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
I got the news I feared and still wanted at the same time. After a busy month of racing (recaps below), Alycia called me to inform me that her pilot show had been picked up for a full season. She is playing the lead role. I can't say any more.
Don't get me wrong, I'm happy for her. But this just means more months apart. This long distance thing is difficult. Not sure if it's working for either of us, then again we never defined the relationship anyways. Yet, I don't want to lose her.
Whether this is a young dumb infatuation or something way more, I don't know.
What I do know is my athletic talents pay the bills. Let's ride.
Race Day #21-24 at Tour de Yorkshire
May 3-6, 2021
Fourth time racing this event in four seasons.
Stage 1:
Spoiler
Summary: Classic sprint finish through the streets of Scarborough. Mihkel Raim nips Luca Pacioni on the line.
Result: 11th - Found myself in a bad position during the run in and just stayed on Adam Blythe's wheel. Blythe finished two spots better in 9th.
1
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
4h08'47
2
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
s.t.
3
Nicolai Brøchner
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
4
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
s.t.
5
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
s.t.
Stage 2:
Spoiler
Summary: High speeds, twisty roads and a late crash. Only 31 cyclists remained in the front group with 5kms to go. At a quick glance, looks like all the favourites are still here in this group.
Payback for Luci Pacioni, as he beats Alexander Kamp and the yellow jersey of Mihkel Raim to become the new race leader. The race organizers were generous to the riders who crashed and didn't award any time splits at the front.
Result: 13th - Lacking top end speed and positioning.
1
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
4h19'43
2
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
s.t.
3
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
s.t.
4
Patrick Van Der Duin
Team Sunweb
s.t.
5
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
s.t.
General Classification
1
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
8h28'14
2
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
+ 2
3
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
+ 10
4
Nicolai Brøchner
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 12
5
Nikias Arndt
Polska Travel
+ 16
Stage 3:
Spoiler
Summary: Typical gloomy, rainy England weather surfaces for likely the biggest stage of the tour. Local talent Marcus Diamond sticking his nose out front to beat veteran Greg Van Avermaet for three bonus seconds at the final sprint point.
Those will come in handy. as this stage wasn't as decisive as many would have thought. The trio of Raim, Kamp and Pacioni battle it out for the win again, finishing in that order.
Result: 10th - Still can't hang with the top sprinters, but I can outsmart the peloton to move up to fourth in GC and become the leader in the youth competition.
1
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
4h18'38
2
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
s.t.
3
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
s.t.
4
Alexis Vuillermoz
AG2R La Mondiale
s.t.
5
Michel Ries
Efapel
s.t.
General Classification
1
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
12h46'44
2
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
+ 4
3
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
+ 12
4
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
+ 22
5
Luke Rowe
The Guardian
+ 23
Stage 4:
Spoiler
Summary: The final speed bump before the finish is begging for an attack. And it just had to be... Marcus Diamond, wearing the white jersey, obliges.
Mihkel Raim doesn't want to see Diamond trade white for yellow.
Raim can't keep up, as Diamond has broken free over the top. Could this be the youngster's first career GC win, and on home soil nonetheless?
No. Silvan Dillier scoops up Diamond and the stage win. Luca Pacioni in second, Alexander Kamp in third — which means Raim will still lose the yellow jersey.
Result: 16th, 5th GC - Everybody knew that move was coming, I have to be more unpredictable if I want these attacks to succeed. Fifth overall and winner of the youth classification is pretty cool though.
1
Silvan Dillier
AG2R La Mondiale
4h37'41
2
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
s.t.
3
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
s.t.
4
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
s.t.
5
Paolo Simion
NIPPO - Vini Fantini
s.t.
General Classification
1
Luca Pacioni
UAE Team Emirates
17h24'23
2
Mihkel Räim
Israel Cycling Academy
+ 2
3
Alexander Kamp
Burgos - BH
+ 10
4
Silvan Dillier
AG2R La Mondiale
+ 16
5
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
+ 24
Race Day #25 at Berner Rundfahrt
May 9, 2021
Currently in the middle of my first fitness peak of the season.
