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

[Samu Cuenca]

The team has been saved, yet they lose the only rider who can get them any results...

They've also lost Guilman and Miermont, so it doesn't look that great no.

Ségolène Thomas is a good signing for them and might be able to improve at a slightly bigger team. Adèle Normand looked promising when she finished 4th in the first Alpes Grésivaudan Classic in 2022, but hasn't really done much of note since. She is still only 22 though. Elyne Roussel has had some decent results this year for an 18 year old and could also be one to watch.

 

[pastronef]

Pidcock has been left off Ineos team for Lombardy, despite he said he was looking forward and he is on form. I smell the Q36.5 move is happening

 

[awavey]

Pidcock has been left off Ineos team for Lombardy, despite he said he was looking forward and he is on form. I smell the Q36.5 move is happening

not just "left off", hes posted on Instagram he was deselected for the Ineos team...

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

I have no clue what Ineos is doing but if they were to implode somehow next season I would be so happy.

(I never liked them)

 

[Bolder]

I have no clue what Ineos is doing but if they were to implode somehow next season I would be so happy.

(I never liked them)

The simplest -- and possibly most likely -- explanation could be that Ratcliffe has lost interest in pro cycling and has cut their budget.

 

[pastronef]

I have no clue what Ineos is doing but if they were to implode somehow next season I would be so happy.

(I never liked them)

jobless riders and staff will thank you for your wishes

 

[awavey]

The simplest -- and possibly most likely -- explanation could be that Ratcliffe has lost interest in pro cycling and has cut their budget.

I'm not convinced he ever 'had (much) interest' to begin with, even when they were still marginally doing well I don't recall seeing him turn up at races much.

Maybe the cost of partly buying a football team and building a land Rover clone are impacting his outgoings.

Even in the Americas Cup where hey've actually achieved some success now, he turned up for that party i noted, I've read Sir Ben say the funding for next year isn't agreed yet with Ineos

 

[awavey]

its foolish to wish such ill will on a construct such as a cycling team, just because you dont like them, the vast majority of the people working for the team have no control over the machinations that go on at the upper levels or the style of racing the riders can bring.

sadly the reality though is feels like a real possibility they could implode, maybe not next season, but the one after, if they arent able to manage their talent, they arent manage to scope realistic goals or aims and communicate them with riders or even the public.

it was notable I thought Luke Rowe discussing his move away from Ineos,speaks about how Decathlon are really clear where they are going next which he liked. the inference I take from that being where he currently is maybe things arent so clear and he and others on the team dont like that so much.

it summed it up for me with some of the wilder speculation about the "Pidcock drop (tm)" that the decision came from the very top at Ineos, who even is the very top at Ineos thesedays ? they feel leaderless and thats not a good position to be in.

 

[Netserk]

It's good to see bad structures and constructs crumble and disappear. Many have done so over the years, and they make room for new life. The alternative to an organic evolution of the sport is stasis and ossification. And had that been the case in the first place, there wouldn't have been any Sky/Ineos team to begin with. Live by sword, die by sword.

 

[pastronef]

It's good to see bad structures and constructs crumble and disappear. Many have done so over the years, and they make room for new life. The alternative to an organic evolution of the sport is stasis and ossification. And had that been the case in the first place, there wouldn't have been any Sky/Ineos team to begin with. Live by sword, die by sword.

but luckily Sir Dave started it, and oh boy, it's been a great roller-coaster. I enjoyed every minute until things were good .
(2024: 14th year in-a-row SkIneos puts at least 1 rider on a grand tour podium)
now things going downhill fast it looks like. we'll see. if they are bound to disband... I'll thank them all for the fun and for hundreds of forum pages. it's been a great ride

 

[Netserk]

but luckily Sir Dave started it, and oh boy, it's been a great roller-coaster. I enjoyed every minute until things were good .
(2024: 14th year in-a-row SkIneos puts at least 1 rider on a grand tour podium)
now things going downhill fast it looks like. we'll see. if they are bound to disband... I'll thank them all for the fun and for hundreds of forum pages. it's been a great ride

That's a far more dignified response than clinging on to something dead, shaking one's fist at God and demanding eternal life.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

its foolish to wish such ill will on a construct such as a cycling team, just because you dont like them, the vast majority of the people working for the team have no control over the machinations that go on at the upper levels or the style of racing the riders can bring.

sadly the reality though is feels like a real possibility they could implode, maybe not next season, but the one after, if they arent able to manage their talent, they arent manage to scope realistic goals or aims and communicate them with riders or even the public.

it was notable I thought Luke Rowe discussing his move away from Ineos,speaks about how Decathlon are really clear where they are going next which he liked. the inference I take from that being where he currently is maybe things arent so clear and he and others on the team dont like that so much.

it summed it up for me with some of the wilder speculation about the "Pidcock drop (tm)" that the decision came from the very top at Ineos, who even is the very top at Ineos thesedays ? they feel leaderless and thats not a good position to be in.

