(Credit Photo: @deceuninck_qst) //
31 August
Stagiaire/Trainee 2022 (in progress). The 2023 UCI transfer window officially opens on the 1st August, giving teams the chance to add stagiaire to their roster. Teams on the international circuit can now also sign up young riders to give them an important opportunity to grow. A special contract allows WorldTour, Professional and Continental teams to sign up to a maximum of three trainees from 1 August until the end of the year. For many it is an important opportunity to prove they are worth and try to get a contract for the following season. Here the current situation (in progress): WTT – Ag2r Citroën Team: Thomas Delphis, Pierre Gautherat, Bastien Tronchon; Astana Qazaqstan Igor Chzhan, Gleb Syrista; Bahrain Victorious: Fran Miholjevic; Bora-hansgrohe: Florian Lipowitz; Cofidis Florentin Lecamus-Lambert, Sebastian Kolze Changizi, Harrison Wood; QuickStep Alpha Vinyl: Simone Raccani; Ineos Grenadiers Leo Hayter; Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux Madis Mihkels, Dries De Pooter; Israel – Premier Tech: Matthew Riccitello; Jumbo-Visma: Thomas Gloag; Trek-Segafredo Thibau Nys, Mathias Vacek; Team BikeExchange: Marceli Boguslawski, Davide De Pretto, Anders Foldager; UAE Team Emirates: Kasper Andersen, Arthur Kluckers, Oliver Knight; PRT – Drone Hopper -Androni ; Arkéa – Samsic: Ewen Costiou, Pierre Thierry, Toon Clynhens; Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè Filippo Magli; Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB Julien Desmarets, Felix Dopchie; B&B Hotels p/b KTM: Louis Rouland, Nolann Mahoudo ; Burgos-BH: Miguel Ángel Fernández, Alejandro Franco, José María Martín; Caja Rural – RGA Andoni López de Abetxuko, Abel Balderstone, Joseba Lopez; Eolo Kometa: Francisco Muñoz, Andrea Montoli, Andrea Pietrobon; Equipo Kern Pharma Pablo Castrillo, Sinuhé Fernández, Mikel Retegi; Fundacion Euskaltel-Euskadi: Ailetz Lasa, Iker Mintegui ; Human Power Health: Tyler Stites, Charles-Étienne Chrétien, Paul Double ; Team TotalEnergies: Mattéo Vercher, Antoine Devanne;
15 August
Elmar Reinders changes jersey during the season 2022. The Dutch sprinter will leave the Danish Continental team Riwal Cycling Team before the end of August to join Team BikeExchange-Jayco. Reinders will join the Australian World Tour team on 23 August 2022 immediately after the Tour of Denmark 2022. The Dutchman’s new contract expires at the end of 2024.
8 August
After the Italian Davide De Pretto, two more trainees have joined Team BikeExchange-Jayco for this season finale. The 21-year-old Danish rider Anders Foldager, from Biesse Carrera, and the 1997 Polish rider Marceli Boguslawski (HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski), six victories this yearincluding a stage at the Tour of Thailand and one at the Tour of Estonia.
7 August
The Spanish Professional team Burgos-BH team has announced the three trainees who will be included in the squad with immediate effect: sprinter Miguel Ángel Fernández (25) from Global6 Cycling; Alejandro Franco (20) with a further 2 years contract and winner of the most demanding stage of the Vuelta a Navarra; José María Martí (20) from Valverde Team Ricardo Fuentes.
5 August
With immediate effect Dylan Teuns moves mid-season to Israel-PremierTech from Bahrain Victorious. Among the 30 year old Belgian 14 victories there are stages at the Tour de France (2021, 2018) and La Flèche Wallone (2022). After a successful early-season, Teuns was also recruited to boost the performance of Israel-Premier Tech currently facing relegation from the WorldTour. Full profile here
UAE Team Emirates has signed 20-year-old Dane Kasper Andersen, who is with Hagens Berman Axeon and finished third in the opening stage of the Giro d’Italia U23 this year, as a stagiaire.
Winner of a stage at the last Giro di Sicilia, Croatian talent Fran Miholjevic (CT Friuli) will be a stagiaire with Bahrain Victorious, while former Gazprom Mathias Vacek and Briton Thomas Gloag will be stagiaires with Trek-Segafredo and Jumbo-Visma respectively, confirming rumours that have emerged in recent weeks.
4 August
Following a mutual agreement between Israel-PremierTech and Israeli rider Guy Sagiv to end Sagiv’s season prematurely, Sagiv will pursue other endeavours for the remainder of the season.
3 August
Euskaltel-Euskadi announced the two trainees who will run with them in this second part of 2022. They are the Ailetz Lasa (22) and Iker Mintegui (19), both coming from the Basque team’s development squad, Laboral Kutxa.
Human Power Health have chosen its three trainees also for the rest of the 2022 season. The US professional team has announced the following names: 24-year-old American Tyler Stites (winner of two stages at the Tour of the Gila), 23-year-old Canadian Charles-Étienne Chrétien and 26-year-old Briton Paul Double (several placing this year riding with the Italian Continental team Mg.K Vis-Color for Peace-VPM). Double have also signed a contract with the US team for the next two seasons.
2 August
Equipo Kern Pharma and Astana Qazaqstan have chosen their trainees for this season finale. The Professional team has set its sights on the three Spaniards Pablo Castrillo, Sinuhé Fernández and Mikel Retegi, all three of whom come from Equipo Lizarte (their development team). Astana Qazaqstan choices are also from their development team: Asian champion Igor Chzhan, Russian Gleb Syrista, last year’s winner of last year’s Circuito del Porto Internazionale Trofeo Arvedi.
The 25 year old from Vicenza Italian Davide De Pretto (Zalf Euromobil Fior) will join as a stagiaire the World Tour Team Team BikeExchange-Jayco for the rest of the season. The Australian team has already several Italians in its ranks: Kevin Colleoni, Matteo Sobrero and Alexander Konychev. De Pretto best results during 2022 were a third place at the European U23 Championships road race and a second place in the Giro del Medio Brenta.
1 August
At UAE Team Emirates there will instead be room for a second trainee. In addition to Oliver Knight, who will immediately be competing with the ‘big boys’ at the Vuelta a Burgos 2022, Tadej Pogačar’s team will have Luxembourg rider Arthur Kluckers gain experience at a high level. A 22-year-old who , a race that took place on the roads of his home Grand Duchy.
UAE Team Emirates have reveals its first two trainees for the 2022 season. The 21-year-old Briton Oliver Knight and the 22-year old Luxembourg rider Arthur Kluckers. Knight was riding for the French team AVC Aix en Provence, one of the most renowned on the transalpine amateur scene, and from tomorrow, he will be participating to the Vuelta a Burgos (from 2 to 6 August) wearing the Emirates team jersey. Kluckers has been for four seasons with Continental Leopard Pro Cycling and this year won the U23 national time trial championship, a stage at the Tour Alsace and also a stage at the Flèche du Sud.
30 July
Spanish Francisco Muñoz (21) and Italian Andrea Montoli (20) have joined as trainee Eolo Kometa and will be available to the Basso and Contador team from the 1 Aug22.
29 July
Gianni Savio has confirmed to tuttobiciweb that Jefferson Cepeda, the 24-year-old Ecuadorian climber, will make the jump to the WorldTour on 1 August by switching to EF Education Easypost.
Israel – Premier Tech has signed North American Matthew Riccitello as a stagiaire for the rest of the 2022 season. The 20-year-old climber will make his debut at Vuelta a Burgos next week. Riccitello has enjoyed a successful season so far with Hagens Berman Axeon, including overall victory at Istarsko Proljeće – Istrian Spring Trophy in March, and for his further development have chosen Rik Verbrugghe’s team.
Left without a team after Gazprom-Rusvelo closure, Matteo Malucelli will ride from the 1 Aug 2022 with China Glory Continental Chinese Team. The 28 year old Italian, who won the opening stage of this year Giro di Sicilia and was also linked with the Italian CT Corratec, will ride with the Asian team until the end of this season.
28 July
Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl have announced that Simone Raccani will join the team as a trainee from the 1 Aug 22. Raccani (21) will make is debut with the upcoming Vuelta a Burgos (2-6 August). The Italian from Vicenza has been a member of the Zalf Euromobil Fior team since last season, obtaining the success at the GP Capodarco 2021, the 11th place at the 2022 Giro di Sicilia and the third place in the recent Giro della Valle d’Aosta.
Christian Scaroni signs with Astana Qazaqstan Team to the end of 2022. The 24-year-old rider from Brescia is going to join the team already this week to take part in the UCI WorldTour stage race Tour de Pologne (30/7 – 05/08). The Italian, a former Gazprom RusVelo rider, won in June 2 stages at Adriatica Ionica Race.
Bora-hansgrohe announced that 21-year-old German rider Florian Lipowitz (currently Tirol KTM) will be joining the German team from Monday 1 Aug as a stagiaire.
27 July
Leo Hayter, the recent winner at Giro d’Italia U23 (dominated with also two stage wins) is ready to join Ineos Grenadiers from the 1st Aug as a trainee. Currently with Hagens Berman Axeon, the 20 year old Hayter will find in the team his brother Ethan. According to VeloNews, the rider, who is racing the Tour of Alsace and then the Tour de l’Avenir 2022, after the stagiarie period with the British World Tour Team will stay with them at least until of the the 2023 season.
26 July
According to Ciro Scognamiglio (Gazzetta.it), Andrea Piccolo, now with Drone-Hopper Androni Giocattoli, could soon join the WT team EF Education – EasyPost. Scognamiglio pointed out that for the 21 year old Italian there is the possibility of a mid-season transfer from 1 August 2022. A few weeks ago, Piccolo was forth at the Italian National Championship.
20 July
Andoni López de Abetxuko (21), Abel Balderstone (22) and the Spain National Champion U23, Joseba Lopez (22) will ride as trainees for Caja Rural- Seguros RGA from the 1 Aug to the end of the 2022 season. The three raiders have all been selected from the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA development team: Caja Rural-Alea
18 July
The 19 year old Frenchmen Louis Rouland and Nolann Mahoudo will ride with B&B Hotels – KTM as trainees from the 1 Aug to the end of the 2022 season.
The 21 year old Frenchmen Mattéo Vercher and Antoine Devanne will ride with TotalEnergies as trainees from the 1 Aug to the end of the 2022 season.
15 July
The 19 year old Pierre Gautherat will ride from 1Aug and for the rest of the season as a trainee for AG2R Citroën Team
13 July
Ewen Costiou, Pierre Thierry and Toon Clynhens will be the 2022 trainees of the Arkéa-Samsic team. The 19 year old French Pierre Thierry and 21 year old Toon Clynhens will start as staigiares on the 1 Aug 2022. The 19 year old Frenchman Ewen Costiou ,a puncheur with great qualities, after the staigiaries experience will then join the team on 1 January 2023 and signed until the end of 2025 season.
24 June
Another former Gazprom-Rusvelo rider, Andrea Piccolo, has found a new accommodation. The talented 21 year old from Lombardy has signed for the rest of the 2022 season with Gianni Savio Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli. The Italian National Road Championship will be Piccolo first race with his new team.
20 June
After obtaining several placing at the beginning of the 2022, Alessandro Fedeli was left without team due to the closure of Gazprom-Rusvelo. The Italian rider have now reached an agreement with Eolo-Kometa and will start his new adventure on Sunday at the Italian National Road Championship. Fedeli have signed untile the end of 2023.
17 June
The 19 year old Czech Pavel Bittner and the 20 year old Dutch sprinter Casper van Uden have been promoted from Development Team DSM and will join the WorldTeam Team DSM from 1 August. Both have signed until the end of the 2024 season. Bitter full profile here and Van Uden full profile here
6 June
The USA Professional team Human Powered Health have signed former Burgos-BH Matthew Gibson until the end of the season. The American team has announced the signing of the 25-year-old British rider until the end of the season. Gibson, from the Continental Wiv SunGod team, is moving to the US Professional team with immediate effect and will make his debut today at the Ronde van Limburg.
3 June
The 27 year old Spanish José Manuel Díaz has joined Burgos BH signing an agreement until the end of 2023. The rider from Jaén has not been able to compete since 1 March due to the suspension of the Gazprom RusVelo team. Diaz is an experienced rider and last year he won the Tour of Turkey. The debut of José Manuel Díaz is expected in the coming weeks.
Thibau Nys, son of Sven Nys the cyclocross champion, will join Trek-Segafredo as a stagiaire from 1 August 2022 and then from the beginning of 2023 on a two-year contract. The 19-year-old Belgian talent will combine his road racing commitment with his current cyclocross programme continue to wear the Baloise Trek Lions jersey. The Belgian has already won the European U23 Road Championships 2021 in front of Filippo Baroncini, who became world champion in Leuven with Nys finished sixth.
2 June
Alexandre Geniez is no longer a TotalEnergies rider. The French team and the rider have reached an agreement to terminate their contract with immediate effect. It should be noted that Geniez was convicted of domestic violence last March, but TotalEnergies did not specify whether the departure was linked to this situation. The 34-year-old rider had already announced his intention to retire at the end of the season and now his career ended on 31/5/22. The French rider won this year 2 stages at the Tour of Rwanda and on his 19 victories palmarès there are 3 Vuelta stages and several classics. Geniez full profile here
1 June
From the Conti to the the WorldTour team, Paul Penhoët has signed a contract with Groupama FDJ until the end of 2024. The 20 year old cyclist is a talented sprinter and he is considered the successor of Arnaud Demare. Penhoët will join the team from 1 Aug 22. Penhoët full profile here.
24 May
Team Bahrain Victorious have announced the signing of Matevž Govecar (Tirol KTM Cycling Team) for this 2022 season from 1June and the 22 year Slovenian rider will be with the team until of the 2024 season.
19 May
Although he announced a few months ago that he was retiring from competition after failing to find a contract when Qhubeka-NextHash closed its doors, the Colombian Sergio Henao will once again attach a number to his back. In fact, the 34 year old is among the Colombian team 2nBike Emanuel Ibarry (CLUB) starting list for the Joe Martin Stage Race, a race scheduled in Fayetteville, Arkansas, May 19-22, where he has been forth in the 1st stage. Henao full profile here.
16 May
Nicola Conci finds team after reaching an agreement with Alpecin-Fenix Development at least until the end of the season. Conci is one of the Italian riders caught up in the Uci suspension against Gazprom-RusVelo and he will ride with the development team in this second half of the season. The team would have liked to sign him right away, but that was not possible because the rider limit for the year has already been reached by the Team. The Uci waiver did not come despite everything that happened with the Russian formation.
1 May
Carlos Barbero and Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg, have signed with Lotto Soudal (see also 25 April) and from today they are officially Lotto riders until the end of the season. Both riders have been looking for a new contract since the end of the WTT Qhubeka – NextHash. Both will start his season with the 4 Jours de Dunkerque on the 3 May. Situation WT team by team: Lotto Soudal – IN Carlos Barbero (from 1 May Qhubeka), (TopSport Vlaanderen – Baloise), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto), Arnaud De Lie (NeoPro), Jarrad Drizners (NeoPro), Michael Schwarzmann (Bora), Rudiger Selig (Bora), Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg (from 1 May Qhubeka); OUT John Degenkolb (Team DSM), Kobe Goossens (Intermarché), Tomasz Marczysnki (Retire), Stefano Oldani (Alpecin-Fenix), Gerben Thijssen (Intermarché), Tosh Van Der Sande (Jumbo-Visma); COMPLETED 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Carlos Barbero (22), Cedric Beullens (23), Victor Campenaerts (24), Filippo Conca (22), Steff Cras (22), Jasper De Buyst (24), Thomas De Gendt (22), Arnaud De Lie (23), Jarrad Drizners (23), Caleb Ewan (24), Frederik Frison (23), Philippe Gilbert (22), Sebastien Grignard (22), Matthew Holmes (22), Roger Kluge (22), Andreas Kron (22), Kamil Malecki (22), Sylvan Moniquet (22), Michael Schwarzmann (23), Rudiger Selig (23), Harry Sweeney (22), Maxim Van Gils (22), Brent Van Moer (23), Harm Vanhoucke (22), Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg (22), Florian Vermeersch (24), Viktor Verschaeve (22), Xandres Vervloesem (22), Tim Wellens (22)
The team ceases the activities for the 2022 season as a WorldTour team. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Qhubeka – NextHash – IN ; OUT Sander Armée (Cofidis), Fabio Aru (Retire), Carlos Barbero (Lotto), Sean Bennett (China Glory), Connor Brown (?), Victor Campenaerts (Lotto), Dimitri Claeys (Intermarché), Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech), Nic Dlamini (Team Qhubeka), Kilian Frankiny (Retire), Michael Gogl (Alpecin-Fenix), Lasse Norman Hansen (Uno-X), Sergio Henao (Ritire), Bert Jan Lindeman (VolkerWessels Cycling Team), Henok Mulubrhan (Bardiani), Giacomo Nizzolo (Israel Start-Up), Matteo Pelucchi (Retire), Robert Power (Retire), Domenico Pozzovivo (Intermarché), Mauro Schmid (Quick-Step – AlphaVinyl), Andreas Stokbro (Team Coop), Dylan Sunderland (Global 6 Cycling), Harry Tanfield (Ribble Weldtite), Karel Vacek (Tirol KTM), Reinardt Janse Van Rensburg (Lotto) , Emil Vinjebo (Riwal), Max Walscheid (Cofidis), Lukas Wisniowski (EF); RUMOURED: IN; OUT; END OF CONTRACT;
26 April
Žiga Jerman has announced his retirement on his social media. Left without a contract in the winter after failing to renew his contract with Androni – Sidermec, the 23 year old Slovenian rider returned to the Ljubljana continental formation, but after a few months he decided to stop. A representative of the new Slovenian wave in the youth categories, among which he won the Ghent-Wevelgem U23 in 2018, beating riders such as Jake Stewart, Mikkel Honoroé, Andreas Kron, Jasper Philipsen and Marc Hirschi, the same year he had also achieved a fine second place at the Gran Premio della Liberazione. He was then recruited by the Groupama – FDJ youth team, with which he rode for two seasons, and last year he made the leap into the professional ranks with the jersey of Gianni Savio’s team, but was unable to repeat that level of performance.