Spoiler
Summary: Four riders sneak away and battle each other for the win. Pim Ligthart was the strongest in the end.
Result: 7th - Missed the winning move and finished in second group, finishing 36 seconds behind. I have to pay closer attention next time.
1
Pim Ligthart
DESTIL - Parkhotel Valkenburg
4h16'48
2
Evan Huffman
Rally Cycling
s.t.
3
R. Navardauskas
Trevigiani Phonix
s.t.
4
Robin Carpenter
Hagens Berman Axeon
s.t.
5
Onur Balkan
Torku Sekerspor
+ 36
Race Day #26 at Profronde van Noord-Holland
May 13, 2021
Homecoming race of sorts for Alex Vogel.
Spoiler
Summary: Pim Ligthart does it again. He slips away with four riders on the final cobble sector and takes his second win in four days. This time on home soil.
Result: 14th - Being a good teammate, I rode for Alex Vogel today. The sacrifice didn't quite work as she struggled on the cobbles and took 13th. Adam Blythe was our best finisher on the team in 9th.
1
Pim Ligthart
DESTIL - Parkhotel Valkenburg
5h02'01
2
Jan-Willem Van Schip
TEAM TomTom
s.t.
3
Tom Leezer
Monkey Town
s.t.
4
Lennard Hofstede
TEAM TomTom
s.t.
5
Matthew Bostock
JLT Condor
s.t.
Race Day #27 at Circuit de Wallonie
May 27, 2021
Picture perfect profile for my capabilities.
Spoiler
Summary: After missing the winning move the last couple of races, Marcus Diamond is taking the action into his own hands with a monster attack on the final time up the cobbled climb.
Strength in numbers for Meridiana Kamen Team. A trio of them pulls back Diamond and, of course, Pim Ligthart is here too. What a month he is having. Could this be win No. 3 in three weeks?
These five will sprint it out for the win.
Sergey Chernetskiy takes it for Meridiana Kamen. Well deserved for an outstanding team performance. Plus, Pim Ligthart has won enough races this month. How generous of him to let someone else take the glory.
Result: 5th - Made the decisive move this time but couldn't finish it off. Second time I have finished fifth in this race. The other time being two years ago.
1
Sergey Chernetskiy
Meridiana Kamen Team
4h58'15
2
Pim Ligthart
DESTIL - Parkhotel Valkenburg
s.t.
3
Tejay Van Garderen
Meridiana Kamen Team
s.t.
4
Rachid Ben Attar
Meridiana Kamen Team
s.t.
5
Marcus Diamond
EvoPro Racing
s.t.
Calendar
Spoiler
Date
Race
Winner
1-May
Skive-Løbet
Rasmus Ginnerup
1-May
Eschborn-Frankfurt
Caleb Ewan
1-May
Memorial A. Trochanowskiego
Leon Rohde
2-May
Memorial Romana Siemienskiego
Ramunas Navardauskas
3-May
Rhône-Alpes Isère Tour
Lennard Hofstede
3-May
Tour de Yorkshire
Luca Pacioni
4-May
Giro d'Italia
Pierre-Roger Latour
4-May
Ciclista Comunidad de Madrid
Petr Vakoč
5-May
Sundvolden GP
Anthon Charmig
6-May
Flèche Ardennaise
Jhojan Garcia
6-May
Ringerike GP
Marcos García
8-May
4 Jours de Dunkerque
Mikel Aristi
9-May
Flèche du Sud
Johannes Adamietz
9-May
Berner Rundfahrt
Pim Ligthart
11-May
Vuelta a Aragon
Iván Eres
11-May
CCC Tour - Grody Piastowskie
Marco Tecchio
12-May
Visegrad V4 Race - GP Hungary
Yecid Arturo Sierra
13-May
Profronde van Noord-Holland
Pim Ligthart
13-May
Amgen Tour of California
Wout Poels
16-May
Baltyk - Karkonosze Tour
Sergey Chernetskiy
16-May
Tour of Norway
Nicola Toffali
18-May
Tour de l'Ain
Nicolai Brøchner
20-May
GP Marcel Kint
Jasper De Buyst
22-May
Tour des Fjords
Danny Gosling
23-May
Baloise Belgium Tour
Ben Hermans
24-May
Gemenc Grand Prix
Tom Leezer
26-May
GP de Plumelec-Morbihan
José Manuel Diaz
27-May
Circuit de Wallonie
Sergey Chernetskiy
27-May
Boucles de l'Aulne - Châteaulin
Artem Nych
28-May
Winston-Salem Cycling Classic
Aksel Nömmela
31-May
Skoda-Tour de Luxembourg
31-May
Boucles de la Mayenne
2-Jun
Heistse Pijl
3-Jun
Gran Premio Città di Lugano
3-Jun
Critérium du Dauphiné
4-Jun
Memorial Philippe van Coningsloo
7-Jun
GP du Canton d'Argovie
8-Jun
Oberösterreichrundfahrt
9-Jun
Tour de Suisse
9-Jun
Tour of Malopolska
10-Jun
Ronde van Limburg
10-Jun
Rund um Köln
Marcus Diamond In
13-Jun
Ster ZLM Tour
13-Jun
Tour de Beauce
13-Jun
