Written by Amstel Flanders at 14:37 26/1-2023
Greetings, OCM managers. It’s that special time again, where you can have a quick glimpse on what happened in the past 90 days at Amstel Flanders.
It has been a season of contrast. And some learning too. We didn’t perform as we did in the past seasons but, the final score says it was our second best season ever (just behind S62); then, the question is, why not calling it a good season?
First, a general feeling of weakness… but I think there’s another word that fits perfectly: inconsistency. A few very good days followed by extent periods of bad luck, crashes or successful break aways from other teams. Then the cycle repeated. Yeah, like if in the last kilometer; we lacked that extra push we had (perhaps I didn’t buy the special vitamins to ride faster).
Moreover, other teams and younger riders seemed to have reached our level so… it could explain some things or maybe it’s just a coincidence. Still, Amstel Flanders managed to ride the whole season at Div 4 except four days we dropped to Div 5, just to climb up again.
The A.B.A.F Gang did all what they could throughout S63. We only managed to win a single race in a pure sprint (Iranman as usual), the other wins came from successful break aways (Bitao and Nkurunziza, first win and result), an unexplored terrain for the team but we will not complain. At least, the contribution was not only limited to our four clear leaders, some theorical team mates added crucial points to keep us in the division while earning money.
Noite made as the fifth man of the Gang, specially the first days of the season while most of them where recharging their legs. We failed all the targets, planned or not, desperation reached highest levels at Race of the Minutemen and Giro di Sicilia with riders much worse than our leaders grabbing the best places.
Of course, we cannot blame other riders. We realized the main guys were a bit out of luck, some a bit older now; but there wasn’t a younger replacement for Azargoshasp in the team and manager Williamson reached a deadlock, desperate times require desperate measurements.
The scouts began to move, searching that potential rider to become the new captain. The majority of the trainees failed and the ones we’ve sold maxed high and terrific. The only way was buying someone else, 26 years old or younger and avoid inopportune interruptions from 7% F1 teams. Yeah, it was a hard task; considering we’ve never invested more than 500k in a rider and specifically a captain material, so sacrifices were necessary to avoid extinction (or dropping to lower divisions, being less dramatic). Obviously, the first replies were candid and polite (if we can consider no replying back as polite answer); others just didn’t want to let go and we were clearly resigned to continue this way, waiting the retirement of our riders.
Until we read a PR… we checked the forum to see if the man was still available and our scouts contacted him. Wilhelm seemed excited to join us and we made our offer, fingers crossed. Again, no answer back and while Manager Williamson was cursing and seeking other options, he received a reply 24 hours later. Quickly an agreetment was made for him and it was time to wait the 24 hours.
We knew there would be interruptions at such price for a guy that can be a Norwich-London winner but we didn’t care. He was ours, at least if not exceeding the team’s budget. 72 hours of overbidding, uncertainty, nervousness and other feelings, when we decided 700k was the final bid… no more than that. Many balloon alerts passed those 24 hours, none from the auction…
Releasing a war cry, the party began at Amstel’s HQ. Lindberg was officially part of the team, no matter we had 2k in the bank in that moment. Now that we will have all the money, it’s time to check our captain’s performance during S63.
Boris Bitao kept his good legs, won another race (BA) and scored some top 9’s to help the team in the races, as captain or top team mate. Recently, the Israeli cyclist announced his retirement by the beginning of S64 when turning 36 years old.
Metodija Aksentiev again had a poor season. Only at the end, he helped Sam with his top performances to score points and help the Iranian sprinter to win in a cold country again.
Zack Fayard couldn’t keep up the good results from S63, although he also become a super support for Azargoshasp in the final races. His top form didn’t help him in the HL races as he managed to show no endurance as well as off days. He really needs to rest.
Zacarias Noite had a bright start, however; the Portuguese cyclist couldn’t have more opportunities as the season went on. He couldn’t be ready for GdS and surely that crushed his heart and team spirit.
Sam “Iranman” Azargoshasp was again the main cyclist. After recovering of the sorrow caused by his brother’s retirement, the captain tried his luck in the Div 4 Classics (4th in Baltimore Invitational and 2nd in Orel-Kursk Classic, due to a terrible report). He failed at RotM SC, with a 5th as best place. Needs a long break and a top replacement. Despite his bad season, Sam won his third jersey as Iranian National Champion (S57, S61, S63) and became 5th Iranian All-time scorer.
