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

[GenericBoonenFan]

People who could be leaders being signed as domestique has always had some negative reaction attached, though. It's just exacerbated now because the distance between the haves and have nots is ever bigger. He's being signed as a domestique but as a result will be deployed in a less interesting manner and will help prevent other riders from making things interesting in their own right too. At the point in Yates' career he's at it makes sense, but fans are well within their rights to feel disappointed that another guy who could ride GC or be an elite stage hunter is being snapped up to play the role of third in line in a train and maybe score a lower end top 10 by dropping the few people remaining that could make it interesting for any team outside the big 2-3.

Like Manchester City trying to sign Leicester's best player because they needed six weeks' injury cover, it's absolutely understandable why both the team and the player would do it, but it's also absolutely understandable why fans would not like it.

I get what you're saying but if I understood he isn't hating on them signing Langellotti to turn him into a domestique, he's hating because it's "just" Langellotti.
And I'm well aware he won't necessarily move the needle for Ineos. But you need guys like him to fill out a complete squad. And the guy got that dawg in him, okay it's not a Malinois (just yet) but rather a Boston terrier or the likes, but let's see what he can do. He proved he can win, now let's see if he can be a solid WT-rider.

 

[Anderis]

He proved he can win, now let's see if he can be a solid WT-rider.

I mean he already finished 14th in Itzulia, so yes, he can be a solid WT rider.

Just like some people hated on Brandon Rivera but he managed to finish 4 stage races inside top10 in the last 2 years.

You can't have 30 winners on your roster. I mean there are only 24 GT spots a year in one team and some of the riders will ride more than one GT, so you need at least like 10 riders in your roster who won't be upset about not riding a single GT.

Although Ineos have been steadily losing quality since 2022 and looking at how things are going this year, this trend is not going to reverse before 2025.

 

[RedheadDane]

 

[Low is rhe new high]

I really think you underrate Visma. Van Aert/Laporte/Van Battle/Kuss/Yates/Jorgenson/Benoit are a mighty strong support.

Jorgenson alone was stronger than all of UAE helpers in some stages and if they have Yates and Kuss to give him rest (like Sky did) he may be even better.

And they also have Uijtdebroeks even if he did not live up to the hype this year he is still a major talent and for now is equal to Ayuso in terms of potential ( both as cyclist and as team players)

 

[Anderis]

and for now is equal to Ayuso in terms of potential

I don't know how you can establish "potential" but in terms of results Ayuso surpasses Uijtdebroeks by a big margin (even if you discard Ayuso's 2024 results as he is half a year older). Not only did he achieve a GT podium before even turning 20 but he's been superior to Uijtdebroeks in pretty much every area- GTs, classics, ITTs etc.

 

[Low is rhe new high]

I don't know how you can establish "potential" but in terms of results Ayuso surpasses Uijtdebroeks by a big margin (even if you discard Ayuso's 2024 results as he is half a year older). Not only did he achieve a GT podium before even turning 20 but he's been superior to Uijtdebroeks in pretty much every area- GTs, classics, ITTs etc.

Ok but so far this year (and last) Ayuso has stagnated, he is further away from the best results his OG RR was a good example maybe he is on downward trajectory. There is a lot of talents that never develops in to GC leaders maybe he is another Wilco or Soler. The same is true for Uijtdebroeks but both have shown previously that they have been able to perform on a high level. I believe it will be easier to shape Uijtdebroeks into a superdom then it is for Ayuso to become one. We will have to wait and see which one will be more useful for his team.

If possible Ayuso should try to leave for Ineos. There he can be the GC star and Bernal, Rodrigues etc will be perfect support. I don’t see Cian as successful GC leader as Ayuso but maybe a much better superdom.

 

[Squire]

That's a lot of doomsaying about one of the best teenagers in cycling history!

Who also won a WT stage race and podiumed another this season. Then was hampered by illness and a crash in the build up to/during the Tour. I think Pogacar's crazy full season peak has given people unrealistic expectations on behalf of other riders. I can get along with Ayuso possibly not having that much more room for improvement left, but downward trajectory at the age of 21? Come on.

 

[Low is rhe new high]

That's a lot of doomsaying about one of the best teenagers in cycling history!

Who also won a WT stage race and podiumed another this season. Then was hampered by illness and a crash in the build up to/during the Tour. I think Pogacar's crazy full season peak has given people unrealistic expectations on behalf of other riders. I can get along with Ayuso possibly not having that much more room for improvement left, but downward trajectory at the age of 21? Come on.

It’s a lot about psychology as well. All these youngsters that is declared to be the second coming doesn’t have the he mentality to make it. In a parallel universe Soler would have won 5 tours by now.

 

[Squire]

It’s a lot about psychology as well. All these youngsters that is declared to be the second coming doesn’t have the he mentality to make it. In a parallel universe Soler would have won 5 tours by now.

At Ayuso's current age, Soler's best results were a 3rd in the Spanish U23 ITT championship and a 51st place overall at the Tour de l'Avenir. The two are not comparable in my opinion. I would say Ayuso has shown both the capability and the psychology for being a very successful team leader in a grand tour. And he did so as a teenager. Don't think there's much wrong with his mentality.

 

[Low is rhe new high]

At Ayuso's current age, Soler's best results were a 3rd in the Spanish U23 ITT championship and a 51st place overall at the Tour de l'Avenir. The two are not comparable in my opinion. I would say Ayuso has shown both the capability and the psychology for being a very successful team leader in a grand tour. And he did so as a teenager. Don't think there's much wrong with his mentality.

Ok…., he will win the vuelta this year.