Tour of Slovenia
14-Jun
Route d'Occitanie
15-Jun
Dwars door het Hageland
16-Jun
Fyen Rundt
Marcus Diamond In
17-Jun
Elfstedenronde
17-Jun
GP Horsens Posten
Marcus Diamond In
19-Jun
Halle - Ingooigem
20-Jun
Adriatica Ionica Race
27-Jun
I.W.T. Jong Maar Moedig
Marcus Diamond In
28-Jun
Belgian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Danish Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Portuguese Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Polish Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Dutch Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
French Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
German Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Austrian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Slovenian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Norwegian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Kazakh Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Irish Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Canadian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
USA Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Italian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Russian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Swiss Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Great Britain Championships (ITT)
Marcus Diamond In
28-Jun
Ukrainian Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Spanish Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Slovak Championships (ITT)
28-Jun
Czech Championships (ITT)
Evaluation
Training Ride *Community Growth Development*
Spoiler
- Each member gets 3.0 points to spread however they like over the 13 attributes listed above. One post per member.
- Stats work on a decimal system starting at 55.0.
- Stats are bumped up in PCM when they hit that number, ex. 55.9 = 55 in-game, and 61.4 = 61 stat in-game.
- The decimal numbers will remain hidden.
- There is a threshold for each stat when more points are needed to increase that stat. It's start off on a 1-to-1 scale where 1 point equals 1 stat upgrade. However, the scales get exponentially further and further apart the closer that stat gets to the maximum of 85. The increasing scale will also remain a mystery.
- Comment below to provide stat upgrades
May We Meet Again?: With transfer rumors starting to swirl in the cycling and football world, Marcus Diamond has yet to hear his name in the rumor mill. Time to take matters into his own hands?
Alycia will be filming her new television show in Vancouver, Canada, so Diamond is contemplating the possibility of making a move across the pond. It would certainly be a challenge and a huge risk.
The only nearby cycling team is Pro Tour powerhouse Amazon in Seattle, Washington, but there are three professional MLS teams in the area: Vancouver Whitecaps, Seattle Sounders and Portland Timbers. Although an MLS club would need to use an international roster slot on him.
(Option A) Contact a sports management agency to test the waters and see if a potential move to the United States is a possibility. Once teams are aware Marcus Diamond is interested, they are less likely to roll out the red carpet. Expect mediocre offers if anybody is interested in bringing Diamond in. If not, Diamond wastes a paycheck and time on a dead end.
(Option B) Wait and see what teams approach Diamond over the next month. Expect better offers but from European-based teams. Diamond could get lucky with unsolicited interest from a U.S. team. But, if not, this could spell the end of Diamond's fling with Alycia Debnam-Carey.
Note: A random generator will be used to sort through a variety of possible contract choices for next season. Whichever option is chosen will increase the chance of (A) Northwest U.S. offers or (B) higher quality European offers. The list of offers will be made public in the upcoming updates where a voting system will decide Diamond's fate.
