[Wielrennen] Transfergeruchten en contractverlenging #31

Rest days at the Giro d'Italia are often a hotbed of activity. While riders pause for breath, team managers roll out their red carpets for cycling's most important figures of all: the agents.

Whether in hotel lobbies or nearby restaurants, these days are all about scoping out the market, reaffirming budgets, looking for bargains and, of course, the golden-ticket signing that could transform your team for next season. Once one meeting is finished, another begins. It's like speed dating - only more uncomfortable.

This year there are several key dynamics at play. BMC Racing are the most obvious starting point, given that the team still don't have a solidified future beyond this year.

From what Cyclingnews has gathered, from riders and those in the know, sub-sponsors Sophos and Swisse Vitamin are set to step up and provide a budget of between 15-16 million Euros, with Giant supplying bikes. That's still way short of the team's current financial status, but one current team rider told us that the squad's initial plan was to either go down the path of building around Greg Van Avermaet, or stick with Richie Porte and the stage racing squad. However, we understand that, contrary to earlier reports, Porte has a contract for 2019 but is still free to discuss a possible move with other teams, should a better offer be presented.

The squad's management have remained silent. They were planning on informing the riders of their plans on May 15 but that communication never took place. However, the team did confirm to the staff a few days ago that the rumour linking Deloitte to BMC Racing was untrue. Van Avermaet, meanwhile, has also hinted at staying. This appears to be his preferred option, with Bahrain-Merida and Lotto Soudal still monitoring the situation.

The uncertainty over BMC's future has stalled other elements with the market. Rival team managers appear willing to wait longer in order to drive down rider values.

"We don't know their future, and that makes the situation very complicated," one general manager told us. "In the next 15-20 days we will find out for sure what's happening but at the moment the situation with that team is clearly blocking the market. If the team doesn't carry on then the cost of the riders on that team will drop, so a lot of people are waiting and waiting."

A source within Dimension Data has told us that the team will be riding BMC bikes in 2019. That comes after reports that Team Sunweb will be racing on Cervelo in 2019. We understand, however, that this deal still needs to be signed off. Sunweb would not comment on this but our information is that the deal is likely and it stems from the team's desire to move in a new direction in a bid to make a further step forward, not just in terms of equipment but also the commercialization of pro-level gear. Cevelo are owned by Pon Holdings, a hugely significant and wealthy conglomerate that also owns Gazelle, Santa Cruz Bicycles and Focus Bikes.

There is talk of UAE Team Emirates dropping Colnago for Bianchi, but that has yet to be confirmed by any party. "We have several options on the table," the team told us. "We spoke with different possible partners but at the moment we are still with the actual sponsors of the team, nothing new is on the way."

The hottest rider on the market right now is understandably Simon Yates, who goes into the final few days at the Giro d'Italia with a more than decent chance of winning the race. The Mitchelton-Scott rider, still just 25, is out of contract this year and has drawn attention from Katusha-Alpecin, UAE Team Emirates, Astana, and Trek Segafredo, the latter of which offered him a deal before the Giro.

His current team are obviously keen on renewing him but one team manager told Cyclingnews that they have been priced out of the market, with teams willing to pay 3.5-4 million Euros a season for the rider. Few teams can afford such a sum but, with a week to go at the Giro, the price could fluctuate depending on the final result in Rome.

"If you tried to sign him before the Giro you'd be taking a bet but now you have to pay for his value because of what he's doing at the Giro and because he's just 25 years old," one team boss told us.

"I still think that his preferred option is to stay where he is, and for a lot of money. A lot will depend on what Mitchelton can do. If they can find the budget then that's it, they will keep all their riders."

Adam Yates is a less expensive option, having recently come back from injury. He has a different agent to his brother and all indications are that he will stay at Mitchelton beyond 2018. The Australian team's priority is, obviously, to keep their most talented riders, including the Yates brothers, before looking elsewhere on the market to plug any possible roster gaps for 2019. Both Yates' are currently contracted at around 1.5 million Euros a season, and Adam is likely to wait until the Tour de France before looking at his options. Simon, on the other hand, is likely to decide his next move - if it hasn't been made already - at the end of the Giro, when his value should be at its highest.

