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Post by chakra on Aug 8, 2017 10:46:57 GMT 1
Welcome to our forum. Its my x-th time in 2nd Div and I never lasted longer than 3 seasons in a row in 2nd Div. So my expectations aren't that high. Survive in 2nd. Since we've got a bot team in the Div (P&P Runners) the percentage of surviving has raised from 66.6% to 72.7%. I wouldn't be surprised if my team ended up in the other 28%. Only a few moments to the kick-off of season 18. Wish you all good luck and may this season be fair and exciting. Hope to see you soon on this topic.
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Post by chakra on Aug 8, 2017 11:14:23 GMT 1
Only half an hour before kick-off.
9 Teams subscribed Down Under.
3 teams to go: P&P (bot team) - J.M. Jiménez - GsC. Hopefully they won't miss the start...
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Post by evild on Aug 8, 2017 11:22:37 GMT 1
hi chakra, welcome back.
It will be quiet here. Only negru and i pass by every now and then. Certainly now Ab, joachim, gringo and rarau left the division. Don't know if By the way and dirks toppers are forum visitors? Or Gsc and Jimenez? I know Antwerp, Naspa, TMoI and ASA aren't. Well, last season at least.:-)
For this season, i don't think you have to worry. It looks like Jimenez and Gsc take some time off. They might participate in youth races but that's about it i guess. Leaves you with one relegation spot. My bets, you'll be safe.
What will bring the new season? I have no clue. I read that naspa wants to renew his squad and take it easy, negru doesn't want a promotion. That brings me TMoI and By the way as favorites for the promotion. Curious what ASA will do but i guess he will not play an entire season. The moment he enters the top spots, he misses a few races. As for my own team, i have some 36y old ones in my squad. I like to get rid of them this season. Not much for an ambition, just win a couple of races and have fun, and find me some decent guys around 29y. Don't have the team to play for promotion at the moment
Good luck and see you soon
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Post by chakra on Aug 8, 2017 12:32:39 GMT 1
Well, I was looking forward to compete some old friends again.
Today I raced a bit safe. Waiting to see who are the strong team. Perhaps not the best tactic. But looking at the results. I'm pretty sure I'll win some points, even perhaps some stages, who knows. One thing I really hope is to stay financially alive.
I do hope there will be some activity on the forum. Last season was a bit pover too in 3:1.
I thought U25 were considered to compete for the white jersey. As is mentionned in the announcements. Apparantly it's not, or not yet programmed as such. Helas.
Guess Antwerp will be going for promotion. Dirks toppers too. Coming from 3rd straight to 1st?
CUL8R.
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Post by evild on Aug 8, 2017 14:16:46 GMT 1
Apparently there are some problems in de database concerning the 25year adjustment, it will be fixed asap. Lucky you:-P
Don't make any conclusions yet. I don't think Antwerp is strong enough to compete an entire season. Same as Dirks toppers. I even doubt of those guys want to. Few top guys will win some stages, but that's it. We do have an idea now which cyclists have a decent flat skill. I think they mainly focus on stage wins instead of GC. And like them, i see you winning some stages this season as well.
Keep an eye on BTW and evcont. Sorgatz is also a good one.
So far we have 3 teams with fitness training available. Naspa, ASA and Dirks toppers
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Post by davidandre on Aug 8, 2017 16:00:54 GMT 1
I visit the forum now and then. Love to discuss our division in this topic. First of all it is good to see that my team is expected to go for promotion. However, I'm not sure if that is very realistic. I defenitely have some great riders like Tappa and Brinks, but not all of my riders are good enough for division 2 already. I have a big youth squad but they are not developed enough to battle for the win in the youth races.
I wish you all good luck and I hope everyone will try to finish as high as possible. Even if this is not quite a good idea for your team.
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Post by evild on Aug 9, 2017 8:03:12 GMT 1
hi mate. Welcome. Good to see you here. The more the merrier:-)
personally, i expect some things from you yes. I know some of your cyclists, they are pretty damn good. Brinks is a beast:D
Like a said in my previous messages, yes, i see you as a team aiming for promotion. We'll see in a few weeks when the first races are done and we get a better view on the GC
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Post by chakra on Aug 9, 2017 9:49:29 GMT 1
So far we have 3 teams with fitness training available. Naspa, ASA and Dirks toppers I've got a fitness trainer 5. I rarely use it. Could use it in Giro, but what will make the difference against fitnesstrainer 15 or even 18? So useless to use it. My opinion stays the same no fitnesstraining for cyclists competing a tour. But it's not up to me to decide that. Welcome to you too davidandre.
