After yet another miserable season, Tafjord Kraft are now looking to strengthen both the quality of the squad and also the nationality focus.
We've had way too few Norwegians on our team, and the ones we had, didn't have the quality needed, so as a consequence just a couple of them got their contract renewed.
We'll be searching for quality riders all over scandinavia, but our main priority is of course Norway, where we mainly will search for contractless riders.
We fully believe this will be the season we bounce back to the PCT-division.
The future look bright on the norwegian west coast!
We have found it quite difficult to navigate in this years transfer market, mainly due to the high demand of norwegian riders among our rivals and our relatively small CT-budget.
That meant we also had to turn our eyes to our lovely swedish neighbours, which was much easier to acquire. Perhaps they liked our jersey?
Bertilsson in particular is an important signing for us, as we had no sprinters at all in the existing squad. We are confident he is capable to bring home some stage wins throughout the season.
Bjorn Tore Hoem will also be a highly valuable asset in the steeper terrain.
We expect to land some more signings over the next 24 hours, but for now, please welcome our 6 first signings of the year!
I have a love/hate relationship with Bertilsson after his two stints with us, but he should certainly be a great sprinter in CT. He won a stage or two for us back in 2020.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
baseballlover312 wrote:
I have a love/hate relationship with Bertilsson after his two stints with us, but he should certainly be a great sprinter in CT. He won a stage or two for us back in 2020.
Hehe, at least we love him prior to arrival, and then we'll se after the season if that has changed
After hard work and dedication, some long nights at the office and quite a lot of persuading after fighting over his signature against the strong ProTour Team Tinkoff, we have now entered the biggest day in Tafjords history.
We are unbelievable proud to welcome home, the one and only:
Edvald Boasson Hagen
75,95
35
€150,000
XP 4.100
FLA
MON
HIL
TTR
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FIG
DHI
PRL
73
66
81
68
75
68
66
51
69
73
71
62
68
After a great career, Edvald thought it now was time to move back home and get to ride at home soil. Obviously he isn't getting any younger and the physical attributes have seen better days. But we firmly believe he will be a nice addition to the Continental division and we hope to utilize the last drops of energy from maybe the greatest wonderkid Norway have ever had.
Vegard Breen
76,57
32
€145,000
XP 4.100
FLA
MON
HIL
TTR
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FIG
DHI
PRL
77
62
70
68
72
72
71
78
73
72
74
66
68
Another marquee signing for us, Vegard Breen!
He has proven over the years what he is capable of. One of the main priorities this season was to find a great cobbler, and when we heard from Assa Abloy about Vegard's availability, there wasn't any doubt. He will ride in Tafjord colours, whatever the cost!
We have loved to watch him in the past, not only being a great cobbler, but also managing to get over the hills, and compete for victories in mass sprints.
We are really looking forward to seeing Vegard in action!
Kristian Dyrnes
75,84
30
€150,000
XP 4.100
FLA
MON
HIL
TTR
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FIG
DHI
PRL
68
72
78
61
73
73
70
54
65
77
78
74
66
Very happy to seal the signature of the Norwegian RR-champion Kristian Dyrnes as he will be a valuable co-captain with Edvald this year. In some races they will ride together, but he will probably also lead the line in some C2 races and go for his own opportunities. He was linked heavily to Red Bull Zalgiris, but we are really happy he chose to sign for us, and he told us that the strong norwegian focus, and the opportunity to ride with Edvald, was the decisive factors in the end.
Havard Blikra
73,79
31
€50,000
XP 4.100
FLA
MON
HIL
TTR
STA
RES
REC
COB
SPR
ACC
FIG
DHI
PRL
69
75
75
65
72
70
73
52
62
72
69
63
65
Finally, we were offered the opportunity to do a swap deal with Pavlic and we are glad to bring in Blikra from Cedevita. He will be a great domestique for us, versatile enough to help both Hoem in the mountains, and Edvald in the shorter slopes.
We are intrigued to see all four norwegians ride for us this season and hope they can contribute to us finally getting promoted to the PCT-division.
Edited by Bjartne on 23-08-2022 15:29
Wow, that's some insane signings for a CT team! And although EBH definitely isn't the rider he once was anymore, that 81 Hi stat is scaring and reminds me of the time Kelderman was down in CT... not only good memories of that tbh
Breen should be one of the top contenders on the cobbles, and Dyrnes will make it a fantastic hills duo with EBH. Much more explosive though, so don't necessarily expect him to score less.
Maybe this could indeed be the year where you go back up to PCT? I think you've got a great core here!
Some awesome deals. Absolutely love the Breen signing for you. And the other three are lovely too. Curious to see how the Dyrnes - Boasson Hagen combo works out, i have some worries that they might hurt each other a bit but i'd have liked either one as a leader for you. Squad looks really cool for next season now
Hope Hagen works out for you Was a bit of a disappointment last year but it had more to do with what I paid him, he nevertheless became my highest scoring rider. No doubt he'll still score in CT.
Wow, the rebuild has really gone swimmingly! Several great riders and all in the regional focus. Love it!
Ideal scenario for Boasson Hagen, who should still do very well in CT. Hopefully he pairs well with Dyrnes AI wise, cause they could be a phenomenal pairing if the game works right.
Always loved Breen too, who will be a stud CT leader on a great wage.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