Mitchelton-Scott team owner and long-standing backer Gerry Ryan arrived at the Giro d'Italia for the final week. He confirmed he will continue to bankroll the team via his many companies and seems determined to try to keep Simon Yates. Ryan highlighted the added value the Mitchleton-Scott team has given, and will continue to give, the rider. Yates' agent, Andrew McQuaid, was at the Giro d'Italia time trial on Tuesday and will return for the final stage in Rome on Sunday. Yates could possibly agree to a new deal as soon as Monday, before Ryan heads home to Australia. Victory would also project him forward as major Tour de France contender for 2019 and so perhaps help Mitchelton-Scott finally secure a title-sponsor in Asia.

Trek-Segafredo, on the other hand, have the financial resources after saving a year's worth of Alberto Contador's wages. They're desperate to buy a long-standing GC candidate, while their current Tour leader Bauke Mollema is out of contract and has drawn interest from several teams, including Bora-Hansgrohe. Trek's fixation with Simon Yates is understandable for other reasons. If Porte remains at a new-look BMC then the GC options on the market begin to look scarce.

Geraint Thomas is, according to one source, no longer on the market, with the Welshman set to stay at Team Sky for the foreseeable future. The rider had received interest from several teams over the last two years but the sentiment from one manager, who did not want to be quoted, is that teams have started to grow tired of chasing a rider for several seasons without interest being shown in the opposite direction. Team Sky, on the other hand, are determined to keep hold of Thomas, especially given the uncertainty over the future of their biggest British star, Chris Froome.

Thomas was apparently top of UAE Team Emirates' shopping list last year but ultimately backed away, apparently concerned about how difficult life would be away from Team Sky.

Bahrain-Merida's management have confirmed to Cyclingnews that the team met with Van Avermaet during the Ardennes to discuss a possible move. The team are in the hunt for a Classics rider and have also considered Michael Valgren, who is out of contract at Astana. Van Avermaet was Bahrain's first choice, but negotiations stalled after April because the rider wanted to give BMC Racing more time to secure sponsorship. Bahrain would be open to re-starting talks but money is another stumbling block.

It seems Bahrain-Merida are concerned about Van Avermaet's age, the Olympic champion having turned 33 in April. The team are also keen to sign a British rider for 2019 to help Merida in the UK market.

Bahrain are set to re-sign Heinrich Haussler, who will ride the Tour de France this year, while Vincenzo Nibali is set to stay for an additional period of two years. The form of Domencio Pozzovivo at the Giro has cooled the team's interest in signing another GC rider, although they have kept tabs on Richie Porte. Giovanni Visconti is likely to step down from WorldTour level and leave Bahrain-Merida after two seasons. He is expected to return to the Tuscan-based Wilier Triestina-Selle Italia squad managed by Angelo Citracca and Luca Scinto. The Wilier Triestina bike brand will remain only as a technical sponsor, with an Italian brand expected to keep the team alive for another year.

Wout Van Aert is another rider Bahrain have been talking to. The Belgian is a highly sought-after young talent and the latest information is that he could remain at Veranda's Willems Crelan for the cyclo-cross season before moving to a WorldTour team for the spring and the start of the road campaign. Several teams have looked at this option and have contacted the UCI for clarification over the rules surrounding a potential swap.

The sprinter market is very much alive and kicking. Mark Cavendish is out of contact and we have learned that he has several options on the table. Speculation at the Giro suggested that he would leave Dimension Data but that appears to be misguided, and there remains a possibility that he stays with the South African team. The former world champion has also been linked to UAE Team Emirates in the last few months, but that option seems to be over.

Team manager Carlo Saronni told Cyclingnews that, "In this case, I can say that we are look at a different type of rider to improve the team at the moment."

Other rumoured moves include Tejay van Garderen - out of contract for the first time in his career - who has predictably been linked with a move to Jonathan Vaughters' EF-Drapac team. Trek have also shown interest in the past. Vaughters rushed to hire several riders after EF stepped in to save the team last year but has yet to begin to implement a long-term strategy for the team.

Egan Bernal is set to be rewarded with a new and improved contact at Team Sky at the end of the season. Andre Griepel is set for talks with Lotto Soudal. The veteran rider has regained form after an injury-hit spring. The Lotto management have told Cyclingnews that if Griepel stays it is likely to be on a two-year deal. The Belgian team were linked to Van Avermaet after his former agent became the Lotto boss at the turn of the year. However, the team believe that they are currently third in line - after BMC and Bahrain - for the Olympic champion's signature.

