Teams & Riders Inter Lotto Marché

[Samamba]

No Van De Wynckele ? wasn't he a neo prof ?

Why would being a neo pro matter?

Van de Wynkele is probably the worst rider of both teams combined. Only reason he went pro is cause Lotto didn't have money to spent last year.

 

[Berniece]

like 14(Lotto) and 16.5 (Intermarché).

Damn, that’s barely an improvement for all this hassle… I know 30M wasn’t realistic, but they are still well off from the average (28M)

 

[Samamba]

Damn, that’s barely an improvement for all this hassle… I know 30M wasn’t realistic, but they are still well off from the average (28M)

I mean Intermarché is an improvement compared to just folding. For Lotto no cause they could've just gottten a 20M budget without all this drama. It's ridiculous.

 

[Squire]

Why would being a neo pro matter?

Having a two-year contract.

But I guess some other departures had a contract for 2026 as well.

 

[Lexman]

Why would being a neo pro matter?

Van de Wynkele is probably the worst rider of both teams combined. Only reason he went pro is cause Lotto didn't have money to spent last year.

a mandatory 2 year contract?

 

[Samamba]

a mandatory 2 year contract?

So the same as every other rider with a contract for 2026? It's not cause someone is on a neopro contract that you can't "fire" them and pay them out.

 

[search]

is NIPPO still on board to fill the remaining spots with Japanese riders?

 

[Samamba]

is NIPPO still on board to fill the remaining spots with Japanese riders?

I think this whole possibly (not officially) linked Pro Team might have something to do with Nippo. No inside info but a hunch. I've heard Nippo was very mad about the merger thing, cause they weren't informed and had a 3 year contract with them. It also seems that there will only be one actual devo team (I heard a few Lotto and Intermarché u23 riders saying they couldn't stay because of it) so no spots for Japanese riders I would think.

But Bourlart and some others did go all the way to Japan 2 weeks ago, mid merger drama, so it seemed important. Maybe there's an agreement about something.

But yeah again, just a guess.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

If he hadn't already done that once, you could easily see Vaughters swoop in and steal Nippo from under their noses.

 

[Samamba]

If he hadn't already done that once, you could easily see Vaughters swoop in and steal Nippo from under their noses.

I also saw a rumor about Nippo replacing solution tech

 

[Samamba]

https://www.cyclingnews.com/news/im-almost-quite-sure-i-will-not-stay-biniam-girmay-unlikely-to-stay-at-lotto-intermarche-as-squad-announcement-looms/

“Obviously, it's not the right time to speak because we don't decide personally. Of course, the merger is already happening, and tomorrow they will announce the guys who will personally stay.

"Before, I was 50-50 if I stay or not; now I'm almost quite sure I will not stay."

Cyclingnews understands that Girmay's name will be on the merged roster, but as the rider makes clear, there is still a chance that he might ride elsewhere in 2026.

"We are still talking with some good teams, but it's just talk because I cannot do anything without knowing what my team [are doing] and also without knowing if I am free or not. Nothing is done yet, nothing is on paper."

Last month, the UCI confirmed that Lotto, but not Intermarché, registered for 2026 WorldTour status and as such, riders from the teams that had failed to initially register for 2026 'may terminate their contracts early'.

This looked to open the door for the Eritrean to move on. However, Cyclingnews was subsequently told that the UCI has somehow used its regulations to 'block' Girmay from terminating his contract as the 2026 registration process is completed and the final 30-rider roster is confirmed.

Asked whether the complications of the merger influenced his decision to look elsewhere, Girmay said: "In the last two years, we improved so much and we’ve already shown we’re capable of winning the big races. This year it's really pissed [?] me off because we've lost the money, we don't have that much budget to buy riders, and to keep the good guys we [already] have, so it's not the best year because of this kind of situation."

The Eritrean added that the plan shared with him by the merged squad "is only on paper and we don't know the exact reality," something that makes the sprinter "think twice" about his future.

Such a weird situation, but according to Girmay the team will announce a 30 man roster (the one they sent to the UCI in the application probably) soon, with riders on it that still want to leave (and the merged team wants money for).

 

[Samamba]

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So no Bonneu as I feared, bit weird, but at least the 30th rider is Thompson and thus a climber. I'm assuming Van Eetvelt pressed for it, same with Veistroffer (but then De Lie) being there in the end while both were told at first they wouldn't have a spot.

Devo is pretty strong too. Marivoet is an interesting newcomer. Wasted 2 years of his development years being blinded by UAE. Also 2 guys from the REV academy, with De Keersmaeker (junior Belgian champ) and Verbeeck (junior) KBK winner and Witse Bertels (big talent on the track). And of course some good talents (mainly Dolven, Claisse and Solen) from the Intermarché pyramid.