Here the list in progress of the cyclists that have announced their retirement at the end of 2021 or during the 2022 season (age and team in bracket): WTT: Fabio Aru (31 Qhubeka NextHash), Fumiyuki Beppu (38 EF Education Nippo), Brent Bookwalter (37 Team BikeExchange), William Bonnett (39 Groupama-FDJ), Marcus Burghardt (38 Bora-hansgrohe), Eros Capecchi (35 Bahrain Victorious), Scott Davies (26 Bahrain Victorious), Koen De Kort (39 Trek – Segafredo), Mickaël Delage (36 Groupama-FDJ), Jasper De Plus (24 Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux), Ludwig De Winter (28 Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux), Mitchell Docker (34 EF Education Nippo), Jempy Drucker (35 Cofidis), Julien Duval (31 AG2R Citroën), Julien El Fares (36 EF Education-Nippo), Mathias Frank (34 AG2R Citroën), Kilian Frankiny (28 Team Qhubeka NextHash), Ben Gastauer (33 AG2R Citroën), Michal Golas (37 Ineos Grenadiers), André Greipel (39 Israel Start-Up Nation), Nathan Haas (32 Cofidis), Sergio Henao (34 Team Qhubeka NextHash), Moreno Hofland (30 EF Education-Nippo), Tomasz Marczysnki (37 Lotto Soudal), Paul Martens (37 Jumbo-Visma), Marco Marcato (37 Uae Team Emirates), Dan Martin (35 Israel Start-Up Nation), Tony Martin (36 Jumbo-Visma), Riccardo Minali (26 Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux), Matteo Pelucchi (32 Team Qhubeka NextHash), Christoph Pfingsten (34 Jumbo-Visma), Robert Power (26 Team Qhubeka NextHash), Kiel Reijnen (35 Trek-Segafredo), Maximiliano Richeze (39 UAE Team Emirates from 29/5/22), Nicolas Roche (37 Team DSM), Fabio Sabatini (36 Cofidis), Martin Salmon (24 Team DSM), Andreas Schillinger (38 BORA-hansgrohe), Marcel Sieberg (39 Bahrain-Victorious), Nikita Stalnov (30 Astana), Rafael Valls (34 Bahrain-Victorious), Pieter Vanspeybrouck (34 Intermarché), Tejay Van Garderen (32 EF Education Nippo), Maarten Wynants (39 Jumbo-Visma); PRT: Mikel Alonso Flores (24 Euskadi), Jokin Aranburu (24 Euskadi), Frederik Backaert (31 B&B Hotels KTM), Nicola Bagioli (26 B&B Hotels KTM), Andrea Bartolozzi (22 Vini Zabù) Manuel Belletti (35 Eolo – Kometa), Mattia Bevilacqua (23 Vini Zabù), Leonardo Bonifazio (30 TotalEnergies), Garikoitz Bravo (32 Euskadi), Rob Britton (37 Rally Cycling), Maxime Cam (29 B&B Hôtels p/b KTM), Jonas Castrique (24 Bingoal Pauwels), Damiano Cima (28 Gazprom – RusVelo), Jerome Cousin (32 TotalEnergies), Bert De Backer (37 B&B Hotels KTM), Sean De Bie (29 Bingoal Pauwels), Kenny De Ketele (36 Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise), Andrea Di Renzo (27 Vini Zabù), Mattia Frapporti (27 Eolo-Kometa), Marlon Gaillard (25 TotalEnergies), Damien Gaudin (35 Total Energies), Daniel Hoelgaard (28 Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Jon Irisarri (25 Caja Rural), Roy Jans (31 Alpecin-Fenix), Žiga Jerman (23 Androni), Roman Kreuziger (35 Gazprom – RusVelo), Viacheslav Kuznetsov (32 Gazprom – RusVelo), Emerson Oronte (31 Rally Cycling), Kevin Reza (33 B&B Hotels KTM), Enrique Sanz (32 Equipo Kern Pharma), Romain Sicard (33 Total Direct Energie), Thomas Sprengers (31 Sport Vlaanderen), Riccardo Stacchiotti (30 Vini Zabù), Jaime Sureda (24 Burgos – BH), Leonardo Tortomasi (27 Vini Zabù), Elle Vanendert (36 Bingoal Pauwels), Jonas Van Genechten (34 B&B Hotels KTM), Boris Vallée (28 Bingoal), Petr Vakoč (29 Alpecin-Fenix), Mattia Viel (26 Androni-Sidermec), Giovanni Visconti (39 Bardiani) Philip Walsleben (33 Alpecin-Fenix)
25 April
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Lotto Soudal is strengthen its roster and the arrival in the team of two riders coming from the now dissolved Qhubeka – NextHash, Carlos Barbero and Reinhardt Janse Van Rensburg, it is imminent. Two experienced riders are not only valid domestique but also able to get results themselves. The Belgian WT team is currently 19th in the three-year ranking that assigns WorldTour licenses for next season and need to improve its result to stay in the top cycling division.
22 April
Bardiani CSF Faizanè has signed with immediate effect, and until the end of the 2022 season, the African champion Henok Mulubrhan. After the retirement of team leader Giovanni Visconti in March, the Italian Professional lead by Bruno and Roberto Reverberi needed to reinforce the team for the Giro d’Italia. Mulubrhan was the winner of the road race of the African championships and second in the time trial, as well as winner in the team time trial with Eritrea. The 23 year old have been racing in Europe with the NTT continental formation, then Team Qhubeka, for two seasons. His best results include a sixth place at the Giro dell’Appennino and second at the Giro del Medio Brenta, both dating back to 2021, while this early in the season, in addition to victory in the continental event, he also showed off his skills with sixth place at the Tour of Antalya. Already in possession of a contract with Qhubeka – NextHash for 2022, during the winter he had had to at least postpone the jump into professionalism with the closure of the South African team, finding a contract with the German continental team Bike Aid, always very attentive to the African movement.
13 April
The 38 year old Marcus Burghardt is hanging up his bike. In an interview with Cleat Magazine, the experienced German explained the reasons of his decision. Burghardt was left without a team at the end of 2021 due to the non-renewal of his contract with Bora-hansgrohe after the serious injuries he sustained during the 2021 Tour of Poland. The German struggled to recover and finally took the decision to retire after his 18-season professional career. Burghardt achieved seven professional successes, including victory in the 2007 Ghent-Wevelgem, stage 18 of the 2008 Tour de France and in 2017 the German national championship, but he was above all a valuable team player and a formidable domestique supporting riders such as Peter Sagan, Cadel Evans and Mark Cavendish. Burghardt full profile here. Also see news on 27 December.
06 April
Alejandro Osorio is no longer a Bahrain-Victorious rider. The Team Manager Milan Erzen explained to VeloNews that the rider had breached covid-related safety regulations in several occasions. The team has filed a dossier with the UCI following “multiple contractual violations” by the 23-year-oldColombian, who signed with the team this winter after two seasons with Caja Rural – RGA. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Bahrain Victorious – IN Kamil Gradek (Vini-Zabù), Filip Maciejuk (NeoPro), Alejandro Osorio (Caja Rural-RGA), Johan Price-Pejtersen (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Luis León Sánchez (Astana), Edoardo Zambanini (NeoPro); OUT Eros Capecchi (Retire), Scott Davies (Retire), Marco Haller (Bora), Kevin Inkelaar (Leopard Pro Cycling), Alejandro Osorio (until 31/3), Mark Padun (EF Education-Nippo), Marcel Sieberg (retire), Rafael Valls (Retire); RUMOURED: IN; OUT; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Yukiya Arashiro (22), Phil Bauhaus (22), Pello Bilbao (23), Santiago Buitrago (23), Damiano Caruso (24), Sonny Colbrelli (23), Jack Haig (23), Heinrich Haussler (22), Mikel Landa (23), Chun Kai Feng (22), Kamil Gradek (22), Filip Maciejuk (23), Ahmed Madan (22), Gino Mäder (24), Jonathan Milan (22), Matej Mohoric (23), Domen Novak (22), Hermann Pernsteiner (22), Wout Poels (22), Johan Price-Pejtersen (23), Luis León Sánchez (23), Jasha Sütterlin (23), Dylan Teuns (22), Jan Tratnik (22), Stephen Williams (22), Alfred Wright (23), Edoardo Zambanini (23).
01 April
The 27-year-old Czech national champion last year, Michael Kukrle leaves Gazprom-Rusvelo and signed for Elkov-Kasper‘s Czech Continental team, which he left just a few months ago. The Russian team, which has been forced to suspend its activities in recent days after the UCI imposed a halt following the outbreak of war between Russia and Ukraine, has left its riders free to move to a new team.
A new rider will be added to the Ag2r Citroen squad on 1 August. Valentin Retailleau, born in 2000 and currently with the U23 team, has signed a contract until 2024 and will turn professional in a few months. Last year’s U23 national champion, the 21-year-old already had a taste of professionalism last summer, riding as a trainee for Vincent Lavenu’s team and taking part in races such as Route d’Occitanie, Tour du Limousin and the Tour of Germany, where he finished eighth on the final stage. The Frenchman recently finished third at the Ghent-Wevelgem in his category. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Ag2r Citroën Team – IN Clement Berthet (Delko), Félix Gall (Team DSM), Paul Lapeira (NeoPro), Valentin Paret-Peintre (NeoPro), Thomas Delphis (stagiaire), Antoine Raugel (NeoPro); OUT Francois Bidard (Cofidis), Julien Duval (Retire), Mathias Frank (Retire), Tony Gallopin (Trek), Ben Gastauer (retire), Alexis Gougeard (B&B Hotels); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Clement Berthet (24), Geoffrey Bouchard (23), Lilian Calmejane (22), Clément Champoussin (22), Mikael Cherel (22), Benoit Cosnefroy (23), Stan Dewulf (22), Félix Gall (23), Damien Godon (24), Jaakko Hänninen (24), Anthony Jullien (22), Bob Jungels (22), Paul Lapeira (23), Lawrence Naesen (23), Olivier Naesen (23), Ben O’Connor (23), Aurélien Paret-Peintre (24), Valentin Paret-Peintre (24) Nans Peters (23), Nicolas Prodhomme (22), Antoine Raugel (23), Valentin Retailleau – from1 Aug (24), Marc Sarreau (22), Michael Schar (23), Damien Touzé (22), Greg Van Avermaet (23), Gijs van Hoecke (22), Andrea Vendrame (23), Clément Venturini (23), Larry Warbasse (22).
22 March
Attilio Viviani is a new rider for Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB. Confirming the rumours that have emerged in recent days (see 17 March), the 25-year-old from Verona, younger brother of Elia, has signed a one-year contract with the Belgian Professional team, joining the other Italian rider in the team, Marco Tizza.
Situation WT team by team (in progress): Cofidis – IN Sander Armée (Qhubeka), François Bidard (AG2R), Davide Cimolai (Israel), Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotel), Alexandre Delettre (Delko), Ion Izagirre (Astana), Wesley Kreder (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert), Jacques Lebreton (stagiaire up to end 21), Alexis Renard (Israel), Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ), Hugo Toumire (stagiaire), Davide Villella (Movistar), Max Walscheid (Qhubeka), Axel Zingle (stagiaire); OUT Fernando Barceló (Caja Rural), Natnael Berhane (Shafar Jumeirah Cycling Team), Jempy Drucker (Retire), Nicolas Edet (Arkéa-Samsic), Nathan Haas (Retire & racing on gravel), Christophe Laporte (Jumbo), Emmanuel Morin (Nantes-Atlantique), Fabio Sabatini (Retire), Attilio Viviani (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB), Elia Viviani (Ineos); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT; COMPLETED 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Piet Allegaert (23), Sander Armée (22), François Bidard (23), Tom Bohli (22), André Carvalho (23), Thomas Champion (22), Davide Cimolai (23), Simone Consonni (23), Bryan Coquard (23), Alexandre Delettre (23), Ruben Fernandez (22), Eddy Finé (22), Simon Geschke (23), José Herrada (22), Jésus Herrada (23), Wesley Kreder (23), Ion Izagirre (22), Victor Lafay (23), Guillaume Martin (22), Anthony Perez (23), Pierre-Luc Périchon (23), Alexis Renard (23), Rémy Rochas (22), Szymon Sajnok (22), Benjamin Thomas (23), Hugo Toumire (22), Kenneth Vanbilsen (22), Davide Villella (22), Jelle Wallays (23), Max Walscheid (22), Axel Zingle (22).
17 March
Ciro Scognamiglio from Gazzetta dello Sport have reported that Attilio Viviani, left at the end of 2021 season without contract by Cofidis team, may soon have a new opportunity. The 25-year-old Italian sprinter is still looking form a team and Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB seems interested in the younger brother of Elia Viviani (INEOS Grenadiers). Attilio Viviani has so far won two races the Schaal Sels (2019) and the first stage of the Tropicale Amissa Bongo (2020).
9 March
Giovanni Visconti (Bardiani CSF Faizanè) has decided to end his career as a professional cyclist. After his withdrew from the Tirreno-Adriatico 2022, the Sicilian rider says goodbye to cycling, confirming on his social media in a long open letter his decision taken after many month of doubts. the 39 years old Visconti ends his career after 18 years, after achieving a total of 34 victories, including two stages at the 2013 Giro and three national champion titles in 2007, 2010, 2011. See his instagram message here. Visconti full profile here
8 March
In an interview with Colombian Antena 2, Sergio Henao has announced the end of his professional career. Left without a team last winter after the closure of Qhubeka NextHash, the 34-year-old Colombian has been unable to find a new contract in recent months and has therefore decided to hang up his bike. His professional career began in 2007 in Colombia and in 2012 he moved to the WorldTour with Team Sky where he rode with until 2018. With the team Sky jersey, Henao had his main successes, the final classification of the Paris-Nice (2017), stages at the Tour of the Basque Country (2013) and at the Tour of Poland (2015) and two national road race titles (2017 & 2018). After Sky and before ending his career, he rode with UAE Team Emirates and with Qhubeka. Henao full profile here
2 March
The Brescian rider Damiano Cima (Gazprom – RusVelo) has announced on his social media the end of his professional career after failing to find a team to continue. The 28 year old rider had turned professional in 2018 with the jersey of the then Nippo – Vini Fantini and won races including a stage at the 2019 Giro d’Italia.
16 February
After four years with Groupama – FDJ and without a contract for next year, Romain Seigle has decided to focus to Mountain Biking. The Frenchmen will now ride with Rockrider Racing Team, a team dedicated to off-road racing.
