De Vos | 68 | 75 | 75 | 66 | 73 | 73 | 74 | 59 | 62 | 69 | 72 | 73 | 68 | 74,19 | 4.100 | 32 | 70.000 |  | Amith Udaya Kumara | 74 | 62 | 67 | 54 | 74 | 70 | 65 | 75 | 71 | 67 | 73 | 68 | 54 | 73,48 | 4.100 | 30 | 50.000 |  | Guillaume Van Keirsbulck | 70 | 63 | 69 | 50 | 72 | 70 | 58 | 76 | 68 | 65 | 69 | 56 | 50 | 72,98 | 4.100 | 34 | 50.000 | | Riley Pickrell | 73 | 65 | 70 | 65 | 69 | 74 | 69 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 69 | 69 | 64 | 72,15 | 4.3 | 24 | 50.000 |  | Sergey Medvedev | 77 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 77 | 75 | 68 | 71 | 70 | 78 | 66 | 72 | 71,68 | 4.100 | 30 | 50.000 |  | Maurice Ballerstedt | 69 | 60 | 64 | 65 | 67 | 71 | 66 | 72 | 64 | 64 | 72 | 70 | 64 | 70,05 | 3.36 | 24 | LOAN | | Josh Kench | 71 | 63 | 65 | 68 | 70 | 73 | 67 | 68 | 67 | 71 | 75 | 74 | 68 | 69,98 | 3.61 | 24 | 50.000 | | Jeremie La Grenade | 70 | 57 | 61 | 59 | 71 | 70 | 60 | 72 | 68 | 63 | 59 | 72 | 61 | 69,5 | 3.30 | 23 | 50.000 | | Marco Brenner | 66 | 69 | 68 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 51 | 66 | 68 | 69 | 72 | 68 | 69,42 | 1.0 | 23 | LOAN |  | Lukas Sulaj Kloppenborg | 69 | 62 | 65 | 65 | 72 | 73 | 65 | 67 | 63 | 73 | 73 | 70 | 62 | 69,23 | 2.0 | 24 | 50.000 | | Tim Marsman | 71 | 60 | 62 | 71 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 60 | 63 | 68 | 76 | 67 | 71 | 68,58 | 3.31 | 25 | 50.000 |  | Jakob Soderqvist | 72 | 57 | 61 | 70 | 68 | 68 | 66 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 68 | 68 | 72 | 68,19 | 1.0 | 22 | LOAN | | Matisse Julien | 69 | 56 | 67 | 62 | 66 | 69 | 66 | 63 | 67 | 70 | 68 | 71 | 69 | 67,91 | 1.0 | 22 | 50.000 | |
Edited by whitejersey on 31-08-2025 19:10
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 17-07-2024 21:32
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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res
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 17-07-2024 22:14
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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While we failed to secure a bunch of talent last transfers we still have a ton of great options that have taken huge steps this year, let's take a look at them.
Samuelle Battistella | ClimberV1 | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Pot | | 2023 | 71 | 73 | 73 | 66 | 70 | 76 | 70 | 63 | 67 | 69 | 72 | 67 | 72 | 4.15 | 25 | 6 | | 2024 | 71 | 75 | 75 | 66 | 71 | 77 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 71 | 74 | 68 | 72 | 4.Max | 26 | 6 |
After a succesful loan at our good friends Evonik, Battistella is back to chase breaks for us this year in his maxed form. While he was a much bigger talent in the past he will still be a very nice fit for us even with the shift in focus.
Fillippo Baroncini | Hills | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Pot | | 2023 | 72 | 64 | 71 | 71 | 71 | 75 | 70 | 63 | 66 | 70 | 72 | 69 | 69 | 3.00 | 23 | 4 | | 2024 | 73 | 65 | 74 | 72 | 73 | 76 | 71 | 63 | 67 | 72 | 74 | 70 | 70 | 4.36 | 24 | 4 | | 2025 | 75 | 65 | 75 | 74 | 74 | 78 | 72 | 63 | 67 | 72 | 75 | 70 | 72 | 4.100 | 25 | 4 |
Another rider that will be able to chase breaks in the future will be Fillippo Baroncini. The young Italian took important steps this year towards becoming a great stage chaser that can also do great dom work whilst offering some TTT support. His versatile skillset will allow him become a great rider in GTs in the future.
Jonathan Milan | Track TT | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Pot | | 2023 | 73 | 58 | 62 | 72 | 69 | 77 | 65 | 63 | 71 | 71 | 66 | 63 | 74 | 3.31 | 23 | 5 | | 2024 | 75 | 58 | 63 | 75 | 71 | 78 | 67 | 63 | 73 | 72 | 66 | 64 | 77 | 4.42 | 24 | 5 | | 2025 | 77 | 58 | 63 | 77 | 72 | 80 | 69 | 63 | 74 | 73 | 66 | 64 | 79 | 4.100 | 25 | 5 |
While there's a chance that Milan might get loaned out next year, he could already be a vital piece of the puzzle for us if we're able to max him ourselves this season.