 

[Berniece]

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Any idea when they have their calendar announcements? Would like to know what Widar and Van Eetvelt are riding

 

[Samamba]

Any idea when they have their calendar announcements? Would like to know what Widar and Van Eetvelt are riding

Wont be official before their team presentation in January. But I'm assuming we'll see some things being said in the press earlier. I can probably ask about Van Eetvelt myself after this training camp). Widar's outlines are known (Strade, Itzulia, classics, Suisse, Vuelta).

 

[RedheadDane]

So, in France, Poland, and Portugal, they're gonna be called Intermarché-Lotto, and wear different kits.
Stage 3 of the Tour could be interesting.





(They're probably just gonna have a special TdF kit.)

 

[search]

NIPPO is now confirmed to still sponsor the team, as already expected with Imamura staying on board. He hopes for more opportunities to ride for the WT team next year, which will also have a Japanese mechanic.

https://teamnippo.jp/?p=86475

 

[Samamba]

So finally some info about the schedules.

De Lie is depending in his injury, as he's still struggling with his ankle; He's been training for 2 weeks, but only limited. Still can't do anything intensive. I have my doubts about him being ready for opening weekend. Van Eetvelt does a lot early before preparing for the classics and the Giro, followed by the Tour IF he's feeling good. Widar starts in Portugal (would've rather seen him start somewhere easier like Oman), his schedule was already known for the most part.

De Lie	Almeria	Algarve	Omloop + Kuurne	Tirreno-Adriatico	Ronde van Brugge	Gent Wevelgem	Ronde Van Vlaanderen	Paris Roubaix	Tour
Van Eetvelt	Down Under	UAE Tour	Strade Bianche	Tirreno-Adriatico	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Giro	Tour	Canada (+ Worlds)
Widar	Figueira + Algarve	Drome + Ardeche	Laigueglia	Strade Bianche	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Frankfurt	Vuelta	Lombardia

Team will skip the Tour de Romandie this year.

@search if you see articles about the German guys, can you post them here? I would probably miss them otherwise

And same with Italians about the Italians in the team for example

 

[Berniece]

So finally some info about the schedules.

De Lie is depending in his injury, as he's still struggling with his ankle; He's been training for 2 weeks, but only limited. Still can't do anything intensive. I have my doubts about him being ready for opening weekend. Van Eetvelt does a lot early before preparing for the classics and the Giro, followed by the Tour IF he's feeling good. Widar starts in Portugal (would've rather seen him start somewhere easier like Oman), his schedule was already known for the most part.

De Lie	Almeria	Algarve	Omloop + Kuurne	Tirreno-Adriatico	Ronde van Brugge	Gent Wevelgem	Ronde Van Vlaanderen	Paris Roubaix	Tour
Van Eetvelt	Down Under	UAE Tour	Strade Bianche	Tirreno-Adriatico	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Giro	Tour	Canada (+ Worlds)
Widar	Figueira + Algarve	Drome + Ardeche	Laigueglia	Strade Bianche	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Frankfurt	Vuelta	Lombardia

Team will skip the Tour de Romandie this year.

LVE way too much, don't expect much during Giro if he's racing so much and will be burned out before TDF starts.

 

[Samamba]

LVE way too much, don't expect much during Giro if he's racing so much and will be burned out before TDF starts.

Same thing people said about Onley before the Tour lol. He has like a 45 day rest + training period after his first racing block before classics and Giro. He will be fine for the Giro. Tour is obviously a different story, but that's not his main goal this season it seems.

Honestly always the same criticism about riders who actually want to ride races, "way too much", like Almeida doesn't race almost the whole year season for example. It depends on who the rider is, not everyone is the same and not everyone has to train or prepare things the same way. It's pretty obvious why he's racing this much. He's tired of just training on his own and then crashing out the first race he's back, the chances he actually riders this schedule are slim given how injury and sickness prone he is anyways. He just wants to race.

Just after a quick search
Almeida before the Giro: 26 racedays
Landa before the Giro (also Tour double): 18 racedays
Van Eetvelt before the Giro: 23 racedays but with a significantly longer rest/training period before classics/Giro

Like it's just not anything out of the ordinary.

 

[Berniece]

Same thing people said about Onley before the Tour lol. He has like a 45 day rest + training period after his first racing block before classics and Giro. He will be fine for the Giro. Tour is obviously a different story, but that's not his main goal this season it seems.