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
After laying low and waiting for teams to approach him, Marcus Diamond has been presented with five possible contract options to sign for next season. The 21-year-old is now faced with the daunting task of deciding what is best for his future.
Option #1: Netherlands Upstart
Helmond Sport & SEG Racing Academy
Overview
Teammate and friend Alex Vogel helped pull some strings together to get us both an offer with PCT team SEG Racing Academy. The team is currently without a cobbles leader and strong lead-out cyclists, so Alex and I would be a perfect fit.
As for the football side of things, Helmond Sport is Alex's hometown team. Last season they finished 18th out of 20 teams in the Netherlands second tier Jupiler League. They believe I could help them get away from the relegation zone.
I would be given the option to join Helmond Sport at the start of its season in August or finish out my season with Limerick FC first before joining them.
Option #2: Netherlands Big Time
Helmond Sport & Team Sunweb
Overview
Another option in the Netherlands, however, this one would put a fracture in my relationship with Alex. I've been told Pro Tour Team Sunweb are unwilling to give Alex a contract. "Doesn't fit our team needs," also known as she is a female.
While Mike Teunissen will lead the cobbles unit, I'd get to learn from the best and train in a state of the art facility (so better training ride upgrades). Plus, I'd get the flexibility to test my luck with attacks on the PT circuit.
The offer to bolster Helmond Sport remains on the table.
Option #3: Stateside Swing
Minnesota United & Rally Cycling
Overview
This is the closest offer I received to Vancouver to possible stay in touch with Alycia. It's still a three and an half hour flight away, but I think that's doable.
Minnesota United is a relatively new club, founded in 2017, that is still looking for its identity. They have yet to reach the playoffs and are looking to overhaul an aging midfield. I'd joined after my contract with Limerick runs out.
Rally Cycling races in the CT circuit and would love to add a young team leader to provide some well-needed publicity. The team, however, might struggle to find enough cobbled races to utilize my strengths.
Alex is also hesitate to make such as move, but I think I could convince her and my younger sister Alison to move into an apartment with me. Alison has expressed some interest in attending an American University.
Option #4: Homecoming of Sorts
Leyton Orient & JLT Condor
Overview
Former team JLT Condor has a soft spot for reunions and would love to see me return. They are still struggling along in the CT circuit with really no hope of gaining promotion any time soon. I'd be the clear-cut star on the team and Alex would get a spot on the roster as well.
More significantly, I'd get a starting role with Vanarama National League side Leyton Orient. They are eager to become a League Two football team again and already have a handful of talented youngsters coming up through the ranks.
Option #5: Stay the Course
Limerick FC & EvoPro Racing
Overview
Maybe this ongoing journey isn't finished yet. Despite all my complications with my teammates and coaches, both of my current teams don't want to see me leave. They have put some extra money of the table to convince me to stay.
But, does money buy happiness? Or the chance to progress my career?
Other Transfer Rumors
All options that were available to be chosen by the random generator.
Spoiler
Possibility
Odds
EvoPro/Limerick
20%
SEG Racing/Helmond Sport
5%
Team Sunweb/Helmond Sport
5%
Rally Cycling/Minnesota United
5%
JLT Condor/Leyton Orient F.C.
5%
JLT Condor/Charlton Athletic
5%
ONE Pro Cycling/Leyton Orient F.C.
5%
The Guardian/Milwall
5%
Amazon/Seattle Sounders
5%
Amazon/Portland Timbers
5%
Amazon/Vancouver Whitecaps
5%
SEG Racing/FC Volendam
5%
Team Sunweb/Go Ahead Eagles
5%
Leopard Pro Cycling/Metz
5%
Team Dimension/Kaizer Chiefs F.C.
5%
Team Dimension/Orlando Pirates F.C.