Sergey Medvedev | Fighter | FL | MO | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Pot | | 2023 | 72 | 60 | 63 | 69 | 75 | 74 | 72 | 67 | 68 | 66 | 76 | 65 | 69 | 3.86 | 28 | 4 | | 2024 | 75 | 61 | 64 | 70 | 77 | 76 | 74 | 68 | 69 | 68 | 78 | 66 | 70 | 4.56 | 29 | 4 | | 2025 | 77 | 61 | 64 | 72 | 78 | 78 | 75 | 68 | 70 | 69 | 78 | 66 | 72 | 4.100 | 30 | 4 |
Sergey Medvedev doesn't have the speed on a TT bike that makes him incredibly useful in a TTT but he does have an incredible engine that we have seen him show off in breaks this year already. While he has lost quite a bit of development time, because we sacked him after our last relegation, he is no springbuck anymore but will still provide a ton of utility once maxed for the 2025 season.
Final Thoughts:
We have an incredibly solid set of level fours this year and there's a chance we can make use of our uncashed GT wildcard this season to max them all ourselves. This could leave us with great flexibility with our loan cap but even if that's not going to be the case we have a great crop of riders that we can get loaned out as well.
Edited by whitejersey on 17-07-2024 22:54
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| redordead |
Posted on 18-07-2024 07:18
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Team Leader
Posts: 5511
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
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Baroncini looks like a really cool rider 
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
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| Nemolito |
Posted on 18-07-2024 09:44
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3837
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
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Three very nice Italians maxing or close to maxing, all with their own interesting and useful skillset! And I like Medvedev as well, definitely in his maxed form he can be one dangerous man. Great work on the new jersey
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 18-07-2024 22:26
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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@readordead: Really do agree, he is going to fit very nicely into the spot that the likes of Durasek and Smukulis filled for us in the past. Really happy especially since it took a fair bit of tinkering to get him to this spot
@Nemo: It is a really good core, just a bit sad for us as a team that we missed a year of talents coming through the pipeline in terms of renewing the team, something I am sure I will pay dearly for this transfers. Thanks for the love for the jersey, definitely my favourite one I have created for one of my teams ever 
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| SotD |
Posted on 19-07-2024 17:11
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World Champion
Posts: 12630
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
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Great to see the Italian-talent "gamble" finally coming through nicely. All of the talents are pretty cool. Would love a rider like Medvedev in my team. Despite having Boutopoulos, there's something cool about his stat combination.
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| AbhishekLFC |
Posted on 22-07-2024 10:51
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Directeur Sportif
Posts: 12680
Joined: 27-07-2015
PCM$: 1961.50
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That's a very unique jersey!
Some nice talents coming through who should be able to help the team immediately or soon enough.
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 22-07-2024 13:20
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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@SotD: The cool factor is for sure one the main things about the Italian trio that made me very happy to secure them all as 50ks initially. Medv was a rider I should have never let go when we relegated, but I was very short sighted that offseason. I am kind of sad that I robbed him of more seasons at max I do think he's going to be able to snatch some very cool stages and classics once maxed!
@Abhi: Thanks, I sat down, opened Photoshop and decided to have fun with it. The original version of this looked a bit different but very happy with where I ended up at. While it's no the biggest crop of talents they're all pretty unique and provide a bunch of value, so I am super happy with this crop, mainly just annoyed that I didn't really secure myself another crop last year...
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| Ad Bot |
Posted on 05-12-2025 11:13
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Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 02-08-2024 22:18
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Somewhat sad to see you Italian sponsor not having enough patience to wait for these nice Italian talents to max, in particular Baroncini has a great allround potential!
All the best for transfers and the 2024 season - maybe this time you can finally make it?
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| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 09-08-2024 12:27
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Sprinter
Posts: 1804
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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You got some nice talents there who should do well in your squad already. Also I really like your new jersey, should be easy to spot in the peloton and look great on winning shots!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 12-08-2024 08:03
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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@Fabi: Absolutely a shame that the project took a different turn somewhere along the way. I really do like my three Italians! This transfers can go two ways either it's a full on promotion charge or it's a full on future proofing one, should be really fun!
@kb: I really like the jersey as well, it being unique and easy to spot was a requirement after period of pink!
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| knockout |
Posted on 13-08-2024 08:35
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Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8234
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
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Really liked having Battistella as a loanee. Guess i have to replace him with an equally cool youngster. Maybe you have some ideas who that could be? 
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
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| Booker |
Posted on 14-08-2024 12:39
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Protected Rider
Posts: 1032
Joined: 03-07-2013
PCM$: 200.00
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In addition to De Vos, looking forward to seeing what you can do to add to the Canadian cycling landscape! The kit is also an interesting take and full kudos to you on your design - much more talent than me and it's a bold, original take on incorporating the logo. Good luck this transfer season!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 14-08-2024 16:05
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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@knockout: I guess you will have to get in touch once transfers open about that 
@Booker: Yes hopefully we get some additional Candians on the table but we're expecting a lot of competition for the Candaian signatures this transfers! Thanks for the love on the jersey!