Honestly always the same criticism about riders who actually want to ride races, "way too much", like Almeida doesn't race almost the whole year season for example. It depends on who the rider is, not everyone is the same and not everyone has to train or prepare things the same way. It's pretty obvious why he's racing this much. He's tired of just training on his own and then crashing out the first race he's back, the chances he actually riders this schedule are slim given how injury and sickness prone he is anyways. He just wants to race.

Just after a quick search
Almeida before the Giro: 26 racedays
Landa before the Giro (also Tour double): 18 racedays
Van Eetvelt before the Giro: 23 racedays but with a significantly longer rest/training period before classics/Giro

Like it's just not anything out of the ordinary.

I hope to be proven wrong. I wish him the same as Evenepoel, don't crash, don't get sick, and ride the season you intended.

 

[Squire]

Same thing people said about Onley before the Tour lol. He has like a 45 day rest + training period after his first racing block before classics and Giro. He will be fine for the Giro. Tour is obviously a different story, but that's not his main goal this season it seems.

Honestly always the same criticism about riders who actually want to ride races, "way too much", like Almeida doesn't race almost the whole year season for example. It depends on who the rider is, not everyone is the same and not everyone has to train or prepare things the same way. It's pretty obvious why he's racing this much. He's tired of just training on his own and then crashing out the first race he's back, the chances he actually riders this schedule are slim given how injury and sickness prone he is anyways. He just wants to race.

Just after a quick search
Almeida before the Giro: 26 racedays
Landa before the Giro (also Tour double): 18 racedays
Van Eetvelt before the Giro: 23 racedays but with a significantly longer rest/training period before classics/Giro

Like it's just not anything out of the ordinary.

Or Carapaz 32 race days before winning the Giro.

 

[search]

@search if you see articles about the German guys, can you post them here? I would probably miss them otherwise

there was a Zimmermann interview yesterday, but nothing of interest really. They'll head off to Australia today (no goals mentioned) and he is on the long list for the Tour de France.

Nach Horror-Stürzen: So wollen die zwei Augsburger Radprofis wieder durchstarten

Georg Zimmermanns großes Ziel in seinem fusionierten Team Lotto-Intermarche: eine erneute Teilnahme an der Tour de France. Für Marco Brenner steht vor allem eine verletzungsfreie Saison im Fokus.

www.augsburger-allgemeine.de

 

[Samamba]

there was a Zimmermann interview yesterday, but nothing of interest really. They'll head off to Australia today (no goals mentioned) and he is on the long list for the Tour de France.

Nach Horror-Stürzen: So wollen die zwei Augsburger Radprofis wieder durchstarten

Georg Zimmermanns großes Ziel in seinem fusionierten Team Lotto-Intermarche: eine erneute Teilnahme an der Tour de France. Für Marco Brenner steht vor allem eine verletzungsfreie Saison im Fokus.

www.augsburger-allgemeine.de

I'm so confused cause if true that means Lotto will be with 8 in Australia given Fox and Thompson are already on the continent. It's possible Van Eetvelt is not riding Evans, but even then, are you really sending someone else on vacation there for 2 weeks?

 

[SafeBet]

So finally some info about the schedules.

De Lie is depending in his injury, as he's still struggling with his ankle; He's been training for 2 weeks, but only limited. Still can't do anything intensive. I have my doubts about him being ready for opening weekend. Van Eetvelt does a lot early before preparing for the classics and the Giro, followed by the Tour IF he's feeling good. Widar starts in Portugal (would've rather seen him start somewhere easier like Oman), his schedule was already known for the most part.

De Lie	Almeria	Algarve	Omloop + Kuurne	Tirreno-Adriatico	Ronde van Brugge	Gent Wevelgem	Ronde Van Vlaanderen	Paris Roubaix	Tour
Van Eetvelt	Down Under	UAE Tour	Strade Bianche	Tirreno-Adriatico	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Giro	Tour	Canada (+ Worlds)
Widar	Figueira + Algarve	Drome + Ardeche	Laigueglia	Strade Bianche	Fleche Wallonne	Liège	Frankfurt	Vuelta	Lombardia

Team will skip the Tour de Romandie this year.

@search if you see articles about the German guys, can you post them here? I would probably miss them otherwise

And same with Italians about the Italians in the team for example

Simone Gualdi is recovering from knee issues. He was schedule to start his season in Mallorca but will have to postpone his debut with the WT team.

 

[Samamba]

Simone Gualdi is recovering from knee issues. He was schedule to start his season in Mallorca but will have to postpone his debut with the WT team.

Yeah I knew about his knee issues, he's been training normal again luckily tho, just in time for the team camp. Wouldn't surprise me if he starts in Oman, or maybe more realistic the 2 Var races.