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

[pastronef]

from the French Gruppetto forum

A letter of intent acts like a pre-contract that only becomes valid once the rider's current contract expires. Backing out carries significant financial and legal consequences, as it is effectively as if he already belongs to UAE for 2028. Geraint Thomas had already leaked the news... it’s an open secret. D4 would have to buy out the contract from UAE. Del Toro is also in the loop, given his agent's statements, and even Pogačar is constantly singing D4's praises to encourage them to put a massive offer on the table. Pogačar wants to race with Del Toro, not Seixas—though UAE might see things differently. This could well lead to Del Toro leaving for D4 or Jumbo...

 

[Hugo Koblet]

from the French Gruppetto forum

A letter of intent acts like a pre-contract that only becomes valid once the rider's current contract expires. Backing out carries significant financial and legal consequences, as it is effectively as if he already belongs to UAE for 2028. Geraint Thomas had already leaked the news... it’s an open secret. D4 would have to buy out the contract from UAE. Del Toro is also in the loop, given his agent's statements, and even Pogačar is constantly singing D4's praises to encourage them to put a massive offer on the table. Pogačar wants to race with Del Toro, not Seixas—though UAE might see things differently. This could well lead to Del Toro leaving for D4 or Jumbo...

What is D4?

 

[Berniece]

What is D4?

I guess Decathlon

 

[pastronef]

What is D4?

the French are weird. D4 is Décath

 

[Libertine Seguros]

the French are weird. D4 is Décath

Homonym for "Dé-quatre", hence "D4".

 

[Red Rick]

Some people may call me negative, but if Seixas signs with UAE I will not have many happy words to say about that one.

 

[pastronef]

Some people may call me negative, but if Seixas signs with UAE I will not have many happy words to say about that one.

this "pre-contract" sudden rumors make it all very strange. if that's true I wonder what 2027 will look like for Seixas in his last season at Decathlon.

ps. "In cycling transfers, whichever outcome is the most infuriating one, is the most likely to happen"

 

[yaco]

The thing I would never understand about Seixas signing a pre-agreement with UAE is that surely you would sign with Visma who have a proven track recording of developing GC riders.

 

[pastronef]

The thing I would never understand about Seixas signing a pre-agreement with UAE is that surely you would sign with Visma who have a proven track recording of developing GC riders.

Visma's sponsoring future is not assured (Plugge's been saying "we look for a big sponsor" every other day)

 

[yaco]

Visma's sponsoring future is not assured (Plugge's been saying "we look for a big sponsor" every other day)

This pre-agreement was signed in 2025. I doubt Seixas knew about any possible sponsorship issues at this time.

 

[Salvarani]

Some people may call me negative, but if Seixas signs with UAE I will not have many happy words to say about that one.

Arguably he has already signed... question is if they will/can buy him out of it.

 

[Peyresourde]

This pre-agreement was signed in 2025. I doubt Seixas knew about any possible sponsorship issues at this time.

It sounds very questionable to sign anything 3 years in advance, so I would tend not believe that he signed anything at all.

And if he did and it was anything even remotely binding, then there must have been money attached to it. Why would Seixas sign so early otherwise? (And that in turn sounds strange as well, how can a rider accept money from another team while still under contract for several years?)

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Seixas in a UAE jersey is going to be a generational hate watch.

 

[Netserk]

Seixas in a UAE jersey is going to be a generational hate watch.

we are harkonnens

View: https://youtube.com/watch?v=cKgkax19dzI

 

[TheKidsCallMeBoss]

It's always funny how people believe everything they read on the internet. There is no credible source to suggest that Seixas has signed any pre-contract with the UAE. His agent said a few days ago that several teams want him, while his contract extension with Decathlon is on hold. The only piece of news that seems reliable is that Seixas has been offered a very good contract by Pinarello worth 13 million euros a year (reported by Daniel Benson) as he doesn't typically report rumours that have no basis in fact.

 

[AlfaLum]

Arent “pre-contracts” directly in violation of the basic UCI Rules around transfers?

 

[Salvarani]

Arent “pre-contracts” directly in violation of the basic UCI Rules around transfers?

Not if it starts after his current contract ends, I would assume, and he is not breaking his current contract.

Plenty of riders has signed contracts for next season with a new team, after their current one ends.

So I would assume if Seixas has signed a contract that starts 1/1-2028 it is no problem. Therefore... Decathlon probably cant renew him, since he has already signed that "pre-contract" if rumors are true. Unless, they work it out.

The thing is UAE probably cant register a contract yet with UCI because of timing, but it is possible that an intent-to-sign and a "pre contract" is in place. You just cant sign an official one and register it now.

 

[Wyndbrook]

I'm sure Del Toro will get on great at Decathlon. Seems a smart boy, will grasp french in a jiffy if not already done so.

 

[pastronef]

I'm sure Del Toro will get on great at Decathlon. Seems a smart boy, will grasp french in a jiffy if not already done so.

if he ever leaves he won't go to Decathlon. and he has a 2029 deal with UAE

 

[pastronef]

rumors on my fav French gruppetto forum, are BArdet will become Decath manager, Serieys will leave (because, so they say, the owners are angry bout the Seixas saga)

That is indeed the talk in Auvergne—with Bardet being the natural and ideal candidate to support the Bisiaux project, which is Decath's true long-term initiative. And then there is Kooij, of course, who represents the short-term project. The team is committed to the long haul; there is no risk of it folding if they find themselves without Seixas.

 

[Berniece]

rumors on my fav French gruppetto forum, are BArdet will become Decath manager, Serieys will leave (because, so they say, the owners are angry bout the Seixas saga)

That is indeed the talk in Auvergne—with Bardet being the natural and ideal candidate to support the Bisiaux project, which is Decath's true long-term initiative. And then there is Kooij, of course, who represents the short-term project. The team is committed to the long haul; there is no risk of it folding if they find themselves without Seixas.

I only know one thing that writes using — and it isn’t a person

 

[Rob5091]

I only know one thing that writes using — and it isn’t a person

Mechanical tittle tattle?

 

[pastronef]

I only know one thing that writes using — and it isn’t a person

I pasted and google translated from the French, there's no -- in the original post

 

[pastronef]

Mechanical tittle tattle?

google translate added the ---

C'est ce qui se dit effectivement en Auvergne, Avec Bardet qui était le candidat naturel et idéal pour accompagner le projet Bisiaux qui est le vrai projet long terme de D4. Avec Kooij bien sûr qui est le projet court terme. L'équipe est là pour du long terme, aucun risque d'arrêt si se retrouve sans Seixas.

 

[pastronef]

Del Toro adds 2 years to his UAE contract, now until end 2031