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

[Samamba]

It's basically free points/result for a team with a spot to spare. If anything I think Intermarché should have given him a spot.

No one cares about a random top 10 place in a Chrono des Nations and his points probably wouldn't count as he wouldn't be in the top 20 of a team.

 

[Netserk]

No one cares about a random top 10 place in a Chrono des Nations and his points probably wouldn't count as he wouldn't be in the top 20 of a team.

Fair, but he'd make their top-20 with a top-10 result.

 

[Samamba]

Fair, but he'd make their top-20 with a top-10 result.

Yeah I forgot how bad they've been. But then again, I don't think they care about points anymore cause that merger is happening guaranteed.

Also I remember Hayter saying that he would just want a team to be able to start but wanted to use his own (Pinarello) bike that he's used to (which is normal as a TTer). That wouldn't be possible at a better team.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

It's basically free points/result for a team with a spot to spare. If anything I think Intermarché should have given him a spot.

But they would have to pay him up untill the end of the year, they could just make Huub Artz go there and score the same amount of points for no extra money.

 

[pastronef]

It's basically free points/result for a team with a spot to spare. If anything I think Intermarché should have given him a spot.

Voster will allow him to ride his Pina TT bike

 

[RedheadDane]

This deserves to be posted here as well.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963150715712331867

 

[SafeBet]

Riccitello to Decathlon

https://twitter.com/x/status/1963657498935836741

View: https://x.com/ammattipyoraily/status/1963657498935836741?t=0db-lPuGXMjQtAZ6rvQLaQ&s=19

 

[Netserk]

Riccitello to Decathlon

I'm surprised, also of how little I've heard of rumours about him this year.

 

[Cycling111]

Now are BORA and Decathlon the ones that are going to accumulate young talent.

 

[Valv.Piti]

I'm surprised, also of how little I've heard of rumours about him this year.

Probably the wisest decision to get out of that team ASAP.

Isreal just lost their two best riders

 

[Samamba]

Girmay to Israel according to Le Soir.

They say from 2026 OR 2027 onwards, depending on what happens to the Lotto merger (don't really understand that part but whatever).

 

[HashRouge]

Girmay to Israel according to Le Soir.

They say from 2026 OR 2027 onwards, depending on what happens to the Lotto merger (don't really understand that part but whatever).

Oof, really? You'd think Girmay would have had some better options, you wouldn't think many riders would be keen on moving to IPT at the moment.

 

[Samamba]

I'm surprised, also of how little I've heard of rumours about him this year.

This rumor started like 2 or 3 months ago in French press. I thought it was well known.

 

[Bkinn]

Oof, really? You'd think Girmay would have had some better options, you wouldn't think many riders would be keen on moving to IPT at the moment.

I don't think a lot of teams could pay the salary he asks, especially this later in the transfer market and after a disapointed session.

 

[Roku]

Girmay to Israel according to Le Soir.

They say from 2026 OR 2027 onwards, depending on what happens to the Lotto merger (don't really understand that part but whatever).

Weird, since he was contracted till 2028 with Wanty so as you say, does not make much sense the 2027 part.

 

[ingsve]

I'm surprised, also of how little I've heard of rumours about him this year.

He's been riding fairly anonymously. Winning Sibiu Tour is not as headline grabbing as top 5 in Suisse I suppose. But in the Vuelta he's been more visible so more is said about him.

 

[ingsve]

Uno-X has today extended with Erlend Blikra for 2 more years. Important new contract since he is one of their sprinters that need to take a step up now that Kristoff is retiring and it doesn't look like they are able to recruit any other top sprinter for next year to take Kristoffs place.

They also recently renewed Anders Skaarseth, a solid domestique, for another 2 years.

They now have 26 riders signed for 2026 so potentially room for 4 more,

 

[Roku]

There's an article today in HLN in which discuss a bit more the rumours regarding Lotto - Wanty merge.

It seems they will try to postpone a season the promotion of some Lotto youngsters (i would guess all but Widar). I'm guessing the same could go for Felix-Orn Kristoff from our Wanty side (I also could see him been poached by Uno-X)

Girmay is more or less confirmed to leave to Premier Tech, which is great, while Thijssen has also offers to leave (which i'm surprised given his atrocious season, but I would be happy if he left for another team). Rex also rumoured to leave which would be a downer.