Situation WT team by team (in progress): Groupama – FDJ – IN Lewis Askey (NeoPro), Quentin Pacher (B&B Hôtels p/b KTM), Michael Storer (Team DSM), Bram Welten (Team Arkéa Samsic); OUT William Bonnet (Retire), Alexys Brunel (UAE Team Emirates), Mickael Delage (Retire), Simon Guglielmi (Team Arkéa Samsic), Romain Seigle (Rockrider Racing Team), Benjamin Thomas (Cofidis); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Bruno Armirail (24), Lewis Askey (23), Matteo Badilatti (22), Clément Davy (22), Arnaud Démare (23), Antoine Duchesne (22), David Gaudu (23), Kevin Geniets (22), Jacopo Guarnieri (22), Ignatas Konovalovas (22), Stefan Kung (23), Mathieu Ladagnous (22), Olivier Le Gac (22), Fabian Lienhard (22), Tobias Ludvigsson (22), Valentin Madouas (24), Rudy Molard (24), Quentin Pacher (23), Thibaut Pinot (23), Sébastien Reichenbach (22), Anthony Roux (22), Miles Scotson (23), Ramon Sinkeldam (22), Jake Stewart (24), Michael Storer (23), Attila Valter (22), Lars van den Berg (22), Bram Welten (23).
After two years with Gazprom – Rusvelo, the 32 year old Viacheslav Kuznetsov, the Russian, for many years a former Team Katusha rider, has decided to retire.
15 February
The cyclocross riders Joran Wyseure and Emiel Vestrynge will join Alpecin – Fenix from March 1. Both, very young, 21 and 20 respectively, have expressed their desire to pursue a road racing career in the near future.
14 February
It is now official, Domenico Pozzovivo has signed a one year contract with Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux and will be in the peloton until the end of the 2022 season wearing the jersey of the Belgian team. The climber from Basilicata (Italy) was left without a team after the closure of Qhubeka NextHash, but didn’t give up, looking for a new team with his manager and training hard to be ready for a call from a WT . Possible debut as early as Wednesday at the Vuelta a Andalucia. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux – IN Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE), Dmitri Claeys (Qhubeka), Kobe Goossens (Lotto), Biniam Girmay Hailu (Delko), Laurens Huys (Bingoal), Julius Johansen (Uno-X Pro Cycling), Alexander Kristoff (UAE), Hugo Page (NeoPro), Barnabás Peák (Team BikeExchange), Adrien Petit (TotalEnergies), Domenico Pozzovivo (Qhubeka), Gerbe Thijssens (Lotto); OUT Jérémy Bellicaud (Océane Top 16), Ludwig De Winter (Retire), Odd Christian Eiking (EF-Nippo), Jasper De Plus (Retire), Jonas Koch (Bora), Wesley Kreder (Cofidis), Riccardo Minali (Retire), Danny Van Poppel (Bora), Pieter Vanspeybrouck (Retire); RUMOURED: IN; OUT; END OF CONTRACT Alexander Evans, Maurits Lammertink; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Jan Bakelants (22), Sven Erik Bystrøm (23), Dmitri Claeys (22), Théo Delacroix (22), Aimé De Gendt (23), Tom Devriendt (22), Kobe Goossens (23), Biniam Girmay Hailu (24), Quinten Hermans (22), Jan Hirt (22), Laurens Huys (23), Julius Johansen (23), Alexander Kristoff (23), Louis Meintjes (23), Hugo Page (23), Andrea Pasqualon (22), Barnabás Peák (23), Simone Petilli (22), Adrien Petit (23), Baptiste Planckaert (22), Domenico Pozzovivo (22), Lorenzo Rota (23), Rein Taaramae (22), Gerbe Thijssens (23), Taco Van Der Hoorn (24), Corné Van Kessel (22), Kévin Van Melsen (22), Boy Van Poppel (22), Loic Vliegen (22), Georg Zimmermann (22).
13 February
Following the closure of Vini-Zabù and left without a team, Roberto Carlos Gonzalez has found a new team for the 2022 season. The Panama rider will be riding for the Venezuelan Continental team Java Kiwi Atlantico.
Situation Vini Zabù ceasing activity at the end of 2021 (in progress): OUT Andrea Bartolozzi (Retire), Liam Bertazzo (Maloja Pushbikers?), Mattia Bevilacqua (Retire), Simone Bevilacqua (Eolo-Kometa), Matteo De Bonis (Suspended/Doping), Andrea Di Renzo (Retire), Marco Frapporti (?), Roberto Carlos González (Java Kiwi Atlantico), Kamil Gradek (Bahrain Victorious), Alessandro Iacchi (Qhubeka Continental), Jakub Mareczko (Alpecin-Fenix), Davide Orrico (?), Daniel Pearson (?), Jan Petelin (?), Joab Schneiter (?), Riccardo Stacchiotti (Retire), Veljko Stojnic (Corratec), Leonardo Tortomasi (Retire), Etienne Van Empel (China Glory), Wout Van Elzakker (Bahrain Cycling Academy), Edoardo Zardini (Drone Hopper – Androni)
A few days ago from the forum of Cicloweb.it we noticed an update on Mattia Viel (a former rider from Androni). Viel was retiring at the end of season but it was reported that he was joining D’Amico UM Tools in 2022. The news have now been confirmed and Viel will join for one season the Continental Italian team.
12 February
The 29 year old Italian Liam Bertazzo has finally found a team for the 2022 season signing for the German Continental team of Maloja Pushbikers. The contract is valid from the 8 Feb confirming the rumours reported on 22Jan. Last October, Bertazzo was crowned world champion in the team pursuit in Roubaix. Left without a contract at the end of last year due to the closure of Vini Zabù, Bertazzo joins other two Italians: Filippo Fortin and Mauro Finetto.
11 February
In an interview on quibicisport.it, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Team Manager Valerio Piva confirmed a strong interest in Domenico Pozzovivo. The Italian manager said that everything was going well until the UCI ‘stop’ the procedure. In fact, there is a rule that does not allow riders to be registered outside of the cycling market period unless an exception is given by the governing body of cycling. UCI has not given a definitive ‘no’ to Piva and Intermarché and there is still hope for a possible positive development.
10 February
Petr Vakoc has not hung up his bike completely. On his Instagram account Vakoc announced that he will be riding in mountain bike this year, having signed up with the Czech Canyon Northwave MTB Team. Vokoc said “📢Big news announcement‼️
Going OFF-road this year with @canyon_northwave_mtb 🚵🏻♂️🚵🏼♂️
Super excited to start living another dream of mine and continue my life as pro rider, although in a different discipline. I will be racing the biggest MTB marathon races alongside current World Champion @andreas_seewald_ and teaming up for @capeepicwith former winner @kristian_hynek.
It has been steep learning curve rediscovering the wide tires and technical trails but I am super excited about this upcoming season packed with the biggest marathon races including the UCI World series and championships🌈
My new adventure kicks off this Thursday already at @mediterraneanepic” The 29-year-old Czech rider did not renew his contract with Alpecin – Fenix (announcing his retirement), mainly due to problems related to his terrible training crash in early 2018. Vakoc full profile here
8 February
Participating to a live Instagram “show’ @lelloferrara3.0, Domenico Pozzovivo has confirmed that he will be in the peloton in 2022 and is aiming to participate to Giro d’Italia. Soon all will be official. The 39 year old Italian from Basilicata was left without a contract due to the sudden closure of Qhubeka and has been link to various team (see 26 January).
3 February
The 31 year old Natnael Berhane have signed for the Dubai based team Shafar Jumeirah Cycling Team. The Eritrean rider had been out of contract after failing to renew with Cofidis. A professional cyclist since 2013, Berhane won twice the continental championship, the general classification of the Tour of Turkey, in which he also won a stage and the Tropicale Amissa Bongo.
The Continental Team Qhubeka, previously used as the development team for the WT squad, has announced its 15 team roster for the 2022 season. Nic Dlamini will continues to be part of the South African team, where he has been riding in the first stages of his career.
2 February
Kilian Frankiny has decided to end his career and announced it on social media. “At the age of 28, I am stopping much earlier than I would have hoped,” wrote the Swiss rider who was left without a contract after the closure of South Africa’s Qhubeka. The climber from Naters was unable to find a new contract at the end of an unlucky season, which had seen him involved in a bad crash at the Tour of Poland, where he suffered multiple fractures to his pelvis, collarbone and ribs. In addition to his career with Qhubeka, Frankiny has worn the jerseys of BMC and Groupama FDJ, taking part in three Giro d’Italia and two Vuelta a España.
1 February
A promising talent able to achieve a third place in the U23 Paris-Roubaix and currently best known for his YouTube series Tour de Tietema with more than 120.000 followers, Bas Tietema is making his comeback as a pro cyclist this year. The 26-year-old Dutch rider has signed a one year contract with Bingoal-Pauwels Sauces WB and will make his debut for his new team in the Tour of Antalya next week.
27 January
Another Italian rider finds a team. Left without a contract after the non-renewal with Bardiani CSF Faizanè, Andrea Garosio has signed with Italian Continental team Biesse Carrera. The 29-year-old has already joined the team and is taking part in their training camp in Spain. Garosio full profile here
26 January
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, the only thing missing is the signature on the contract. After the closure of Qhubeka, Domenico Pozzovivo is ready to join InterMarché Wanty Gobert, the team of Jean-Françoise Boulart. Behind this agreement, in addition to Pozzovivo’ agent Raimondo Scimone, there is apparently Valentino Sciotti, the former sponsor of Vini Zabù, now supporting both Israel Premium-Tech and InterMarché. Therefore, the 39 year old Italian will probably soon start his seventeenth season as a pro rider, a long career with 13 victories, including a stage in the Giro d’Italia in 2012, the GC of the Giro del Trentino (2012) and six top-10 finishes in the Grand Tours.
23 January
Trainee with Androni Giocattoli from Aug 2021, Samuele Zambelli have signed for one year with the Italian Continental Work Service – Vitalcare – Videa, Davide Rebellin’s team. The 23 year old sprinter from Trentino has so far won a stage in the Tour of Albania (2019) and was third in the Per Sempre Alfredo 2021, UCI 1.1 category.
22 January
According to Ciro Scognamiglio, Gazzetta.it, the Italian 2021 World Champion in the track Team Pursuit Liam Bertazzo, this year with Vini Zabù, should join the German Continental Team Maloja Pushbikers.
21 January
The 26 year old Riccardo Minali has decided to end his professional career and will work for Alè Cycling. Winner of 2 stages at the Tour de Langkawi in 2018, the Italian sprinter spent his last season wearing the jersey of Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux (WT).
20 January
In an interview with Spazio Ciclismo, Leonardo Tortomasi has announced his retirement from professional cycling. The 27 year old Sicilian raced two seasons with Vini Zabù. After the team closure, Tortomasi was unable to find a new team.
18 January
As was rumoured a few days ago (see 15 Jan), Maximiliano Richeze will remain with UAE Team Emirates until the next Giro d’Italia. The news has been made official today by the Emirates team, with which the Argentine rider has found a temporary agreement that will allow him to stay with them until the next Corsa Rosa. Returned on temporary contract to reinforce squad, Richeze said: “I’m pleased to be coming back and able to help the team where I’ve already spent two great years.” The 38-year-old will fill in for Colombian Alvaro Hodeg, who recently suffered wrist and ankle injuries. Richeze will be present at the start in Budapest, and will end his career on May 29 at the end of the Italian Grand Tour race. Richeze full profile here
Situation WT team by team (in progress): UAE Team Emirates – IN Pascal Ackermann (Bora), Joao Almeida (Deceuninck), Juan Ayuso (NeoPro), George Bennett (Jumbo-Visma), Alexys Brunel (Groupama – FDJ), Finn Fisher-Black (NeoPro), Felix Groß (NeoPro), Alvaro Hodeg (Deceuninck), Marc Soler (Movistar), Joel Suter (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB); OUT Sven Erik Bystrom (Intermarché), Valerio Conti (Astana), David De La Cruz (Astana), Joe Dombrowski (Astana), Alexander Kristoff (Intermarché), Marco Marcato (retire), Cristian Muñoz (EPM), Aleksandr Riabushenko (Astana); RUMOURED: IN; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Pascal Ackermann (23), Joao Almeida (27),Camilo Ardila (23), Juan Ayuso (25), George Bennett (23), Mikkel Bjerg (22), Alexys Brunel (23), Rui Costa (22), Alessandro Covi (24), Finn Fisher-Black (24), Davide Formolo (22), Fernando Gaviria (22), Ryan Gibbons (22), Felix Groß (24), Marc Hirschi (23), Alvaro Hodeg (23), Vegard Stake Laengen (22), Rafal Majka (22), Brandon McNulty (22), Yousif Mirza (22), Juan Sebastián Molano (22), Ivo Oliveira (23), Rui Oliveira (23), Tadej Pogacar (27), Jan Polanc (22), Maximiliano Richeze (may 22), Marc Soler (23), Joel Suter (22), Matteo Trentin (22), Oliviero Troia (22), Diego Ulissi (22).
17 January
Two for Equipo Kern Pharma with the Spanish professional team confirming Roger Adrià and José Félix Parra in its 2022 roster. Both signed a two-year contracts and will stay with Juanjo Oroz’s team, in which they both started out as professionals, until the end of the 2023 season.
As reported yesterday, Luca Wackermann will race next year for the Torpado Factory Team. On their Facebook page the official announcement: “It is with immense pride that today we welcome Luca Wackermann! European champion in the youth categories, professional on the road where he has conquered important successes including the Tour du Limousin, he now embraces our colors to start a new adventure. From 2022 Luca will represent the Torpado Factory Team in the marathon discipline, with a calendar that will certainly see him as a protagonist.
Welcome Luca, it’s time to blow some sprockets! 🔥”
16 January
According to Benny1 (a reliable source) from Cicloweb.it forum, the 29 year old Italian Luca Wackermann, formerly with Eolo-Kometa, will start the 2002 season riding in the mountain bike (MTB) marathon category racing for Torpado Factory Team. Considered by many a genuine talent, Wackermann won the Tour du Limousin in 2020 but last year he had a disappointing season probably related to a crash at the 2020 Giro and a winter preparation compromised by the accident consequences. Wackermann full profile here
The 27 year old Victor Koretzky have signed for two years with the PRT B&B Hotels – KTM. A mountain bike (MTB) specialist, Koretzk was a bronze medal at the World Championships, second place in the World Cup and fifth place at the Tokyo Olympics. However the main objective of the French rider remains the next Olympics in Paris 2024.
15 January
According to Ciro Scognamiglio (Gazzetta della Sport), the 38 year old Max Richeze could remain with TeamEmiratesUAE for 2022 or at least for the first half of the season, and retire after next Giro d’ Italia. The last man for many sprinters, Richeze is a professional rider since 2006, with 17 victories and several placings.
14 January
A list of 142 Continental Team is now available on the UCI website. Here the link. Many riders considered without contract have found a new team often downgrading from WorldTeams (WTT) and ProTeams (PRT) to Continental Team (CT).
Left without a contract due to the failure of Team Qhubeka, the following riders have found a new accommodation. The 25 year old American Sean Bennett have signed for one year with China Glory Continental Cycling Team, the 24 Danish sprinter Andreas Stokbro joined for one year the Norwegian Continental Team Coop and the 22 year old Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan will ride for one year with CT German Bike Aid.
The 26 year old Frenchman Lucas de Rossi, a former rider of the now closed team DELKO, have signed with China Glory Continental Cycling Team and Serbian Dušan Rajović (24) for the Italian new CT Team Corratec. Both contracts have a one year validity.
Situation Team Delko ceasing activity with immediate effect (in progress): OUT Pierre Barbier (B&B Hotels), Clément Berthet (Ag2r), Clément Carisey (Roubaix Lille Métropole), Lucas De Rossi (China Glory), Yakob Debesay (?), Alexandre Delettre (Cofidis), José Manuel Diaz (Gazprom), Alessandro Fedeli (Gazprom), Delio Fernandez (Atum General-Tavira), Mauro Finetto (Maloja Pushbikers), Biniyam Girmay (Intermarché), José Gonçalves (W52/Porto), Eduard Grosu (Drone Hopper – Androni), Mulu Kinfe Hailemichael (Global 6 Cycling), August Jensen (Human Powered Health), Justin Jules (?), Mathias Le Turnier (Nantes Atlantique), Atsushi Oka (Nippo-Provence), Eduard Prades (Caja Rural), Dušan Rajović (Team Corratec), Evaldas Siskevicius (Roubaix Lille Métropole), Julien Trarieux (Massi – MTB)
After a few days with his home teamGlobal Cycling, Dutch rider Etienne van Empel (27) ex Vini Zabù have signed for one year with China Glory Continental Cycling Team
Also the 29 year old from South African Willi Smit have joined China Glory Continental Cycling Team. Smit was left without a contract by PRT Burgos-BH and signed for one year.
