Teams & Riders The Great Big Cycling Transfers, Extensions, and Rumours Thread

[search]

Signings look iteresting, but they lost pretty much all of their best riders. Menten, Dupont, Aniolkowski, Rex, Livyns, Paquot, Paasschens.

from what it sounded like in a Dupont interview a couple of days ago (still looking for a team), in his case it seems to have been Bingoal's decision to let him go.

Apparently Bardiani is getting rid of some of the older, established riders as well, by the way. Battaglin and Modolo are not on their roster for 2023. Modolo did some of the gravel races recently, so maybe that's a direction he could go. I doubt anyone will still pick up Battaglin.

 

[Jungle Cycle]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582748406098923520

View: https://twitter.com/Movistar_Team/status/1582748406098923520

 

[Libertine Seguros]

from what it sounded like in a Dupont interview a couple of days ago (still looking for a team), in his case it seems to have been Bingoal's decision to let him go.

Apparently Bardiani is getting rid of some of the older, established riders as well, by the way. Battaglin and Modolo are not on their roster for 2023. Modolo did some of the gravel races recently, so maybe that's a direction he could go. I doubt anyone will still pick up Battaglin.

A lot will depend on whether Battaglin wants to stick it out, I'm sure he could get a deal over on the Asia Tour if he wanted it as those races start to ramp back up again, but whether it's worth the while for him is another question.

 

[Lexman]

Signings look iteresting, but they lost pretty much all of their best riders. Menten, Dupont, Aniolkowski, Rex, Livyns, Paquot, Paasschens.

I agree about most riders for Dupont the situation is different it seems, he didn't find a team yet

quite some belgian riders are looking for a team and you see his picture on the left : (no acces to the complete article)

De jacht op de laatste plekjes in het profpeloton is geopend: zij hopen nog ergens op een vrij plekje

Van Sander Armée tot Viktor Verschaeve, de Belgische profrenners die nog geen zicht hebben op wat 2023 voor hen brengt, zijn niet op twee handen te tellen. Voor velen is het wachten, al dan niet op Godot. Geen aangename situatie. Allemaal hopen ze nog ergens op een vrij plekje bij een ander team.

www.nieuwsblad.be

 

[search]

I agree about most riders for Dupont the situation is different it seems, he didn't find a team yet

quite some belgian riders are looking for a team and you see his picture on the left : (no acces to the complete article)

De jacht op de laatste plekjes in het profpeloton is geopend: zij hopen nog ergens op een vrij plekje

Van Sander Armée tot Viktor Verschaeve, de Belgische profrenners die nog geen zicht hebben op wat 2023 voor hen brengt, zijn niet op twee handen te tellen. Voor velen is het wachten, al dan niet op Godot. Geen aangename situatie. Allemaal hopen ze nog ergens op een vrij plekje bij een ander team.

www.nieuwsblad.be

full article is available here: https://pressreader.com/article/281977496541971

not much info in there, though

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Surprised Honoré is leaving QS. I assume he wants more opportunities for himself and knows with Evenepoel going ultranova, Alaphilippe still there, and now Van Wilder proving to be a better rider on his turf, there was only a spot for him as a domestique? But i'm just guessing.

I think it's bad for the team because Honoré has been a versatile rider, with a decent engine, who can be important in a secondary role.

On the other hand it gives the team the chance to sign a true mountain domestique, if they can find one.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Bahrain announced that Luis Leon Sanchez is not staying with the team. I was under the impression that he had signed a 2 year deal, but apparently not, and it is not clear where he goes from here

 

[ciranda]

Surprised Honoré is leaving QS. I assume he wants more opportunities for himself and knows with Evenepoel going ultranova, Alaphilippe still there, and now Van Wilder proving to be a better rider on his turf, there was only a spot for him as a domestique? But i'm just guessing.

I think it's bad for the team because Honoré has been a versatile rider, with a decent engine, who can be important in a secondary role.

On the other hand it gives the team the chance to sign a true mountain domestique, if they can find one.

Afaik van Wilder is a stage race cyclist and so a different type than Honoré who looks like a contender for tough one day races. In the few looks at the main peloton in the world's he was always at the front on the hill with Bettiol ahead of Alaphilippe and van Aert. Has had a difficult year with all kinds of incidents and illness but with the kind of condition from last fall he is a top ten or better guy for the classics.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Surprised Honoré is leaving QS. I assume he wants more opportunities for himself and knows with Evenepoel going ultranova, Alaphilippe still there, and now Van Wilder proving to be a better rider on his turf, there was only a spot for him as a domestique? But i'm just guessing.

