Today’s stage is definitely the queen stage of the tour. There are only two major climbs, but the final one will be very tough, even for the best climbers. It may be only 9kms long, but it has slopes of over 10% all the way up. The biggest climbers will see today as their day, riders like Contador (Saxo Bank) or Evans (BMC) will expect to do well. Duarte will hope to achieve another top 10.
12kms to go
We jump straight to the bottom of the final climb. Vini are setting the pace, while we are also lending a hand on the front of the bunch. There is a six-man group a minute up the road but there are no climbers so it will surely be brought back.
4kms to go
Vini eventually pull the break back, and as soon as that happens two of the favorites decide to go. Voigt (RadioShack) and Contador (Saxo Bank) both set a pace that no others can follow. The pair have a gap of 45” back to a group of 25 men, which contains Duarte.
Finish
Contador eventually breaks the German, and rides ahead to the stage win. Scarponi also passes Voigt, to get second so he has to settle for third. Behind the group containing Duarte has started a sprint for fourth.
Finish
Gadret gets fourth and Roche fifth. Our Colombian finishes within the group, 16th on the stage. The fact he finished in the elite group does no harm to his GC chances. He moves up to eighteenth ahead of tomorrow’s final stage.
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
4h14'32
2
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 27
3
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
4
John Gadret
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 1'19
5
Nicolas Roche
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
s.t.
2.HC: Giro del Trentino Stage 4
20/04
Today is the last chance for any riders to get a high finish. People at the top of the GC like Di Luca and Contador will be looking to consolidate their positions, while riders who have disappointed so far will look to regain their losses. Duarte applies to that category.
70kms to go
There is a massive break let go, containing thirteen men. There are some big names as well – riders like Evans and Nocentini looking to leave here with a stage win after disappointing starts to the race. The group has 5’30” currently, and it still going up.
17kms to go
Vini are still pushing, but we are approaching the final climb and the gap is stuck at 3’50”. It will be hard to shut down for the Italians alone, so the break may get their stage win. That won’t affect the GC though.
1km to go
Pirazzi has attacked out of the breakaway group and is soloing to victory. Behind the race is very messy, but the break is 42” behind the Italian. Contador is leading the chase behind, and there are lots of small groups. Duarte is in about twenty-fifth place.
Finish
Pirazzi takes the stage for Bardiani, after a short solo ride. Evans sprints for second, and Nocentini is third which rounds out the podium on the day. Behind the GC battle is still going on.
Finish
Scarponi is the first GC rider to finish on the day in fifth, after he made his way up to the breakaway group. Contador finishes ninth and rode himself away from Di Luca’s group which is probably a GC winning ride.
Finish
After Contador, Di Luca + some breakaway remnance + some GC riders come in. Duarte is right behind them and finishes twenty-third on the stage. Out of the real GC contenders however, he is eighth. A good ride today from the Colombian, which moves him up to tenth overall.
1
Stefano Pirazzi
Bardiani Valvole - CSF Inox
4h49'18
2
Cadel Evans
BMC Racing Team
+ 29
3
Rinaldo Nocentini
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat - Polkowice
s.t.
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 45
Final Standings:
Talking about the GC Contador couldn’t gain enough time on Di Luca, and finishes the race only 6” behind the Italian. Tiralongo is third, while as mentioned our best finisher is Duarte in tenth.
1
Danilo Di Luca
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
13h43'55
2
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 6
3
Paolo Tiralongo
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'34
4
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
+ 1'53
5
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
+ 2'43
6
Amets Txurruka
Caja Rural
+ 3'18
7
Jan Bakelants
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 3'34
8
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
+ 3'52
9
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 4'07
10
Fabio Duarte
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 6'57
1
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
44
2
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
32
3
Danilo Di Luca
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
31
4
Amets Txurruka
Caja Rural
30
5
Jens Voigt
RadioShack - Leopard
27
1
Danilo Di Luca
Vini Fantini - Selle Italia
50
2
Andrey Kashechkin
Astana Pro Team
29
3
Alberto Contador
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
26
4
Amets Txurruka
Caja Rural
26
5
Michele Scarponi
Lampre - Merida
20
1
Sergey Chernetskiy
Katusha Team
13h46'38
2
Tony Gallopin
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 5'51
3
John Darwin Atapuma
Colombia
+ 11'25
1
Astana Pro Team
40h45'43
2
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
+ 7'00
3
RadioShack - Leopard
+ 7'25
DS Comments:
Well, Fabio salvaged the tour from a failure to a decent performance. Another top 10 overall, which is good for his Giro preparation. Who knows what could of happened if we hadn't failed in the TTT. Next up for us is our first World Tour race, Liege-Bastogne-Liege.