Chiappucci	donderdag 1 maart 2018 @ 11:29
	twitter: AG2RLMCyclisme twitterde op woensdag 02-08-2017 om 18:37:03 @tonygallopin signs for two years with AG2R LA MONDIALE Pro Cycling Team ! Welcome Tony ! Read more… https://t.co/bZITAC6Cm0 reageer retweet Nu bevestigd. Verdere opvallende transfers van vandaag Warren Barguil --> Fortuneo-Oscaro Alexander Kristoff --> UAE
rubbereend	donderdag 1 maart 2018 @ 17:59
	quote: Op donderdag 1 maart 2018 11:29 schreef Chiappucci het volgende: twitter: AG2RLMCyclisme twitterde op woensdag 02-08-2017 om 18:37:03 @tonygallopin signs for two years with AG2R LA MONDIALE Pro Cycling Team ! Welcome Tony ! Read more… https://t.co/bZITAC6Cm0 reageer retweet Nu bevestigd. Verdere opvallende transfers van vandaag Warren Barguil --> Fortuneo-Oscaro Alexander Kristoff --> UAE nou dat is inderdaad opvallend
TargaFlorio	donderdag 1 maart 2018 @ 18:51
	quote: Op donderdag 1 maart 2018 11:29 schreef Chiappucci het volgende: twitter: AG2RLMCyclisme twitterde op woensdag 02-08-2017 om 18:37:03 @tonygallopin signs for two years with AG2R LA MONDIALE Pro Cycling Team ! Welcome Tony ! Read more… https://t.co/bZITAC6Cm0 reageer retweet Nu bevestigd. Verdere opvallende transfers van vandaag Warren Barguil --> Fortuneo-Oscaro Alexander Kristoff --> UAE spuit111111111
Chiappucci	donderdag 1 maart 2018 @ 21:28
	Lol, een of andere hersenscheet van FOK!
Rellende_Rotscholier	vrijdag 2 maart 2018 @ 16:17
	Rittenkaper Roosen blijft tot eind 2020 bij Djumbo.
Frozen-assassin	vrijdag 2 maart 2018 @ 16:33
	quote: Op vrijdag 2 maart 2018 16:17 schreef Rellende_Rotscholier het volgende: Rittenkaper Roosen blijft tot eind 2020 bij Djumbo. We wachten op contractverlenging van onze Dielan naar 2023
IbanMayo	vrijdag 2 maart 2018 @ 16:38
	Rogla, Dielan, Krachtwijk, Rittenkaper. Wat een blok ligt er nu langdurig vast jongens.
TheArt	zondag 11 maart 2018 @ 12:19
	Joseph Areruya per direct naar Delko Marseille.
Koffieplanter	zondag 11 maart 2018 @ 12:21
	quote: Op zondag 11 maart 2018 12:19 schreef TheArt het volgende: Joseph Areruya per direct naar Delko Marseille. Dat is dus al einde carrière voordat 'ie überhaupt begonnen is. Het waren drie fantastische weken.
Rellende_Rotscholier	zondag 11 maart 2018 @ 13:22
	quote: Op zondag 11 maart 2018 12:19 schreef TheArt het volgende: Joseph Areruya per direct naar Delko Marseille. Oké, deze zag ik niet aankomen. Delko is een bijzonder matige ploeg, dus ik ben hier eigenlijk niet zo blij mee. Had hem liever aan het eind van het jaar naar Dimension Data zien gaan.
Mani89	zondag 11 maart 2018 @ 13:24
	Lekker knechten voor Mauro.
wimderon	donderdag 15 maart 2018 @ 21:45
	quote: De kans dat Greg Van Avermaet ook volgend jaar voor zijn huidige ploeg rijdt, neemt toe. Jim Ochowicz, teammanager van BMC, heeft het personeel én renners meegedeeld dat het de goede richting op gaat. Hij vraagt hen geduld te hebben tot 1 mei om zijn budget rond te krijgen. Voor Greg Van Avermaet is dat geen probleem. Hij heeft al eerder gezegd liefst bij BMC te blijven als het team blijft bestaan. Bij BMC lopen alle sponsor- en rennerscontracten af na dit seizoen, maar manager Jim Ochowicz maakt zich sterk dat het team ook volgend seizoen nog bestaat. Hij liet het personeel per mail weten dat het de goede kant op gaat en toonde zich in Tirreno-Adriatico ook erg optimistisch meteen na de zege in de ploegentijdrit. “We werken eraan”, zegt Ochowicz. “De focus ligt bij ons nu op de klassiekers. Nadien zien we wel, maar ik maak mij sterk dat het in orde komt. Ik maak mij geen zorgen.” De voorbije jaren werd BMC hoofdzakelijk financieel gesteund door Andy Rihs. Maar de Zwitserse zakenman en eigenaar van fietsfabrikant BMC worstelt met zijn gezondheid en wil die steun fors terugschroeven. Sindsdien doet manager Ochowicz er alles aan om nieuwe geldschieters te vinden. Geen sinecure. De ploeg, in 