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

[Coffeeplanter]

It's self evident that one of the leading sprinters has so far wasted his career at Jumbo. As a sprinter, you want big wins and they are grand tour stages.

He is 22 years old and has 36 victories. Wasted his career, lol. Be serious dude. You can have valid criticisms about his programme or lack thereof, but the finger of blame isn't just to be pointed at Visma and Visma only. After all, it was Kooij himself who put his signature on the dotted line for a contract extension, doing so at a time when even Roglic was still on the team.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Mate, this Wielerflits saga is just beautiful. I always knew something wasn't right in the heads of Youri IJnssen and Maxim Horssels, but seeing the latter just dig and dig and dig until his own grave hits the Mariana Trench is extraordinary.

 

[Roku]

All signs point to Arkea disappearing in 2026. They are losing their WT status (no way they can close the gap to Cofidis with their current roster minus Albanese and Champoussin) and their next season roster looks really subpar apart from Vauqelin, Mozzatto and Cristian Rodriguez.

Intermarché announced Louis Barré, taking their roster up to 26 and finalizing the known but yet to be announced contracts. Let's hope for a Taco announcement soon and hopefully a pleasant surprise. I read that Simone Gualdi had another year contracted at the Devo before turning pro in 2026.

On lesser teams, Carvalho switches Sabgal for Efapel

 

[SafeBet]

I read that Simone Gualdi had another year contracted at the Devo before turning pro in 2026.

Seems like a bit of a waste to me. He could score some points for them already next year. What do you think?

 

[Roku]

Seems like a bit of a waste to me. He could score some points for them already next year. What do you think?

That was his original contract anyways so they might promote him earlier, like they did with Faure Prost -who needs to bounce back after a horrible season.

I think the best course for him is probably promotion and let him do a limited schedule based on Italian and Belgium hilly races with a couple of less demanding WT races. Anyways I trust the team, they are quite good in developing riders.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Seems like a bit of a waste to me. He could score some points for them already next year. What do you think?

Depends on the rider himself aswell ofc.
Some guys choose for one more year on a Dev team so they can finish of their studies

 

[yaco]

He is 22 years old and has 36 victories. Wasted his career, lol. Be serious dude. You can have valid criticisms about his programme or lack thereof, but the finger of blame isn't just to be pointed at Visma and Visma only. After all, it was Kooij himself who put his signature on the dotted line for a contract extension, doing so at a time when even Roglic was still on the team.

Who is the better sprinter Groves or Kooij? How many GT stages has Groves won? Think it is seven. How many has Kooij won? One. See, Groves has received opportunities that have not been afforded to Kooij. Of course Kooij made an unwise decision to renew his contract, however, Kooij could have ridden one GT per year from his second year in the peleton.

 

[Coffeeplanter]

Who is the better sprinter Groves or Kooij? How many GT stages has Groves won? Think it is seven. How many has Kooij won? One. See, Groves has received opportunities that have not been afforded to Kooij. Of course Kooij made an unwise decision to renew his contract, however, Kooij could have ridden one GT per year from his second year in the peleton.

What do you reckon would be more beneficial for his career and progression; statpadding wins against Mickey Mouse competition consisting of Vito Braet and Pau Miquel in la Vuelta, or going against the top of the world in Renewi?

Groves has done very well, positioning himself as the king of beggars, but let’s not act like that means much in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Roku]

What do you reckon would be more beneficial for his career and progression; statpadding wins against Mickey Mouse competition consisting of Vito Braet and Pau Miquel in la Vuelta, or going against the top of the world in Renewi?

Groves has done very well, positioning himself as the king of beggars, but let’s not act like that means much in the grand scheme of things.

Winning three stages at Vuelta is much more relevant than a stage win at Eneco Tour, regardless of who you are competing with. It shows consistency.

Plus, in 20 years time no one will care about who beat who, it's the wins in great races that count.

Having said that, I have Kooij as a better sprinter than Groves, but he is somewhat wasting chances to win in big scenarios.

 

[Keldergoat]

He's ridden one GT in 4 years. Enough said!

Only one week actually, due to covid.

But the guys is also still only 23. Plenty of years ahead of them. It's more that I have the feeling that VLAB is losing their Dutch edge. Also in VLAB development the number of Dutchmen keeps on going downwards.

 

[Lexman]

Someone knows if Crass stays at Total?

 

[Samamba]

David Dekker to Euskatel, they really are going the international route to save themselves, knowing they need UCI points

 

[Squire]

David Dekker to Euskatel, they really are going the international route to save themselves, knowing they need UCI points

Not sure that signing someone who manages to be well-positioned for two sprints per season is the way to save themselves.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Van Asbroeck renews with IPT for 2 years.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

De Tier stays with Bingoal and welcomes the sausages

 

[RedheadDane]

De Tier stays with Bingoal and welcomes the sausages

That last bit?

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

That last bit?

Wagner (one of the 2 new name sponsors) make dried sausages and other charcuterie

 

[Samamba]

Mathieu Kockelmann, who just got officially announced to ride at Lotto devo next year, is rumored to have also signed a pro contract there for 2025-2026.

I know he was a very good junior, but just like other talents he seems to have been ruined within Bora's pyramid. As of right now I wouldn't say he deserves that pro contract as it's also possible that he was just physically more mature than others in the u19 category (he is a big guy).

Driesen was also announced by Lotto earlier for their devo team next year. Pretty surprising that he left QS after choosing them over Lotto last year.

 

[RedheadDane]

Wagner (one of the 2 new name sponsors) make dried sausages and other charcuterie

But why was he specifically welcoming the sausages?

 

[Roku]

Dan McLay rumoured to join Visma. Quite a bummer for the team to go from Teunissen to McLay if true.

 

[Wyndbrook]

Dan McLay rumoured to join Visma. Quite a bummer for the team to go from Teunissen to McLay if true.

I'd say McLay is one of the best at his job as a lead out, perhaps having a fading sprinter to support this year has restricted his opportunities to demonstrate his ability.

 

[Lexman]

Lars Craps to Lotto Dstny

Signing announcement: Lars Craps signs a two-year deal with Lotto Dstny | Lotto Dstny

The 23-year-old Belgian rider, who is suited for the harder and hilly courses, will ride with Lotto Dstny from next year onwards.

www.lottodstny.be

 

[Coffeeplanter]

That's not very nice of him.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Finally a proper transfer

https://twitter.com/x/status/1847201867622740215

View: https://x.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1847201867622740215?t=J9CsIrEBZ-d3PNh9JtiEuA&s=19

 

[theyoungest]

Dan McLay rumoured to join Visma. Quite a bummer for the team to go from Teunissen to McLay if true.

He signs a one year contract. I think it's pretty clear where this is going: after next year Kooij leaves and they don't need a leadout anymore. Maybe Teunissen didn't want to sign for one year.