Transfers and Rumours 2016 > 2017

[Nirvana]

AS hinted that Purito could ride next season with another team
http://ciclismo.as.com/ciclismo/2016/09/07/vuelta_espana/1473249022_765158.html

 

[Lexman]

Xandro Meurisse signed for two years with Wanty...

 

[Ricco']

Mike Teunissen follows Kelderman to Giant.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:



Feng and Xu were brought to Lampre as Merida became the sponsor of Lampre, part of reason due to Ji Cheng rides for Giant-Alpecin. And Giant is the big rival of Giant in China, so they brought these riders as a kind of marketing strategy. Of course it is for Taiwan market as Feng is the most famous pro cyclist there. So Feng moved to Bahrain just because of Merida.[/quote]

Cheng Ji doesn't ride for Giant-Alpecin because he's Chinese and Giant requested a Chinese rider be on the squad, he rides for that team because he's a solid, hard working flatlands Domestique. You need to remember has been with this squad since 2009 when they were Skil-Shimano riding Koga bikes and his contract keeps getting renewed because of the value he brings the team on the road. Also why would Giant request a Chinese rider be on the squad? They are a Taiwanese company and have factories in both Taiwan (for the high end bikes) and China (for the lower end stuff).

 

[greenedge]

Re: Re:

Lets break the silence in here

Robert Kiserlovski ex Tinkoff to Katusha
Van Keirsbulck ex Etixx to Wanty *confirmed*

Etixx have lost quite a lot of cobbles guys: Martin, Maes, Vandenbergh, Van Keirsbulck and Wisniowski. They will still name a very strong squad of course but they don't have quite the same depth now.

they got Declercq from Topsport who has a similar profile to Van Keirsbulck and got Devenyns and Gilbert...

Lampaert is stronger, Vermote is still there as does Keisse; Stybar, Boonen, Terpstra

so that makes 9 riders...

Gilbert won't be be riding Roubaix though? I guess only Flanders. I forgot about Devenyns. They could both ride Flanders for sure.

Trentin too.

 

[Lexman]

Re: Re:

Lets break the silence in here

Robert Kiserlovski ex Tinkoff to Katusha
Van Keirsbulck ex Etixx to Wanty *confirmed*

Etixx have lost quite a lot of cobbles guys: Martin, Maes, Vandenbergh, Van Keirsbulck and Wisniowski. They will still name a very strong squad of course but they don't have quite the same depth now.

they got Declercq from Topsport who has a similar profile to Van Keirsbulck and got Devenyns and Gilbert...

Lampaert is stronger, Vermote is still there as does Keisse; Stybar, Boonen, Terpstra

so that makes 9 riders...

Gilbert won't be be riding Roubaix though? I guess only Flanders. I forgot about Devenyns. They could both ride Flanders for sure.

Trentin too.

not sure if he extended with Etixx?

wasn't Gilbert aiming to ride the classics he never was able to ride?

 

[dirkprovin]

Re: Re:

Chris Meier retiring at the end of this season to pursue his business interests
http://www.greenedgecycling.com/news/christian-meier-announces-his-retirement.phps

He did have a OBE contract for 2017 so this may free up some space. Currently they have 23 riders contracted for next year with the following currently "undeclared":

Impey, Howson, Durbridge, Cheung (HKG), Schultz (stagiare).

Of these, Impey would seem a near certain retention given his growing utlility as a flexible super-domestique plus his capacity to bring in some results. Having said that, he may also have fielded some outside offers but he has been someone who's been completely "at home" & thrived at this team so it would need to be "an offer you can't refuse" if he's to leave.

Howson, curiously, only signed a one year extension last year but rode brilliantly at the Giro and has potential to develop into a very good mountain dom. Would have to think the team would want to keep him but what is his thinking ?

Durbridge ?? Am not sure of his future, although with the Meier retirement this does free up the space at OBE. The cobbles look to be where his optimal performance lies but he's currently up against increasing competition for precedence. Hayman MAY move on after 2017 but he'll still be up against Keukeleire (a faster finisher) for precedence as well as the developing Cort & Edmondson. He, like Matthews, MAY seek a new home.

Cheung .... not seeing this being extended unless there's some $$$$ tied to this deal.

Schultz won a stage at recent Avenir which could help his chances. A couple of years older than others on the AUS Avenir squad; will be interested to see whether some of them will make an early jump or wait another year.

