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

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What do you think, is Madiot right?

He mentions that the „Big Four“ (?!) of UAE, Soudal-QS, Jumbo and Alpecin-Deceuninck won 73% of WT races in 2023!…

IMHO, Madiot‘s view does not make much sense: everyone knows that Soudal-QS, Jumbo-Visma and Alpecin-D have rather small budgets (considering WT teams).

The WT teams with the biggest budgets might be Ineos, UAE and Bahrain. Madiot better called these three the „Big three“. And Ineos and Bahrain haven’t won yet, WT of 2023.

So, Madiot better be happy about his successful U23 development team, and the way his youngsters in the WT team ride, and better stopped talking in a confusing way, with wrong facts about budget sizes…

Edit: I mean, come on, Mr. Madiot…: Alpecin is main sponsor, and sells hair shampoos. Every little child now knows that such a company is just not able to offer Roodhooft‘s team an enormous budget. They just don‘t have the money. The key for this impressive team is the knowledge and patience of the brothers Roodhooft, and the strength of the rider Mathieu van der Poel. And he is riding for Alpecin-D, not for Groupama. Certainly every team would want that he rides for them… :)
 
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Hirschi apparently extended last year. So should have contract in 24.
His time at UAE has been spoiled because of injuries. Don't think it would have been different at other teams.
Yeah as much as he maybe overperformed at Sunweb in 2020 ever since Hirschi always has had misfortunes, crashes, injuries and illnesses.

Remember last year when he won Grand Prix Argau and looked sharp to contest the Tour of Switzerland? Caught Covid-19, had to withdraw in Switzerland and raced the Tour de France as a fill-in with no shape at all.

His leadership status at UAE has disappeared though. If it ever was there. Although Hirschi might be in shape right on time for Romandie & Switzerland finally, which might be enough for him.
 
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Although he did well this year, I also wouldn't think it's totally clear that he should mainly aim for the cobbled classics in the future. For the Ardennes, for example, Jumbo is less well equipped, and they could suit him as well (same as medium-mountain stage races, but for those they have Roglic)
 
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I think there might be enough space for Jorgenson left at Jumbo for the moment. He is a super versatile rider so he could basically be a (co-) captain in any race where van Aert, Vingegaard and Roglic are not at the start. And with Roglic getting older even that “problem” might be declining.
 
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Søren Wærenskjold has signed a new contract with Uno-X until the end of 2026 season, confirmed by Norwegian TV2 and Team boss Haugland on Twitter.

Really funny as Norwegian Eurosport yesterday had a big article about all big teams that wanted him (UAE, QuickStep, Ineos, Bora and Bahrain mentioned) and how these teams puts pressure on Uno-X and that Uno-X would have to go deep with money to keep him “if it’s even possible”.
24 hours later and he’s signed on 3 new years…:tearsofjoy:
 
Søren Wærenskjold has signed a new contract with Uno-X until the end of 2026 season, confirmed by Norwegian TV2 and Team boss Haugland on Twitter.

Really funny as Norwegian Eurosport yesterday had a big article about all big teams that wanted him (UAE, QuickStep, Ineos, Bora and Bahrain mentioned) and how these teams puts pressure on Uno-X and that Uno-X would have to go deep with money to keep him “if it’s even possible”.
24 hours later and he’s signed on 3 new years…:tearsofjoy:
Looking at Hoelgaard a contract extension at UnoX probably is the best decision Waerenskjold could take!

If his endurance improves slightly he's gonna get chances with long-range moves in the classics.
 
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