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

[Samamba]

So the merger could simply end up being Intermarché calling it quits like B&B rather than an actual merger then?

Yeah but with Lotto saving Intermarchés managements and some riders asses, while at the same time annoying their own riders and staff.

(I think Intermarché in some sort of form will be on board but not as big as they hoped for and too late so that most interesting riders have left).

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Yeah but with Lotto saving Intermarchés managements and some riders asses, while at the same time annoying their own riders and staff.

(I think Intermarché in some sort of form will be on board but not as big as they hoped for and too late so that most interesting riders have left).

Letting Bonneu is honestly the stupidest move they made since....
Ah *** it, too many *** decisions to compare with.

For a country that loves cycling this much, we do seem to be *** at running an efficient team. God bless good ol' Flemish farmers are in charge of Quick-Step.

 

[ingsve]

Yeah but with Lotto saving Intermarchés managements and some riders asses, while at the same time annoying their own riders and staff.

Well, after the poor season they had on their own they needed some type of shake up I suppose either way.

 

[Samamba]

Letting Bonneu is honestly the stupidest move they made since....
Ah *** it, too many *** decisions to compare with.

For a country that loves cycling this much, we do seem to be *** at running an efficient team. God bless good ol' Flemish farmers are in charge of Quick-Step.

Bonneu is one of the riders that Adam Hansen himself had to inform he was about to lose his job. Bourlart, someone who has been called a great CEO and peoplesmanager, didn't have the human decency to tell him himself. And now this guy gets bailed out by Lotto to probably ruin another team after he already put Intermarché in the grave.

I have no idea why they are ditching Bonneu. They have barely any climbers left and then they choose to pick another domestique or fake sprinter that can't survive a hill over him.

 

[Berniece]

(I think Intermarché in some sort of form will be on board but not as big as they hoped for and too late so that most interesting riders have left).

I would think that’s the first thing you discuss… How can you make a proper budget and on top of that strategic decisions if you aren’t even sure how much money is coming in.

How early were these talks leaked to the press. Did a single person write an email “I have an idea”, and this was leaked immediately?

 

[ingsve]

I would think that’s the first thing you discuss… How can you make a proper budget and on top of that strategic decisions if you aren’t even sure how much money is coming in.

How early were these talks leaked to the press. Did a single person write an email “I have an idea”, and this was leaked immediately?

Wasn't there also talk of debt that Lotto had as well that they were debating what to do with? If a significant part of the budget goes to settle the debt then that would explain a more strained budget for the team.

 

[JosephD]

Movistar confirm the renewals of Torres, Nairo (2026), Oliveira, Arcas (2027), as well as extensions to 2028 for Cepeda and Aular, who had contracts for 2026 anyway.

Pau Marti goes pro with IPT or Cycling Academy

Any news on SportVlaanderen? Joppe Heremans has remained a Conti rider with Van Rysel-Roubaix, he's a rider TSV would have hoovered up in previous seasons...

 

[staubsauger]

Its them or skil shimano (the team now known as Picnic Post)

Skil-Shimano actually rode an very active 2009 Tour de France. Both ASO & public were very pleased with their performance back then!

RAGT had Christophe Riblon who aimed at some sort of return after his never matched 4th place at the 1998 Tour de France.

BigMat actually had Lilian LeBreton who was considered a decent climber and former talent that missed his breakthrough. Nevertheless on paper he and Laurent Madouas were a good combination for attacks in the mountains. Of course BigMat had zero chance in the arms race. Frankly, I wouldn't exactly call that sportive criteria!

So yeah RAGT was by far the worst wildcard team. Skil earned their invitation and I give BigMat the benefit that they were a decent team on paper!

 

[Samamba]

I would think that’s the first thing you discuss… How can you make a proper budget and on top of that strategic decisions if you aren’t even sure how much money is coming in.

How early were these talks leaked to the press. Did a single person write an email “I have an idea”, and this was leaked immediately?

Immediately. Talks started in July so...

But yeah you would think so. No idea what they've been talking about for 3 months straight if sponsors (apparently also shirt sponsor, helmet sponsor, etc) aren't even worked out yet. Haek and Bourlart probably only talked about what would be in it for them personally, like the shares Bourlart would get lol.

This whole thing is a straight up joke. Bourlart didn't have any cards to play given his team was dead anyways but got ownership share and the CEO position (and a lot of his staff and riders saved) and Lotto got almost nothing positive in return. Master negotiator Haek!

 

[Samamba]

Wasn't there also talk of debt that Lotto had as well that they were debating what to do with? If a significant part of the budget goes to settle the debt then that would explain a more strained budget for the team.

Intermarché was in debt, not Lotto.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So the merger could simply end up being Intermarché calling it quits like B&B rather than an actual merger then?

Has there ever actually been a merger in cycling? I'd say it is always a case of one team folding, and another offering itself as a liferaft to some of the staff, and sometimes able to offer a deal to sponsors. But in terms of pre-existing assets, liabilities and contractual obligations, it seems that those of one team remain, those of the other are part of a wrapping up procedure.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Has there ever actually been a merger in cycling? I'd say it is always a case of one team folding, and another offering itself as a liferaft to some of the staff, and sometimes able to offer a deal to sponsors. But in terms of pre-existing assets, liabilities and contractual obligations, it seems that those of one team remain, those of the other are part of a wrapping up procedure.

Team Cannondale-Garmin?