Perhaps never like this year the transfer market is so advanced. Just a few days ago, with the arrival of August 1st, which reopened transfers and spaces for internships, some rather important news emerged. News constantly evolving: different from hour to hour.
As always, there are those looking to strengthen themselves (the teams) and those looking for a better contract (the riders). The question of points and the relegations from WorldTour to professional then brought a further shake-up to the cycling market. We are looking for winning athletes, sprinters in particular, and young people.
Important goodbyes
But before we talk about transfers, it's best to start with who's leaving. Those leaving are important riders, true champions who also command significant salaries, and this should—the conditional is a must—leave the teams themselves a little more leeway.
They stop Nibali, Valverde e From the mill, Without to forget Philip Gilbert e Richie porteThe same spaces that they had already left during the season, but obviously with a different impact Visconti, Zakarin, Trainini. But it's not just them. The list of "end-of-career" patients exceeds twenty.
However, for now at least, the teams of Nibali and Valverde, that is Astana Qazqstan e Movistar, they haven't moved much.
French Revolution
Once the steps have been established Zana to the BikeExchange-Jayco and Conci to the professional team of Alpecin-Deceuninck, the arrivals in the WorldTour are interesting Leo Hayter e Lennert Van EetveltThe king of the U23 Tour switches from Hagens Berman Axeon to Ineos-Grenadiers. While for the vice of the Giro U23, Lennert Van Eetvelt, in fact it is a leap in category: from the continental of the Lotto Soudal to the first team.
A real French revolution concerns the Groupama-FDJ: eight continental athletes move up to the WorldTour. They called it the “new wave”The eight are: Romain Gregory, Lenny Martinez, Reuben Thompson, Enzo Paleni, Laurence Pithie, Sam Watson, Paul Penthoet e our Lorenzo GermaniAnd this is truly a historic event for the youth sectors of cycling (and the cycle market).
Marc Madiot, the team manager, had said he wanted to renew a lot, to give more space to his "cantera" and with 11 riders expiring he could do it... and he did it! By the way: one of these athletes expiring is Attila Valter, very close to Jumbo Visma who wants a man for the climb… in case he has few!
Same fate as Germani and his companions for another Italian, Marco Frigo. The Venetian passes from the continental to the WT of the Israel Premier TechBut it's been known for a while.
Ganna 2027
But perhaps the longest list is that of renewals. And contrary to what one might expect, it doesn't just feature the names of young riders.
For example, they extended their contract, among others, Thomas De Gent, Michael Matthews, Ion Izaguirre, Bauke Mollema, Romain Bardet, Jasper Stuyven and Simon Yates.
But they did it too Mads Pedersen, Lennard Kamna, David Gaudu, Tiesj Benoot e Biniam GirmayAmong the renewals there are two that are striking: the extension of thomas pidcock and Filippo GanaIf for everyone else it's about getting to 2025 at the latest, the two Olympic champions have extended their contracts with Ineos-Grenadiers up to 2027.
Orange alert
From here we move on to those without contracts for next season. As of today, August 4th: caliber riders like ours are without a team at the end of the year. Pozzovivo, Guarnieri, De Marchi, Pasqualon, Brambilla, Cataldo. There is time to resolve the issue, but we cannot remain super relaxed either.
And speaking of Guarnieri, “Jacopone” should sleep soundly. In fact, if he were not to renew with the revolutionized Groupama-FDJ, Lotto-Soudal is ready to lead the way. Ewan e De Lie (both with contracts until 2024). By virtue of the "wildcard" year, even in the event of relegation to professional status, Lotto, which is at great risk, would benefit from the wild card that now belongs to Alpecin-Deceuninck And this is no small feat in continuing to invest and find sponsors (especially since Soudal is moving to Quick Step).
Pozzovivo, on the other hand, should remain at Piva's court. The sports director told us that they were very satisfied with the Lucanian.
Who signs and who… maybe
They leave the WorldTour Clement Champoussin (fromAg2R-Citroen atArkea samsic) to alexander kristoff (from the Intermarche Wanty Gobert to the Uno-X) in what is a triumph of the Norwegian spirit. A fine transition for someone like the winner of Sanremo 2014, who is in the second half of his career.
The waters are a little rougher for the others. It's likely they'll join the list of those who end up in the professional ranks.
Among those without contracts at the end of the years there are also foreigners of calibre. The hottest name is that of Carapaz. But only on paper, because it is "certain" that he will be in the ranks of the EF Education EasyPost, especially since the American team has made it official Cepeda, his friend and training partner, and Andrew Amador Another of Richard's loyal followers. We await further communication.
But the Olympic champion (in the opening photo) is in excellent company. In the same situation there are Cavendish e Froome? They will certainly have to make a decision. Both Englishmen have said they don't want to stop (Froome still has a year left on his contract), but they are 37 years old. Cav has an important offer from B&B Hotels which will be supported by a major second sponsor: Carrefour. However, he doesn't seem inclined to leave the WT.
While Froome would like to at least try to start 2023, evaluate how he's doing since he's recovering, and then decide whether or not to continue. All of this with Israel-Premier Tech.
UAE what movements
Finally a closer look at the UAE EmiratesTaking advantage of the expiration of some riders' contracts, the focus is clearly on the Grand Tours and on strengthening the team, especially after the last Tour.
Majka should stay in UAE Emirates, if anything, it's about an upward adjustment to his contract. But be careful Quintana. Only the day before yesterday, after speaking to a radio station in the South of France, he seemed to be about to renew with theArkea-Samsic, but precisely the UAE It seems he has set his sights on Nairo.
As for the classics and fast wheels, for a Rui Costa which passes through UAE at Intermarché Wanty Gobert, there is a Tim Wellens which is coming (not official yet). While Gaviria he could reach his friend Sagan at Total Energies and the sprinter would not be replaced.
Formolo, Trentin, Ulissi, all three of which are expiring, are expected to be renewed.