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Post by evild on Aug 9, 2017 11:43:15 GMT 1
i never used it and never will. It's something specific to use when you want succes on a short term base but doesnt guarantee you wins. Rarau used it last year, couldnt win a big tour with it but it produced him many points. I think only ASA was able to win the giro with it, that's it. I agree that it can be better removed from the game, but that's an endless discussion that already has been told many times and will be in the future. Maybe they have to add Dope testers in every stage and pick some riders randomly. If they use fitness training, they can get a fine or a suspension. Just a thought:-)
What to think about Winaud? Strong victorie yesterday, no? I didnt see that one coming to be honest. That guy is able to compete in Div 1:-o If you compare the time with 2.1, damn. I'm in the wrong division:p
I was hoping to be a little closer with lonfils, but then again i notice that the flat stages are not really my cup of tea. Bummer. So i decided to pull him back. Not much points for me in this first week :s
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Post by chakra on Aug 9, 2017 12:48:10 GMT 1
Winaud is a product of SeMTeX (now in 4th Div). He trained him marvously. And was a heck of a cyclist. A beast in those days I was with him in 3rd. And it seems he hasn't lost his power. One to look out for. Curious how far managers go here in fitness decrease of the cyclists. 60? 40? or even less?
I think I can win a flat stage, we'll see in Dubai. My leader should be able to have a good ranking in that tour.
With the new improvements. my team will be worth almost nothing next season. Five of my cyclists (among 3 with LS) are in the position to retire. Unfortunately they are my stronger ones. Very all round, with some talent is different skills. That is the problem of many teams now, but it makes the game more attractive, tactical and managmentish. (?)
Meanwhle training up Bythell (21) and Stulligrosz (20) as future leader. And hoping to pull a youngster with LS=3. If that's possible.
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Post by rarau on Aug 9, 2017 15:16:23 GMT 1
And hoping to pull a youngster with LS=3. If that's possible.
is possible.
But i think it's better a 18y cyclist with 2 LS in first 2-3 weeks of the season
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Post by chakra on Aug 9, 2017 20:30:19 GMT 1
Yes I know, I had one before the 2nd update. But after the second update my youthscout was tired of looking after one, so he didn't find any.
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Post by chakra on Aug 10, 2017 12:43:10 GMT 1
OMG. I won! And even have a mountain jersey.
Never thought that. Wins and jersey are nicely divided
Vroom nothing for you this tour? Evcont went down in the ranking and ASA took his place. Currently 3rd but still a long way to go. Main goal is surviving this season in 2nd Div. Certainly not promotion.
The improvement of the youngster ranking is superb! Supps and money rewarded. This can save lot of teams.
Looking forward to see the hill stage of tomorrow.
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Post by davidandre on Aug 10, 2017 13:13:02 GMT 1
Congratulations! Nice victory. I hope to take a first victory soon.
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Post by evild on Aug 10, 2017 14:57:19 GMT 1
congrats mate, nice job. See, i told you, you will face a good season. Tappa came close david, we'll see him back soon. You lost it in stage 1, maybe a level flat less? Curious if beghelli gets the fitness update this time. For me it has became a difficult start. Like i said, this tour wasnt suited for me. Hoped to be closer, but eventually pulled lonfils back. We'll see what will come out the upcoming week, hope it pays off. Also some bad luck with delire who got injured. Not that he can compete against the other 25y old ones, but still... It's a pitty that they didnt communicate the youth changings last season. I sold/missed some riders who could have earned me some easy money this season:s. Nevertheless, up to Dubai.
I was watching the TL last night. Had some interest in a 14 flat rider. But he got sold for +600k, 35years old. Decided not to participate in betting. I alse noticed Antwerp buying Espino for 750k. I really wanna know what his plans are. He has 45 cyclists, 20 of them are 35 or older. So i was a bit surprised that he bought espino. Maybe i was wrong and he wants to go up to 1.1 inmediately. Same thing with groeneweghe (330k). I hope that he knows what he is doing
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