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

[Cycling111]

Castroviejo announces his retirement

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926911189843636592

View: https://x.com/jcastroviejo/status/1926911189843636592

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Castroviejo announces his retirement

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926911189843636592

View: https://x.com/jcastroviejo/status/1926911189843636592

As did Simon Clarke just now on his twitter

 

[RedheadDane]

But this old guy is taking another year!

ANOTHER YEAR FOR DAMIANO CARUSO AT TEAM BAHRAIN VICTORIOUS - Team Bahrain

With the 2025 Giro d’Italia entering its final week, Bahrain Victorious are delighted to announce the contract extension of Damiano Caruso, our road captain here in Italy. The 37 year old currently lies 6th on GC after 15 stages, and has been Antonio Tiberi’s ever-reliable right hand man...

bahraincyclingteam.com

 

[Wyndbrook]

As did Simon Clarke just now on his twitter

Simon Clarke retiring, how will Carlton Kirby cope?

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Simon Clarke retiring, how will Carlton Kirby cope?

Retiring himself?

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Castroviejo announces his retirement

https://twitter.com/x/status/1926911189843636592

View: https://x.com/jcastroviejo/status/1926911189843636592

I assume that is from the end of the season, rather than that he will DNS tomorrow. Strange not to specify it when he is mid-race.

 

[carolina]

He did specify it would be at the end of the season.

 

[Wyndbrook]

I guess it's his actual confirmation of something that's been known for some while.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

He did specify it would be at the end of the season.

I read the Spanish side (trying to keep in practice); it didn't specify there.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

HLN reports Kooij to Decathlon as a done deal.
His train will feature Hoole, Ghys and Bol who will also join.

Sander De Pestel reportedly close to an extension, Benoot also confirmed.
Dries De Bondt hasn't renewed (yet) and has no news as of now.

 

[Samamba]

HLN reports Kooij to Decathlon as a done deal.
His train will feature Hoole, Ghys and Bol who will also join.

Sander De Pestel reportedly close to an extension, Benoot also confirmed.
Dries De Bondt hasn't renewed (yet) and has no news as of now.

Alpecin getting hit. First Planckaert now Ghys. That's 2 very important guys for Philipsen (and Groves).

 

[Pastradamus]

Does anyone have the latest news from Benson this week?

 

[Wyndbrook]

Alpecin getting hit. First Planckaert now Ghys. That's 2 very important guys for Philipsen (and Groves).

Alpecin need to find that second sponsor soon, these guys are leaving to do essentially the same job. Suggests money is the reason.

 

[AupaPyama]

Alpecin need to find that second sponsor soon, these guys are leaving to do essentially the same job. Suggests money is the reason.

Agreed; the team has a waterhead with those 3 expensive riders and now the mid-level leaving. For now they will fill the team with development riders (last year4 from their own team, and 5 in total) but I also suggest to look at Flanders and in particular to Hesters (as lead out), Vercouillie and Van Hemelen. Ofc no WT experience.

In an ideal world I would have a merger between Lotto with Alpecin. The leadouts of Lotto (De Buyst, Beulens) would have sprinters (Philipsen/Groves), De Lie has less pressure in the classics (due to Van der Poel) and the team would have a climber/puncheur (Van Eetvelt) and a full Belgian profile.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

In an ideal world I would have a merger between Lotto with Alpecin.

Those who would be made redundant by such a merger may consider it less than ideal.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Those who would be made redundant by such a merger may consider it less than ideal.

And the Roodhoofts won't want to play second fiddle to Lotto.

 

[AupaPyama]

Those who would be made redundant by such a merger may consider it less than ideal.

That's why "I" would have a merger. Both teams have too much non WT riders. Other staff can indeed find a new job. Thats not a reason to keep two seperate teams.

And the Roodhoofts won't want to play second fiddle to Lotto.

Again, "I" would have a merger. In an ideal world. Which is not.
On the other hand Lotto said that second name sponsor would be oke and we all know their staff is not qualified so let the Roodhoofts be in charge.

In 2026 there are 4 Belgian WT teams of which 2 belong to the weakest 5 teams. Budgets keep rising so work together. This also counts for teams like Total (Vendee)/Arkea (Bretagne). Just make one superteam to keep up with the big guys.

If you look at the WT stage results:
TDU: UAE
UAE: UAE
Paris-Nice: Visma
Tirreno: UAE
Catalunya: RedBull
Itzulia: UAE
Romandie: UAE
Giro: UAE in the lead, Visma 3rd.

Last year was the same.
Both teams need a 2nd sponsor and have the same profile. But no... team leads are pigheaded.

 

[ingsve]

HLN reports Kooij to Decathlon as a done deal.
His train will feature Hoole, Ghys and Bol who will also join.

Good that he is getting his own leadout so they can let Tord Gudmestad be a sprinter rather than leadout man.

 

[RedheadDane]

So, with Fuglsang leaving Sunday, who from the devo team do you think might get a promotion?

 

[Cycling920]

Wenn Fuglsang am Sonntag geht, wer aus dem Devo-Team könnte Ihrer Meinung nach befördert werden?

Maybe Kretschy

 

[yaco]

So, with Fuglsang leaving Sunday, who from the devo team do you think might get a promotion?

I suspect Brodie Gilmore.

 

[RedheadDane]

Maybe Kretschy

Why did you change it to German?

 

[Cycling920]

That was Automatic sorry

 

[Samu Cuenca]

FDJ have promoted a young, promising climber to their WT team.

Spoiler

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Why did you change it to German?

I guess auto-translating the message just comes with being called Cycling<numbers here>.