Our first World Tour race ever is this Belgian monument. The most important race of the season for the hilly riders, it will be very tough for us. Jonathan will lead us, and is our best hope for a high finish here. A top 10 would be a miracle, but we think a top 20 is achievable with some luck.
Fabio could do something here after a couple of stage-race top 10’s and Bert-Jan might surprise. To be honest though, the pair will probably just support Jonathan. We don’t really bring any other decent hilly riders, so Tarik, Reinardt, Marc, Jacques and Martijn will help out, or maybe get in the break if the opportunity arises.
Report should be done for tomorrow, when I have some time.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 02-04-2013 21:10
One of the five monuments, Liege – Bastogne – Liege is one of the most prestigious events on the calendar. The previous two Ardennes classics have gone to surprise riders, with Cancellara winning Amstel and Sanchez winning Wallone. Could that be the case today? Big riders like Gilbert and Rodriguez will be hoping not. It’s perfect weather as we head out of the start in Liege. Who will win this year's La Doyenne?
200kms to go
The break is formed, after several riders tried to get away. It isn’t weak either with riders like Poels (Vacansoleil) and Clarke (GreenEdge) included in the eight man group. Their gap has been drawn out to 5’35” as the peloton is soft-pedalling through the opening kilometers, possibly saving energy for later in the race.
150kms to go
The bunch has not started chasing yet, and has let the gap swell to 8’25”. Most of the favorites’ teams are helping with the absence of Katusha. Also, strangely big riders like Schleck (RadioShack) and Froome (Sky) lending a hand on the front. Seems they are acting as domestiques today.
120kms to go
We have gone past the halfway point, and it has started raining. The peloton has started to bring the break back, but in the process it has split into many small groups. The foremost one contains eleven riders, including Rodriguez (Katusha), Evans (BMC). The good news for us is that Tiernan-Locke has also made the split along with J.Janse Van Rensburg. They are 4’05” behind the breakaway.
100kms to go
But the eleven shut the gap very quickly and have caught the break, making it a nineteen man group. Tiernan-Locke is still there, along with a few main contenders. The peloton behind has sat up, and the gap is growing. Could this group be dighting out the finish?
60kms to go
The peloton has finally woken up to the group up front’s dangers, so FDJ and Vacansoleil start pulling. The gap is still at 4’30” though, and with riders like Peraud and Hesjedal working hard for the group it is hardly over for them.
36kms to go
There is a split in the front group, which causes five riders to be dropped as the riders really hammer down a high pace. Rodriguez and Evans are helping now as everyone is trying to stay away from the peloton. Tiernan-Locke is still hanging on, but the Brit is finding it very tough and has to dig deep. The peloton is still 2’45” behind.
25kms to go
Tiernan-Locke is finally dropped after finding he cannot deal with the pace. He is in tent place on the road, but the peloton is coming from behind fast. The Brit’s day could be over. The peloton has only 32 riders let behind, and we have no riders left. Tiernan-Locke is our only hope it seems.
17kms to go
Tiernan-Locke is finally brought back. He is spent, but will try to hang on to finish as high as possible. The group up front has started building a lead and still has 2’25”. It looks as if those nine riders will contest the win.
12kms to go
There is a major surprise at the front! Rodriguez and Evans have been dropped from the leaders, and seem to have cracked. There are only six riders left in the front group including Horner, Hesjedal and Bardet, who is looking very strong. Behind, Tiernan-Locke is still in the group and is trying to just sit in the wheels.
