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

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Ben Hermans is still without a team for 2024, after not getting prolonged by IPT. He says the situation currently is particularly difficult, as after the transfer market had come to a standstill due to the merger rumors, many younger rider have panicked and are willing to sign for peanuts

https://pressreader.com/article/282153590941231
Lotto should sign him, he can still deliver points and could be valuable guide for their younger riders. As of now their only experienced climbers are De Gendt and Sepulveda. And even tho I like both I don't see them guiding LvE to a 5th in Paris-Nice.

Or, he could end up at WB, they like to sign riders like him.

I hope he continues, he might just be the most criminally underrated Belgian cyclist of the 21st century.
 
Lotto should sign him, he can still deliver points and could be valuable guide for their younger riders. As of now their only experienced climbers are De Gendt and Sepulveda. And even tho I like both I don't see them guiding LvE to a 5th in Paris-Nice.

Or, he could end up at WB, they like to sign riders like him.

I hope he continues, he might just be the most criminally underrated Belgian cyclist of the 21st century.

I agree, I wouldn't mind a 1y contract for him at Lotto. Can still be usefull, for himself in some minor races and experience wise for the young guys. And they have money just sitting on the bank right now because Ewan left. Can't do anything wrong with a 1y contract. Think it wouldn't be smart to fill up the team with 2y contract riders now anyways.
 
I really like Hen Bermans (relation to sadly departed David) and great to see him finally have a run without injuries (see Amaury Capiot). Great mindset and punch when he’s in his stride.

However, he’s turning 38 next year and you see guys like Loic Vliegen having to step down now. Given his ability to farm lower-level races you could see Astana throwing him a lifeline, but in the greater scheme of things a year mentoring youth at Lotto-dtsny or Bingoal should be the option now.
 
How is this generally going for you?

Apart from the merger, everytime you do this, it is made public shortly after.

Maybe just accept that there are sources near the teams that know better than you.

In this case, the source is someone working at Ekstra Bladet, so... yeah... I have my doubts.

And as for the supposed merger; that seems to be a case of someone working behind the scenes to avoid a horrible situation.
 
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https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/rui-costa-signs-for-ef-education-easypost-for-2024
"However, none of the rumours were confirmed and it is now certain that Rui Costa will have as teammates the Danes Michael Valgren and Mikkel Honore, in the North American EF Education EasyPost.

The length of the contract has not yet been revealed, but it's safe to say that it will be for one season, the 15th of his World Tour career."

Interesting also that ICW have financial short fall because of the new sponsor laws about betting companies.
 
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https://cyclinguptodate.com/cycling/rui-costa-signs-for-ef-education-easypost-for-2024
"However, none of the rumours were confirmed and it is now certain that Rui Costa will have as teammates the Danes Michael Valgren and Mikkel Honore, in the North American EF Education EasyPost.

The length of the contract has not yet been revealed, but it's safe to say that it will be for one season, the 15th of his World Tour career."

Interesting also that ICW have financial short fall because of the new sponsor laws about betting companies.

Obviously just a translation of the EB source. Why else would the specifically name the Danish teammates he's supposedly having for next year.

Also, dunno where the translated version got this bit from:

The former 2013 World Champion, now 37, rode his last race for Intermarché - Circus - Wanty in Il Lombardia a few days ago and afterwards his manager, João Correia, made it clear that it would not be possible for him to remain in the Belgian project because of financial problems that meant there was no good understanding, even though there was publicly declared mutual love between the parties.

Clearly he didn't... so, what else don't they know?