Yeah because that doesn't happen in any other sport.
I've never liked Sky/Ineos. They made the TdF a farce for over 5 years. I'll gladly watch them burn and crumble to the ground. Most of their riders will find a team anyway. It's too bad for British cycling but c'est la vie.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

its foolish to wish such ill will on a construct such as a cycling team, just because you dont like them, the vast majority of the people working for the team have no control over the machinations that go on at the upper levels or the style of racing the riders can bring.

Tell that to the hundreds of clip channels who make a decent livelihood out of Schadenfreude, by clipping delusional and entitled fans of big soccer teams.

Sport is an interesting and relatively unique proposition in the world because participants are in it to win by any means necessary, but most of the crowd are in it for escapism and entertainment. People perceived as subtracting from the entertainment are therefore often less popular than people who add to it, and predictability is the enemy of enjoyment for many fans. People enjoy a bit of success, but enjoy too much of it and you will create a huge backlash - especially if the way you succeed is not perceived as being entertaining. Furthermore, in many areas, cheering for the overdog is frowned upon, and people who do so are often derided and mocked too.

The relative evanescence of a cycling team compared to teams in most European sports (I know franchises can move cities and shift around in North America) does mean that the Schadenfreude can go a bit further because you can cheer not just the relegation or defeat of a team but its total destruction, but I'm also not going to pretend I'm above that, as I was absolutely ecstatic to see the joyless black hole of Bob Stapleton removed from the sport and the HTC-High Road train of tedium consigned to the scrap heap of history.

 

[RedheadDane]

https://intermarche-wanty.eu/news/alexanderkamp/?fbclid=IwY2xjawF4hSpleHRuA2FlbQIxMAABHQ4y6YdOZYTtPZxyccXTXtLIDffhGzppkbcK2SUJAMUfJ2uaqS-KYhBMNg_aem_l_5yOU-Ra3fxrdfYkdX3PQ

However, based on the picture they chose, they appear to have forgotten it's been a while since he was Danish Champion:

 

[primoz]

Any rumours about Lucas Hamilton? Didn't ride a GT in 2 years, must be gone.

 

[yaco]

Any rumours about Lucas Hamilton? Didn't ride a GT in 2 years, must be gone.

He could be retiring. Guangxi could be his last race.

 

[Roku]

I don't really like the Kamp signing. Too inconsistent. Best case scenario is him achieving a Top-10 / Top-5 in Amstel Gold Race and Brabantse Pijl while dissapearing for the rest of the season.

 

[Samamba]

I don't really like the Kamp signing. Too inconsistent. Best case scenario is him achieving a Top-10 / Top-5 in Amstel Gold Race and Brabantse Pijl while dissapearing for the rest of the season.

Intermarché is usually pretty good at getting a good level out of these not so well liked riders tho, like Costa, or even Calmejane last season. I think it could work. They don't have the money, they need to be creative. Kamp has the talent and is cheap given he likes to burn bridges. I think their transfers are pretty good given their budget, but of course will be hard to replace Teunissen and Mikhels. Their best transfer might just be Taco being fit again (assuming they extend him).

 

[Samamba]

Jonathan Vervenne has signed a 3y pro contract with Soudal Quick Step. The weird thing about this is that SQS already has 30 riders. So either Vervenne will do one of these 3 years on the devo team and payed as a pro, or someone is leaving QS early.

 

[Roku]

Jonathan Vervenne has signed a 3y pro contract with Soudal Quick Step. The weird thing about this is that SQS already has 30 riders. So either Vervenne will do one of these 3 years on the devo team and payed as a pro, or someone is leaving QS early.

Soudal just announced Gianmarco as their 30rd rider (specifically citing 30rd) so probably the first of those years will be on the Devo team.

 

[Samamba]

Rumours about Champoussin and Teunissen (which would explain why his rumored transfer to Visma never got announced) to Astana.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Soudal just announced Gianmarco as their 30rd rider (specifically citing 30rd) so probably the first of those years will be on the Devo team.

Garofoli is a weird rider. A promising junior rider with a great first year in the u23 ranks, then he signs with Astana and his good results pretty much dissapear.

 

[SafeBet]

Garofoli is a weird rider. A promising junior rider with a great first year in the u23 ranks, then he signs with Astana and his good results pretty much dissapear.

He's never improved since his cardiac issues.
Odd transfer for Soudal unless they've seen data we don't know.

 

[Roku]

Astana is probably one of the worst teams to be competitive. I think he might improve in Soudal.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Danny Van Der Tuuk
Jon Agirre
Louis Sutton
Marton Dina
Paul Hennequin

All to Euskatel
(source: Wielerflits)