8kms to go
Into the last few kilometers, the leading six have a minute’s lead back to the now 29-man bunch. One of these six will probably be the winner of this year’s La Doyenne.
3000m to go
Our Brit finally cracks and is going backwards. He has had a good day but couldn’t hang on to the favorites today. He is the twenty-fourth rider on the road, so that is where he will probably finish. In the front group, a Gilbert attack pulled everything together, so it will be a battle of 23 riders for the win.
1000m to go
Back at the front, World Champion Gilbert is leading the sprint for the line. GreenEdge duo Albasini and Gerrans are right behind him. De Gendt and Vanendert are also coming fast from behind and may want to take the win on home turf.
Finish
Gilbert wins La Doyenne, after an explosive sprint. The Belgian repeats his success of 2011 in this race. Behind him Gerrans finishes second for GreenEdge, while Uran is third for Sky. Vanendert and Iglinsky round out the top 5. Monfort also deserves a mention in eighth, getting a great result in his home city.
Finish
Tiernan-Locke comes in twenty-fourth, after battling all day at the front of the race. He simply didn’t have enough to hang on in the end. Still a good result for him, finishing ahead of big names like Schleck, Kreuziger and Martin on the day. Some good experienced gained ahead of the Giro.
1
Philippe Gilbert
BMC Racing Team
7h02'58
2
Simon Gerrans
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 9
3
Rigoberto Urán
Sky Procycling
s.t.
4
Jelle Vanendert
Lotto Belisol
s.t.
5
Maxim Iglinskiy
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
6
Michael Albasini
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
7
Enrico Gasparotto
Astana Pro Team
s.t.
8
Maxime Monfort
RadioShack - Leopard
s.t.
9
Thomas De Gendt
Vacansoleil - DCM Pro Cycling Team
s.t.
10
Juan José Cobo
Movistar Team
s.t.
Comments:
A decent finish from Jonathan, after being very active during the race. Definetly some good experience gained by the team of a race with a packed startlist, ahead of the Giro. Next up for us is our last two small prep races before we head to Italy.
Quintana (Movistar), Barta (NetApp), Janse Van Rensburg
Lineup:
DS's comments:
One of our last prep races for the Giro, there is quite a weak startlist here in Spain. Jonathan is hoping for a GC podium, as stage four should suit him well to create some gaps. If gaps aren’t created though, Reinardt is capable of doing well due to his time trialling capabilities.
Bert-Jan has also come to assist Jonathan on the hills, and maybe get a high finish as well. Jacques, John-Lee and Martijn are just here to assist and get into shape ahead of our big race in Italy.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 03-04-2013 16:18
The first stage of the tour is classified as flat, but it has plenty of bumps and an uphill finish. It should favor sprinters still, but it would help if they can climb. Riders like Matthews (GreenEdge) and Renshaw (Blanco) fall into that category, as well as Janse Van Rensburg.
1200m to go
The break is dealt with, and moving into the final kilometer Janse Van Rensburg is perfectly positioned on Siskevicus’ wheel, being lead out. There is a 4% gradient which has pushed some of the purer sprinters behind, benefiting the South African.
Finish
Moreno wins the sprint, after powering through on the toughest section of the climb. Behind him, Gorka and Ion Izaguirre (Both Euskatel) finish second and third. Janse Van Rensburg finishes fifth, after not being able to hold off the climbers. A top 5 is still good though.
1
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
4h06'12
2
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
3
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
4
Danail Petrov
Caja Rural
s.t.
5
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
s.t.
2.1: Vuelta Asturias Stage 2
28/04
Today’s stage like yesterday is flat, but should play out differently. Shorter and flatter it should favor the pure sprinters, like Renshaw (Blanco) and Matthews (GreenEdge). Janse Van Rensburg will be hoping to better yesterday’s fifth place.
4000m to go
Caja have set up the dominant train for Petrov. Sojasun have one a bit further back, set up to assist Siskevicus. Janse Van Rensburg is in Dean’s wheel behind the Sojasun train.