I think it's bad for the team because Honoré has been a versatile rider, with a decent engine, who can be important in a secondary role.

On the other hand it gives the team the chance to sign a true mountain domestique, if they can find one.

How many more do they actually need?
With Hirt they aready have a potential climbing superdom. Mauri and Van Wilder should only get better and I expect Cattaneo and Masnada to bounce back. The former had a bad season, but in 2020/21 shape he's a great addition and Masnada should be able to recover, imo he/the team rushed his return after having mono. At least on paper nearly all of their rides with decent climbing abilty should be better next season, so adding Hirt could be enough. There's also not a ton of good climbers who are still out of contract.

 

[Roku]

Bahrain announced that Luis Leon Sanchez is not staying with the team. I was under the impression that he had signed a 2 year deal, but apparently not, and it is not clear where he goes from here

Luisle is heading back to Astana.

 

[Mayomaniac]

It hasn't been confirmed but apparently Lorenzo Miles wil step up to the DSM WT team (from their developmental team). DSM is DSM, but for someone who has started cyling only 4 years ago their more structured approach (if you wana call it like that) is probably not the worst.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Afaik van Wilder is a stage race cyclist and so a different type than Honoré who looks like a contender for tough one day races. In the few looks at the main peloton in the world's he was always at the front on the hill with Bettiol ahead of Alaphilippe and van Aert. Has had a difficult year with all kinds of incidents and illness but with the kind of condition from last fall he is a top ten or better guy for the classics.

Van Wilder can do one day hilly races and classics just fine and has a ceiling that is simply higher than that of Honoré. He finished 13th at Lombardia (ahead of Honoré) first QS rider, he was probably the best QS rider (including Alaphilippe and Honoré) at Bernocchi. There are plenty of other races where he showed he copes very well with 1 day racing, like the NC, Primus classic etc. He is also not a pure climber/TT'er but a compact allrounder who pushes big numbers. He won Nokere Koerse as a junior and in his only year as an espoir, he finished 15s behind the winner in LBL and in the same time as the winner in RVV. He's plenty capable to ride classics and outshine Honoré in that department as well.

That doesn't mean i don't value Honoré, like i already said, i do. I think he's a versatile rider who could still be valuable in a classic QS "multi leader" approach, or as a superdomestique in both classics as hilly stages in a GT for instance. But i can understand if he wants to leave, considering the complete breakthrough of Evenepoel and Van Wilder also showing signs.

How many more do they actually need?
With Hirt they aready have a potential climbing superdom. Mauri and Van Wilder should only get better and I expect Cattaneo and Masnada to bounce back. The former had a bad season, but in 2020/21 shape he's a great addition and Masnada should be able to recover, imo he/the team rushed his return after having mono. At least on paper nearly all of their rides with decent climbing abilty should be better next season, so adding Hirt could be enough. There's also not a ton of good climbers who are still out of contract.

I think Hirt is a great addition, but he isn't Kuss or Almeida or the guy who will close the gap to Vingegaard or Pogacar with Evenepoel in his wheel. I'm also not saying they desperately need an extra climber immediately, just that with Honoré leaving, it opens up an extra spot. Yes, Van Wilder will get better, but he will also not want to ride as a domestique until the end of time. Vansevenant, i'm afraid he will not improve that much anymore. Masnada will hopefully bounce back and Cattaneo, if he doesn't ride in different races, is also an excellent climber to have on the team. I already said all of this in the Evenepoel topic many times, when people state the team is too weak to ride the TDF for instance next year.

I'm not even sure i would personally be looking for that type of climber anyway. I think replacing Honoré with a rider who can take up a similar role in the team might be better. A secondary leader in smaller races, or a big engine domestique in hilly races/stages (they currently only have Serry for that role anymore).

 

[Mayomaniac]

Van Wilder can do one day hilly races and classics just fine and has a ceiling that is simply higher than that of Honoré. He finished 13th at Lombardia (ahead of Honoré) first QS rider, he was probably the best QS rider (including Alaphilippe and Honoré) at Bernocchi. There are plenty of other races where he showed he copes very well with 1 day racing, like the NC, Primus classic etc. He is also not a pure climber/TT'er but a compact allrounder who pushes big numbers. He won Nokere Koerse as a junior and in his only year as an espoir, he finished 15s behind the winner in LBL and in the same time as the winner in RVV. He's plenty capable to ride classics and outshine Honoré in that department as well.

