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Didn’t expect this, even so early in the season. Nice of him to show some loyaltyVan Eetvelt +2 at Lotto.
Vlasov on his way back to Astana? Wants to be team leader maybe?
Link Gazzetta on X
Would make sense. And would be nice to see a good rider not those one of the super teams but ride his on chance for a smaller team.
Would it? Someone should show him the UCI ranking.
If he don't want to work for Roglic, Pogacar, Remco or Vingegaard I would say it make sense yes!
Put a clause into the contract that allows him to leave if the team gets relegated and you're fine.No it wouldn't as there is an actual chance that he wouldn't even be able to ride WT races in 2026, so if he's signing anything more than a 1y contract he's taking a big risk.
Put a clause into the contract that allows him to leave if the team gets relegated and you're fine.
Yeah, but his managers will be looking for a big money contract for him, otherwise I agree with you.Well I guess everyone has that clause in it, per UCI rules. But just like with Lotto/Israel it isn't the most handy clause cause you technically only know in december which teams the WT licenses get.
But it's still not the best choice imo. You get into a team where the athmosphere will be below 0 next year if they keep on going like this. A team that will be close to shuting down if they don't watch out. I just don't see Astana surviving if they aren't even good enough to secure guaranteed WCs. And ofcourse with Vlasov they might be, but they'll have to fight against Arkea/DSM/Cofidis (one of them, still likely it's Arkea), an improved Tudor (they will spend a lot of money again, they apparently already offered a multimillion dollar contract to Philipsen, also Hirschi ofcourse) and UNO X for 2 spots. It's not a good position to be in at all.
Philipsen would be dumb to leave Alpecin tho. Even if it means earning like 500k less than somewhere else. It's not worth it. He's benefitting so much from having Van der Poel in the team.
I don't see how Astana gets any Grand Tour wildcard once they're relegated. Even with Vlasov as a team leader. He's not big enough.
Although you never know with the Giro d'Italia. If Astana extends their Italian rider contingent.
They won't if they're not top 2. Not a chance, but with a good GC rider they might be able to get top 2 even tho I think lots of good riders will leave after their contract cause of the upcoming relegation, so I doubt theyll be able to beat Tudor and for example Arkea.
Anyways. Vlasov set to stay with Bora.
View: https://twitter.com/cirogazzetta/status/1769320318479290770
As expected, and now confirmed. Van Gils also extends at Lotto.
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Maxim Van Gils gaat Lennert Van Eetvelt achterna en blijft ook tot 2026 bij Lotto-Dstny: "Tweede thuis" | sporza
Lotto-Dstny heeft ook zijn tweede diamant een contractverlenging van 2 jaar laten tekenen: na Lennert Van Eetvelt (22) enkele dagen geleden zette ook Maxim Van Gils (24) zijn krabbel.sporza.be
UAE's Hirschi to Tudor?! wow if true!Congratulations to Lotto! So many great young rider that team has collected!
Not so much "wow" as this has been rumoured in the past. It was supposed to happen in 2024 already according to those reports IIRC.UAE's Hirschi to Tudor?! wow if true!
Cyclingtakes X post
Which is honestly crazy. Even if the sheiks write you a blank cheque, extra money doesn't hurt.Yeah Tudor wanted to buy him out last year already, but UAE said no.
Bit of a step down from WT to Pro team at 25. Surprised nobody else would be interested, but then again Tudor is nearly the Swiss National Team and I guess they have some cash to spare.Yeah Tudor wanted to buy him out last year already, but UAE said no.
So this is as expected.
Really wouldn't want to be UNO X, Astana, Arkea or another team that relegates in 2026. Tudor will be nr 1 favorite to take guaranteed WCs in the next cycle if they keep spending millions.
Which is honestly crazy. Even if the sheiks write you a blank cheque, extra money doesn't hurt.
Bit of a step down from WT to Pro team at 25. Surprised nobody else would be interested, but then again Tudor is nearly the Swiss National Team and I guess they have some cash to spare.
With guys like Morgado and Christen, they will probably haul in those points and maybe more in the future. Fisher-Black proving his worth in weaker fields as well.We all know UAE loves their precious "easy" UCI points to pretend like they're by far the best team in the world. And well, Hirschi is good at that. 3000 UCI points last year, pretty insane.
You forgot del toro😀With guys like Morgado and Christen, they will probably haul in those points and maybe more in the future. Fisher-Black proving his worth in weaker fields as well.
Hirschi has been a luxury thats maybe not needed anymore.
sad news for cycling, was hoping he would end up in AstanaThey won't if they're not top 2. Not a chance, but with a good GC rider they might be able to get top 2 even tho I think lots of good riders will leave after their contract cause of the upcoming relegation, so I doubt theyll be able to beat Tudor and for example Arkea.
Anyways. Vlasov set to stay with Bora.
View: https://twitter.com/cirogazzetta/status/1769320318479290770