Finish
Renshaw takes it for Blanco after following the right wheels. Siskevicus is second after a good leadout from Galland, and Keukleire is third after outsprinting team captain Matthews. Janse Van Rensburg comes through in the final few meters, only to be squeezed out of fifth. He gets sixth in the end.
1
Mark Renshaw
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
1h59'56
2
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
s.t.
3
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
4
Danail Petrov
Caja Rural
s.t.
5
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
Janse Van Rensburg is tenth in the GC heading into the TT, but that doesn't really matter as he hasn't gained any time bonuses. Tiernan-Locke is on the same time, as are all the big GC contenders. They only have to gain 20" on race leader Renshaw, which shouldn't be a problem.
1
Mark Renshaw
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
6h05'48
2
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
s.t.
3
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 8
4
Evaldas Siskevicius
Sojasun
s.t.
5
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
+ 10
6
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 12
7
Jens Keukeleire
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
8
Danail Petrov
Caja Rural
+ 14
9
Jimmi Sørensen
Christina Watches - Onfone
+ 16
10
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 20
Comments:
A couple of good finishes for Reinardt, now to progress into the buisness end of the race. Hopefully Jonathan and Reinardt can do something in the next couple of days which could end in a good GC placing.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 04-04-2013 09:33
The third stage is a TT, which should give the Time Triallers a chance to put some seconds between them and the climbers ahead of tomorrow’s tough stage. We have two priorities today; probably the most important is to limit Jonathan’s losses. The other is to try and get Martijn and Reinardt a good finish on the day as they are among the favorites. Riders like Clement (Blanco), Plaza (Movistar) and Meyer (GreenEdge) will be hard to beat though.
Martijn is one of the first down the starting the ramp and he is clearly a cut above the rest. When he comes in the clock is stopped on a fast time of 19’33”. That’s 29” faster than the second placed rider provisionally, Mas (Burgos).
After the Dutchman, lots of riders try and fail to beat his time, until Canadian Meier (GreenEdge) shaves 2” off the Dutchman’s time. 19’31” is a good time but will most probably be beaten.
Christensen (Saxo Bank) then sets a fast time which splits Martijn and Meier. Bert-Jan has also set a decent time and is in provisional sixth.
A look at the top 10 times with fifty riders still to finish:
The first big contender to set a time is Clement (Blanco). He doesn’t disappoint, tying with Meier. That means that now the top 5 is only separated by 4”! It’s incredibly close at the top.
Meanwhile Jonathan has finished. He only lost 24” on Meyer, a good ride from him which keeps the Brit in GC contention.
And then, Erviti smashes Meier’s time, finishing 9” ahead of the Canadian. The best time trailers are coming in thick and fast now, and the times are really getting lowered.
Erviti won’t win the stage though; his teammate Plaza again betters him. Could he be today’s winner? His time of 19’19” is very fast.
Reinardt then sets off. Could the South African champion do something for us? His time is shown as he crosses the line… second. He finishes only 1” behind Plaza, who seems to have set a great time.
All the time trial specialists seem to have finished when second overall Moreno (Movistar) sets off. He sets a surprise 19’13” though which moves him into first! A GC winning ride from him?
Renshaw crosses the line in the leader’s jersey. He doesn’t have the power today to hold on to the best, finishing 41” down on Moreno, meaning the Spaniard takes the leader’s jersey as well as the stage.
Plaza in second makes it a Movistar 1-2, and Reinardt prevents an all-Spanish podium by taking third. Martijn eventually gets fourteenth on the day, which wasn’t what he was hoping for but Reinardt’s performance makes up for it.
GC-wise, there is a Spanish lockout for the first four places. Reinardt is in fifth after today’s performance. Jonathan is 53” down on Moreno and will have to attack tomorrow to improve his position.
1
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
19'13
2
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 6
3
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 7
4
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
+ 8
5
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
s.t.
6
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 13
8
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
9
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 17
10
Christian Meier
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 18
1
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
6h25'01
2
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 16
3
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 25
4
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 26
5
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 27
6
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 28
7
Imanol Erviti
Movistar Team
s.t.