Canadian Matteo Dal-Cin (31) moved from Rally Cycling to home team Toronto Hustle where he signed for one year.
The former Androni-Sidermec Žiga Jerman (23) has returned to his homeland in Slovenia to join for one year CT Ljubliana Gusto Santic.
Thomas Boudat (27) after leaving Arkéa-Samsic, have signed for one year to Go Sport-Roubaix Lille Métropole. Boudat full profile here
13 January
In an interview to SpazioCiclismo.it, the 30 year old Leonardo Bonifazio announced his retirement from professional cycling. He had a contract with Total Energies, the team that launched him into professional cycling in 2020, which would have expired at the end of 2022 but heart problems convinced him to stop riding and change his life objectives. Bonifazio full profile here
12 January
As previously announced (see 8 January), the 35 year old Australian Simon Clarke has joined Israel – Premier Tech. Clarke was left without a contract following the closure of Qhubeka – NextHash and signs a one-year contract, becoming the 31st rider in Chris Froome’s team. Israel-Premier Tech has now finalised the 2022 roster. From his twitter account Clark said “Super excited to announce that I will be riding for @israelpremiertech this season. I have already joined the team here on camp in Girona and can’t wait to get back racing A massive thanks to everyone who made this possible!!”.
Situation WT team by team (in progress): Israel Start-Premier Tech – IN Simon Clarke (Team Qhubeka), Jakob Fuglsang (Astana), Hugo Houle (Astana), Taj Jones (Israel Cycling Academy), Giacomo Nizzolo (Quebeka), Corbin Strong (SEG Racing Academy) ; OUT Davide Cimolai (Cofidis), André Greipel (retire), Hugo Hofstetter (Team Arkéa-Samsic), Dan Martin (retire), Alexis Renard (Cofidis), Norman Vahtra (Go Sport – Roubaix Lille Métropole); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT; END OF CONTRACT ; COMPLETED 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Rudy Barbier (22), Sebastien Berwick (23), Patrick Bevin (22), Jenthe Biermans (22), Guillaume Boivin (22), Mathias Brandle (22), Alexander Cataford (22), Simon Clarke (22), Alessandro De Marchi (22), Alex Dowsett (22), Itamar Einhorn (23), Chris Froome (22), Jakob Fuglsang (24), Omer Goldstein (22), Carl Fredrik Hagen (22), Ben Hermans (23), Reto Hollenstein (22), Hugo Houle (24), Daryl Impey (22), Taj Jones (23), Krists Neilands (23), Guy Niv (22), Giacomo Nizzolo (23), James Piccoli (22), Guy Sagiv (22), Corbin Strong (24), Tom Van Asbroeck (22), Sep Vanmarcke (23), Michael Woods (23), Mads Würtz Schmidt (22), Rick Zabel (22).
11 January
Julien El Fares have announced his retirement. Left without a contract after failing to renew his contract with EF Education – Nippo, which he joined last winter, the 36-year-old French rider decided to end his professional career. El Fares was capable of winning a stage of the Tirreno-Adriatico, the general classification of the Tour de Wallonie in 2009 and a stage at the Tour Méditerranéen in 2010. , In his 15 years of pro cycling El Fares wore the Cofidis, La Pomme Marseille then Delko and the EF jerseys. El Fares full profile here
Situation WT team by team (in progress): EF Education – NIPPO – IN Esteban Chaves (BikeExchange), Owain Doull (Ineos), Odd Christian Eiking (Intermarché), Ben Healy (Trinity Racing), Merhawi Kudus (Astana), Mark Padun (Bahrain-Victorious), Sean Quinn (Hagens Berman Axeon), James Shaw (Ribble), Georg Steinhauser (Tirol KTM Cycling Team), Marijn Van Den Berg (NeoPro), Łukasz Wiśniowski (Qhubeka NextHash); OUT Will Barta (Movistar), Fumiyuki Beppu (Retire), Lawson Craddock (BikeExchange), Sergio Higuita (Bora), Mitchell Docker (Retire), Julien El Fares (Retire), Moreno Hofland (Retire), Tejay Van Garderen (Retire), James Whelan (Team BridgeLane); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT Logan Owen (?); END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Daniel Arroyave (22), Alberto Bettiol (23), Stefan Bissegger (24), Jonathan Caicedo (23), Diego Camargo (22), Simon Carr (22), Hugh Carthy (23), Esteban Chaves (22), Magnus Cort (23), Owain Doull (23), Odd Christian Eiking (23), Ruben Guerreiro (22), Ben Healy (23), Alex Howes (22), Jens Keukeleire (23), Merhawi Kudus (23), Sebastian Langeveld (22), Lachlan Morton (22), Hideto Nakane (22), Mark Padun (24), Neilson Powless (24), Sean Quinn (23), Jonas Rutsch (24), Tom Scully (22), James Shaw (23), Georg Steinhauser (23), Rigoberto Uran (22), Michael Valgren (22), Julius van den Berg (23), Marijn Van Den Berg (23), Łukasz Wiśniowski (22).
10 January
Hagens Berman Axeon announced that “Leo Hayter was not in the position to already secure a professional contract with Team DSM. Team DSM wanted to make that spot available for another young talent, so Leo was therefore free to search for a new team for 2022. We are happy to add him to our roster for the new season.” The 20 year old winner of the 2021 Liège – Bastogne – Liège U23 have therefore joined the USA based Continental Team managed by Axel Merckx.
Jempy Drucker announced on Twitter his retirement saying that “a very nice and beautiful chapter in my life comes to an end, but i am also looking forward to the next on, .this is the last page, goodbye and thanks everybody for the ride…see you arounds”. The 35-year-old Luxembourger failed to renew his contract with Cofidis, and was unable to find a new team. Turned professional in 2011 with Veranda’s Willems, where he rode for four year, he then moved for four more years with BMC and after two years Bora-hansgrohe and one with Cofidis. During his BMC spell, he obtained his best results, including a stage at the 2016 Vuelta a España, the 2015 Prudential Ride London Classic and 2 stages at the Tour of Luxembourg. Drucker full profile here
8 January
According to cyclingnews.com, the Australian Simon Clarke is close to signing a one year deal with Israel-Premier Tech. Already under contract with Team Qhubeka NextHash, Clarke has been looking for a team since December. The 35-year-old was left in limbo after Team Qhubeka NextHash folded last month. Clarke full profile here.
7 January
The 27 year old Andrea Di Renzo has not found a new team for 2022 and has therefore decided to retire without waiting any longer to find a contract for the next season. He turned professional in 2020 and rode two years with Vini Zabù, and the team that closed at the end of last season.
6 January
EF Education-NIPPO have completed their roster for the 2022 season with the confirmations of Alex Howes and Lachlan Morton: the team will now consist of 31 riders. Howes, 34, made his professional debut in 2012 and has been a mainstay of the Jonathan Vaughters-led team ever since. Morton also began his career with Garmin-Sharp and then returned to the then EF Education First in 2019. In 2016, he won the Tour of Utah while riding the Continental Jelly Belly p/b Maxxis. In recent years Morton has alternated between racing and extreme challenges: last summer he rode an alternative Tour de France, riding all stages of the 2021 Tour plus commuting over 5000 kilometres alone.
Left without a team after the closure of Qhubeka – NextHash, Dylan Sunderland has signed a contract with Global 6 Cycling, the Continental New Zealand team. After two seasons in the WorldTour, the 25-year-old Australian has been looking for a new team due to the end of the Qhubeka NextHash team. A good climber, in the last two years he has mainly raced to support the team leaders and now he will have the opportunity to relaunch his career. The Australian will have ridden a Giro d’Italia in 2020 and a Tour of Spain in 2021.
Sebastian Mora signs with Manuela Fundacion Sport Bike, a newly created Continental team. Mora is mainly a track specialist and has a world championship title (scratch in 2016) and six European titles to his name. The 33-year-old Spaniard left without a contract by Movistar will continue to combine road and track with the team that had tried two years ago to enter the WorldTour with the acquisition of the then GreenEDGE.
Situation WT team by team (in progress): Movistar Team – IN Alex Aranburu (Astana), Will Barta (EF Education), Gorka Izagirre (Astana), Max Kanter (Team DMS), Oier Lazkano (Caja Rural-RGA), Óscar Rodríguez (Astana), Ivan Ramiro Sosa (Ineos), Vinicius Rangel (NeoPro); OUT Juan Diego Alba (Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli), Hector Carretero (Equipo Kern Pharma), Dario Cataldo (Trek-Segafredo), Gabriel Cullaigh (SaintPiran), Miguel Angel Lopez (Astana), Sebastián Mora (Manuela Fundacion Sport Bike), Marc Soler (UAE), Davide Villella (Cofidis); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Alex Aranburu (24), Jorge Arcas (23), Will Barta (23), Iñigo Elosegui (22), Imanol Erviti (22), Ivan Garcia Cortina (22), Abner Gonzalez (23), Juri Hollmann (23), Gorka Izagirre (23), Max Kanter (23), Oier Lazkano (24), Johan Jacobs (23), Matteo Jorgenson (23), Enric Mas (22), Lluis Guillermo Mas (22), Gregor Muhlberger (23), Mathias Norsgaard (23), Nelson Oliveira (23), Antonio Pedrero (23), Vinicius Rangel (24), Óscar Rodríguez (23), José Joaquin Rojas (22), Einer Rubio (23), Sergio Samitier (24), Gonzalo Serrano (22), Ivan Ramiro Sosa (23), Albert Torres (22), Alejandro Valverde (22), Carlos Verona (23).
5 January
In an interview to Spazio Ciclismo, a disappointed Mattia Frapporti have declared that he will retire. The 27 year old failed to find a contract for 2022 after a one-year at Eolo-Kometa that did not renew with the rider from Gavardo (Lombardy). Frapporti full profile here
4 January
Maximiliano Richeze has agreed a deal with Argentine Continental Chimbas Te Quiero, with whom he will start the season in his home-country, but has not yet given up hope of finding a team in Europe for the 2022 season.
Riding with the now closed Vini Zabù in 2021, the 23 year old Wout van Elzakker have signed for the Continental Bahrain Cycling Academy.
Massi Bike Team (MTB) have announced on its Intagram profile the signing of Julien Trarieux. The 29 year old French rider was without a team for the 2022 season following the closure of Delko and he will return to move to mountain bike with the Paris Olympics in his sights. Trarieux signed for Team Delko professional road team thanks to his results on MTB, where he was French Champion U23 and obtained several victories and the podium in the U23 World Championships.
After three seasons as a professional with Euskaltel-Euskadi, Jokin Aranburu decided to retire and resume his studies in physiotherapy. The Basque Professional team didn’t renew his contract and he was unable to find another team.
2 January
After the rumours circulating yesterday, it is now official! Bahrain-Victorious announced the signing of the Polish rider Kamil Gradek, twitting: :We are pleased to announce the signing of Kamil Gradek for the 2022 season. Welcome to the team @kamilgradek !”. The former Polish National ITT winner rejoins the WorldTour (CCC Team 2019/20) following one year with the PRT Vini Zabù.
Pro team rider Thomas Sprengers (Sport Vlaanderen) not confirmed by his team for the 2022 season has retired. “I had a fantastic time over the past 9 years,” Sprengers looked back on Instagram. “I want to thank everyone who supported me, not least Sport Vlaanderen for all the opportunities. See you down the road!”. The 31 year Belgian rider full profile here
As announced on his Instagram account, Mattia Viel (Androni-Sidermec) not confirmed by his team for the 2022 season has retired at the end of the 2021 season: “I am ready to take on new challenges and opportunities for growth, starting from my business @bikekinetic and some new exciting projects!”
1 January
During the day several rumours are indicating that another former rider of Vini-Zabù has found a team for the 2022 season. The 31 year old Polish Kamil Gradek should return to the WT and will race with Bahrain Victorious in 2022.
The Australian Continental Team BridgeLane has announced the signing for one year of James Whelan. The 25-year-old Australian from Melbourne did not not renew with the American WT EF Education-Nippo, where he rode for over the past three seasons without achieving great results. Whelan won the 2018 Tour of Flanders U23 and hopes to be able to relaunch his career.
On his instagram account, the 22 year old Alessandro Iacchi, last season with Vini Zabù, announced that will be riding for Qhubeka Continental team in the 2022 season.
The 23 year old Alessandro Monaco not confirmed by Bardiani have signed a one year contract with the Italo-Romanian Continental Team Giotti Victoria-Savini Due. Monaco, a good climber from Puglia (Italy), best placing of the 2021 season has been sixth at the Adriatica Ionica Race GC and third in a stage of the Tour of Tachira.
Martin Salmon, after failing to renew his contract with Team DSM, has announced his retirement via his social profiles. The 24 year old rider has raced two seasons with the German team, in addition to three years on the team’s development squad. During his Pro experience, he won the climber’s classification at the Tour du Limousin and obtained a third place in a stage at this year’s Tour of Denmark, not enough to find a new team for the 2022 season. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Team DSM – IN John Degenkolb (Lotto), Leon Heinschke (NeoPro), Jdsmonas Iversby Hvideberg (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Frederik Rodenberg Madsen (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), Marius Mayrhofer (NeoPro), Tim Naberman (NeoPro), Henri Vandenabeele (NeoPro), Sam Welsford (NeoPro); OUT Tiesj Benoot (Jumbo-Visma), Félix Gall (AG2R),Chad Haga (Rally Cycling), Max Kanter (Movistar), Jasha Sütterlin (Bahrain Victorious), Nicolas Roche (Retire) , Martin Salmon (Retire), Michael Storer (Gruporama-FDJ), Jai Hindley (Bora), Ilan Van Wilder (Quickstep); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Thymen Arensman (22), Nikias Arndt (22), Romain Bardet (22), Cees Bol (22), Marco Brenner (24), Romain Combaud (22), Alberto Dainese (23), John Degenkolb (24), Nico Denz (22), Mark Donovan (22), Nils Eekhoff (22), Chris Hamilton (22), Leon Heinschke (23), Jonas Iversby Hvideberg (23), Søren Kragh Andersen (22), Andreas Leknessund (23), Frederik Rodenberg Madsen (23), Niklas Markl (22), Marius Mayrhofer (23), Tim Naberman (23), Joris Nieuwenhuis (23), Casper Pedersen (23), Florian Stork (22), Martijn Tusveld (22), Henri Vandenabeele (23), Kevin Vermaerke (22), Sam Welsford (23).
31 December
UAE Team Emirates has finalised his roster with the signing of the Swiss Joel Suter who did not renewed with Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, the team where he had raced in the last two seasons. The 23 year old Swiss rider has signed a one year agreement. Suter full profile here.
Christoph Pfingsten announced today on social media his official retirement from competition. After two years with Jumbo-Visma, the Dutch team did not renew his contract and the 34 year old German was unable to find a new accommodation. During his carrier Pfingsten did not obtain any victory but he was a precious domestique for his captains. Pfingsten full profile here. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Team Jumbo – Visma – IN Tiesj Benoot (DSM), Rohan Dennis (Ineos), Michel Hessmann (NeoPro), Olav Kooij (NeoPro), Christophe Laporte (Cofidis), Milan Vader (NeoPro), Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Soudal), Mick Van Dijke (NeoPro), Tim Van Dijke (NeoPro); OUT George Bennett (UAE), Dylan Groenewegen (BikeExchange – Jayco), Paul Martens (Retired), Tony Martin (Retire), Christoph Pfingsten (Retire), Antwan Tolhoek (Trek), Maarten Wynants (Retire); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Edoardo Affini (23), Tiesj Benoot (23), Koen Bouwman (24), David Dekker (22), Rohan Dennis (23), Tom Dumoulin (22), Pascal Eenkhoorn (22), Tobias Foss (23), Robert Gesink (23), Chris Harper(23), Michel Hessmann (24), Lennard Hofstede (22), Olav Kooij (23), Steven Kruijswijk (23), Sepp Kuss (24), Christophe Laporte (23) Gijs Leemreize (23), Sam Oomen (23), Primoz Roglic (25), Timo Roosen (22), Mike Teunissen (22), Milan Vader (24), Wout van Aert (24), Tosh Van Der Sande (23), Mick Van Dijke (24), Tim Van Dijke (24), Jos Van Emden (23), Nathan Van Hooydonck (22), Jonas Vingegaard (24).