That doesn't mean i don't value Honoré, like i already said, i do. I think he's a versatile rider who could still be valuable in a classic QS "multi leader" approach, or as a superdomestique in both classics as hilly stages in a GT for instance. But i can understand if he wants to leave, considering the complete breakthrough of Evenepoel and Van Wilder also showing signs.


I think Hirt is a great addition, but he isn't Kuss or Almeida or the guy who will close the gap to Vingegaard or Pogacar with Evenepoel in his wheel. I'm also not saying they desperately need an extra climber immediately, just that with Honoré leaving, it opens up an extra spot. Yes, Van Wilder will get better, but he will also not want to ride as a domestique until the end of time. Vansevenant, i'm afraid he will not improve that much anymore. Masnada will hopefully bounce back and Cattaneo, if he doesn't ride in different races, is also an excellent climber to have on the team. I already said all of this in the Evenepoel topic many times, when people state the team is too weak to ride the TDF for instance next year.

I'm not even sure i would personally be looking for that type of climber anyway. I think replacing Honoré with a rider who can take up a similar role in the team might be better. A secondary leader in smaller races, or a big engine domestique in hilly races/stages (they currently only have Serry for that role anymore).

Not to mention that in this age of a few teams with huge budgets climbing superdoms cost a lot of money, I doubt lowball Lefevre is wiling to pay that kind of money. If they didn't make a serious offer for someone like Vine then there isn't a lot of climbing domestiques left that are available and would improve the team.

 

[RedheadDane]

Everything about Honoré has been confirmed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1583095994018713600

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Everything about Honoré has been confirmed.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1583095994018713600

I guess they read Trek's Tesfatsion announcement and then thought Honore was a climber as well. Or are they just looking at their PCS category scores to determine the riders' abilities?

 

[tobydawq]

Van Wilder can do one day hilly races and classics just fine and has a ceiling that is simply higher than that of Honoré. He finished 13th at Lombardia (ahead of Honoré) first QS rider, he was probably the best QS rider (including Alaphilippe and Honoré) at Bernocchi. There are plenty of other races where he showed he copes very well with 1 day racing, like the NC, Primus classic etc. He is also not a pure climber/TT'er but a compact allrounder who pushes big numbers. He won Nokere Koerse as a junior and in his only year as an espoir, he finished 15s behind the winner in LBL and in the same time as the winner in RVV. He's plenty capable to ride classics and outshine Honoré in that department as well.

That doesn't mean i don't value Honoré, like i already said, i do. I think he's a versatile rider who could still be valuable in a classic QS "multi leader" approach, or as a superdomestique in both classics as hilly stages in a GT for instance. But i can understand if he wants to leave, considering the complete breakthrough of Evenepoel and Van Wilder also showing signs.


I think Hirt is a great addition, but he isn't Kuss or Almeida or the guy who will close the gap to Vingegaard or Pogacar with Evenepoel in his wheel. I'm also not saying they desperately need an extra climber immediately, just that with Honoré leaving, it opens up an extra spot. Yes, Van Wilder will get better, but he will also not want to ride as a domestique until the end of time. Vansevenant, i'm afraid he will not improve that much anymore. Masnada will hopefully bounce back and Cattaneo, if he doesn't ride in different races, is also an excellent climber to have on the team. I already said all of this in the Evenepoel topic many times, when people state the team is too weak to ride the TDF for instance next year.

I'm not even sure i would personally be looking for that type of climber anyway. I think replacing Honoré with a rider who can take up a similar role in the team might be better. A secondary leader in smaller races, or a big engine domestique in hilly races/stages (they currently only have Serry for that role anymore).

I think you're overestimating Van Wilder's role in Honoré's departure quite massively and underestimating Honoré's qualities a little. I really don't see how he should see himself threatened by Van Wilder who hasn't impressed on the big scene yet. Sure, he might have finished ahead of Honoré a couple of times the last month but I don't see how that proves anything.

Honoré's streak of never finishing outside top 5 in a race for several months last years showed a lot of promise and consistency. If he can get back to that level, he can be EF's best rider.

 

[jmdirt]

Yes and it's the first place you should really look at

https://twitter.com/x/status/1582469765183873024

View: https://twitter.com/EFprocycling/status/1582469765183873024?cxt=HHwWgICl2b_3h_YrAAAA

I wish him the best, but those injuries will make for a tough come-back to the top.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

I think you're overestimating Van Wilder's role in Honoré's departure quite massively and underestimating Honoré's qualities a little. I really don't see how he should see himself threatened by Van Wilder who hasn't impressed on the big scene yet. Sure, he might have finished ahead of Honoré a couple of times the last month but I don't see how that proves anything.

