Cycling Manager Italia have just released the first interview about PCM 15, conducted between emmea90 and Freire from Cyanide. The headline information is undoubtedly the addition of the new 'Pro Cyclist' game mode. This is the much-requested 'Be a Pro' style mode, and here is the first information on it:

"This a brand new mode that has been built from scratch with a totally new experience for players. Instead of managing a team, you'll play a young rider that you'll develop all over his career, that's a whole new story, something that has been ask for long time by the community. The first tests and feedbacks about this new gamemode are very positive.

You start with a young talent between 19 and 22 years old, choose your main speciality (sprinter, climber, etc...) and then sign for a continental team.

During the season, you manage closely your fitness parameters, training (with the possibility to make a pure specialist rider or to develop several domains if you want a more all round rider), race calendar and cyclist evolution."

We commented at the time that the 'Auto' mode added in PCM14 could effectively be used as a 'Be a Pro', and indeed it was after creating this mode that Cyanide realised it would be quite easy to extend that into this new 'Pro Cyclist' addition.

In career mode, Cyanide have been looking at improvements to rider development, scouting and development teams.

They are also making changes to the AI, on the 'easy' hills, cobbles and mountain stages. This includes improving the way that the stronger sprinters perform on hill stages where they might have a chance, allowing for sprint finishes on the cobbled races such as K-B-K, and the possiblity of favourites adopting a 'Sky train' on the final climb of a mountain stage.

You can read the full interview on Cycling Manager Italia, where there were also some questions on the Multiplayer mode.

Velogames is offering the next event with the Spring Classics containing 11 classics in total. You pick a team of 12 riders (100 points in total) and have 24 transfers to change the team a bit from race to race.

As always PCM.Daily has opened a Fantasy League. So if you want to compete against other members join the league by using the following code: 20111010

For further information use this thread here.

Small note: Additionally to the Spring Classics also the Fantasy Catalunya League will start soon. So watch out for a thread including the league code over the next days.

"Ride your bike, ride your bike, ride your bike." - Fausto Coppi

Man-Game Applications Open

Yes that's right! The Management Game is now taking applications for new managers! The 2014 season is almost at an end and this is your chance to join in the sites best initative. For all the information start by going to the Want to join the Management Game? 2015 Season thread.

Betting Addiction

The PCM.Daily fantasy betting season rolls onwards. Daily bets for Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico have seen big shake ups in the standings as we head towards big classics time. As i write this Polo_7 holds a $96 lead over acac.

We've also added a new Betting initiative, Man-Game Betting. Yep you can't escape the Man-Game these days! Open to everyone this secondary game provides a chance for revenge if you miss out in the main betting game. krisa currently holds the lead.

Man-Game Madness

Away from Applications it's a full on rush off off-season activity. Primarily of which is currently the World Championships this year hosted in Hamilton, Canada. Argentina claimed victory in the B-Worlds to qualify for the main event. Frison brokeaway to win the U23 RR. The TT's have been dominated by the favorites, with Phinney winning back-to-back titles. All to be found in the [Man-Game] Other Races thread.

We've also had the final season rankings released and Champions crowned. Wikipedia win the Pro-Tour for the second time in a row. Quickstep dominate the Pro-Continental Tour. Grupo Nutresa steal the Continental Tour crown.

Story Games Summary

EPIC has headed to Malaysia. Orica have looked very strong taking stage wins the the current GC lead for Diego Johnson. AG2R have taken a handful of sprints as well. Great action in Asia. The Omloop wasn't to be outdone where Peter Sagan claimed victory the hard way through multiple attacks for Cannondale.

The ICL hits the Giro hard! A big battle if shaping up for all sorts of competitions and stages. The Rider has written up a fantastic preview for the race that i really recommend reading, and you do so here.

Thread of the Week

It's all about the real cycling world at the moment. Tirreno-Adriatico sees a big showdown of GT contenders and the thread has been lively with discussion. Langkawi has been keeping the Other Races 2015 thread lively this week. A week of classics keeps the Womens Cycling thread alive as well. But the Thread of the Week easily goes to Paris-Nice 2015, aided by an engaging race full of talking points!

"You have to sprint on feeling, not thinking. You must have faith in yourself but you cannot think about it too much" - Jean Paul Van Poppel

Velogames Gets Serious

The always popular Velogames Fantasy Cycling Game is really stepping its game up this season! Currently their Paris-Nice game has opened and you can join the PCM.Daily League right now, details and discussion in this thread. (race starts Sunday so join quick!)

Hopefully we'll get a Tirreno-Adriatico game this weekend. Then we are very close to the Spring Classics game and to the brand new Womens Game which should both start in the next week or two.

Admin Applications

Quick update! Applications are still open. If you have already applied don't worry, SportingNonsense has not yet had the time to really look at the applications, and it's not a decision to rush. If you still want to apply just send a PM containing your application to SN

PCM Addons Blooming

Spring is almost upon us in Europe and there is a plethora of new addons to PCM from the community. There's been a huge spike in DB projects, spearheaded by the FIFA Database || PCMDaily. The PCM 14: Graphics section as a whole is bursting. Finally there is also a boost in the PCM 14: Stages section. I can't go through all the projects and threads here, but there is plenty to tuck into.

Man-Game Madness

Where do i begin! It's the final days of the 2014 regular season. Races in Zurich, Lombardia and Japan wrap the season up nicely and confirm the final rankings tables. I will not spoil anything here and just point you to the relevant areas.

PT: Giro di Lombardia Discussion

PCT: Japan Cup/Japan Cup Discussion

CT: Zuri Metzgete/Zuri Metzgete Discussion

Ultimate final rankings are still to be confirmed for the PCT and CT divisions, and we still away the Giro di Lombardia race report. Then of course we still have the Worlds to come. Basically there is still much to enjoy and follow!

Story Games Summary

The ICL is just speeding along! The Flanders classics have been dealt with, including a few surprises like a 16-man sprint for Roubaix! The Ardennes/Hilly classics are underway as well. Plus the CT division and U23 division continue to fly as well. It's a thriving game full of action right now.

EPIC has eased off a bit this week. Oman continues to be the best source of action where Riblon looks set to take the GC win for AG2R in a shockingly powerful performance. Plenty should be coming up in the next week though.

Thread of the Week

My Thread of the Week this week goes to PCM.Daily Big Brother S2. The game got going this week and Week 1 in the House has been tough. A version of IWS kicked things off before Flappy Bird gave a chance to save an nominated member. It's great to see the game kicked off and should be fun to follow.

It`s time again for some Velogames action. Today starts the Paris-Nice selection.

As the race starts on Sunday, make sure to join the league in time.
Therefore you will need the following code: 06075524

Also there is a thread here, where you can post/discuss etc.