I'm sure they want to keep Impey, Durbridge and Howson. Howson has impressed me this year. He will be a very important all round domestique for the grand tours in years to come and perhaps target some smaller stage races for himself (although Orica has a very WT focused racing calendar and doesn't ride many 2.1 or 2.HC races).

Is there any news on Atapuma? He was strongly linked with Orica. Txurruka and Plaza have been disappointing as climbing helpers so it would be a nice addition to go along with Kreuziger.

Plaza is contracted and has done fairly well in his role - Plaza was thrust into the TDF on the back of riding in the Giro - Tzurruka will leave at the end of 2016 - Hearing OBE will probably sign another climber type though not 100% finalised - Have no idea about Atapuma.

Txurruka DOES appear to have a 2 year deal looking on the CQ listings; whether that is the truth I'm not certain. He WAS useful at a couple of points of the Giro, particularly as part of one very slick team manoevre with Howson springboarding Chaves on the Colle D'Agnello, but I do agree Plaza is of greater utility

Txurruka only has a 1 year deal with OBE http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/orica-greenedge-pounce-to-sign-amets-txurruka-for-2016/ CQ listings has it wrong. Howson is a certainty to be re-signed and I'd think the only reason for the delay is working out the details of the deal as he's clearly earned a pay bump in my opinion. They'll sign another climbing type no doubt but to who that is I have no idea, I can see why they'd be interested in Hindley but he's only 20 (May 96)and could do with another season in the under 23's.

Re TXurruka; if it IS the case that its only a one year; then he may not be renewed. The info IS "inconclusive"; yes we do have the CN report countered by the CQ listing. The OBE press release itself was non specific. He does seem to have decent enough relations with the team but it certainly is inconclusive as to whether he has delivered value for money.

Re Hindley; it could go either way. There is certainly scope for another year in the U23s but correspondingly, OBE HAS signed riders at that age (Durbridge, Hepburn, Ewan, Power). Whether they'll take on Schultz I'm not certain.

 

[scurrrr]

Goss retires

 

[yaco]

Re:

"Also Docker has done no GT's in 2016 which is a good way to shorten a rider's career - Read Meier.

What does that mean? if a rider doesn't ride a grand tour, he will be less strong in the following year or what?

It is an expectation in every team that a rider from year 3 as a pro rides in a GT - It's part of sharing the load, showing that you are at GT level and you have endurance - There will always be exceptions like Spilak.

 

[StryderHells]

Re: Re:

"Also Docker has done no GT's in 2016 which is a good way to shorten a rider's career - Read Meier.

What does that mean? if a rider doesn't ride a grand tour, he will be less strong in the following year or what?

It is an expectation in every team that a rider from year 3 as a pro rides in a GT - It's part of sharing the load, showing that you are at GT level and also you have endurance - There will always be exceptions like Spilak.

Well Docker did sustain a pretty bad injury at Roubaix this year which pretty much destroyed his season, without that I would of expected to see him racing at the Vuelta, he's a useful teammate and still has a place in the squad but he'll need a good year in 2017 as this one was basically a right off.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

"Also Docker has done no GT's in 2016 which is a good way to shorten a rider's career - Read Meier.

What does that mean? if a rider doesn't ride a grand tour, he will be less strong in the following year or what?

It is an expectation in every team that a rider from year 3 as a pro rides in a GT - It's part of sharing the load, showing that you are at GT level and also you have endurance - There will always be exceptions like Spilak.

Well Docker did sustain a pretty bad injury at Roubaix this year which pretty much destroyed his season, without that I would of expected to see him racing at the Vuelta, he's a useful teammate and still has a place in the squad but he'll need a good year in 2017 as this one was basically a right off.

Yes, Docker had complications from a facial fracture after going over the bars at Roubaix, otherwise he would have continued on in his previous role as bodyguard for Chaves at Giro and Vuelta.

He'll be back, Docker is a pretty tough guy.

 

[42x16ss]

Re: Re:

[quote="
I'm sure they want to keep Impey, Durbridge and Howson. Howson has impressed me this year. He will be a very important all round domestique for the grand tours in years to come and perhaps target some smaller stage races for himself (although Orica has a very WT focused racing calendar and doesn't ride many 2.1 or 2.HC races).

Is there any news on Atapuma? He was strongly linked with Orica. Txurruka and Plaza have been disappointing as climbing helpers so it would be a nice addition to go along with Kreuziger.