I was simply saying how the situation has changed for a rider like him. Over the past season Evenepoel has taken the world by storm, and Van Wilder has entered the fray. The fact that you respond not to my initial post but a response to a poster who in turn was underestimating Van Wilder, is proof that you are reading things in my posts that are not there. The poster i responded to was insinuating Van Wilder could only do GC's, which is false. I did not say Van Wilder played a massive role (where the hell did you get that from), but he is a rider that simply has more potential, and he is riding for the same team. So naturally that means a competitor for certain races or certain liberties within that team. Honoré is a great rider, but maybe you are overestimating him a bit? I spoke of a role as a superdomestique, or a role in multi-leader-tactics. That means i think rather highly of him, and i don't think it's a good thing for the team. I think you could understand that if you tried reading my post in a neutral way. (Edit: i literally said so).

But if you don't think he should feel threatened by Van Wilder for his future spot as a potential leader in certain races because he hasn't impressed on the big scene yet, then maybe i'm not the one doing the over-/underestimating. While Honoré is still a young rider, Van Wilder is still 3 years younger, and is still crawling out of a a hole. Then there is also still Bagioli who needs to get back to his best and will be competing for a spot in some of the same races.

Honoré's streak of never finishing outside top 5 in a race for several months last years showed a lot of promise and consistency. If he can get back to that level, he can be EF's best rider.

I have no idea which streak this was that lasted several months. Having many top 5 spots throughout the year, doesn't make it a streak.
There are more teams he could go to where he could be the best rider. I stated that exact reason as why he likely moved away from QS, where he is only "one of the" guys behind Alaphilippe and Evenepoel. A problem he doesn't have elsewhere.

EDIT: longest streak i could find was 3 races over exactly 2 weeks: GC Pologne, Druivenkoers, Bretagne. Probably not as impressive as you remembered it.

 

[Billie]

I think you're overestimating Van Wilder's role in Honoré's departure quite massively and underestimating Honoré's qualities a little. I really don't see how he should see himself threatened by Van Wilder who hasn't impressed on the big scene yet. Sure, he might have finished ahead of Honoré a couple of times the last month but I don't see how that proves anything.

Honoré's streak of never finishing outside top 5 in a race for several months last years showed a lot of promise and consistency. If he can get back to that level, he can be EF's best rider.

Indeed. Honoré is very good. Him having similar results to what Cosnefroy has done this season is a very reasonable assumption. I'd say him winning any one of these races next season is a good bet: Brabantse Pijl, Amstel, Donostia, Plouay or the Canadians.

 

[ciranda]

Honoré had a cold in Lombardia for what it's worth.

Ok so llan van Wilder finished in 14th place like in the fourth best group in that LBL but even Kaden Groves the famous sprinter finished ahead of him. Mikkel Honoré was 8th the only time he raced. And van Wilder's 11th in RVV is far from as good, in fact three places worse, as Honoré's 8th place the only time he did that race.

I think everybody can agree these facts prove that Honoré will for sure outshine van Wilder in the one day races. That doesn't mean I don't value van Wilder. He has a decent engine and can do some nice work for the team like Pieter Serry and Dries Devenyns and be part of the team's multi leader approach.

#streak https://firstcycling.com/rider.php?r=37401#racedata
From San Sebastian to Primus Classic through two stage races and four one day races (last year), then crashed out of the world's.

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

Honoré had a cold in Lombardia for what it's worth.

Ok so llan van Wilder finished in 14th place like in the fourth best group in that LBL but even Kaden Groves the famous sprinter finished ahead of him. Mikkel Honoré was 8th the only time he raced. And van Wilder's 11th in RVV is far from as good, in fact three places worse, as Honoré's 8th place the only time he did that race.

I think everybody can agree these facts prove that Honoré will for sure outshine van Wilder in the one day races. That doesn't mean I don't value van Wilder. He has a decent engine and can do some nice work for the team like Pieter Serry and Dries Devenyns and be part of the team's multi leader approach.

#streak https://firstcycling.com/rider.php?r=37401#racedata
From San Sebastian to Primus Classic through two stage races and four one day races (last year), then crashed out of the world's.

OMG what a joke. lol

https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=65&y=2018

https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=65&y=2016

You might also want to take into consideration the age of both riders when they did those races.

 

[Wvv]

Surprised Honoré is leaving QS. I assume he wants more opportunities for himself and knows with Evenepoel going ultranova, Alaphilippe still there, and now Van Wilder proving to be a better rider on his turf, there was only a spot for him as a domestique? But i'm just guessing.