30 December
After five years in the Alpecin – Fenix jersey, the German rider Marcel Meisen has signed a contract with the Stevens Racing Team, an amateur team that is seeking to obtain a Continental licence for 2022. The announcement was made by the Hamburg-based bike manufacturer that gives its name to the team. After six national title successes as German cyclo-cross national champion, five of them consecutive, the 32 year old rider was also last year’s national road champion, his only victory on pro road racing.
Not confirmed by Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè team after two years with the team, Nicolas Dalla Valle has has announced to Spaziociclismo that he has signed with the Continental Team Giotti Victoria-Savini Due. The 24-year-old rider, that was second in the 2019 Italian U23 championship, has been plagued by problems/injuries for the past two years ( Covid, mononucleosis and a broken elbow). He hopes now to have a new opportunity and revive his career.
Not confirmed by Team TotalEnergies, Damien Gaudin has decided to retire ending his career. Gaudin was fifth in Paris-Roubaix 2013 announced the news in a message posted on social networks. “At the end of 2021, I announce that I am ending my career as a professional cyclist. A big THANK YOU to all of you for following and encouraging me during all these years, thank you to Jean-René Bernaudeau, Vincent Lavenu and David Lima Da Costa for their trust …… Thanks also to the different coaches for the great adventures in the French road and track teams”, he wrote. The French rider obtained five wins in his career including the Tro-Bro Léon in 2017 and stages at Paris Nice and Tour of Luxembourg. Gaudin full profile here
29 December
Charlie Quarterman unable to renew with with Trek – Segafredo was not able to find a new contract with WorldTour or ProTour teams and signed with the new amateur French team Philippe Wagner Cycling. The 23 year old British rider was the national U23 time trial champion in 2019 and hopes to relaunch himself with the French team.
Situation WT team by team (in progress): Trek – Segafredo – IN Jon Aberasturi (Caja Rural), Filippo Baroncini (NeoPro), Marc Brustenga (Caja Rural), Dario Cataldo (Movistar), Tony Gallopin (Ag2r), Asbjørn Hellemose (NeoPro), Markus Hoelgaard (Uno-X), Daan Hoole (NeoPro), Simon Pellaud (Androni), Antwan Tolhoek (Jumbo-Visma), Otto Vergaerde (Alpecin); OUT Nicola Conci (Gazprom-Rusvelo), Niklas Eg (Uno-X), Koen de Kort (Ritiro), Ryan Mullen (Bora), Antonio Nibali (Astana), Vincenzo Nibali (Astana), , Charlie Quarterman (Philippe Wagner Cycling), Kiel Reijnen (Retired), Michel Ries (Arkéa – Samsic); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Jon Aberasturi (23), Filippo Baroncini (23), Julien Bernard (23), Gianluca Brambilla (22), Marc Brustenga (23), Dario Cataldo (22), Giulio Ciccone (24), Jakob Egholm (22), Kenny Elissonde (23), Tony Gallopin (23), Amanuel Gebreigzabhier (22), Asbjørn Hellemose (23), Markus Hoelgaard (23), Daan Hoole (23), Juan Pedro Lopez (23), Alexander Kamp (22), Alex Kirsch (23), Emils Liepins (23), Bauke Mollema (22), Jacopo Mosca(23), Matteo Moschetti (22), Mads Pedersen (22), Simon Pellaud (23), Quinn Simmons (23), Mattias Skjelmose Jensen (22), Toms Skujiņš (22), Jasper Stuyven (22), Edward Theuns (23), Antonio Tiberi (24), Antwan Tolhoek (23).
The Galician newspaper Faro de Vigo reported that the South African rider Willie Smit, this year with Burgos – BH, has signed for one year with the CC Rias Baixas, Spanish team with which he had already raced before turning professional four years ago with Katusha. The 30 year old won in 2017 the African Continental Championships – Road Race.
27 year old Dutch rider Etienne Van Empel, who was left without a contract following the closure of Vini Zabù, will start the new season riding for the Dutch team Global Cycling, explaining to cyclingonline that “‘m going to ride my first races in the new year with the Global Cycling club team. And then I hope another team will come on at least continental level.”
28 December
Tim Van Dijke will join the Jumbo – Visma main squad from next season and will become a professional cyclist at Team Jumbo-Visma as of January 1. The 21 year old Dutch U23 champion rider had already signed a two-year contract from 2023 with Jumbo – Visma and the plan was to ride in 2022 with the Jumbo-Visma Development Team before transferring to the World Tour team. Due to the transfer of Dylan Groenewegen to BikeExchange, Richard Plugge’s team decided to anticipate the transfer. Tim Van Dijke will join his brother Mick with both having signed a contract until 2024. Van Dijke recorded his first professional victory in the Cro Race at the end of last season.
27 December
After Qhubeka-NextHash’s funding failure, Simon Clarke is facing an unwanted retirement. The Australian is hoping to find a new team as soon is possible and in an interview to Cycling Weekly, he express is frustration: “It’s not something I’ve ever looked at, but I thought I would this time and I’m ranked 219th in the world. When you consider that there are 600-odd pros [there are 2987 riders with at least one point on the UCI’s 2021 ranking – ed] and I’m ranked higher than 400 of them…well, you’d hope it would help me find a spot somewhere, that my ranking is appealing to a lot of teams.” Clarke full profile @procyclingstats
According to cyclinpro.net, Bora – hansgrohe has confirmed that Marcus Burghardt will not renew his contract for next season. The 38 year old German will now probably retire closing his career in the team he joined in 2017 following Peter Sagan. The experienced rider won the 2007 Ghent – Wevelgem. Burghardt full profile @procyclingstats. On the other hand the 28 year old Anton Palzer has been confirmed for one more year. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Bora – Hansgrohe – IN Cian Uijtdebroeks (NeoPro), Sam Bennett (Deceuninck), Jonas Koch (Intermarché), Ryan Mullen (Trek), Danny Van Poppel (Intermaarché), Shane Archbold (Quick-Step), Sergio Higuita (EF), Jai Hindley (DSM), Marco Haller (Bahrain – Victorious), Luis-Joe Lührs (NeoPro), Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana); OUT Pascal Ackermann (UAE), Erik Baška (Dukla Banska Bystrica), Maciej Bodnar (TotalEnergies), Marcus Burghardt (Retire), Maximilian Schachmann (Lotto), Rudiger Selig (Lotto), Andreas Schillinger (Retire), Juraj Sagan (TotalEnergies), Peter Sagan (TotalEnergies), Daniel Oss (TotalEnergies); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Giovanni Aleotti (23), Shane Archbold (23), Cesare Benedetti (22), Sam Bennett (23), Emanuel Buchmann (24), Matteo Fabbro (23), Patrick Gamper (22), Felix Grossschartner (22), Marco Haller (24), Sergio Higuita (24), Jai Hindley (24), Lennard Kämna (22), Wilco Kelderman (22), Jonas Koch (23), Patrik Konrad(23), Martin Laas (22), Luis-Joe Lührs (24), Jordi Meeus (24), Ryan Mullen (23), Anton Palzer (22), Nils Politt (23), Lukas Postlberger (22), Maximilian Schachmann (24), Ide Schelling (23), Cian Uijtdebroeks (24), Danny Van Poppel (23), Aleksandr Vlasov (24), Matthew Walls (22), Frederik Wandahl (22), Ben Zwiehoff (22).
Today Riccardo Stacchiotti announced on his social channels his retirement from cycling. The rider from Marche, a professional since 2014, has achieved six career victories, including the first stage of the 2019 Giro di Sicilia. He became a pro rider with Vini Fantini-Nippo and than he wore also the jerseys of MsTina-Focus, Giotti Vittoria and finally with the now dissolved Vini Zabù. Stacchiotti is a companion of Scratch world champion Martina Fidanza.
23 December
After five seasons in the WorldTour from 2016 to 2020, Qhubeka-Nexthash must say goodbye to the top category. Known in the past as MTN, Dimension Data, NTT and Qhubeka Assos, the South African team, which has been active in professional racing since 2008, despite doing its utmost, was unable to successfully conclude its frantic search for sponsors. However the team has been able to save their Continental formation. Team boss Doug Ryder never gave up in the search for sponsors and has fully explained the situation speaking with cyclingnews.com (click on link for full article)
22 December
Primoz Roglic signs a new contract with Jumbo – Visma. Having joined the Dutch team in 2016, since then, the 32-year-old Slovenian has built up an impressive palmares. With the Dutch team, Roglic achieved more than fifty victories, including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, fifteen stages in grand tours, and three times the general classification of the Vuelta a España. The Slovenian rider has extended his current deal until 2023 for two further seasons, bringing the new deadline to the end of 2025. Roglic full profile @procyclingstats.com
Benjamin Perry has finally fund a team. Next season the Canadian rider will join the Continental Canyon-DHB-SunGod team in 2022. After his first year with a World Tour team, Astana-Premier Tech, the 27 year old rider is returning to the Continental circuit, where he had already competed with Silber Pro Cycling and with Israel Cycling Accademy. Perry only career victory is a stage at the Tour of Korea in 2019. The team has also announced the signing of the young British Neo Pro Toby Barnes for the 2022 season.
Situation WT team by team: Astana Qazaqstan Team – IN Leonardo Basso (Ineos), Valerio Conti (UAE), David de la Cruz (UAE Emirates), Joe Dombrowski (UAE), Michele Gazzoli (NeoPro), Sébastian Henao (Ineos), Miguel Angel Lopez (Movistar), Gianni Moscon (Ineos), Antonio Nibali (Trek-Segafredo), Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo), Nurbergen Nurlykhassym (NeoPro), Alexandr Riabushenko (UAE Emirates), Simone Velasco (Gazprom-RusVelo), Andrey Zeits (Team BikeExchange); OUT Alex Aranburu (Movistar), Rodrigo Contreras (EPM), Omar Fraile (Ineos), Jakob Fuglsang (Israel Start Up Nation), Jonas Gregaard (Uno-X), Hugo Houle (Israel Start Up Nation), Gorka Izagirre (Movistar), Ion Izagirre (Cofidis), Merhawi Kudus (Ef Education), Ben Perry (Canyon-DHB-SunGod), Andrea Piccolo (Rusvelo), Oscar Rodriguez (Movistar), Luis Leon Sanchez (Bahrain), Matteo Sobrero (BikeExchange), Nikita Stalnov (Retire), Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora); COMPLETED 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Leonardo Basso (23), Samuele Battistella (22), Manuele Boaro (23), Gleb Brussenskiy (22), Valerio Conti (23), Stefan De Bod (22), David de la Cruz (23), Joe Dombrowski (23), Yevgeniy Fedorov (22), Fabio Felline (23), Michele Gazzoli (23), Yevgeniy Gidich (23), Dmitriy Gruzdev (23),Sebastian Henao (22), Miguel Angel Lopez (23), Alexey Lutsenko (24), Davide Martinelli (23), Gianni Moscon (23), Yuriy Natarov (23), Antonio Nibali (23), Vincenzo Nibali (22), Nurbergen Nurlykhassym (23), Vadim Pronskiy (22), Alexandr Riabushenko (23), Javier Romo (23), Harold Tejada (23), Simone Velasco (23), Artyom Zakharov (23, Andrey Zeits (22).
21 December
INEOS Grenadiers roster confirmed for 2022. Situation WT team by team (official confirmed roster): Team Ineos Grenadiers – IN Omar Fraile (Astana), Kim Heiduk (Lotto Kern Haus), Lucas Plapp (NeoPro), Magnus Sheffield (Rally Cycling), Ben Tullett (Alpecin-Fenix), Ben Turner (Trinity Racing Team), Elia Viviani (Cofidis); OUT Leonardo Basso (Astana), Rohan Dennis (Jumbo), Owain Doull (EF Education-Nippo), Michał Gołaś (Retire), Sebastian Henao (Astana), Gianni Moscon (Astana), Ivan Ramiro Sosa (Movistar); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT ; END OF CONTRACT ; OFFICIAL 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Andrey Amador (22), Egan Bernal (23), Richard Carapaz (22), Jonathan Castroviejo (23), Laurens De Plus (22), Eddie Dunbar (22), Omar Fraile (23), Filippo Ganna (23), Tao Geoghegan Hart (23), Ethan Hayter (22), Kim Heiduk (23), Michal Kwiatkowski (23), Daniel Martinez (22), Jhonatan Narvaez (22), Tom Pidcock (22), Luke Plapp (23), Richie Porte (22), Salvatore Puccio (23), Brandon Rivera (22), Carlos Rodriguez (23), Luke Rowe (23), Magnus Sheffield (23), Pavel Sivakov (23), Ben Swift (22), Geraint Thomas (23), Ben Tulett (22), Ben Turner (23), Dylan Van Baarle (22), Elia Viviani (24), Cameron Wurf (22), Adam Yates (22)
A very difficult time for the Qhubeka – NextHash riders who are still without a contract for next year. Sergio Henao told Tele Antioquia that although he is still hoping that a sponsor will come in at the last moment to support the team, but he has indicated that he is ready to retire should Douglas Ryder’s team fail to succede. Emil Vinjebo, after one year at WT level will return with the Continental Riwal, the team where he rode between 2018-2020.
20 December
New two-year contract for Geraint Thomas. It has been expected for several weeks and finally Team Ineos Grenadiers made official today the renewal of the Welsh rider, who continues to ride with the British team, his team since the it was founded in 2010. The 35 years old was the 2018 Tour de France winner and is coming from two very complicated season. On the team’s website Thomas said: “I’m still super motivated to work hard and train hard. That’s what I love doing. I still really enjoy riding my bike, pushing myself. … Obviously I had a tough end to 2021 but up until the crash at the Tour, I was in the best shape I’d been. I’m still very motivated to perform in the biggest races. I’ll probably look at doing the Ardennes which I’ve never done properly. That’s exciting and new, and hopefully then go on the Tour to play a big role there”. Thomas full profile @procyclingstats.com.
Team Novo Nordisk confirms 18-rider roster for 2022. Team Novo Nordisk is a global all-diabetes sports team of cyclists spearheaded by the world’s first all-diabetes UCI Professional Continental cycling team. In 2012, Phil Southerland, co-founder and CEO of the team, and global healthcare company Novo Nordisk, came together to create Team Novo Nordisk, based on a shared vision to inspire, educate and empower people around the world affected by diabetes. For more information, go to www.teamnovonordisk.com. Team Novo Nordisk (PRT) in progress 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Hamish Beadle (22), Mehdi Benhamouda (22), Sam Brand (22), Robbe Ceurens (23), Stephen Clancy (22), Lucas Dauge (22), Gerd de Keijzer (22), Jan Dunnewind (23), Joonas Henttala (22), Declan Irvine (22), Matyas Kopecky (23), Peter Kusztor (22), David Lozano (22), Andrea Peron (22), Logan Phippen (22), Charles Planet (23), Umberto Poli (22), Filippo Ridolfo (23)
After 14 seasons as a professional cyclist, Rafael Valls has decided to retire with immediate effect, despite having recently renewed his contract with Bahrain-Victorious until the end of 2022. The 34-year-old Spaniard having suffered a number of major injuries in recent years, explained to his team his reasons saying “I have decided to stop racing from next season. Following the Giro, I had agreed to continue until 2022. However, after several reflections over the last few weeks, I have decided to stop”. The Iberian climber, winner of the 2015 Tour of Oman, have been riding for teams such as Footon-Servetto, Vacansoleil, Lampre, Lotto Soudal and Movistar and has obtained in his career four wins. Valls full profile @procyclingstats.com.
19 December
According to Procyclingstats, Edoardo Zardini will ride next season with Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli. The 32 year old from Peschiera del Garda was last year riding for the now defunct Vini Zabù and had his best season in 2014 when he won a stage at the Tour of Britain and at the Giro del Trentino. He currently appears on the provisional list of the Argentinian Vuelta a San Juan Internacional that should start on the 30th January.