Plaza is contracted and has done fairly well in his role - Plaza was thrust into the TDF on the back of riding in the Giro - Tzurruka will leave at the end of 2016 - Hearing OBE will probably sign another climber type though not 100% finalised - Have no idea about Atapuma.

Txurruka DOES appear to have a 2 year deal looking on the CQ listings; whether that is the truth I'm not certain. He WAS useful at a couple of points of the Giro, particularly as part of one very slick team manoevre with Howson springboarding Chaves on the Colle D'Agnello, but I do agree Plaza is of greater utility

Txurruka only has a 1 year deal with OBE http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/orica-greenedge-pounce-to-sign-amets-txurruka-for-2016/ CQ listings has it wrong. Howson is a certainty to be re-signed and I'd think the only reason for the delay is working out the details of the deal as he's clearly earned a pay bump in my opinion. They'll sign another climbing type no doubt but to who that is I have no idea, I can see why they'd be interested in Hindley but he's only 20 (May 96)and could do with another season in the under 23's.

Re TXurruka; if it IS the case that its only a one year; then he may not be renewed. The info IS "inconclusive"; yes we do have the CN report countered by the CQ listing. The OBE press release itself was non specific. He does seem to have decent enough relations with the team but it certainly is inconclusive as to whether he has delivered value for money.

Re Hindley; it could go either way. There is certainly scope for another year in the U23s but correspondingly, OBE HAS signed riders at that age (Durbridge, Hepburn, Ewan, Power). Whether they'll take on Schultz I'm not certain.

I'm not sure about Schultz either, he can climb at U23 level, but can struggle on the flats. He wasn't always on the pace against the likes of Michael Hepburn, Jay McCarthy, Jordan Kerby & Mal Rudolph(Drapac), Chris Williams (Norvo Nordisk) and Jack Anderson (Budget Forklifts) in our summer crits here in Brisbane so it makes you wonder about WT level for 2017. Hopefully that was just early season training fatigue. Hindley might be ready though, but I think another year wouldn't hurt either.

Is there any word on how Txurruka has fit in? Plaza seems to be enjoying himself, so hopefully Txurruka is the same, he's had a decent season overall when he has raced. I doubt Durbridge will go anywhere unless an offer comes out of the blue from a very strong classics squad like Etixx. He seems relaxed and part of the furniture there, and is very close to Hayman and a few others.

 

[42x16ss]

Jack Bauer is leaving Cannondale-Drapac, to an undisclosed team. Would be cool if Avanti are finally putting a serious bid in for Pro Conti status, they've been very strong for a conti team for a while now.

 

[StryderHells]

Re:

Jack Bauer is leaving Cannondale-Drapac, to an undisclosed team. Would be cool if Avanti are finally putting a serious bid in for Pro Conti status, they've been very strong for a conti team for a while now.

That would be great! They've been the strongest local team in our neck of the woods for a few years now (excluding Orica) and clearly have very good management which is obvious in how the keep producing good riders who graduate to a higher level of racing while the team keeps winning races.

A side note on Avanti, promising TT'r Oscar Stevenson has retired from all levels of cycling at the age of 21 due to Osteoporosis Which he'll have to manage for the rest of his life https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?....1051690945123.9713.1611248893&type=3&theater

 

[coimbrawu]

Re: Re:

Feng and Xu were brought to Lampre as Merida became the sponsor of Lampre, part of reason due to Ji Cheng rides for Giant-Alpecin. And Giant is the big rival of Giant in China, so they brought these riders as a kind of marketing strategy. Of course it is for Taiwan market as Feng is the most famous pro cyclist there. So Feng moved to Bahrain just because of Merida.

Cheng Ji doesn't ride for Giant-Alpecin because he's Chinese and Giant requested a Chinese rider be on the squad, he rides for that team because he's a solid, hard working flatlands Domestique. You need to remember has been with this squad since 2009 when they were Skil-Shimano riding Koga bikes and his contract keeps getting renewed because of the value he brings the team on the road. Also why would Giant request a Chinese rider be on the squad? They are a Taiwanese company and have factories in both Taiwan (for the high end bikes) and China (for the lower end stuff).[/quote]

I didn't say Cheng Ji is not solid. Cheng Ji was brought to Skil because of Shimano. There were 3 riders brought to Netherland but just Cheng Ji left in the team and followed the team moving up to WT.
And it's not related to Giant. But when Giant step into the major sponsor in 2014, Cheng Ji became popular in China. Giant and Merida are long-time rivalry in China Market(not only low end market, but also middle level) so Merida just brought another Chinese rider to Lampre just they became Lampre's major sponsor. I just explain why Xu Gang and Feng are brought to Lampre.

