Written by Amstel Flanders at 11:57 25/7-2023
In the cycling scene, agents are very important. They will let you notice if a good rider is not enjoying a role in your team or if he’s not reaching his best potential with so many strong riders around.
Here at Amstel, we base the time of stay of our roster with “contracts”. Not literally bound with it, but it tells how important he is in the time and for how long he might be, now that’s the point of listing them on ‘X’ seasons deal. And right now, some of them are uncertainty about their roles in the near future, or just seeking another payrise so it’s time to “negotiate” a new contract (by negotiate it means, just sign the damn contract or you’ll become a jobber forever hehehe).
These are the most important negotiations we are dealing with at Amstel Flanders.
 Sam Azargoshasp - 34 years old (1 season deal left) - (225 SP/277 SARS)
Zack Fayard - 32 years old (1 season deal left) - (226 HLSP)
Metodija Aksentiev - 35 years old (Last season) - (214 SP)
Konštantín Hanák - 22 years old (4 seasons deal left) - (222 SPTQ)
Sylvain Nkurunziza - 29 years old (3 seasons deal left) - (213 SP)
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Sam Azargoshasp: Considered in unanimity as the greatest rider of Amstel Flanders’ history, many cycling critics agree “Iranman” will likely extend his contract beyond S67 (his last season with contract, Sam will be 36 by then), however, some minor conditions should be clarified (how many races he will join or lead, salary, what role to play before and after retirement, etc). Richard Masson stated Azargoshasp can do what he thinks it’s best for him, and the team will offer renewal at the moment he wishes to discuss so; denying rumors of a new start in another team on a hypothetical transfer fee of 335k, no add ons.
Current/Potential renewal offer: 1 more season (until S68, 37 years old), salary slightly decreased from 4,25M$ to 3,5M$ per season and the probable creation of Azargoshasp Foundation; a program to create cycling academies and spot potential trainees.
Zack Fayard: Like Azargoshasp, Zack’s contract finishes in S67 (he will be 34 years old). When Zacarias Noite departed, everyone assumed his contract extension would be a mere formality until Emil Sønderby joined the squad. Market rumors affirmed he might leave the team and even suggested a couple of destinations (from D4/5 teams). Although Fayard has one strong ally within the staff; his countryman Richard Masson. Some reporters say the former cyclist will be key to convince the high staff and offer a contract extension to Fayard, will it happen?
Current/Potential renewal offer: 1 more season (until S68, 35 years old), salary down to 50% (from 2,1M$ to 1,05M$) plus 250k$ bonus if scoring 100+ points each season until end of contract.
Metodija Aksentiev: Metodija hasn’t officially announced his retirement, but the team is very happy with his professionalism. A very polite way to say, despite you haven’t been successful, you did some minor contributions to the team. Lacking fast lead outs, Williamson and Masson will try to make him race another season until a decent replacement is hired. Yet his agent talked to Macedonian media about his client’s situation, “Metodija is the greatest legend of this country. He surely deserves all the good, we are concerned he didn’t have much luck in the last seasons, but he’s still capable enough to do great things on the asphalt,” he said.
Current/Potential renewal offer: 1 season (S67, he will be 37), salary down to 300k$ (S66 will be 1,7M$), 50k$ bonus if scoring from BA. The rider and his agent suggest 950k$ salary for S67, no BA bonus, private meetings still going on.
Konštantín Hanák: Gary Lineker speaks of Hanák as the most promising sprinter of Slovakia. And surely, being publicly flattered by Lineker means one thing: budget has to be healthy enough if you want to keep him or hire him. Just turned 22, Amstel Flanders is too concerned about his situation (a relatively short-term contract, youth). After La Génération Future (U23) (9th SC with no support at all) two meetings took place, according to Lineker; a first contact that didn’t end with a successful agreement for both parts. Still, there’s no rush and when asked about Hanák, manager Williamson just commented, “He’s our rider, still under a fair long contract, he will stay with us.”
Leaks from Slovakian press insist there would be some teams from D1/2 interested to count with the young rider, even a journalist assured a potential offer of 750k to Amstel Flanders would convince the main staff to let go their new star. Sport journalists and their “trustworthy” sources…
Current/Potential renewal offer: 4 more seasons (current deal ends at S70, extended to S74, he will be 27 under current deal, 31 years old with new contract), salary increased to 1,3M$ (40k$ currently), will be allowed to choose his own calendar, however he’d assist Lindberg if necessary. 200k bonus if he makes it to Slovakian NT and 500k bonus if scoring results (up to 1M$ add ons if winning a WT race within 3 seasons, starting from S66). His father (agent) and the rider claim a 1,95M$ salary, 550k bonus if scoring 5+ results for the team, a total of 2,5M$ salary, and only 2 more seasons (until S72, Hanák will be 29). Fully agree with NT bonuses, discussions still going on.
Sylvain Nkurunziza: Mainly on a supportive role, and a BA expert; Sylvain hasn’t given any troubles to the team. Recently, Rwandan sprinter changed agent (P. Zahavi) and some petitions were sent through email. The French press likely echoed on the news, speaking of some discomfort from Nkurunziza and his secondary role. Requested by some French reporters, the team declined to make any comments about the situation, with so many negotiations going on. Still under contract (until S69, will be 33 years old), rumors are spreading unnecessarily.
Current/Potential renewal offer: 2 more seasons (until S71, Nkurunziza will be 35 at the end of his contract), salary slightly increased to 1M$ (currently 820k$) plus 200k bonus if scoring from BA. No answers from Zahavi and Nkurunziza.
So, besides racing, we will focus our efforts on team management. Hopefully everything will go well for all parties.
Over n’ Out.
PD: I know, I have a lot of free time when not training or lurking on market and forum. But I thought it’d be a good idea, to make it more “dynamic” hehehe.
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Comments
Classic big Al
Alan Shearer thinks Alan Shearer is the best ;)
But what does Alan Shearer think?
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