Alex Bogna won the Zwift Academy and will turn professional next year with Alpecin – Fenix. The 19 year old Bogna comes from Australia and has an important chance to go pro, as Jay Vine did last year. Since their roster have one more rider that rules allows, Bogna may be initially integrated in their development team. Alpecin – Fenix current roster for 2022 season: Edward Anderson (22), Maurice Ballerstedt (24), Sjoerd Bax (23), Tobias Bayer (23), Alex Bogna(23), Dries De Bondt (23), Floris De Tier (22), Silvan Dillier (23), Samuel Gaze (24), Michael Gogl(23), Jimmy Janssens (22), Alexander Krieger (23), Senne Leysen (23), Jakub Mareczko (23), Tim Merlier (22), Xandro Meurisse (22), Stefano Oldani (23), Jasper Philipsen (22), Edward Planckaert(22), Jonas Rickaert (25), Oscar Riesebeek (23), Kristian Sbaragli (23), Robert Stannard (23), Lionel Tamineaux (23), Scott Thwaites (22), Fabio Van Den Bossche (23), David van der Poel (22), Mathieu van der Poel (25), Guillaume Van Keirsbulck (22), Gianni Vermeersch (22), Julien Vermote (22), Jay Vine (23)
Not confirmed by Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, Jérémy Bellicaud has found a new team for 2022. The 23 year old rider will ride next season with Océane Top 16, an amateur team where he had already spent two season in 2017 and 2018. “I was lucky enough to get a taste of the pro world” and “I still want to ride and train”, he said to an interview to a France Newspaper. This year, Jérémy Bellicaud finished 9th in the Trophée Andratx (1.1), in Spain, and 15th in the Grand Prix La Marseillaise (1.1) at the beginning of the season.
18 December
The 22 year old Belgian Florian Vermeersch, this year second at Paris-Roubaix, has extended his contract for two more seasons with Lotto Soudal, with whom he already had an agreement in place until the end of 2022. With the contract adjustment, the duration is now extended until the end of 2024. Vermeersch grow up in the team’s development squad and turned professional with John Lelangue’s team in 2020. In addition to the second place in the Paris-Roubaix and the third place in the U23 World Championsiph ITT, last year he was fourth at Brussels Cycling Classic and had placings in the top ten at the Giro della Toscana and in the final classification of the BinckBank Tour.
According to a report on Atlantico.net, following the closure of the French team French Delko-Marseille, the 35-year-old Delio Fernández has signed a one year contract with the Portuguese Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel. The Spanish climber has been riding for Team Delko since 2016 and during his carrer won the Tour of Austria in 2017 after Stefan Denifl was disqualified for doping, the GP Internacional Torres Vedras – Trofeu Joaquim Agostinho in 2014 and stages in the Volta a Portugal and in the Tour of Turkey.
17 December
The Continental team Leopard Pro Cycling has completed its 2022 roster with the signing of talented 24-year-old Dutchman Kevin Inkelaar, who is leaving Bahrain Victorious after two disappointing seasons. The final roster of the Luxembourg formation will therefore count other twelve riders: Benjamin Boos, Louis Coqueret, Colin Heiderscheid, Johannes Hodapp, Kevin Inkelaar, Arthur Kluckers, Elias Maris, Jarno Mobach, Cédric Pries, Tim Torn Teutenberg, Mats Wenzel and Justin Wolf.
16 December
Ciclismointernacional has reported the renewal of Jonathan Caicedo with EF Education-Nippo for two years until the end of the 2023 season.
WorkService Vitalcare Videa, that after having announced a few days ago the renewal of Davide Rebellin, has now signed for one year Nicola Venchiarutti (23YO), who after two uninspiring years in the ProTeam Androni returns to Continental level to relaunch his still very young career.
The 26 year old Scott Davies is retiring from professional cycling after the two last difficult years with Bahrain-Victorious. The rider himself announced the news in a Twitter post, explaining the reasons for his decision, which was due to a long battle with a difficult pelvic injury. The Welsh rider only took part in two races last season without completing them.
After the closure of his team, Qhubeka-Nexthash, Australian Robert Power decided to hang up his bike at just 26 years old after six seasons in the WorldTour and two successes, both in 2018 when he was also sixth at the Strade Bianche.
15 December
The transfer of the Ukrainian Mark Padun to EF Pro Cycling was today made official by the US team. In 2021, the 25-year-old had a convincing spell with Bahrain – Victorious winning two stages at the Tour of Dauphiné last summer. Padun has obtained in his career a total of six wins in his four years as a professional, all with the Bahrain team, including a stage and the general classification at the Adriatica Ionica Race and a stage at the Tour of the Alps. Padun has signed for three years.
13 December
In an interview to LeQuotidien, Jempy Drucker from Luxembourg said that Cofidis is not extending his contract and he has not been able to find a new team. The career of the 35 year old from Sandweiler in now at risks and the possibility of an unwanted retirement real.
Burgos – BH extend the contract of the best current Spanish cyclocross rider Felipe Orts, who joined the team this season, for another year. The team has now 20 riders confirmed for the 2022 season. Burgos – BH (PRT) in progress 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Mario Aparicio (22), Jetse Bol (22), Óscar Cabedo (22), André Domingues (23), Jesus Ezquerra (22), Angel Fuentes (22), Victor Langellotti (22), Juan Antonio Lopez-Cozar (22), Angel Madrazo (22), Alex Molenaar (22), Adrià Moreno (22), Gabriel Muller (22), Daniel Navarro (22), Ander Okamika (22), Felipe Orts (22), Óscar Pelegrí (23), Manuel Peñalver (22), Mihkel Räim (22), Diego Rubio (22), Pelayo Sanchez (22)
12 December
After the missed confirmation from his 2021 team Caja Rural – Seguros, Héctor Sáez has now joined the Portuguese Continental Gassdrive Q8 Anicolor team (Efapel in 2021) after signing a one year contract. In 2022, the 28 year old Spanish cyclist will ride in the same team of the talented Uruguayan Mauricio Moreira 2nd at Volta a Portugal, and Portuguese stars such as Frederico Figueiredo and Antonio Carvalho.
As reported (see 8 Dec), Barnabás Peák is moving on after two and a half years with Team BikeExchange. The 23-year-old Hungarian from has signed a two-year WorldTour contract with Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux where he hope to show his talent after the disappointing experience with the Australian team. One of his objectives will be the participate to the Giro d’Italia, which will start on Heroes’ Square in Budapest, the young Hungarian’s home town.
11 December
Ethiopia’s 22-year-old Mulu Kinfe Hailemichael has signed for for one year with New Zealand Continental team Global 6 Cycling after two season with Delko. Hailemichael won a stage at the 2020 Tour du Rwanda.
Dylan Groenewegen is no longer part a rider of Team Jumbo – Visma and next season will join the ranks of the BikeExchange – Jayco team. The 28 year old, one of the strongest sprinters of the peloton, signed a three years deal with the Australian team after his current contract valid until 2023 was cancelled by mutual consent. “It is time to start another chapter of my life & my professional career, I strongly believe that this is the right to move.” Groenewegen said. Situation WT team by team: Team BikeExchange – IN Alexandre Balmer (NeoPro), Lawson Craddock (EF Education-Nippo), Dylan Groenewegen (Jumbo-Visma), Jan Maas (Neo Pro), Kelland O’Brien (NeoPro), Jesus David Peña (Colombia Tierra de Atletas), Matteo Sobrero (Astana), Campbell Stewart (NeoPro); OUT Brent Bookwalter (Ritire), Esteban Chaves (EF Education-Nippo), Mikel Nieve (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA), Barnabás Peák (Intermarché), Robert Stannard (Alpecin-Fenix), Andrey Zeits (Astana); OFFICIAL 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Alexandre Balmer (23), Jack Bauer (22), Sam Bewley (22), Kevin Colleoni (22), Lawson Craddock (23), Luke Durbridge (22), Alexander Edmondson (22), Tsgabu Grmay (23), Dylan Groenewegen (24), Kaden Groves (22), , Lucas Hamilton (22), Michael Hepburn (23), Damien Howson (22), Amund Grondahl Jansen (22), Chris Juul-Jensen (23), Tanel Kangert (22), Alexander Konychev (22), Jan Maas (22), Michael Matthews (22), Cameron Meyer (22), Luka Mezgec (22), Kelland O’Brien (23), Jesus David Peña (23), Nick Schultz (22), Callum Scotson (22), Dion Smith (22), Matteo Sobrero (23), Campbell Stewart (23), Simon Yates (22).
Gabriel Cullaigh, without a contract after Movistar decided not to renew with him, will race in 2022 with the British Continental Saint Piran after signing for one year.
10 December
Bert-Jan Lindeman from Qhubeka-Nexthash will join the Dutch Continental VolkerWessels Cycling Team. The rider from Emmen, who with his extensive WorldTour experience will be of great help to the Dutch team’s growth.
9 December
Troubled with financial issues, Team Qhubeka NextHash saw the sentence arrived this morning. The International Cycling Union’s (UCI) Licence Commission has refused to register the South African team for the 2022 season. A few hours after this announcement, the team managed by Douglas Ryder reacted briefly to this decision on its Twitter account. “We have noted the UCI’s press release today in which we have been refused the registration of a WorldTour licence for 2022. We remain committed to our purpose of changing lives through bicycles. We will be making no further comment at this stage.” Further details on the future of Team Qhubeka NextHash are expected in the coming days.
in an interview to La Voix du Nord, Wilhelm Hubner, patron of the French continental team Roubaix Lille Métropole, has announced a three-year partnership with Go Sport and the signing of three new riders. The first two are Clément Carisey, this year’s stage winner at the Tour du Poitou-Charentes, and the experienced Lithuanian Evaldas Siskevicius, a rider who has been able to finish Paris-Roubaix in the top ten, both coming from Delko, the third is Estonian sprinter Norman Vahtra from Israel Start-Up Nation.
In an article in the Resto del Carlino, Davide Rebellin (50 yo) has confirmed that he will also race also in 2022 (the thirtieth season of his career) with his current team, WorkService Marchiol Vega, which from next year will be called WorkService Vitalcare Videa. The team is staging its first training camp for the new season in Corridonia (Marche, Italy). Rebellin full profile @procyclingstats
8 December
The 23 year old Hungarian rider Barnabás Peák will not renew with Team BikeExchange. Many rumours are suggesting that he will join Intermarché in 2022. Peák full profile @procyclingstats.
7 December
Mark Cavendish will be part of WolfPack for another year. The British sprinter signed today the renewal of his contract with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl. The news was already known for a while and it is now official. After the three years between 2013 and 2015, the 36 year old Cavendish came back to the team this season after some difficult years, having a fantastic 2021 with a great Tour de France performance winning the iconic green jersey and four Tour de France stages. Cavendish full profile @procyclingstats. Situation WT team by team (in progress): Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl – IN Jason Osborne (stagiarie), Mauro Schmid (Qhubeka), Martin Svrček (NeoPro from 1/7/22), Ilan Van Wilder (Team DSM), Ethan Vernon (NeoPro), Louis Vervaeke (Alpecin); OUT Joao Almeida (UAE), Shane Archbold (Bora), Sam Bennett (Bora), Ian Garrison (L39ion), Alvaro Hodeg (UAE); RUMOURED: IN ; OUT; END OF CONTRACT ; CURRENT 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Julian Alaphilippe (24), Kasper Asgreen (24), Andrea Bagioli (23), Davide Ballerini (23), Mattia Cattaneo (23), Rémi Cavagna (23), Mark Cavendish (22), Josef Cerny (23), Tim Declercq (23), Dries Devenyns (22), Remco Evenepoel (26), Mikkel Honoré (23), Fabio Jakobsen (23), Iljo Keisse (22), James Knox (23), Yves Lampaert (22), Fausto Masnada (24), Michael Morkov (23), Florian Senechal (23), Pieter Serry (23), Mauro Schmid (23), Stijn Steels (22), Jannik Steimle (23), Zdenek Stybar (22), Martin Svrček (24), Mauri Vansevenant (23), Bert Van Lerberghe (23), Stan Van Tricht (23), Ilan Van Wilder (23), Ethan Vernon (23), Louis Vervaeke (23).
Despite a negative season in 2021, Julien Vermote has convinced his team Alpecin-Fenix as they have decided to extend his contract for one more year. The Belgian had joined the team in May 2021, after being left without a team at the end of the previous season, but was affected by Covid-19 and toxoplasmosis, which meant he was unable to ride a single race. The Belgian team have therefore decided to give the 32 year old, a former Cofidis rider, another chance, announcing the renewal of his contract until the end of 2022.
Just a few hours after, Teams DSM official statement of its contract termination with Tiesj Benoot, the Belgian has signed a two-year contract with Jumbo-Visma. The 27-year-old, who won the Strade Bianche in 2018 and a stage in Paris-Nice in 2020, is the seventh rider to be added to the Dutch squad’s roster for next season. Tiesj Benoot, who in recent weeks had already expressed the desire to break his relationship with the team, follows a long list of athletes who left the team before the natural end of contract.
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA have officially announced their squad for next season. On the 1st December, the Spanish team announced their final squad with the signing of Mikel Nieve, however the official list have the addition of the Spaniard Joel Nicolau who extended for one more year bringing the total count to 21 team members. Caja Rural – RGA (PRT) OFFICIAL 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Julen Amezqueta (22), Orluis Aular (22), Aritz Bagues (22), Fernando Barceló (22), Jon Barrenetxea (22), Juan Fernando Calle (22), Jefferson Alveiro Cepeda (22), Alvaro Cuadros (22), Josu Etxeberria (22), Jhojan Garcia (22), David González (22), Calum Johnston (23), Jonathan Lastra (22), Iuri Leitao (23), Sergio Martin (22), Jokin Murguialday (22), Joel Nicolau (22), Mikel Nieve (22), Yesid Pira (23), Eduard Prades (22), Michal Schlegel (23)
The American team EF Education-NIPPO has not extended the contract of Logan Owen. With just over a month to go before the start of the season, the American rider has not had any advanced contacts with other teams: “I reached out to other WorldTour, Pro Continental and even Continental teams but there wasn’t a lot of interest,”, he told Cyclingnews. Although he is still in touch with Qhubeka, serious is now the risk that the 26 year old will retire at the end of the season. Considered one of the best talent of his generation, Owen won the U23 Liège-Bastogne-Liège at 21, a stage of the Tour of Utah while racing for Axeon Hagens Berman and a stage at Volta ao Alentejo in 2017.
The Argentinean Eduardo Sepulveda has extended his contract with his current team next year and will ride with Gianni Savio’s Drone Hopper-Androni for one more year.
6 December
Second Italian for the Maloja Pushbikers. The ambitious Bavarian continental team announced today the addition of Mauro Finetto. The experienced rider from Verona was left without a contract after the hasty closure of Delko, a team he had been with for five seasons. Born in 1985, winner of ten races in his career and with a past at WorldTour level, the Italian will be one of the most important rider of a team to which he will bring a considerable wealth of experience. A fast and experencied rider, he will be one of the team’s key players along with Filippo Fortin, whose arrival had been announced in recent weeks.
5 December
Jakub Mareczko has finally signed for Alpecin-Fenix is now official. The news was already known for a long time and the 27 year old Italian has signed a two-year contract with the Roodhoft brothers’ Belgian Pro Team. Mareczko, a sprinter of Polish origins born in Jaroslaw, reinforces an already exceptional sprint group with Tim Merlier and Jasper Philipsen. He raced this year with Vini Zabù winning only one half-stage of Settimana Coppi e Bartali but obtaining several good results.
3 December
Astana Qazaqstan announced its complete roster Friday for the 2022 season Friday, which includes the additions of Gianni Moscon from Ineos Grenadiers, Vincenzo Nibali from Trek-Segafredo, Miguel Ángel López, who returns to the squad after a year with Movistar Team, and American Joe Dombrowski announced he was leaving UAE Team Emirates. “We have managed to get a strong, ambitious team together,” said team director Alexandre Vinokourov. Astana Qazaqstan Team COMPLETED 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Leonardo Basso (23), Samuele Battistella (22), Manuele Boaro (23), Gleb Brussenskiy (22), Valerio Conti (23), Stefan De Bod (22), David de la Cruz (23), Joe Dombrowski (23), Yevgeniy Fedorov (22), Fabio Felline (23), Michele Gazzoli (23), Yevgeniy Gidich (23), Dmitriy Gruzdev (23),Sebastian Henao (22), Miguel Angel Lopez (23), Alexey Lutsenko (24), Davide Martinelli (23), Gianni Moscon (23), Yuriy Natarov (23), Antonio Nibali (23), Vincenzo Nibali (22), Nurbergen Nurlykhassym (23), Vadim Pronskiy (22), Alexandr Riabushenko (23), Javier Romo (23), Harold Tejada (23), Simone Velasco (23), Artyom Zakharov (23, Andrey Zeits (22).
The 24-year-old young Belgian talent Cedric Beullens signed a two-year agreement with Lotto Soudal. Beullens is the sixth new rider of John Lelangue’s team for 2022. The Flemish rider arrives from TopSport Vlaanderen – Baloise, the professional team with which he turned professional in 2020 and over the last two years he has accumulate experience in the North Classics.