 

[Samamba]

It seems they will try to postpone a season the promotion of some Lotto youngsters (i would guess all but Widar)

I think this is a dumb move, because of 3 reasons.

1. Even tho Donie has stagnated this year and I kinda agree he probably can use another year at u23 level, it is very important that you keep Widar happy, and Milan is one of his best friends. He needs his friends around him to perform (and definitely if you want to have even a super small chance of keeping him after 2027). I would prefer Donie another year as u23 and Eeman (who is way more ready and also a very close friend of Jarno) to go up already.

2. If you just keep all these guys in your devo one more year, you're about to have like 8 neopros in 2027, which is just stupid and asking for problems. Not just the Lotto guys who already have that contract, but think about Van Bylen, Cuylits, Eeman, Taillieu (who's finally sickness/injury free and is making steps), etc. All guys who have proven to have enough talent to go pro, and you don't want to risk another Fretin. This is from a Lotto perspective ofc, I think Wanty has a bit less talents in their u23 that don't have a pro contract already (so not thinking about Gualdi or Kristoff, who even tho he's very talented I wouldn't really invest in as a team cause he will be at UNO X quickly anyways). I like Dolven (but also Norwegian) and Solen, but that's basically it right now imo.

3. I don't see a reason for keeping older riders who are not WT worthy anyways over them.

For Belgian cycling in general it will be very important that Flanders Baloise and hopefully also Wagner (less chance imo) find other sponsors so they can continue cause there's to much Belgian talent that's gonna go to waste without them. For example I think of Poelvoorde, De Ceuster, Vaneeckhoutte, etc. from Lotto, all 3 guys who have proven to have pro talent, or Hannes or Place from intermarché.

Also about the merger, whatever it's going to be Girmay just needs to make the decision, either stay or leave. Cause Bourlart needs to stop wasting his time on him if he's gonna leave anyways. Others are waiting, and it's taking way too long. You're risking losing way more than just Girmay. For example Rex, who's imo a key. De Lie needs him around him. It would be a massive fail from Bourlart already if he can't keep him imo. These are his guys, everyone tells me everyone loves him at the team, that he's a really good manager, but that wouldn't be a good look. And them I'm not even talking about someone like Barré who will definitely have a lot of interest. Thijssen ain't leaving, I don't believe that for a sec, he won't have better options and also said himself that he's 95% sure he will be at the merged team, he's just looking out for a plan B.

 

[Berniece]

I think this is a dumb move, because of 3 reasons.

1. Even tho Donie has stagnated this year and I kinda agree he probably can use another year at u23 level, it is very important that you keep Widar happy, and Milan is one of his best friends. He needs his friends around him to perform (and definitely if you want to have even a super small chance of keeping him after 2027). I would prefer Donie another year as u23 and Eeman (who is way more ready and also a very close friend of Jarno) to go up already.

2. If you just keep all these guys in your devo one more year, you're about to have like 8 neopros in 2027, which is just stupid and asking for problems. Not just the Lotto guys who already have that contract, but think about Van Bylen, Cuylits, Eeman, Taillieu (who's finally sickness/injury free and is making steps), etc. All guys who have proven to have enough talent to go pro, and you don't want to risk another Fretin. This is from a Lotto perspective ofc, I think Wanty has a bit less talents in their u23 that don't have a pro contract already (so not thinking about Gualdi or Kristoff, who even tho he's very talented I wouldn't really invest in as a team cause he will be at UNO X quickly anyways). I like Dolven (but also Norwegian) and Solen, but that's basically it right now imo.

3. I don't see a reason for keeping older riders who are not WT worthy anyways over them.

For Belgian cycling in general it will be very important that Flanders Baloise and hopefully also Wagner (less chance imo) find other sponsors so they can continue cause there's to much Belgian talent that's gonna go to waste without them. For example I think of Poelvoorde, De Ceuster, Vaneeckhoutte, etc. from Lotto, all 3 guys who have proven to have pro talent, or Hannes or Place from intermarché.

