Written by Team Oasis at 13:52 15/11-2019
You've got good seasons, you've got very good seasons and you've got outstanding seasons. Season 50 has been a nice rollercoaster ride with great twists and turns. And in the end it was outstanding.
The interesting bit is that at the start we didn't know we would end up in a rollercoaster. For the third season in a row we started with modest ambitions. Yes, we would like to hunt a GC in a tour, but that was about it.
DH-squad delivers
You wouldn't believe me, but the season was actually started with showing persistance in the DH-niche. Season 48 was a big disappointment and we couldn't win a single first edition of the newly designed races. In fact our competiteveness was weak. The aim this season was to see if Rashad could make us proud again in this field.
He did well with 2 wins in 2 new races, the stage win at Drodz Cup and a second in Granada. Then it was put to a halt with an offday and a crucial crash. Humberto did a nice job when Rashad got an injruy scoring a nice 2nd. 3 wins and 2 times second is a good result.
Cup dominance
When it was getting clear div 1 would be our place, we focussed on the Drodz Cup. The goal was the DH-stage and see if perhaps a podium could be an option in the overall classification. Topform was not ignited because for the DH-stage we wouldn't really need that to score good. So without major expectations, Alpine can vouch for me on that, we went and we scored a 3th in the TT, WTF!!! Then two stage victories followed and the cup was won. An unbelievable succes for a niche team like me on the highest level.
Touring ambitions
After the Drodz Cup we dreamed of going to GT again. First up though was the Vuelta. Like in Drodz Cup we would like to enter silently and leave with a bang. Rashad's leg were not always in good shape but he showcased his powers with winning a stage. Then management made a mistake by going to Essex, overestimating the possibility to get our first GC result there. Then a bumpy ride started to get the right amount of points for GT.
Alot went wrong along the way but we made it. For the first time in our existence we battled for the victory. Battle was fierce with two opponents with better support making no errors. A bit disappointed but also pleased with our first podium in this tour. Next season this will be again a maor target.
Topping the rider ranking
An unexpected treat due to the wonderful performances by Rashad was that soon he popped up in the top 10 of the rider ranking. As the season progressed and Rashad climbed up, this became our second biggest target for the season. Around day 70 it was obvious that Rashad was in for the win, but an injury sabotaged 2 very suitable races. Would he make it?
We all know now he did it. Its the highight of season 50 for our team. For the very first time one of our rider tops the rider ranking. And, also nice to mention, it is the first downhiller to do so. This in a world where reaching a top25 for such a rider is already considered to be rare and excellent. So this achievement is phenomenal in our eyes. A good high to end the season with.
Main targets
Germany Tour scored 3rd in GC. Given the opposition a good result
Spytkowice - Lipnica Wielka won by Rashad
Side targets
Patryk Drozdowski Trophy Cup won by Rashad
Vuelta de los Castillos only 8th in GC. A stage win was a consolation
Essex Tour top 9 not reached, we remain to be emptyhanded
Critérium La Provence failure due to injury Rashad
Win a new race: 8 wins in races we did not win before. Super result.
Unexpected targets
Winning the OCM Rider ranking of Season 50 thanks to Rashad.
Subscribers: 39
| |
Comments
With all the guys taking credit I will take some as well. If only for being specifically mentioned in the text ;) Great season Nooky!
Yeah, it was great. Not sure what to do now. Try for another run at Drodz. Or loose points to drop down to div 2 for Valparaiso. For GT i can use Humberto or Mikhaylov, or i have to recharge Rashad.
I will take some credit as well for ... hmm... oh, for not competing in div 1 and not stealing away the wins from Nooky!!! :-) just kidding, great season Nooky, well done!!!
Btw, do I understand correctly that Rashad was injured twice during the season?
He's just bossing the game on hard mode. :D
Yes, I'll have some of that credit as well. Actually Nooky didn't do that much if you look at it. ;p
Awesome job this season, Nooky!
I'll take a little bit of the credit because of the additions to the calendar btw. ;)
|
Other Team's Press Releases
|
|
|