 Metodija Aksentiev
Total Races: 20
Wins: 0
Results: 0
Top 9’s: 1
Total Earnings: 7k
Best Place: 7th
OCM Tour Ranking: 3400th
Macedonia National Ranking: 6th
OCM Points: 8
Boris Bitao
Total Races: 26
Wins: 1
Results: 1
Top 9’s: 2
Total Earnings: 16k
Best Place: 1st
OCM Tour Ranking: 1410th
Israel National Ranking: 5th
OCM Points: 88
Zack Fayard
Total Races: 19
Wins: 0
Results: 0
Top 9’s: 1
Total Earnings: 7k
Best Place: 4th
OCM Tour Ranking: 2460th
France National Ranking: 84th
OCM Points: 30
Zacarias Noite
Total Races: 20
Wins: 0
Results: 1
Top 9’s: 3
Total Earnings: 23k
Best Place: 2nd
OCM Tour Ranking: 1346th
Portugal National Ranking: 59th
OCM Points: 92
Sam Azargoshasp
Total Races: 23
Wins: 1
Results: 3
Top 9’s: 2
Total Earnings: 39,5k
Best Place: 1st
OCM Tour Ranking: 530th
Iran National Ranking: 1st
OCM Points: 246
Other contributions besides team leaders.
Rafael Bragança
Total Races: 15
Wins: 0
Results: 0
Top 9’s: 1
Top Earnings: 7k
Best Place: 4th
OCM Tour Ranking: 2460th
Portugal National Ranking: 126th
OCM Points: 30
Rodas Lima
Total Races: 26
Wins: 0
Results: 0
Top 9’s: 1
Total Earnings: 5k
Best Place: 6th
OCM Tour Ranking: 3142th
Spain Tour Ranking: 128th
OCM Points: 10
Philippe Congo
Total Races: 21
Wins: 0
Results: 0
Top 9’s: 2
Top Earnings: 10k
Best Place: 7th
OCM Tour Ranking: 3061th
Niger Tour Ranking: 4th
OCM Points: 14
Sylvain Nkurunziza
Total Races: 29
Wins: 1
Results: 1
Top 9’s: 0
Top Earnings: 12k
Best Place: 1st
OCM Tour Ranking: 1641th
Rwanda National Ranking: 5th
OCM Points: 70
Team’s Overall
Wins: 3
Results: 6
Top 9’s: 13
Total Earnings: 126,5k
OCM Points: 588
Quite solid numbers, although we can do it better. With the new blood, we hope to reach even higher and keep racing in the Div 4. The plan for this season is focused in staff. The Team has planned a very austere season besides some talent selling from Academy (if they are good enough to be hired and sold) and any gift in form of Free Hire List (like the other day; thank you by the way, BigBoss).
Speaking of buying and selling, here you can see the riders who have left the team this season and the ones that will join for S64.
In
Mancho Milian - 35k (Free Agent)
Wilhelm Lindberg - 700k (Hog Bay CT)
Total Spending: 735k
Out
Rafael Bragança - 400k (Team AEK)
Boris Bitao - 136k (Retirement)
Cláudio Barateiro - 85k (Vitória FC)
Hogir Ferdowsi - 60k (GroTeam)
Donzel Hanori - 70k (Remco)
Gilian Feaux - 55k (Vuoso)
Total Income: 806k
With the remaining cash, the plan is reinforcing the doctors and mechanics. If we can complete the whole staff before the end of S64, even better.
I know you are wondering this, how can you collect all of this, while I’m not capable or don’t want to? Well, you just have read the answer hehehe.
This season the squad will be a bit shorter but fully trained for the first time, besides the Honduran trainee; here is the squad that will race for our colours this upcoming season. We already miss Boris even he hasn’t officially retired :(
1) Sam Azargoshasp - 32 years old, Captain Ahab (3 seasons deal left) – (225 SP/277 SARS)
2) Wilhelm Lindberg - 24 years old, Sprint Captain (10 seasons deal left) – (222 SP)
3) Zack Fayard - 30 years old, Hill Sprint Captain (3 seasons deal left) – (226 HLSP)
4) Metodija Aksentiev – 33 years old, Sprint Vice Captain (2 seasons deal left) – (214 SP)
5) Zacarias Noite - 30 years old, Hill Sprint Captain (4 seasons deal left) – (219 HLSP/211 SP/264 SARS)
6) Philippe Congo - 32 years old, Lead-Out – SPTQ Captain (4 seasons deal left) – (205 SPTQ)
7) Sylvain Nkurunziza - 27 years old, Lead-Out/Accidental Sprint Captain (5 seasons deal left) – (213 SP)
8) Rodas Lima - 27 years old, Lead-Out/Optional Sprinter (5 seasons deal left) – (205 SP)
9) Jasper Vandenbosch – 24 years old, Lead-Out/SPTQ Vice Captain (6 seasons deal left) – (209 SPTQ)
10) Manne Rosenkvist - 27 years old, Lead-Out (4 seasons deal left) – (178 SP)
11) André Tran - 24 years old, Lead-Out/Wind-Breaker (5 seasons deal left) – (197 SP)
12) Nick Hilsted - 23 years old, Lead-Out (4 seasons deal left) – (177 SP)
13) Mancho Milian – 21 years old, BA (Last Season)
Over n’ Out.
Subscribers: 6
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Comments
Thank you. Maybe Boris should do well, but I have other HLSP demanding some leading role. And if I keep the Latvian boy, then Boris will have no space at all.
Good luck! Imo, Boris should be good for another couple of seasons
Thanks, hopefully he will do fine.
Good luck with Lindberg :)
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