Transfers and Rumours 2017 > 2018

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Out: Boonen, Kittel, Martin, De La Cruz, Vermote, Trentin

In: Viviani and Senechal.

I suppose a smaller budget and improved contracts for various riders take its toll.

You forgot Narvaez and Hodeg in the IN department.

Hodeg is just stagiaire this year, though. Can't see him turning pro with Quick Step anytime soon.

I know he is a stagiaire right now, but from what I've heard and read, a full time contract is imminent. It's already done basically. Same goes for Jhon Rodriguez from Delko, but I have a harder time believing that. When he signed with Delko last year, he himself said that a (verbal) agreement had been reached with Quick Step for 2018.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

That's a surprising move, didn't see it coming. Jakobsen is a top-notch U23 sprinter, would have been a great addition to a lot of teams.

 

[MatParker117]

Theuns and Vervaeke to Sunweb

 

[stabbin31]

Re: Re:

Louis Vervaeke and Edward Theuns to Sunweb (official).

More losses for Soudal and Trek. It really feels like the good teams are getting better, the weak teams are getting weaker.

Its hard to consider TREK a weak team, they were in the fight in nearly every race they ran and are what? 6 or 7 in WT ranking... That is not weak. It has been strange seeing them got so many top 5s that should have or could have been wins. I have been trying to figure out what has been missing. LUCA???

Also, WTH is TREK doing for next year? Losing Theuns is a big blow to a strong and rebuilding classics team. I think LUCA is trying to get rid of the Belgians and make it an all Italian team. Is there any news on transfers to TREK?

 

[Vroome.exe]

Re: Re:

Out: Boonen, Kittel, Martin, De La Cruz, Vermote, Trentin

In: Viviani and Senechal.

I suppose a smaller budget and improved contracts for various riders take its toll.

You forgot Narvaez and Hodeg in the IN department.

Hodeg is just stagiaire this year, though. Can't see him turning pro with Quick Step anytime soon.

I know he is a stagiaire right now, but from what I've heard and read, a full time contract is imminent. It's already done basically. Same goes for Jhon Rodriguez from Delko, but I have a harder time believing that. When he signed with Delko last year, he himself said that a (verbal) agreement had been reached with Quick Step for 2018.

So they have signed two best U21 sprinters? Maybe Hodeg(Colombian) is to keep Gaviria happy.

 

[Ricco']

Re: Re:

Louis Vervaeke and Edward Theuns to Sunweb (official).

More losses for Soudal and Trek. It really feels like the good teams are getting better, the weak teams are getting weaker.

Its hard to consider TREK a weak team, they were in the fight in nearly every race they ran and are what? 6 or 7 in WT ranking... That is not weak. It has been strange seeing them got so many top 5s that should have or could have been wins. I have been trying to figure out what has been missing. LUCA???

Also, WTH is TREK doing for next year? Losing Theuns is a big blow to a strong and rebuilding classics team. I think LUCA is trying to get rid of the Belgians and make it an all Italian team. Is there any news on transfers to TREK?

CyclingFever have Nicola Conci as rumoured to Trek. Fabio Aru is rumoured to go there, too.

 

[DNP-Old]

Re: Re:

Out: Boonen, Kittel, Martin, De La Cruz, Vermote, Trentin

In: Viviani and Senechal.

I suppose a smaller budget and improved contracts for various riders take its toll.

You forgot Narvaez and Hodeg in the IN department.

Hodeg is just stagiaire this year, though. Can't see him turning pro with Quick Step anytime soon.

I know he is a stagiaire right now, but from what I've heard and read, a full time contract is imminent. It's already done basically. Same goes for Jhon Rodriguez from Delko, but I have a harder time believing that. When he signed with Delko last year, he himself said that a (verbal) agreement had been reached with Quick Step for 2018.

So they have signed two best U21 sprinters? Maybe Hodeg(Colombian) is to keep Gaviria happy.

Hodeg isn't exactly one of the better U23 sprinters. Far from it, I'd say. In fact, one could argue he isn't even the best young, Colombian sprinter. Personally, I rate Molano and Soto higher than I would rate Hodeg.

 

[TMP402]

Re: Re:

Louis Vervaeke and Edward Theuns to Sunweb (official).

More losses for Soudal and Trek. It really feels like the good teams are getting better, the weak teams are getting weaker.

Its hard to consider TREK a weak team, they were in the fight in nearly every race they ran and are what? 6 or 7 in WT ranking... That is not weak. It has been strange seeing them got so many top 5s that should have or could have been wins. I have been trying to figure out what has been missing. LUCA???