Also about the merger, whatever it's going to be Girmay just needs to make the decision, either stay or leave. Cause Bourlart needs to stop wasting his time on him if he's gonna leave anyways. Others are waiting, and it's taking way too long. You're risking losing way more than just Girmay. For example Rex, who's imo a key. De Lie needs him around him. It would be a massive fail from Bourlart already if he can't keep him imo. These are his guys, everyone tells me everyone loves him at the team, that he's a really good manager, but that wouldn't be a good look. And them I'm not even talking about someone like Barré who will definitely have a lot of interest. Thijssen ain't leaving, I don't believe that for a sec, he won't have better options and also said himself that he's 95% sure he will be at the merged team, he's just looking out for a plan B.

I would think Widar leaves if he has to do another year at U23. There’s no reason for it when he can win small races in pro circuit

 

[Samamba]

I would think Widar leaves if he has to do another year at U23. There’s no reason for it when he can win small races in pro circuit

Not Widar of course lol, he will be a leader. It's about Donie, Kockelmann and Grisel. Kockelmann has made steps this year (but you can also ask the question if he's really needed even tho I think he has something), Donie and Grisel haven't. Especially the last one has been kind of overtaken by some Belgian talents. I think for Grisel it would be fine to do another u23 year, it's easier for a rider like him to just do a good mix as there's plenty of non WT classic or sprint races. It's different for Donie. If Widar wants him next to him in races, he has to be pro. It's that simple.

 

[Red Rick]

Girmay is 100% the type of rider that's just gonna have one team or another take a punt on him when it's very likely he doesn't give you anything.

 

[Valv.Piti]

The only thing that should matter for Lotto is to keep and build something that Widar thinks is good enough to compete with the big teams. Can't risk losing him whatever you do

 

[pastronef]

The only thing that should matter for Lotto is to keep and build something that Widar thinks is good enough to compete with the big teams. Can't risk losing him whatever you do

well, one year ago there were some problems with Widar. he was said to be leaving, or trying to. lso, he rode the Worlds with Oakleys instead of team-sponsor Ekoi (unlike the other Lotto riders at worlds)

 

[AlfaLum]

I think this is a dumb move, because of 3 reasons.

1. Even tho Donie has stagnated this year and I kinda agree he probably can use another year at u23 level, it is very important that you keep Widar happy, and Milan is one of his best friends. He needs his friends around him to perform (and definitely if you want to have even a super small chance of keeping him after 2027). I would prefer Donie another year as u23 and Eeman (who is way more ready and also a very close friend of Jarno) to go up already.

2. If you just keep all these guys in your devo one more year, you're about to have like 8 neopros in 2027, which is just stupid and asking for problems. Not just the Lotto guys who already have that contract, but think about Van Bylen, Cuylits, Eeman, Taillieu (who's finally sickness/injury free and is making steps), etc. All guys who have proven to have enough talent to go pro, and you don't want to risk another Fretin. This is from a Lotto perspective ofc, I think Wanty has a bit less talents in their u23 that don't have a pro contract already (so not thinking about Gualdi or Kristoff, who even tho he's very talented I wouldn't really invest in as a team cause he will be at UNO X quickly anyways). I like Dolven (but also Norwegian) and Solen, but that's basically it right now imo.

3. I don't see a reason for keeping older riders who are not WT worthy anyways over them.

For Belgian cycling in general it will be very important that Flanders Baloise and hopefully also Wagner (less chance imo) find other sponsors so they can continue cause there's to much Belgian talent that's gonna go to waste without them. For example I think of Poelvoorde, De Ceuster, Vaneeckhoutte, etc. from Lotto, all 3 guys who have proven to have pro talent, or Hannes or Place from intermarché.

Also about the merger, whatever it's going to be Girmay just needs to make the decision, either stay or leave. Cause Bourlart needs to stop wasting his time on him if he's gonna leave anyways. Others are waiting, and it's taking way too long. You're risking losing way more than just Girmay. For example Rex, who's imo a key. De Lie needs him around him. It would be a massive fail from Bourlart already if he can't keep him imo. These are his guys, everyone tells me everyone loves him at the team, that he's a really good manager, but that wouldn't be a good look. And them I'm not even talking about someone like Barré who will definitely have a lot of interest. Thijssen ain't leaving, I don't believe that for a sec, he won't have better options and also said himself that he's 95% sure he will be at the merged team, he's just looking out for a plan B.

They have 38 riders under contract for next year between the two teams. Are they allowed to terminate the contracts of the riders that are not really a fit for the WT with the merger?