Written by Team Blitz at 21:56 6/12-2022
It should come as no surprise to regular fans that the team is going through a generational change.
Former sprint star Luis das Neves has moved on to a supporting role elsewhere as has his former mentor an main lead out man Nkosana Founda. Other key riders in the lead out train like Ray Odia and Viktor Lunde are moving into the fall of their career and are looking to pass the baton.
On the hill squad, former golden boy and all-time most winning rider on the team, Patrick Bruggen, is slowly making the move towards a supporting role for his countryman Kobus Sligter.
But how will the new team of younger riders hold up?
For one, the new generation of riders are definitely seeing the benifit of larger budgets due to the success the team has had in recent years. A larger, more professional staff and better equipment is available.
And while Chiamulera and Hlatshwayo do not appear as versatile as their predecessors, we are sure they will prove as strong if not stronger than Lunde and "Old Man" Odia have been in their designated roles in the lead out train.
On top of that, new sprint leader Benjamin Dijken will have the support of two of the best all-out sprinters the team has seen in many years in the form of Boje Kofoed and Nikolaj Majzlik. The latter has already proven himself as a leader on a few occasions despite his young age, and both are looking at very promising careers.
On the hilly side of the team, there is no doubt Bruggen is irreplacable. He do seem to have one or two strong seasons left in him, though. And while Sligter might never be as great a hill sprinter as his mentor, he will be waiting patiently for those hillly races throughout the seasons where heavier captains will suffer on the longer slopes.
On top of that, he will have the kind of support Bruggen did not. The hill support team with riders like Bruggen himself, former youth star Aad Reiling, and the talent-in-the-making, Adolf Branek is looking stronger than ever.
Overall, management expect the next season or two to be a transitional period with fewer big results until the young riders really break through.
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Comments
Bruggen is now in his prime, but can last longer than 30 with his skill especially in the lower divisions. But Sligter is a good replacement and will be in his prime in a few seasons.
Try to race your riders a bit more to work on their Experience. They will be able to do better at an older age too then.
Good luck with the transition.
Generational changes are always challenging, but exciting at the same time. Good luck!
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