8
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 33
9
Michael Matthews
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 37
10
Stef Clement
Blanco Pro Cycling Team
+ 38
DS Comments:
A good TT from Reinardt today, which gives us a dilemma for tomorrow: defend Reinardt's top 5 or go on the offensive with Jonathan. We'll have to see who's feeling better on the day.
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 04-04-2013 16:19
The final stage is today, which all the climbers have been waiting for. The time trailers had their day yesterday, but the hilly men will be hoping to create some gaps on today’s hilly finish to overtake them.
We’ve decided today to work for Jonathan, even though Reinardt is better placed overall. We feel the Brit is our best hope of a high overall finish, due to his climbing ability. He is hoping to gain time today, along with big name climbers like Anton (Euskatel) and Quintana (Movistar).
18kms to go
Movistar has dealt with the break well before the final climb, so there is some clear road for the favorites who want to attack. The first of two climbs start in about 5kms, where the action should really start. Reinardt and Jonathan are both positioned well at the front of the peloton.
10kms to go
Quintana has attacked and has a 50” gap on the bunch. Reniardt is struggling to hang on on the steep gradients, so Jonathan decides to try and catch up to the Colombian with an attack.
4000m to go
Quintana still has the lead but Jonathan is coming from behind! Anton is also there, 30” behind Jonathan. The peloton is much further behind, but race leader Moreno is trying to get up to the trio of favorites in a group of six.
900m to go
Jonathan has shut the gap to 15”, and now is just trying to limit his losses to Quintana. Anton has cracked behind the pair, and is a group of four behind the pair which also contains Moreno. They are 35” behind Jonathan.
Finish
Quintana takes the stage after a 10km solo attack. He will probably win the GC as well after this performance. Behind, Jonathan has cracked and Moreno is catching him with a sprint. Can he hold onto second?
Finish
He can, crossing the line exhausted. A great ride today, which will surely move him up into the highest GC places. Moreno is winning the sprint behind ahead of Rebellin. Anton is still going backwards.
Finish
Moreno wins the sprint for third, it will be close to see whether he loses the GC lead or not. Rebellin is fourth right behind him. Izagirre finishes fifth a few seconds further back, with Anton on his wheel.
1
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
4h56'29
2
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 22
3
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
+ 48
4
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat - Polkowice
s.t.
5
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'04
6
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
s.t.
7
Leopold König
Team NetApp - Endura
+ 1'33
8
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
s.t.
9
Pablo Lastras
Movistar Team
s.t.
10
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
s.t.
Final Standings:
After the stage, the GC is confirmed. Quintana indeed takes it, just 14” ahead of Moreno, making it a Movistar 1-2. Jonathan gets a deserved third in the end, after today’s exploits. Reinardt lost lots of time (6’25”) and is completely out of it. The stage proved too tough for him in the end.
1
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
11h21'56
2
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
+ 14
3
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Standard Bank - Aegon
+ 37
4
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'03
5
Davide Rebellin
CCC Polsat - Polkowice
+ 1'16
6
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'23
7
Rubén Plaza
Movistar Team
+ 1'33
8
Igor Antón
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'38
9
Andrey Amador
Movistar Team
+ 1'40
10
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'51
1
Javier Moreno
Movistar Team
66
2
Gorka Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
44
3
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Standard Bank - Aegon
38
4
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
36
5
Danail Petrov
Caja Rural
34
1
José Mendes
Team NetApp - Endura
34
2
Cyril Bessy
Cofidis, Solutions Crédits
28
3
Ángel Madrazo
Movistar Team
26
4
Karol Domagalski
Caja Rural
22
5
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke
Standard Bank - Aegon
18
1
Nairo Quintana
Movistar Team
11h21'56
2
Ion Izagirre
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 1'03
3
Cameron Meyer
Orica - GreenEdge
+ 1'51
1
Movistar Team
34h08'05
2
Euskaltel - Euskadi
+ 2'03
3
Astana Pro Team
+ 9'30
Comments:
A good final stage performance from Jonathan, where he lived up to his favorite tag. Now the team looks sharp and ready for the Giro. Only one race to go now before the action starts.