 

[Hell-G]

Rumor: Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) to Soudal Quick-Step.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1820410821333098998

View: https://twitter.com/dnlbenson/status/1820410821333098998

 

[Ricco']

Rumor: Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers) to Soudal Quick-Step.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1820410821333098998

View: https://twitter.com/dnlbenson/status/1820410821333098998

Can't wait to have Lefevere as the new Didi Senft, chasing the back of the peloton with a pitchfork while complaining that track results don't bring exposure to his sponsors.

 

[Mayomaniac]

Ok but so far this year (and last) Ayuso has stagnated, he is further away from the best results his OG RR was a good example maybe he is on downward trajectory. There is a lot of talents that never develops in to GC leaders maybe he is another Wilco or Soler. The same is true for Uijtdebroeks but both have shown previously that they have been able to perform on a high level. I believe it will be easier to shape Uijtdebroeks into a superdom then it is for Ayuso to become one. We will have to wait and see which one will be more useful for his team.

If possible Ayuso should try to leave for Ineos. There he can be the GC star and Bernal, Rodrigues etc will be perfect support. I don’t see Cian as successful GC leader as Ayuso but maybe a much better superdom.

Isn't Uwubrooks just the typical Belgian gc prospect who already trained like a pro at a young age, only to stop improving in it's early 20ies? Of course a late starter like Evenepoel has a lot more room to improve than your typical Belgian (or Dutch) gc prospect, who was already training like a pro at the age of 15...

About Ayuso, signing him is also about getting his coach San Millan, and intel on how UAE/their top gc riders are working...

 

[awavey]

Lizzie D announced a year's extension at Lidl Trek yesterday, takes her to end of 2025. Has no intention to stay around for LA 2028 though.

 

[Izzyeviel]

Lizzie D announced a year's extension at Lidl Trek yesterday, takes her to end of 2025. Has no intention to stay around for LA 2028 though.

I don't think i'm psychologically prepared for her retirement. Someone start a WT team & give her a 10 year deal.

 

[Berniece]

Isn't Uwubrooks just the typical Belgian gc prospect who already trained like a pro at a young age, only to stop improving in it's early 20ies? Of course a late starter like Evenepoel has a lot more room to improve than your typical Belgian (or Dutch) gc prospect, who was already training like a pro at the age of 15...

About Ayuso, signing him is also about getting his coach San Millan, and intel on how UAE/their top gc riders are working...

How can you say Uijtdebroeks stopped improving? We haven’t had the opportunity to see this yet since he was sick in the Giro. This is like people saying Evenepoel wasn’t GT material and then being surprised he finishes 3rd in the TDF.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Simon Le Carr returns to France with Cofidis, while Hugo from the Street will turn pro at Burgos.

And Juliette Labous has just been confirmed at FDJ-SUEZ.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Simon Le Carr returns to France with Cofidis, while Hugo from the Street will turn pro at Burgos.

And Juliette Labous has just been confirmed at FDJ-SUEZ.

Does this mean Simon Le Carr has to guarantee to achieve a top fifteen placing in next years tour.

Is it my being behind the news or is Labous the only officially announced womens transfer.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

How can you say Uijtdebroeks stopped improving? We haven’t had the opportunity to see this yet since he was sick in the Giro. This is like people saying Evenepoel wasn’t GT material and then being surprised he finishes 3rd in the TDF.

He certainly didn't seem to have improved in any of the races he's done so far this year: 5th in Camiño, 7th in Tirreno, DNF Catalunya, DNF Giro, 35th in Suisse. I'd go as far as saying that he's been one of the biggest disappointments this year.

 

[Berniece]

He certainly didn't seem to have improved in any of the races he's done so far this year: 5th in Camiño, 7th in Tirreno, DNF Catalunya, DNF Giro, 35th in Suisse. I'd go as far as saying that he's been one of the biggest disappointments this year.

Catalunya sick, Giro sick, Suisse started to early like Evenepoel did last year. I'm looking forward to his performance in the Vuelta, but I agree that purely based on results he didn't seemed to have improved. But looked at within context I don't see an issue.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Does this mean Simon Le Carr has to guarantee to achieve a top fifteen placing in next years tour.

Is it my being behind the news or is Labous the only officially announced womens transfer.

I think Josie Talbot to Jayco was the first.

Some teams are probably waiting until after the Tour to make their announcements. If the rumour about Cavalli moving to DSM is true, then I guess that could be confirmed soon.

 

[RedheadDane]

Welcome Halvor Dolven - Intermarché Wanty

Norwegian U23 champion Halvor Dolven is joining Intermarché-Wanty as a World Team trainee in August. From 2025 onwards, he will be part of Wanty-ReUz-Technord, the continental development team. At just 20 years old, Dolven has already achieved a lot since the start of the 2024 season. The...

intermarche-wanty.eu

 

[JRanton]

And again not every rider signed by top teams are winners. Visma has guys like Vermote, Hessman and Van Der Sande. UAE has guys like Laengen and Vink. They don't move the needle but you need them.
So I don't get why you're hating on a guy who is clearly signed as a domestique.

Exactly. And Langellotti actually has some sneakily good performances and results in his palmares.

 

[tobydawq]

Catalunya sick, Giro sick, Suisse started to early like Evenepoel did last year. I'm looking forward to his performance in the Vuelta, but I agree that purely based on results he didn't seemed to have improved. But looked at within context I don't see an issue.

I see plenty of issue. It's not like people are usually crap in the races they aren't peaking for these days. And he wasn't sick in the whole of Catalunya, just bad, and then he abandoned on the last day.

 

[Offline]

I see plenty of issue. It's not like people are usually crap in the races they aren't peaking for these days. And he wasn't sick in the whole of Catalunya, just bad, and then he abandoned on the last day.

Agree he has been very poor all year.

I might rise to in Vuelta. But so far Jorgensen is a better replacement for Roglic than him for now and the future.