 

[Stilletto]

Enrico Gasparotto ex Wanty to Bahrain-Merida

 

[MatParker117]

Henao stays at Sky till 2019.

 

[carton]

Re:

Henao stays at Sky till 2019.

Sergio. 2018, it would seem.

 

[Jancouver]

Re:

Jack Bauer is leaving Cannondale-Drapac, to an undisclosed team. Would be cool if Avanti are finally putting a serious bid in for Pro Conti status, they've been very strong for a conti team for a while now.

Etixx

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/bauer-close-to-signing-with-etixx-quickstep/

 

[JRanton]

Re: Re:

Henao stays at Sky till 2019.

Sergio. 2018, it would seem.

That's great news to keep both him and Poels. No Rosa though to Sky it seems. I wonder if the missed tests put them off or he simply chose to go elsewhere (BMC according to CN).

Losing Konig and Roche does hurt Sky's depth a bit but getting the best out of the likes of Landa, Kwiato and Intxausti is the most obvious area where Sky can improve next year.

 

[LaFlorecita]

Wow
From Race Radio
Did Contador actually sign his contract with @TrekSegafredo? Rumors from the Vuelta say he is talking to Movistar and Bahrain.

He's looked cozy with Quintana the last few days
If he'd go to Bahrain that would become by far my favorite team despite the dodgy prince
But - Berto!! Lampre has juicy Chinese money - come on!!!

 

[LaFlorecita]

Great news that Rosa isn't going to Sky Grande Diego!!

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Great news that Rosa isn't going to Sky Grande Diego!!

Thank god.
And that has nothing to do with disliking sky. I just really like that guy and want him to win a few races but don't think he would get any freedom at sky.

 

[yaco]

Re: Re:

"Also Docker has done no GT's in 2016 which is a good way to shorten a rider's career - Read Meier.

What does that mean? if a rider doesn't ride a grand tour, he will be less strong in the following year or what?

It is an expectation in every team that a rider from year 3 as a pro rides in a GT - It's part of sharing the load, showing that you are at GT level and also you have endurance - There will always be exceptions like Spilak.

Well Docker did sustain a pretty bad injury at Roubaix this year which pretty much destroyed his season, without that I would of expected to see him racing at the Vuelta, he's a useful teammate and still has a place in the squad but he'll need a good year in 2017 as this one was basically a right off.

Docker needs a good year in 2017 to be offered a new contract - Hepburn needs an even bigger year in 2017 - I doubt Hepburn is at WT level.

 

[dirkprovin]

Re: Re:

"Also Docker has done no GT's in 2016 which is a good way to shorten a rider's career - Read Meier.

What does that mean? if a rider doesn't ride a grand tour, he will be less strong in the following year or what?

It is an expectation in every team that a rider from year 3 as a pro rides in a GT - It's part of sharing the load, showing that you are at GT level and also you have endurance - There will always be exceptions like Spilak.

Well Docker did sustain a pretty bad injury at Roubaix this year which pretty much destroyed his season, without that I would of expected to see him racing at the Vuelta, he's a useful teammate and still has a place in the squad but he'll need a good year in 2017 as this one was basically a right off.

Docker needs a good year in 2017 to be offered a new contract - Hepburn needs an even bigger year in 2017 - I doubt Hepburn is at WT level.

Very possible scenarios however much will depend on just WHO is on the market; whether the new naming rights sponsor deal will allow them to compete for whatever top-end talent may be available .... and how much of a turnover of personnel they will be comfortable with. I DO certainly see them as being lower on the totem pole than the 3 younger AUS riders whose deals will be "up". Curiously OBE, to date, has actually had a better "development" pay-off with their young international riders (Chaves, Yates x 2, Keukeleire, Cort) than with the Australians (exception probably being Matthews). It may well be the 2nd generation of Australians where we see the pay-days.

Also bring into account that they will have 4 "advanced age" riders whose contracts will be concluding; namely Tuft, Hayman, Gerrans & Albasini. One would have to think that Tuft is odds on to collect his superannuation and fairly good odds with Hayman. Gerrans & Albasini are a couple of years younger, still capable of producing results and performing a productive role so they could potentially go another couple of years but neither is it a certainty that they will decide to do so.