That rounds out April, so I will start working on a review. I'll also do a 'half season overview' where I'll talk about evolving stats, contract renewals and transfer targets
Costa is just about in the lead, after dominating the World Tour stage races. He won Vuelta al Pais Vasco this month, after winning Paris – Nice and Catalunya in March. Pozatto is right behind him, after winning Brabantse Pijl and E3. Our best placed rider is Reinardt, in fifty first, on 343 points.
Team:
QPQS stay top, due to their classics dominance. They will surely fall back now. RadioShack are right behind in second, probably thanks to Cancellara winning Amstel, De Ronde and Paris – Roubaix. Movistar are also doing well and are having an incredible season. We are in twenty third as the fifth placed PCT team.
Continental Rankings:
Individual:
Di Luca is heading the rankings thanks to him winning the Giro del Trentino and the Giro dell’Appennino. Eeckhout and Commeyne are second and third, due to them being strong on the cobbles in general. Reinardt is doing well in third after his win in the Rund um Koln, and his podium in Sarthe. Jonathan is also up there in ninth.
Team:
Vini and Europcar are miles ahead after both had very successful months. Cofidis and Andrioni follow quite far behind, with us sitting in sixth behind De Rijke. We had a good month, but expect us to go backwards with us only racing one Conti race in May
Rider of the Month
Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg
Reinardt celebrating after winning the Rund um Koln
In a good month for the team, Reinardt was the standout rider. Highlights were winning the Rund um Koln, and getting an overall podium in the Circuit Sarthe - Pays de la Loire. He will get the chance to continue to do well this month, leading in Frankfurt before riding the Giro d’Italia.
Races this month:
Only two races this month, due to us not having the numbers to accomodate two squads while the Giro is going on. It's going to be busy anyway!
As promised here is a short roundup of the team's stats, contract renewals and transfer targets heading into the second half of the season.
Squad:
Can't spot any changes apart from Grmay, maybe you can? Bit early for stats to develop anyway
Current:
Start of season:
Contract renewals
I have made my decisions on who to retain for next season. I decided to keep Kenny, Martijn and Adrien because they all have good potential to improve and fit into a team I want in future, with a European and African core.
Jonathan and Fabio won't be retained because they don't fit into a team I want in future, and won't develop very well. Jacques isn't staying because typing his surname is a pain in the a***, it's hard enough with one of them
Re-signed:
Kenny Elissonde Martijn Keizer Adrien Niyonshuti
Being let go:
Jonathan Tiernan-Locke Fabio Duarte Jacques Janse Van Rensburg
Transfer Targets
For 2014 I'd like to move the team towards promotion contenders. Cobbles seem to be getting teams lots of points so I thought we could get a cobbled leader. Jurgen Roelandts's contract is expiring at the end of the year, and seemed a good fit.
We also need to back up the Dutch and South African side of the squad so the others seemed like good replacements, especially Steven Kruijswijk and Lieuwe Westra because we need to replace Jonathan and Fabio.
Also remember that these haven't been signed yet, they are just targets and could be re-signed by their teams yet. I will definetly try and sign riders similar to them though, so that's a rough idea
Jurgen Roelandts Lieuwe Westra Steven Kruijswijk Nick Van der Lijke Darren Lill
Just a note: I do like to plan ahead and I thought I'd share my thoughts. I know it is a bit early for this stuff
Next up: That German race with the long name!
Edited by FroomeDog99 on 04-04-2013 22:04
2.HC: Giro del Trentino Stage 3
Alberto Contador
Jens Voigt
John Gadret
Nicolas Roche
Cadel Evans
Andrey Kashechkin
Sergey Chernetskiy
Jan Bakelants
Team Saxo - Tinkoff
RadioShack - Leopard
Michael Albasini
Tiernan-Locke
Nordhaug (Blanco), 
Barta (NetApp), 
Janse Van Rensburg
Danail Petrov
Evaldas Siskevicius
Andrey Amador
Christian Meier
Stef Clement
José Mendes
Karol Domagalski
Adrien Niyonshuti