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| whitejersey |
Posted on 14-08-2024 16:31
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Classics Specialist
Posts: 3219
Joined: 07-08-2011
PCM$: 300.00
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Renewals are never easy and this offseason we were faced with the toughest decision in our team's history as team legend GVKhas departed the team, for now. We were unable to come to a mutually agreeable deal with the team's need for a younger core tough decisions had to be made, a longer tribute post to a rider that spent 7 seasons with us at a later date. Other riders leaving the team are: Maxime Daniel, who over the course of two seasons with the team has left an everlasting impact on the team's history helping us secure a historic third season in a row at the PCT level. Luke Rowe will also leave the team after two amazing seasons. He joined us from our friends at Xero in a 1,7mil move together with Xandro Meurisse and has been amazing for us, even through his first decline. Ultimately we decided that we weren't able to give him the wage a rider at his level commanded at the time but there are no fully closed doors. Yonathan Monsalve joined the team together with Lionel Coutinho as a stopgap for last season and he filled out that role to perfection, we thank him for his service. Kenny Elissonde was a part of the record breaking team in CT but was unable to really find his footing in PCT, he would have been a useful helper next year but we couldn't agree on the deal to make that work. Scott Thwaites has been a really valuable domestique and C2 warrior for us for a while now but age has caught up to the Brit who leaves the team. Paul Penhöet & Edoardo Sandri both leave after a season where they gained valuable experience as stagiares.
| First Name | Surname | 2023 Wage | 2024 Wage | Difference | Availability | | Anthony | Turgis | 340.000 € | € 330.000 | -€ 10.000 | Maybe | | Xandro | Meurisse | 240.000 € | € 255.000 | € 15.000 | Maybe | | Lionel | Coutinho | 165.000 € | € 135.000 | -€ 30.000 | Yes | | Samuele | Battistella | 50.000 € | € 110.000 | € 60.000 | No | | Oscar | Riesebeek | 70.000 € | € 80.000 | € 10.000 | Maybe | | Pavel | Potocki | 75.000 € | € 75.000 | € 0 | No | | Mark | Dzamastagic | 140.000 € | € 70.000 | -€ 70.000 | No | | Filippo | Baroncini | 60.000 € | € 50.000 | -€ 10.000 | PT Loan | | Jonathan | Milan | 50.000 € | € 50.000 | € 0 | PT Loan | | Amith Udaya | Kumara | 50.000 € | € 50.000 | € 0 | No | | Sergey | Medvedev | 50.000 € | € 50.000 | € 0 | No | | Adam | De Vos | 50.000 € | € 50.000 | € 0 | No | | Edoardo | Sandri | 10.000 € | € 0 | -€ 10.000 | Released | | Paul | Penhöet | 16.000 € | € 0 | -€ 16.000 | Released | | Maxime | Daniel | 350.000 € | € 0 | -€ 350.000 | Released | | Luke | Rowe | 180.000 € | € 0 | -€ 180.000 | Released | | Yonathan | Monsalve | 175.000 € | € 0 | -€ 175.000 | Released | | Kenny | Elissonde | 130.000 € | € 0 | -€ 130.000 | Released | | Guillaume | Van Keirsbulck | 99.000 € | € 0 | -€ 99.000 | Released | | Scott | Thwaites | 50.000 € | € 0 | -€ 50.000 | Released |
Not a lot of to say in terms of availability for us. Xandroor Turgis could leave for the right offer as Meurisse's age doesn't align with where the team is going but his valuable points means that he won't go easily. Turgis is 100% going to be better this year with some of the route changes favouring the natural puncheurs more than hybrids but even with a wage cut we're spending a tad bit much on one terrain having the both of them signed at this moment. Coutinho arrived at the team late in transfers last year together with Monsalve as being one year stop gaps and with 30k taken off his wages we can keep him without any issues but we will be open to offers for the Portuguese sprinter. Riesebeek has always been a strong performer for us on a variety of terrains, but if the right trade offer came in we would be willing to listen to offers.
That's it for now, happy transfers.
Edited by whitejersey on 19-08-2024 18:20
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| Fabianski |
Posted on 14-08-2024 17:05
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Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 5234
Joined: 29-09-2018
PCM$: 185.00
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Wow, that's some massive roster cuts here 
But I guess they all make sense, with most of them declining and being hard to sell anyway. So plenty of free wage cap now to start another promotion push
We might be in talks for a PT loan, we'll see... Good luck for achieving your transfer goals!
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| seancoll |
Posted on 15-08-2024 00:17
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Breakaway Specialist
Posts: 763
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
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Excited to see where you lead this team this year, especially with the new Canadian direction. Can't say I'd be too upset to see a Canadian NC on your roster for the upcoming season, but just a thought!
Really bold strategy with how the roster is playing and I think you could be in the running for most active managers this transfer season to set up for the year. Best of luck and we'll be rooting for you over in Ecuador
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| jandal7 |
Posted on 15-08-2024 05:47
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World Champion
Posts: 11621
Joined: 17-12-2014
PCM$: 1120.00
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GVK End of an era, what a team legend! Lots of new cap space for you to play with!
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant."
[PT]  Xero Racing
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