I think it's bad for the team because Honoré has been a versatile rider, with a decent engine, who can be important in a secondary role.

On the other hand it gives the team the chance to sign a true mountain domestique, if they can find one.

Maybe Honoré is more comparable to Mauro Schmid than Van Wilder?

 

[tobydawq]

I was simply saying how the situation has changed for a rider like him. Over the past season Evenepoel has taken the world by storm, and Van Wilder has entered the fray. The fact that you respond not to my initial post but a response to a poster who in turn was underestimating Van Wilder, is proof that you are reading things in my posts that are not there. The poster i responded to was insinuating Van Wilder could only do GC's, which is false. I did not say Van Wilder played a massive role (where the hell did you get that from), but he is a rider that simply has more potential, and he is riding for the same team. So naturally that means a competitor for certain races or certain liberties within that team. Honoré is a great rider, but maybe you are overestimating him a bit? I spoke of a role as a superdomestique, or a role in multi-leader-tactics. That means i think rather highly of him, and i don't think it's a good thing for the team. I think you could understand that if you tried reading my post in a neutral way. (Edit: i literally said so).

But if you don't think he should feel threatened by Van Wilder for his future spot as a potential leader in certain races because he hasn't impressed on the big scene yet, then maybe i'm not the one doing the over-/underestimating. While Honoré is still a young rider, Van Wilder is still 3 years younger, and is still crawling out of a a hole. Then there is also still Bagioli who needs to get back to his best and will be competing for a spot in some of the same races.


I have no idea which streak this was that lasted several months. Having many top 5 spots throughout the year, doesn't make it a streak.
There are more teams he could go to where he could be the best rider. I stated that exact reason as why he likely moved away from QS, where he is only "one of the" guys behind Alaphilippe and Evenepoel. A problem he doesn't have elsewhere.

EDIT: longest streak i could find was 3 races over exactly 2 weeks: GC Pologne, Druivenkoers, Bretagne. Probably not as impressive as you remembered it.

Danish Nats, San Sebastián, Pologne, Druivenkoers, Bretagne, Britain, Primus Classic. No misses in between...

 

[ciranda]

OMG what a joke. lol

https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=65&y=2018

https://firstcycling.com/race.php?r=65&y=2016

You might also want to take into consideration the age of both riders when they did those races.

Look I don't care at all about these details about races years ago, it's just that the need to consistently work out actual facts to always be in favor of belgian cyclist like some nation of Masnada is so weird.

I like both riders a lot and want to see em do well in the big races.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

I was simply saying how the situation has changed for a rider like him. Over the past season Evenepoel has taken the world by storm, and Van Wilder has entered the fray. The fact that you respond not to my initial post but a response to a poster who in turn was underestimating Van Wilder, is proof that you are reading things in my posts that are not there. The poster i responded to was insinuating Van Wilder could only do GC's, which is false. I did not say Van Wilder played a massive role (where the hell did you get that from), but he is a rider that simply has more potential, and he is riding for the same team. So naturally that means a competitor for certain races or certain liberties within that team. Honoré is a great rider, but maybe you are overestimating him a bit? I spoke of a role as a superdomestique, or a role in multi-leader-tactics. That means i think rather highly of him, and i don't think it's a good thing for the team. I think you could understand that if you tried reading my post in a neutral way. (Edit: i literally said so).

But if you don't think he should feel threatened by Van Wilder for his future spot as a potential leader in certain races because he hasn't impressed on the big scene yet, then maybe i'm not the one doing the over-/underestimating. While Honoré is still a young rider, Van Wilder is still 3 years younger, and is still crawling out of a a hole. Then there is also still Bagioli who needs to get back to his best and will be competing for a spot in some of the same races.


I have no idea which streak this was that lasted several months. Having many top 5 spots throughout the year, doesn't make it a streak.
There are more teams he could go to where he could be the best rider. I stated that exact reason as why he likely moved away from QS, where he is only "one of the" guys behind Alaphilippe and Evenepoel. A problem he doesn't have elsewhere.

EDIT: longest streak i could find was 3 races over exactly 2 weeks: GC Pologne, Druivenkoers, Bretagne. Probably not as impressive as you remembered it.

Lol you are writing essays to do mental gymnastic about an unknown 22yo Van Wilder being some kind of megastar, and 'having a higher potential than Honore' loooooool what kind of crystal ball do you think you have hahahahaaj. Van Wilder is Belgian and that's confirm he's a future GT winner in your mind, Honore could be as strong as Pogacar but still QS is built around Evenepol and Van Wilder to you. Van Wilder who crashes every race and never gets good results