Also, WTH is TREK doing for next year? Losing Theuns is a big blow to a strong and rebuilding classics team. I think LUCA is trying to get rid of the Belgians and make it an all Italian team. Is there any news on transfers to TREK?

Yes, Trek are not weak, but who are their leaders next year? Mollema, capable of top 10s in GTs but not a frequent winner, Stuyven, in my opinion at this point, is the same but for the Classics, and Degenkolb is probably now in a similar place. Unless they have a really good late season, in terms of wins I think this would have been their weakest season ever (starting in 2011). Their biggest winner this season is Mollema who has TWO wins! Okay, on paper they have good riders, but good riders who aren't currently winning much. Excluding national championships, only SIX riders have a win this year - and Theuns was one of them. Unless they're getting Aru, Felline steps up, Stuyven steps up further, they sign a big classics rider or sprinter, I think they're getting weaker and have been weak this season.

 

[deValtos]

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

 

[rote_laterne]

Pernsteiner to Bahrein according to PCS.

 

[staubsauger]

If Aru still hasn't signed for UAE or hasn't prolonged at Astana either I fear he might end up with low paycheck contract once he appears to be weaker than his super-domestique (Lopez) once again!

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

That makes some sense, can lead in California and his climbing style makes him a great engine for Froome.

 

[staubsauger]

Re: Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

That makes some sense, can lead in California and his climbing style makes him a great engine for Froome.

Teejay is a locomotive that's still there in the high mountains. Guess that works out well for both sides if realized!

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

That makes some sense, can lead in California and his climbing style makes him a great engine for Froome.

Teejay is a locomotive that's still there in the high mountains. Guess that works out well for both sides if realized!

Particularly if Sky can get him back to 2014-2016 levels, then he and Poels would be a pair of high unbeatable mountain bodyguards for Chris.

 

[Movitrain]

Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

Oh come on lol, not the Herrada brothers too :sad: We're gonna have nobody left, where is this dozen of replacements even going to come from

 

[GenericBoonenFan]

Re: Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

Oh come on lol, not the Herrada brothers too :sad: We're gonna have nobody left, where is this dozen of replacements even going to come from

They're gonna have to sign some W52-guys

 

[MatParker117]

Re: Re:

Rumours from last nights The Cycling Podcast: Herrada brothers have been negotiating with Trek and what seems to be very loose rumblings about Tejay talking with Sky.

Oh come on lol, not the Herrada brothers too :sad: We're gonna have nobody left, where is this dozen of replacements even going to come from

Could a similar problem to what Sky had in 2014, too much in money in a select number of riders.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

I don't see it as a crisis, just an issue of needing some good rouleurs. There's gonna be a lot required of guys like Erviti, Sütterlin and Oliveira otherwise but Jasha's had a pretty decent season and Valverde likes him a lot, which stands him in good stead. Sepúlveda has enough power to make a good domestique around about the position in the team that Rubén Plaza used to have, and while obviously they won't want to put too much pressure on inexperienced guys, I'd expect Soler, Carapaz and Rosón to all be strong mountain hands next season, while Sepúlveda slots into the same kind of role as de la Parte has at present, and Rubén Fernández probably isn't going to become a major leader now outside of medium mountain races, so if he gets to lead some events like Paris-Nice and then slot in as a domestique at the GTs that will suit them fine. Amador is a fine all-terrain rider who is also an Abarcá lifer. And then there's the wildcard that is Bananito.

The issue is replacing Castro and Gorka. There aren't going to be a massive number of rouleurs who see Movistar as a viable career step, although Bennati and Rojas have both become riders for that kind of role. Dowsett was feeling frustrated by a lack of opportunities earlier in the season but they might need his engine a bit more and be less happy for him to move on now. A logical rider to try to pick up would be Lluís Mas from Caja Rural, but they already raid their Navarrese neighbours more than enough for talents - having now taken Rosón, José Herrada, Javi Moreno and Rubén Fernández from them, while gift-wrapping them guys like Ángel Madrazo and David Arroyo in return. To be honest, considering Unzué's tendency to bring back riders he's had in the past and paying over the odds for over the hill riders I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to bring in Rubén Plaza for about his eighth stint at Abarcá. Or even Kiryienka, though I imagine Sky would prefer to keep him if they can and are more likely to be able to budget-wise. Zhygunou is probably a good rouleur/tough sprinter type in the feeder system, but they can't really afford to go with too many neo-pros, with Pedrero and Arcas only just finding their feet, Carretero and Bico entering their second year at the bottom of the food chain, and they won't want to let Samitier or Castrillo walk just because they got overlooked because of the team needing to promote a rouleur instead of a grimpeur. Maybe if Jordi Simón is happy to just come in and make some numbers up...