2017 derde op de WorldTourranking, maakt er een punt van nooit over contracten of budgetten te communiceren, maar L’Equipe becijferde de totale begroting van BMC vorig jaar nog op 28 miljoen euro. Welke hoofdsponsor? Er zijn weinig details bekend, maar twee bronnen bevestigen nu dat Ochowicz zijn renners gevraagd heeft om hem tot 1 mei de tijd te geven om zijn budget rond te hebben. Zoals de sterren nu staan, blijft BMC aan boord als fietsconstructeur, maar zou het volgend jaar geen hoofdsponsor meer zijn. Het team zou vanaf volgend jaar dus wel een andere naam dragen. Cosponsors Tag Heuer en Sophos doen voort, maar het is niet duidelijk of één van hen de vacante positie van hoofdsponsor invult. Er is sprake van een nieuw project voor het team van drie jaar, maar Greg Van Avermaet minimaliseert dat: “Drie jaar is niet echt concreet. Het is vooral de hoop die we hebben. Voor mij blijft het afwachten.” Voor Van Avermaet lijkt de door Ochowicz vooropgestelde deadline van 1 mei niet meteen een probleem. Hij wacht sowieso tot na het klassieke voorjaar om een beslissing te nemen over zijn toekomst. Het huidige optimisme rond BMC geeft hem alleen maar meer opties, want minstens twee andere teams spreken hun interesse uit in Van Avermaet. “Ik heb nog steeds formeel interesse in Van Avermaet”, zegt Paul De Geyter, CEO bij Lotto-Soudal. En ondertussen blijkt ook Bahrain-Merida te dingen naar de diensten van Van Avermaet. “Ja, wij hebben interesse in Greg”, zegt Rik Verbrugghe, sportief manager van de ploeg en schoonbroer van Van Avermaet. “Maar alles zal afhangen van ons budget en de voorwaarden van Greg.”
showtimer	maandag 26 maart 2018 @ 15:10
	twitter: TrekSegafredo twitterde op maandag 26-03-2018 om 15:05:17 💥We have signed young Italian talent @moschettiteo (Matteo Moschetti) for the 2019-2020 seasons. He has 5 wins already this year and was a stagiaire for us in 2017. Currently he's part of our development team @PolartecKometa run by Fundación Alberto Contador @FundContaTeam https://t.co/NllgMK04BG reageer retweet
OProg	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 09:17
	quote: ‘Quick-Step Floors versterkt zich per direct met Kasper Asgreen’ Quick-Step Floors verzekert zich tot eind 2019 van de diensten van Kasper Asgreen. Dat gerucht meldt Het Laatste Nieuws. De regerend Europees kampioen tijdrijden bij de beloften moet het gat in de selectie opvullen dat is ontstaan na de blessures van Dries Devenyns, Laurens De Plus, Petr Vakoč en Fernando Gaviria. Het wordt voor de 23-jarige Asgreen zijn profdebuut. Hij komt over van het continentale Virtu, waar hij rijdt onder de vleugels van Bjarne Riis. Dit seizoen eindigde Asgreen al als zesde in de Trofeo Laigueglia. Daarnaast won hij een rit in de Kroatische rittenkoers Istrian Spring Trophy (2.2) en werd hij daar tweede in het eindklassement. Vorig jaar zegevierde de talentvolle Deen in de openingsetappe van de Ronde van Toekomst. In januari had de ploeg van manager Patrick Lefevere Asgreen al uitgenodigd op trainingskamp. Bij QS komt een Deentje de boel redden.
Frozen-assassin	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 09:52
	Dat wordt een ongekend schroeiende Deen R_R is nu al bang
Rellende_Rotscholier	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 10:06
	Matxin is net een paar dagen weg en Lefevere gaat ineens hypedeentjes halen. Slechte zaak.
Columbiafan	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 10:28
	Volgend jaar komt Mikkel B.?
kaasplankje	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 10:49
	- [ Bericht 99% gewijzigd door kaasplankje op 27-03-2018 10:51:14 ]
Columbiafan	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 12:16
	Sunweb zou ook beter een renner extra toevoegen aan de WT-selectie.
DeeBee	dinsdag 27 maart 2018 @ 14:06
	Zonder de 'vleugels' van Riis zal het wel wat moeizamer gaan