Winner Anacona extends his contract to 2022 with Team Arkéa-Samsic for one more year and will be able to count thirteen rider in the next season. The 33-year-old climber Colombian, who arrived last year with his compatriots Dayer and Nairo Quintana, was one of the eight riders of the Breton team to win a race this year: the Trofeo Andratx-Mirador des Colomer, one of the races of the Challenge de Majorca. Team Arkéa-Samsic has now officialise the 2022 squad. Team Arkéa-Samsic – IN Nicolas Edet (Cofidis), Simon Guglielmi (Groupama), Hugo Hofstetter (Israel), Michel Ries (Trek), Kevin Vauquelin (NeoPro), Alessandro Verre (NeoPro); OUT Thomas Boudat (?), Diego Rosa (Eolo), Bram Welten (Groupama); OFFICIAL 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Winner Anacona (22), Warren Barguil (22), Maxime Bouet (22), Nacer Bouhanni (23), Amaury Capiot (23), Benjamin Declercq (22), Anthony Delaplace (22), Nicolas Edet (23), Miguel Florez (22), Elie Gesbert (22), Donavan Grondin (22), Thibault Guernalec (22), Simon Guglieglmi (23), Romain Hardy (22), Hugo Hofstetter (23), Kevin Ledanois (22), Matis Louvel (23), Daniel McLay (22), Christophe Noppe (22), Lukasz Owsian (23), Markus Pajur (22), Laurent Pichon (22), Dayer Quintana (22), Nairo Quintana (22), Michel Ries (23), Alan Riou (22), Clement Russo (23), Connor Swift (22), Kevin Vauquelin (23), Alessandro Verre (24)
2 December
After weeks of waiting, Mark Cavendish will finally sign a contract extension with his team Deceuninck-Quick Step. Patrick Lefevere, the boss of the Belgian team, announced the news to Het Nieuwsblad, saying that the Briton had signed for another year. “It’s done with Mark. The only thing missing is the signature but it will soon be in order and he will stay with us for another year,” explained the manager. In the next few days he will be with his teammates in Calpe for the first training camp of the season.
Domenico Pozzovivo has said that he doesn’t “have a plan B” if Qhubeka-NextHash fold at the end of the year and suggests he could retire. The 39 year old from Basilicata (Italy) has been a professional since 2005 and a rider at the South African team for the last two seasons. Pozzovivo has still some hope that a sponsor comes in to save the team. Pozzovivo full profile @ procyclingstats.com
On Cyclingnews, Nathan Haas has confirmed that, after ending his relationship with Cofidis, next year he will focus on gravel racing. “This is not a retirement. It’s a change of discipline,” Haas said.
1 December
In a video posted on its Twitter account, the Kazakh WorldTeam Astana announced that it was parting ways with several riders at the end of the season, including the confirmed departures of Aleksandr Vlasov (BORA-hansgrohe), Jakob Fuglsang (Israel Start-Up Nation) and Alex Aranburu (Movistar). Furthermore, Nikita Stalnov is set to retire at the end of the season and Benjamin Perry will also leave Alexandre Vinokourov’s team for an unknown destination at the end of the year. The Canadian rider finished 31st in the Arctic Race of Norway, but has been a precious domestiques especially useful in the classics.
After signing a one year contract, Mikel Nieve (Leiza, 1984) will race in the 2022 season with Caja Rural – RGA. After fourteen years as a professional, the experienced Navarro rider returns to the team where he was competing in the amateur category from 2004 to 2007. After 13 seasons in the WorldTour, almost equally divided between Euskaltel Euskadi, Team Sky and Team BikeExchange, the Iberian climber returned to his homeland team where he will be the leader and will act as a mentor to the team young talents. During his long career, Nieve participated in up to twenty-two Grand Tours winning three stages at the Giro d’Italia (including the GPM GC in 2016), one at the Vuelta a España and another one in the Critérium du Dauphiné, he also finish in eighth place at the 2015 Vuelta.
30 November
In an interview to Bici.pro, Jakub Mareczko has confirmed that today the contract with Alpecin-Fenix has been signed by all parties. Tomorrow he will be already leaving for the training camp in Benicasim, Spain, with the Alpecin team. In the 2021 season, Mareczko was a Vini Zabù (that lost its UCI licence), rider.
Serge Parsani is back with a new project with Francesco Frassi, the team manager from Bergamo will be leading a new Continental team: it will be called Corratec, a German bicycle company, and will have the patronage of the City of Montecatini Terme. Team Corratec is completing its technical and rider roster and the first few names have been announced: Davide Baldaccini, Syefano Gandin, Giulio Masotto, Alessandro Iacchi, Simone Olivero, Oscar Tellez, Veljko Sotjnic (from Vini Zabù) and Dusan Rajovic (from Delko).
29 November
Australian team Team BikeExchange Jayco have confirmed their official roster with 28 rider and Matthews and Simon Yates as leaders. Brent Copeland’s team managed just nine wins last season, which saw their UCI ranking fall from 11th in 2020 to 18th and aims to drastically improve their performances also thanks to the seven new arrivals.
As reported by Ciclismo International, the 21 year old Ricardo Alejandro Zurita will become a professional rider with Gianni Savio’s Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli. Zurita is a Spanish rider although he is originally from Pariaguàn in Venezuela.
Wielerlifts reported after an interview with Gabriel Cullaigh, whose contract with Movistar is expiring and will not be renewed, that the Briton is not in talks with any WorldTour or Professional teams. For him two options, Qhubeka-Nexthash if the South African team remains in the peloton next year or a British continental team.
After a disappointing season, Anton Kuzmin, after two years at Gazprom-Rusvelo, will move up to Continental level with the Almaty Cycling Team.
27 November
Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli has officially announced the arrival of three young Colombian, Juan Diego Alba, Didier Merchan and Brandon Rojas. The Italian professional team has now six Colombians in its roster, considering the confirmations of Daniel Muñoz, Jhonatan Restrepo and Santi Umba.
25 November
According to Wielerflits, Yousif Mirza will continue to race with his current team for a further year: since 2017, he has been a member of UAE Team Emirates, his home team and the next will be his sixth season with the squad.
Alexander Konychev renews with Team BikeExchange – Jayco. The young Italian rider has signed a new one-year contract with the Australian formation. Son of Dmitri, 8 stages wins in Giri and Tour, the 23 year old had two difficult seasons since turning Pro including being positive to covid in the last season.
As reported by the newspaper Diario de Pontevedra, after two complicated years with Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Carmelo Urbano will return to the amateur circuit in 2022 joining the Grupo Deportivo Supermercados Froiz team. The 24 year old Urbano, an excellent climber and rouleur, was very successful in the amateur categories becoming Spanish U23 champion in 2019 and winning the general classification of the Tour de la Bidasoa U23 the same year.
Andrea Bartolozzi announced his retirement from professional cycling. It seemed that the Italian rider had already moved to Beltrami TSA – Tre Colli after the closure of Vini Zabù but his post ended all speculations.
24 November
The Lotto – Soudal team has announced today that the partnership with Jasper De Buyst, it started in 2015 and he was signed up to 2022, will continue for a further two years until 2024.
23 November
Latest from Team DSM with the 28 years old Dutch Martijn Tusveld renewing for one more year, the 25 year old from Australia Sam Welsford (a track race world champion) turning pro with a two year contact, and Tim Naberman, a 22 year old Dutch also turning neo pro directly from their development team with a two years contract validity.
Contract extension for the young Australian sprinter Kaden Groves with Team BikeExchange – Jayco, the team where he turned pro in the 2019 season. During his carrier, the 22 year old has already obtained 6 victories and several placing. He signed for one additional season.
22 November
With the renewal of Niki Terpstra contract for one more year and the official arrival of Juraj Sagan, the 2022 roster of Team TotalEnergies is completed. Announced in the past few days, the signing of Peter Sagan’s brother bring to 26 the total number of riders on which the French team. In addition to the former world champion and his brother, the French team have also added Daniel Oss and Maciej Bodnar from Bora-hansgrohe, as well as young neopros Sandy Dujardin and Alan Jousseaume. Team TotalEnergies (Professional Team) – IN Maciej Bodnar (Bora), Sandy Dujardin (NeoPro), Alan Jousseaume (NeoPro), Daniel Oss (Bora), Juraj Sagan (Bora), Peter Sagan (Bora); Out Leonardo Bonifazio (?), Jerome Cousin (Retire), Marlon Gaillard (Retire), Damien Gaudin (?), Florian Maitre (?), Adrien Petit (Intermarché), Romain Sicard (Ritiro); ROSTER 2022 (Year of end contract) – Edvald Boasson Hagen (23), Maciej Bodnar (23), Niccolò Bonifazio (22), Mathieu Burgaudeau (22), Jérémy Cabot (23), Victor De La Parte (23), Fabien Doubey (22), Sandy Dujardin (23), Valentin Ferron (22), Alexandre Geniez (22), Fabien Grellier (22), Alan Jousseaume (23), Pierre Latour (22), Christopher Lawless (22), Lorrenzo Manzin (22), Daniel Oss (23), Paul Ourselin (22), Cristian Rodriguez (22), Juraj Sagan (22), Peter Sagan (23), Julien Simon (22), Geoffrey Soupe (22), Niki Terpstra (22), Anthony Turgis (22), Dries Van Gestel (22), Alexis Vuillermoz (22)
20 November
The Olympic and world champion in the track team pursuit Francesco Lamon (27) has extended for another year his contract with Biesse Arvedi.
19 November
Colombian Rodrigo Contreras has not been confirmed by Astana and after 3 years with the Kazakh team will return in Colombia to ride for his previous team, a local Continental team, EPM-Scott. The 27 year old Contreras won with a stage of the 2019 Tour of Ruanda.
According to Mundo Ciclistico, after two years with the Spanish team Burgos-BH, the 26-year-old rider Juan Felipe Osorio will return to a Colombian team and will soon sign for the continental team Orgullo Paisa.
The 28 year old climber Simone Petilli extended his contract with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux for one more year, to start his third season with the Belgian team in 2022. The Italian rider distinguished himself in a supporting role when the road went up, but also several times in breakaways. It was in this way that he animated the queen stage in the Tour de Romandie towards Thyon 2000, and finished 18th in the general classification. Later during the season, he participated in the first Giro and Vuelta in the history of the team. In the Giro he finished 8th in Bagno di Romagna. In August, he contributed to a fantastic collective performance in the Vuelta, which he finished in 29th place. Extract from team press release.
Frenchman Emmanuel Morin has not been confirmed by Cofidis and will ride next year for the Continental team Nantes-Atlantique where also Mathias Le Turnier (Delko in 2021) will ride next season.
The latest sign for Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB is the 29-year-old Italian Marco Tizza. Tizza after racing one year with Nippo – Vini Fantini in 2018 had then been forced to go to continental level, wearing the Amore & Vita – Prodir jersey for three seasons. The rider obtained numerous placings and important results, both in Italy and abroad, including two successes between Giro del Portugal and Sibiu Tour, both in 2019.
Gianni Savio’s acquisition continues and Alex Hoehn will join next season Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli. The Kansas rider is a former US U23 road race champion and last year he won the UCI 1.2 GP Erciyes. Hoehn full profile @ procyclingstats.
Michael Hepburn signs on for two more years with Team BikeExchange. The 2022 season will be his 11thconsecutive season with the Australian outfit. The former Australian time trial champion has proven to be a valuable asset with his powerful strength on the flat roads, crucial for protecting and positioning the team leaders in the various Grand Tours and one-day Classic races throughout the lengthy season.
The Hagens Berman Axeon squad has completed its roaster for the 2022 season. After the Danish rider Kasper Andersen, the Irish rider Darren Rafferty, the New Zealander Jack Drage, the Belgian rider Dries De Pooter and the Spanish rider Ivan Romeo, it is the British rider Toby Perry who has signed for the team led by Axel Merckx. Member of a Spanish team this season, La Tova-Asesoría Almudévar, the 21-year old rider has been noted, and will be given a great opportunity, by the American continental team. Perry signed for one year. Press Release
After two years with the EPM-Scott team, Aldemar Reyes has signed with Team Medellin for the 2022 season. In Team Medellin, the 26 year old Colombian rider will join Spanish veteran Oscar Sevilla, 45, who has extended his contract for another season.
18 November
Team DSM and Deceuninck – Quick-Step (the team will be called QuickStep-AlphaVinyl next year), have reached an agreement regarding Ilan Van Wilder’s move to the Belgian team. Team DSM have agreed to release Van Wilder from his contract with immediate effect. The 21-year-old Van Wilder had an agreement with the German team until the end of 2022 and he was willing to bring the dispute with his team to court to request the termination of his contract. According to Wielerflits, today agreement have stopped the lawsuit between the rider and the team. Van Wilder has signed a two year contract with his new team.
UAE Team Emirates did not renew Colombian Cristian Camilo Muñoz contract and he is leaving the team (see also news on 4 Nov), where he has been riding since 2019. The 25-year-old climber will thus return to Colombia, where he will join EPM.
Team Cofidis has completed its squad for the 2022 season. The French team has announce the arrival of Frenchman Alexandre Delettre (24) and Belgian rider Sander Armée (35), who will bring the number of riders wearing the Cofidis colours next year to 31, 13 of which will be new team riders for the 2022 season. Alexandre Delettre has signed up for two seasons and Sander Armée for one season. The 24 years old Delettre, with Delko in 2021, had a good season taking the polka dot jersey at the Étoile de Bessèges and finishing 3rd in the last stage of the Artic Race of Norway. The 35-year-old Belgian Sander Armée, Lotto-Belisol team (2014-2020) and then of the Qhubeka team (2021), won a stage in the Tour of Spain in 2017 and finished second in the 4 Jours de Dunkerque.
QuickStep – Alpha Vinyl have extended the contract of Josef Cerny for two more years. Arrived last year in the team of Patrick Lefevere, the Czech, a time trial specialist, proved to be a devoted domestique and in addition had various good. The team roster seems to be nearly completed with just Mark Cavendish to be officially confirmed and this should happen very soon.
17 November
Team BikeExchange‘s latest official renewal is with of experienced Ethiopian climber Tsgabu Grmay, who has signed a two-year deal.
Liam Bertazzo, World Champion and one of the pillars of the track pursuit quartet, is now renewing with the Professional Vini Zabù, that probably is ceasing activity. A possible destination for him could be Eolo – Kometa.
Erik Baška (Bora- hansgrohe) will not have his contract renewed and the 27 your old Slovakian, for several years a trusted domestique of Peter Sagan, has signed for one year with the Continental Dukla Banska Bystrica.
Adrià Moreno, from stagiaire to professional with Burgos BH. The Catalan rider, who competed in the Vuelta a Portugal as stagiaire of the team, is the fourth signing for next season after signing for one year.
The French team Total-Energies have not confirmed Jerome Cousin that opted for retirement at the age of 32 and will hang up his bike after 12 seasons, ten of which with Jean-René Bernaudeau’s team. The team has also not renewed the contract of Damien Gaudin and Leonardo Bonifazio, Niccolò’s older brother, both are looking for a new destination.
16 November
Mattia Cattaneo signs a two-year contract extension with QuickStep – Alpha Vinyl. Arrived in the Belgian team in 2020, the Lombard rider, a precious support to the team captains, has also been capable of obtaining some important results winning this year the time trial at the Tour of Luxembourg, his third career success after the 2019 Giro dell’Appennino and a stage at the 2017 Tour de la Provence. This year the 31 year old Cattaneo also finished in 12th position at the Tour de France.
Previously linked with Qhubeka, Sjoerd Bax has joined Alpecin – Fenix signing a one year contract. The 25-year-old Dutchman is signing his first professional contract and is joining from Metec – Solarwatt p/b Mantel.
According to the Portuguese newspaper O Jogo, Hector Saez, who was not confirmed by Caja Rural – RGA, signed for one year with the Continental Portuguese team Glassdrive Q8 Anicolor .
15 November
In addition to the recent rumours about the move of Mark Padun to Ineos Grenadiers, Cyclingnews is now linking the Ukrainian, departing from Bahrain Victorious, with has now been linked to EF Education – Nippo.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Damiano Caruso, already under contract until 2023, has signed for a further year and will ride with Bahrain-Victorious until 2024. The Slovenian press has also confirmed that Domen Novak will stay for one more year with the team managed by compatriot Milan Erzen.
Team BikeExchange – Jayco announced today the confirmation of Chris Juul-Jensen in its roster with a two-year contract renewal. During his career, the 32-year-old Danish rider has been a reliable domestique also obtaining some good personal result, such as winning a stage at the Tour of Switzerland 2018 and the Tour of Denmark GC in 2015. Juul-Jensen was also second in the Japan Cup in 2016 and seventh at the Strade Bianche in 2017. Juul-Jensen full profile here.