 

[staubsauger]

What about Campenaerts?

 

[MatParker117]

Re:

What about Campenaerts?

Signed for Lotto

 

[staubsauger]

Re: Re:

What about Campenaerts?

Signed for Lotto

Ouch. Would've been a master signing for Movistar in this situation!

 

[May0maniac]

Re:

I don't see it as a crisis, just an issue of needing some good rouleurs. There's gonna be a lot required of guys like Erviti, Sütterlin and Oliveira otherwise but Jasha's had a pretty decent season and Valverde likes him a lot, which stands him in good stead. Sepúlveda has enough power to make a good domestique around about the position in the team that Rubén Plaza used to have, and while obviously they won't want to put too much pressure on inexperienced guys, I'd expect Soler, Carapaz and Rosón to all be strong mountain hands next season, while Sepúlveda slots into the same kind of role as de la Parte has at present, and Rubén Fernández probably isn't going to become a major leader now outside of medium mountain races, so if he gets to lead some events like Paris-Nice and then slot in as a domestique at the GTs that will suit them fine. Amador is a fine all-terrain rider who is also an Abarcá lifer. And then there's the wildcard that is Bananito.

The issue is replacing Castro and Gorka. There aren't going to be a massive number of rouleurs who see Movistar as a viable career step, although Bennati and Rojas have both become riders for that kind of role. Dowsett was feeling frustrated by a lack of opportunities earlier in the season but they might need his engine a bit more and be less happy for him to move on now. A logical rider to try to pick up would be Lluís Mas from Caja Rural, but they already raid their Navarrese neighbours more than enough for talents - having now taken Rosón, José Herrada, Javi Moreno and Rubén Fernández from them, while gift-wrapping them guys like Ángel Madrazo and David Arroyo in return. To be honest, considering Unzué's tendency to bring back riders he's had in the past and paying over the odds for over the hill riders I wouldn't be surprised if he wants to bring in Rubén Plaza for about his eighth stint at Abarcá. Or even Kiryienka, though I imagine Sky would prefer to keep him if they can and are more likely to be able to budget-wise. Zhygunou is probably a good rouleur/tough sprinter type in the feeder system, but they can't really afford to go with too many neo-pros, with Pedrero and Arcas only just finding their feet, Carretero and Bico entering their second year at the bottom of the food chain, and they won't want to let Samitier or Castrillo walk just because they got overlooked because of the team needing to promote a rouleur instead of a grimpeur. Maybe if Jordi Simón is happy to just come in and make some numbers up...

As far as I know Reis doesn't have a contract for 2018, he could become a good rouleur for them durning the next few years.

 

[Libertine Seguros]

Don't know if they would have had any interest, since they've never had a Low Countries rider as far as I can remember, but he would indeed have been the right kind of rider. The problem is, who's available who might be willing to go and be a rouleur at a team like Movistar who won't have a better chance to ride a better calendar for themselves elsewhere? I mean, Küng is out of contract but what reason could he be given to go somewhere like Abarcá and give up a lot of his own ambitions? Tying down Quintana, Valverde and Landa means they can't throw money at the problem. Gatis Smukulis? Mikel Aristi? I mean, sure, maybe they will do something out of left field and sign Stijn Devolder or something, but I just don't expect any serious rouleurs to not have better offers than Movistar can give them at this point in time.

And if they're going to sign anybody from the Volta it should be António Barbio, he showed talent over a range of terrains and good grit, and is young enough he may not yet be tainted with the indelible mark of Portuguese cycling. But with Bico and Oliveira they already have two better Portuguese rouleurs, and with Carretero they've already got a rider at a similar level and who they're much more comfortable with as he's come through their development system.

 

[Valv.Piti]

You guys must be smoking. Bennati is one of the or the best rider to keep GC-riders out of trouble, particularly when the wind is blowing. Then you have good and porven rouleurs such as Viti, Sutterlin, Oliveira and Rojas and you are all set.

The big questions for me is how the climbers are gonna develop. Betancur, Carapaz, Soler, Hernandez, Roson, Sepulveda etc. We assume all of those riders havent hit their peak shape, but at the same time all of them have question marks to them. They are no Mikel Snows, not really proven yet.

 

[GuyIncognito]

Re: Re:

As far as I know Reis doesn't have a contract for 2018, he could become a good rouleur for them durning the next few years.

Does the 2 year minimum contract length for neos not apply at Pro Continental level anymore?

they've never had a Low Countries rider as far as I can remember, but he would indeed have been the right kind of rider

Nijboer 20 years ago