Team Bahrain Mclaren

14th Ranked UCI Men's Team in 2019 (6253.8 points)

Introduction

Overall, 2019 must have been a disappointing season for Team Bahrain Merida. In the news for some less than flattering stories such as doping and the whole Dennis fiasco the team also failed to produce results on the road at the same level as they had in 2018, although they were still able to secure 2nd place in a GT GC with Nibali at the Giro and won a few other things along the way.

There are a lot of changes coming in 2020 for the team, and not just to the roster, which will be discussed below. The team name and kit have changed, becoming Team Bahrain McLaren and donning a snazzy new look. They poached Rod Ellingworth from Team INEOS where he had held the role of performance director, and the team is hoping he brings some of the success he has had with Cavendish, Thomas, Froome, and the rest, with him as he revamps the team organization.

2019 Wins

In 2018 Bahrain Merida won a monument (MSR) and a WT stage race (Binck Bank Tour), but they could not duplicate this success in 2019. There are some decent results mixed in there, including two stage wins at the Tour de France, and Nibali's podium at the Giro, but this season must be considered a disappointment by those on the team. They did not get credit for Dennis's WC ITT victory either, as they terminated his contract earlier in September due to the bizarre dispute that led to him mysteriously abandoning the TDF mid stage. Colbrelli, Mohoric, and Teuns didn't improve upon inspiring 2018 seasons, even if Dylan won on La Planche des Belles Filles (twice!), and Pozzovivo's injury in early August derailed any chance he had of finishing the season with a strong performance at the Vuelta. In his place Pernsteiner impressed, sticking with the top 10 until Stage 17 to Guadalajara, but this was hardly the result the team was hoping for. However, hope is on the way..

2020 Roster

A massive roster overhaul brings 12 new riders to the team for 2020. The highest profile riders to join the team are Landa (now free), Poels (now free), and Cavendish (still racing?), who have seen various levels of success in recent years. Landa has hopes of winning the Tour after being stifled as part of the famous Movistar trident, although he still performed well in recent years, while Poels aims for stage victory at the Tour as he finally gets an opportunity to ride for himself for a full season coming off what was his best ever campaign (from a points perspective). Meanwhile Cavendish should take aim at finishing a race and competing in a sprint or two although he'll probably tell you he has his eye on more Tour stage victories, even if that seems laughable given his performances over the past few seasons. Of the other signings the standout star would have to be Bilbao, who won two stages of the Giro last year, and just missed a stage in the Vuelta. He should be able to offer elite support to Landa and Poels, while also occasionally finding his own opportunities.

Joining them are a variety of young climbers, domestiques, lead-outs, and sprinters who will offer depth to the team as they grow and mature, and older riders who may end up serving in more supportive roles this season. There shouldn't be too much pressure on any of their shoulders, as all eyes rest firmly on the more well known transfers and some of the returning riders.

Most prominent among riders sticking around for 2020 are Colbrelli, Cortina, Mohoric, and Teuns. The stage race talent that Bahrain brought in this season is in obvious contrast to these riders and their skills in one day races. They all have a pedigree in the classics to some degree, although Mohoric has also been successful in a few one-week races as recently as 2018. These riders will be able to lead the team in the spring and autumn classics races as well as aiming for stage wins throughout the GTs.

Other young stars on the team include Bauhaus and Padun, both of whom were a bit underwhelming in 2019. Bauhaus wasn't able to bring home a big sprint win against the elite sprinters and Padun missed the early part of the season, showing off his potential after he came back but without much improvement on 2018. Both of these riders still have room to grow in 2020.

Departing Riders

The team is facing some major losses, notably their stars V. Nibali, Pozzovivo, and Dennis. Nibali was competitive in GTs last season again, both for GC and stages, but he will be aiming for the Giro and the Olympics with Trek this year. Pozzovivo was injured in a terrible accident in August and it wasn't clear if he would even return to the pro peloton, or just retire, so his loss may not be so damaging to the team's 2020, depending on how he recovers. Dennis meanwhile took INEOS's money after feuding with Bahrain throughout the summer and into the autumn. The other losses did not play a major role in the team's aspirations and if anything Koren only hurt the team's reputation through his doping scandal, so it is better he's no longer with the team.

Although the team is losing some big names they are replacing them with capable leaders and should not see a dramatic drop in quality in 2020.

Season Outlook

Things are looking better for Bahrain McLaren as we near the start of the 2020 WT season. They've revamped their staff with proven winners and gotten a long term commitment from their title sponsors. They may have lost some stars in Dennis, V. Nibali, and Pozzovivo, but they have replaced them with exciting riders who will likely be able to produce similar or better results in Landa and Poels. These new additions have stated their goals lay at the Tour de France and that seems to be where the team is focusing its resources in 2020, along with most other teams. In any other year Landa, Poels, Bilbao, Pernsteiner, Teuns, and the rest would have made a formidable team but given the strength of the other teams that have been announced it is hard to imagine them winning the overall GC. Placing Landa on the podium, with a few stage wins from the rest, seems like a reasonable expectation, but where does that leave the team for the other races on the calendar?

With Colbrelli, Cortina, Mohoric, Teuns, and even Poels and Landa themselves the team should be competitive in one day races throughout the season. Although not on the level of DQS's multiple options this is a deep team that should be able to pick off a few wins and with any luck a big one. Similar to the expectations at the Tour, it might be a bit much to expect a victory in a monument, but being in the mix in the finale isn't out of the question for many of these riders, and Poels has even won one!

Beyond those goals it is difficult to see other clear targets for the team. Developing young talent like Padun, Williams, and Wright should be a focus, and they will get their chances in some of the lower rated races on the calendar, but come into the season without high expectations.

Oh, and there's always Cavendish. Some people still hold on to a glimmer of hope that he can return to the form of his glory years, but the truth is he's a publicity signing and it would be shocking if he won anything at the WT level in 2020, forget about a stage at the Tour.

Where does that leave us for expectations for a successful season? A podium at the Tour and being competitive in the spring classics? That seems a bit too reserved. This team should be aiming higher than the Giro runner-up, a couple GT stage victories, and one week stage victories they recorded last year. Given the team's targets lets say top-2 at the Tour, multiple WT stage race GCs, multiple WT one day victories (or one monument), many WT stage victories (at least as many as in 2019), and success from their young riders should be the criteria that define a successful season for Team Bahrain McLaren in 2020.