5%
No Offers
5%
Contracts
Wage/per month
Years
Bonuses
Option 1
Helmond Sport
3500 euros
2
n/a
SEG Racing Academy
2000 euros
1
250 per stage win
Option 2
Helmond Sport
3500 euros
2
n/a
Team Sunweb
2500 euros
2
500 per stage win
Option 3
Minnesota United
3500 euros
2
75 per goal
Rally Cycling
3000 euros
1
n/a
Option 4
Leyton Orient
7500 euros
3
n/a
JLT Condor
2000 euros
2
n/a
Option 5
Limerick FC
3000 euros
1
n/a
EvoPro Racing
5000 euros
1
n/a
Decision Time: Rank all five offers in the comments below. First pick gets five points, second gets four points, third gets three points, fourth gets two points and fifth gets a point. Whichever offer ends up with the most points will be what Marcus Diamond choose to do.
A really tough one. Leyton Orient is a big move to get into the English high tiers, but I think we also want to be PCT at least in cycling. That means to me the Dutch offers look the best but they fracture the relationship with Alycia. I’d dearly love to take the Minnesota offer and keep the relationships with Marcus’ girls all strong but I’m not sure Rally or the MLS fit our needs sporting wise - interested to hear everyone else’s thoughts first. Provisionally:
1
3
4
2
5
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
I prefer the options having the same contract duration for cycling and football. And after all, 2 years at Sunweb really sounds nice. It would be his chance to prove he CAN be a team-player, at least in his first year. He might get some more chances to shine in the second year. Plus, better training ride upgrades would really be great. And let's be honest, the cycling career looks much more promising than the football one right now, so I'd love to see where he can get if he joins a PT team already now.
Of course, the relationships with Alycia and Alex would suffer from this option, but I don't see any difficulties for Mre to introduce some more female characters
A starting role with a club looking for promotion to League 2 would be great for you and that pay would be really nice. Also whilst being a leader in CT might be a step below where he should, I figure that would be the best option for helping Alex develop as she should get her own chances at that level and if she develops too then the pair of you should be enough to give them a chance of promotion.
Chasing promotion in both might be a little bit of a conflict of interests for you in terms of clashes but I like the idea of prioritising the Football career right ow as you can still make a jump up divisions as a cyclist later than you can as a footballer, so if you want to continue focussing on both then you need to make a Football jump sooner than you do with cycling.
Next is the Dutch options, like you said Option 1 would be a perfect fit for both of your ambitions, and would give Alex a really nice role, Sunweb might be a step up too much and would strain your relationship with Alex so isn't as good a fit. Also the SEG option keeping the things good with Alex, whilst playing for her home town club could see her coming to some of the games to support you when she isn't racing herself.
Staying seems like it would be a bad move, it feels like relationships with both teams are strained so I think you really need to get out.
I think America is the worst move, for a MLS club to use and International slot on you feels like it doesn't help the club enough, and it takes you away from the focus of the European leagues. You'd also still be CT, but with less Cobbled races which are your strength and it feels like you'd be voluntarily stagnating both careers just to chase Alycia.
It had been a week, I had to make my decision before offers started falling off the table. Trust your gut, they say. There is no wrong choice, they say. Do what is best for you, they say. All of that stuff is cliché. In the moment, it's terrifying.
Five options... One choice that will alter my career and life forever.
I had waited long enough. I picked up my phone to make a call, and noticed I had missed a snapchat from Alycia. Her puppy dog eyes flashed on the screen with the caption, "When are u coming to visit?"
If I knew the answer I would have responded. We were drifting apart and now I was slowly pushing her away. Distancing myself. She deserved better and I needed to focus on my career. We had our fun, but I guess it wasn't meant to be.
I closed snapchat, went into my contacts list and scrolled down... S T U V...
"Hey, what's up?" Alex Vogel said after picking up the phone.
"I've made up my mind. I'm ready to see what the Netherlands has to offer."
"Awesome. You're going to love it! I'll let them know you have accepted and I'll have them send over the paperwork to sign. Looks like you are stuck with me for another season," Alex said with a chuckle.
"Can't wait."
A couple hours later, I got the paperwork and made it official. My future for next year was signed and sealed. Time will tell if I made the right decision.
Also, a note to my future self, negotiate a signing bonus next time.
Tour de Yorkshire
Berner Rundfahrt
Profronde van Noord-Holland
Circuit de Wallonie
