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

[Samu Cuenca]

Owian Doull, 2 years to Visma lease a bike!

They're investing everything to close the gap to uae!

"I’m already highly motivated when I think about next season. I’m looking forward to supporting Matthew Brennan in the flat sprints, playing a role in his lead-out and in the classics."

https://twitter.com/x/status/1972950399587139711

View: https://x.com/vismaleaseabike/status/1972950399587139711?t=d-K75xqRxv9ixXGi7ZCprw&s=19

It's not like they're behind UAE when it comes to flat sprints. It would of course have been funny if they had signed Ayuso for this role instead, but not all teams can suddenly find 25 million hidden under a decorative crystal in the executive bathroom.

 

[OlavEH]

Benson reporting Ackermann to Jayco AlUla is done

The dude has managed close to nothing the latest years. Waste of money for Jayco.

 

[laarsland]

The dude has managed close to nothing the latest years.

Bit harsh on Benson, but I agree with the sentiment

 

[yaco]

The dude has managed close to nothing the latest years. Waste of money for Jayco.

What choice do Jayco have? They got outbid for every sprinter they wanted in the team. At least they would get Ackermann at a cut price rate.

 

[RedheadDane]

Mattia Agostinacchio signs long-term contract with EF Education-EasyPost | EF Pro Cycling

Italian sensation and world junior cyclocross champion joins our WorldTour team for 2026 and beyond

efprocycling.com

 

[OlavEH]

What choice do Jayco have?

Choose not a have a typical sprinter at all?

 

[Devil's Elbow]

Choose not a have a typical sprinter at all?

Bad idea when you're likely going to be in the relegation battle next cycle and therefore need to score points in the 1.1 and 1.Pro sprints. As washed up as Ackermann is, he should at least be capable of netting a string of top-10s in those races.

 

[OlavEH]

Bad idea when you're likely going to be in the relegation battle next cycle and therefore need to score points in the 1.1 and 1.Pro sprints. As washed up as Ackermann is, he should at least be capable netting a string of top-10s in those races.

Okay. You've got a point there.

Annoying system this. Rewarding teams that can rack up mediocre sprinters and prioritize 1.1 and 1.Pro races. The same way Astana did this year, but just with other type of riders and more stage races.

 

[QueenStagiaire]

Bad idea when you're likely going to be in the relegation battle next cycle and therefore need to score points in the 1.1 and 1.Pro sprints. As washed up as Ackermann is, he should at least be capable netting a string of top-10s in those races.

They‘ll need to tell him he shouldn‘t sprint from 400 whenever he‘s not in position to win for that. His Main issue is his general fitness, though, he seems to have some health trouble.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

His Main issue is his general fitness, though, he seems to have some health trouble.

Does he also have issues connected to other rivers?

 

[Netserk]

Does he also have issues connected to other rivers?

There‘s some other German Marks as well.

 

[yaco]

Choose not a have a typical sprinter at all?

What? Over half of the races on the calendar end in a largish sprint, so you are giving up lots of opportunites.

 

[OlavEH]

What? Over half of the races on the calendar end in a largish sprint, so you are giving up lots of opportunites.

Besides the point @Devil's Elbow made on UCI points and a battle to survive as a WT team, I really don't see the point for a sprinter as mediocre as Ackerman. There is not much more than around 10 sprinters I would sign if I were the sporting director for a WT team, albeit perhaps the very smallest teams.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Besides the point @Devil's Elbow made on UCI points and a battle to survive as a WT team, I really don't see the point for a sprinter as mediocre as Ackerman. There is not much more than around 10 sprinters I would sign if I were the sporting director for a WT team, albeit perhaps the very smallest teams.

True. They should have signed both merlier and Brennen. I would even have gotten Jonathan Milan as back up aswell. This would help in the fight against relegation

 

[Rockestar_33]

True. They should have signed both merlier and Brennen. I would even have gotten Jonathan Milan as back up aswell. This would help in the fight against relegation

And Phillipson too.

 

[OlavEH]

True. They should have signed both merlier and Brennen. I would even have gotten Jonathan Milan as back up aswell. This would help in the fight against relegation

I don't see the need for sarcasm. Besides the fight for relegation, what is wrong with not wanting to sign bang average sprinters like Ackermann and rather prioritize their money in another way?

 

[Rockestar_33]

I don't see the need for sarcasm. Besides the fight for relegation, what is wrong with not wanting to sign bang average sprinters like Ackermann and rather prioritize their money in another way?

Points is the main reason but also getting a few wins on the board next year. We're losing Groenewegen, Zana, Dunbar, Harper and Walscheid, between whom contributed 30% of our wins over the past two seasons.

 

[yaco]

I don't see the need for sarcasm. Besides the fight for relegation, what is wrong with not wanting to sign bang average sprinters like Ackermann and rather prioritize their money in another way?

At the moment Welsford does not have a team. No surprise if Jayco makes a play because his price would have dropped.

 

[OlavEH]

Points is the main reason but also getting a few wins on the board next year. We're losing Groenewegen, Zana, Dunbar, Harper and Walscheid, between whom contributed 30% of our wins over the past two seasons.

At the moment Welsford does not have a team. No surprise if Jayco makes a play because his price would have dropped.

Does Jayco have less money since they are losing these riders and resort to "desperate" measures like signing Ackermann? Or is it more a question of attracting riders?

 

[Roku]

With all due respect, I can't think of a worse recruitment than Ackermann. The guy hasn't had a good season since 2021, he has been regressing year after year and Jayco does not even ride piss-poor french and belgium races in which he could have a decent result against 4th Tier sprinters.

The only way I could think of it as a decent deal would be if it is for the minimum wage and Jayco is happy if he brings in 250 UCI points for peanuts.

 

[Wyndbrook]

With all due respect, I can't think of a worse recruitment than Ackermann. The guy hasn't had a good season since 2021, he has been regressing year after year and Jayco does not even ride piss-poor french and belgium races in which he could have a decent result against 4th Tier sprinters.

The only way I could think of it as a decent deal would be if it is for the minimum wage and Jayco is happy if he brings in 250 UCI points for peanuts.

Well he's managed over 300 this season so far, so achieve that easily.

 

[yaco]

Does Jayco have less money since they are losing these riders and resort to "desperate" measures like signing Ackermann? Or is it more a question of attracting riders?

I believe they had their targets and were outbid for others. It seems they've decided to keep their budget for next year where I believe they will make a big play for Groves. 2026 will be a consolidation year where they hope their quality riders in Matthews, O'Connor, Schmid and Plapp have good years before attacking 2027.

 

[OlavEH]

I believe they had their targets and were outbid for others. It seems they've decided to keep their budget for next year where I believe they will make a big play for Groves. 2026 will be a consolidation year where they hope their quality riders in Matthews, O'Connor, Schmid and Plapp have good years before attacking 2027.

Has Matthews renewed his contract?

I wonder if it would be wise to still have an almost 37 year old Matthews on a fairly big contract for 2027 rather to have budget space to pursue younger and more up-and-coming riders.

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Frigo is awaiting a WT offer from a team.
Benson made it seem that he doesn't want to resign with IPT even tho he has the opportunity

 

[SafeBet]

Frigo is awaiting a WT offer from a team.
Benson made it seem that he doesn't want to resign with IPT even tho he has the opportunity

Frigo had a very rough Vuelta. He wanted to go home early because of the situation and the consequent stress, so his reluctance to continue with IPT doesn't come as a surprise.