14 November
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Andrea Guardini has decided to retire at the age of 32 after spending the last two seasons with the Continental team Giotti Victoria. During his career, Guardini has obtained 43 victories including one stage during the 2012 Giro d’Italia sprinting in front of Mark Cavendish, 24 successes in stages of the Tour of Langkawi, and for races in Romania during the last two years with the Italo-Romanian team. Guardini full profile @ procyclingstats.com
13 November
The 30 year old Belgian rider Guillaume Van Keirsbulck has signed a contract for one more year with Alpecin – Fenix after racing with the team’s Development Team in 2021 and participated in a few races with the main Pro Team. Van Keirsbulck is an experienced rider who spent many years with World Tour teams.
Already rumoured for a while, Jan Maas joins BikeExchange – Jayco. The 25-year-old from Leopard Pro Cycling has signed his first professional contract after riding for the last three seasons with the Luxembourg-based continental team. The Dutch rider grew up in the Rabobank development team and then raced two seasons SEG Racing Academy, and as a trainee for LottoNL – Jumbo at the end of 2018. A few years ago, the Dutch rider finished second in the Junior Ronde van Vlaanderen and this year has been often a top-10 finishes in pro-continental races across Europe. Maas has signed for one year.
New signing for Gianni Savio Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli. The 18 year old Norwegian Trym Westgaard Holther will ride in fact with the team from next year after signing a two year contract. The Scandinavian rider is the national time trial champion in his category, a race in which he beat the new world champion junior Per Strand Hagenes. A time trial specialist he turns professional after riding for Sandnes SK.
12 November
Niki Terpstra will continue to ride for TotalEnergies for one more year. The Dutchman won several Classics including the Tour of Flanders (18) and the Paris-Roubaix (14) with Deceuninck-Quick-Step but with the French team he had disappointing seasons. The 37-year-old rider is confident that he can still performe well although recognise that: “The performances of the past may not be possible anymore”. Terpstra will start his fourth season with the team managed Jean-René Bernaudeau and will ride with TotalEnergies new signing Peter Sagan. Terpstra full profile @ procyclingsats.
Team BikeExchange announced a new recruit for the 2022 season. Campbell Stewart (Black Spoke Pro Cycling Academy) a 23 year old New Zealander has signed for the Australian team for the next two years. A track cycling specialist, Stewart has been a world champion in the Omnium (2019), a silver medallist in the Team Pursuit and the Madison (2020), and won the Olympic silver in Tokyo in the Omnium event (2021). He had also a successful 2021 on the road winning 3 times: two stages in A Travers les Hauts de France and one in New Zealand Cycle Classic.
The 20 year old British rider Joseph Laverick have extended for one more year with Hagens Berman Axeon.
11 November
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA have announced the arrival of Michal Schlegel for for the 2022 season. After three years at Elkov-Kasper, the 25-year-old Czech, winner of the Malopolska Tower and third from Sibiu Tour this season, will be back in a Professional Team.
Quick-Step – AlphaVinyl signed the 21 year old Mauro Schmid, winner of the 11th stage at this year’s Giro d’Italia. The young Swiss rider was then riding for Qhubeka and on that stage of the Giro, he triumphed on the “Strade Bianche” around Siena. A former cyclocross rider and biker, Schmid was approached by the Belgian team that offered him a two-year contract once the talented Swiss rider was released from the team due to the previously reported economic problems.
Carlos Canal is the latest and final signing for Euskaltel-Euskadi‘s team for next season. The Basque team has announced the signing for the next two years of the 20-year-old Spaniard, who in the last two years has ridden with Burgos-BH taking part in the Vuelta a España 2021. With this signing, the transfer season of the Basque Professional team is completed with 20 riders confirmed for 2022. Euskaltel-Euskadi – IN Carlos Canal (Burgos), Asier Etxeberria (NeoPro), Unai Iribar (NeoPro), Xabier Isasa (NeoPro); Out Mikel Alonso (Retired), Jokin Aranburu (?), Garikoitz Bravo (Retired), Dzmitry Zhyhunou (?); ROSTER 2022 (Year of end contract) – Antonio Angulo (22), Mikel Aristi (22), Mikel Azparren (22), Ibai Azurmendi (22), Iker Ballarín (22), Mikel Bizkarra (23), Joan Bou (22), Carlos Canal (23), Unai Cuadrado (22), Asier Etxeberria (23), Peio Goikoetxea (22), Unai Iribar (23), Julen Irizar (22), Xabier Isasa (23), Mikel Iturria (22), Txomin Juaristi (22), Juan José Lobato (23), Gotzon Martín (22), Luis Angel Maté (22), Antonio Soto (22)
Astana Qazaqstan has signed the experienced Kazakh rider Andrey Zeits. After two years with Team BikeExchange, Zeits returns to Astana where the 34 year old started his career in 2008. The Kazakh had one win in his pro experience, a stage at 2015 Tour of Hainan where he was second in the general classification and he was also second in the GC at the 2011 Tour of Turkey.
10 November
Belgian pistard talent Tuur Dens, who won a silver medal in the scratch race at the last world championships on the Roubaix track in France, will turn professional with Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise in 2022. Dens, 21, from Flemish Brabant, has signed a two-year contract with the Belgian professional team. Tuur will also be active on the road, something he did again this year for the Hubo Titan Cargo Cycling Team. Last September, Dens won the team race together with compatriot Kenny De Ketele at the track Nations Cup in Cali, Colombia.
According to journalists from Wielerflits, the INEOS Grenadiers could soon announce the signature of Mark Padun, who is ready to end his relationship with Bahrain-Victorious. The Ukrainian rider had an impressive season culminating in winning the last two mountain stages of the Critérium du Dauphiné.
Alexandre Balmer will enter in a WorldTour team next season after two years with La Conti Groupama-FDJ. The Australian team Team BikeExchange have signed the 21-year-old Swiss rider until 2023 and made it official today on its team website. As un U18 he was in second place in the road race of the European Championships , and in the U23 category, he was the 2020 Time Trail Swiss champion and obtained several good placing.
Team-mate of Mathieu van der Poel in Alpecin-Fenix, Dutchman Roy Jans will retire at the end of the season. According to Wielerflits, he has decided to retire because of persistent knee problems over the past two years. Jans full profile @ procyclingstats
9 November
According to Ciro Scognamiglio from La Gazzetta dello Sport, Jakub Mareczko, now with the ProTeam ViniZabu, will join Alpecin-Fenix next year with a two year deal.
Both Damiano Cima (Rusvelo Team) and Thomas Boudat (Arkea-Samsic) have not had their contract renewed for 2022 and are still looking for a new team for next year.
According to wieleflits.com, Niki Terpstra will remain with his current team. The Dutchman has had his contract extended for another year with Team Total Energies.
According to reports in the Slovakian media Pravdal, Team Total Energies should have also secured the services of Juraj Sagan, who would thus follow his brother Peter to continue their career together. The team has yet made official from the team.
Sacha Modolo returns to Bardiani CSF Faizanè after his contract was not renewed by Alpecin – Fenix. The 34 year old from Conegliano (Veneto) returns to the Reveberi’s team where he started is professional career in 2010 wearing the jersey of Colnago – CSF Inox. Modolo collected a total of 47 races, was a stage winner at the Tour of Luxembourg this summer and will be remembered for the two successes at the 2014 Giro d’Italia. After three years with Colnago – CSF and one with the Bardiani team (all with Reverberi), he moved for six years in the WorldTour with Lampre – Merida (2014-2017) and Education First (2018-2019) before joining the Belgian team last year.
The Continental team Hagens Berman Axeon today announced the signing of two-time Spanish national junior champion Iván Romeo for next year. Young prodigy Ivan Romeo has signed up with the Hagens Berman Axeon team for the 2022 season. Romeo, 18, won both the Spanish road and time trial championships in the junior category this year.
Burgos – BH announced the contract extension for one more year of three of its most promising riders: Angel Fuentes (25), Ander Okamika (28) and Alex Molenaar (22).
Rally Cycling has announced that a sponsorship agreement has been reached with the Human Powered Health platform for 2022 and 2023. This will then be the new name under which we will see the US formation in the peloton from next year. Human Powered Health is a wellness programme launched by Circuit Sport, the firm that owns the American team.
8 November
Britain’s Harry Tanfield has signed for Continental formation Ribble Weldtite. It’s a significant step back for the 26-year-old Qhubeka NextHash rider, who turned pro in 2019 and spent three seasons with WorldTour teams: Katusha Alpecin (2019), AG2R La Mondiale (2020) and Team Qhubeka NextHash (2021). His 24 year old brother Charlie will also race alongside him.
Dario Cataldo is the latest addition to the Trek – Segafredo team. The American team closes has now completed his roster for the 2022 season with the arrival of the expert rider from Abruzzo, who ended his releshionship with Movistar. The 36 year old rider from Larciano has signed a one-year contract. Cataldo, a stage winner at the 2019 Giro d’Italia, will be on his 16th season in his career, which began in 2007 with the Liquigas team.
7 November
Egan Bernal dismisses rumours of discontent at Ineos Grenadiers. A few weeks ago, some media reported that Egan Bernal was unhappy with his team INEOS Grenadiers. The Colombian even thought about changing team, Israel Start-Up Nation was mentioned, but he denied this information. “I have never spoken to Israel,” adding “I’m not going anywhere. Nothing has ever happened” he told Marca on Saturday on the sidelines of the Giro Criterium in Dubai. Bernal also remarked that he he had no problems with Yates at the Vuelta.
6 Novembre
Trek-Segafredo is interested in Thibau Nys, the U23 Road Race European Continental Champions U23. Nys is a cyclocross specialist as his famous father Sven that confirmed the news to the microphones of Het Laatste Nieuws, adding that there are other WorldTour teams interested and that they will take all the time necessary to make the best decision.
In a video posted by Wahoo, Peter Kennaugh said he would be considering a return to cycling. After hanging up his bike in April 2019, the 32-year-old Briton is said to be rediscovering his enjoyment of cycling and riding. The two-time national road race champion and Isle of Man native raced with Team Sky for eight years, taking a total of 11 wins, including two stages at the Tour of Dauphiné, the 2016 Cadel Road Race and the 2014 Settimana Coppi e Bartali.
This year’s Il Lombardia runner-up Fausto Masnada has signed a new contract, through 2024, with QuickStep – Alpha Vinyl. The Belgian team has announced on its website the extension of the contract of the rider from Bergamo until the end of 2024. In 2021, Masnada, born today 28 years ago, was third in the GC in the Tour of Romandie and had a season complicated by a tedious knee tendinitis.
After a 17-year career, Fumiyuki Beppu will no longer be in the peloton next season. The EF Education-Nippo rider announced on his Instagram profile that he is retiring from racing after a difficult year in which the 38-year-old only managed to put together 25 days of racing. One of Japan’s best-known riders, Beppu has raced for some of the world’s top teams in his career. Having turned professional in 2005 with Discovery Channel, the five-time national champion, three time trials and two road races, wearing the jerseys of Skil-Shimano, RadioShack, Orica GreenEdge, Trek, Delko One Provence and EF Education-Nippo.
5 November
Although already widely announced, Oscar Sevilla‘s wish to continue his career in 2022 has been fulfilled. The 45-year-old Spaniard, who recently finished second in the RCN Clasico behind team-mate Fabio Duarte, will extend his contract with Team Medellin-EPM and play a sixth season with the Colombian team.
Lawson Craddock joins Team BikeExchange – Jayco. The 29 year old American rider has signed a two-year contract with the Australian team and he is the current US time trial champion.
According to a report by Het Nieuwsblad, Belgian rider Jonas Castrique will no longer be in the professional peloton in 2022. The 24 year old rider has decided to end his career as his contract with Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB has not been renewed and no offers to him were made by other teams.
4 November
Rally Cycling has communicated the signing of the American Chad Haga, who recently announced his farewell to Team DSM, the team where he had spent the last eight years. The 33-year-old, who won the last stage of the 2019 Giro d’Italia, returns to the team with which he took his first steps as a professional in the 2012 and 2013 seasons. This arrival, in addition to those already announced in recent weeks of the Norwegians Aasvold and Jensen, the American Hecht and the Dutchman Krul, completes the team’s roster for next year. Rally Cycling complete roster 2022: Kristian Aasvold (22), Stephen Bassett (22), Nathan Brown (22), Robin Carpenter (22), Pier-André Coté (22), Arvid De Kleijn (22), Adam De Vos (22), Chad Haga (22), Gage Hecht (23), August Jensen (22), Colin Joyce (22), Ben King (22), Wessel Krul (23), Gavin Mannion (22), Kyle Murphy (22), Joey Rosskopf (22), Keegan Swirbul (22), Nickolas Zukowsky (22)
According to Het Nieuwsblad the Belgian Guillaume Van Keirsbulck is expected to stay for another year at Alpecin-Fenix.
The Israel Start-Up Nation team have announced the renewal of the four Israeli riders in the squad, sprinter Itamar Einhorn, who won a stage at the Tour of Slovakia 2021, former national champion Guy Sagiv, the Israeli 2021 time trial champion Omer Goldstein and Guy Niv. Einhorn has signed a contract valid for the next two seasons, for the other three the extension is for one year.
Swiss Mauro Schmid (Qhubeka NextHash), winner of the Montalcino stage of the Giro d’Italia 2021, has told radsport-news that he has already signed for a World Team without revealing the name of the team.
Two new additions to the Cofidis squad for next season. Joining the French team are Italian Davide Villella, not confirmed by Movistar, and German Max Walscheid, who in the last two years has ridden with the South African formation of Qhubeka NextHash.
It is now official, Louis Vervaeke has joined Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl. The 28-year-old Belgian signed a two-year contract with the Belgium team. He turned professional in 2015 with the Lotto Soudal and raced with them for three years. The climber then moved to Team Sunweb in 2018 and in the last two seasons he has raced with Alpecin-Fenix. This year Vervaeke best results for 2020 are a 20th place in the General Classification and with a fourth stage place in the Giro d’Italia.
25-year-old Colombian Cristian Camilo Muñoz told Ciclismo Internacional that he has not received a renewal offer from UAE Team Emirates and has not been contacted by any European teams. The young climber is 25-year-old Cristian Camilo Muñoz, who told Ciclismo Internacional that he has not received a renewal offer from UAE Team Emirates and has not been contacted by any European teams. The young climber is in talks with several Colombian teams.
Movistar announced four more renewals following the official confirmation of the permanence of Alejandro Valverde for the 2022 season. Imanol Erviti, Luis Mas, Jose Rojas and Albert Torres have renewed for one more year with the Spanish team. There are now 29 men in the team roster for the next season and the remaining end of contract riders are expected to leave the team for still unknown destinations.
3 November
New contract extension at EF Education-Nippo. The 25-year-old Dutchman Julius Van Den Berg will remain with the team for the next two years.
For the 2022 season, 33-year-old Alexandre Geniez has been confirmed by Team TotalEnergies. The French, who has won three stages at the Vuelta a España and the Tre Valli Varesine 2017 in his career, next year will hang up his bike, as confirmed to La Depeche.
The latest addition for next year to Eolo-Kometa team is the Spanish climber Álex Martín, (no related to David Martin recently signed to the squad) which has been promoted from the Contador Foundation U23 team. This year, the 21-year-old Martín won the general classification of the Vuelta a Galicia. The roster of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador can now be considered completed since they now count on 21 riders for 2022.
According to Wielerflits, 25-year-old the Dutchman Jan Maas, who has been racing with Leopard Pro Cycling for the past three years, is expected to sign a one-year contract with BikeExchange-Jayco soon.
BEAT Cycling’s Belgian Jules Hesters will ride for Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise for the next two years. The almost 23-year-old sprinter is also a talented track cyclist and recently he took fifth place in the elimination race at the World Championships in Roubaix won by Elia Viviani. ,Hesters was also seventh at last August’s GP Marcel Kint, won by Alvaro Hodeg.
The 24-year-old German Martin Salmon has confirmed to radsport-news that his contract with Team DSM will not be renewed and that, should he not receive any offers from other teams, he may well hang up his bike and start a new chapter in his life.
Switzerland’s Joel Suter, who told the German newspaper radsport-news that he is looking for a team for 2022 as his current team, Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, has not offered him a renewal. The 23 year old Swiss rider was second in a stage of the 2020 Tour du Limousin and was fourth in a stage of the Tour de Suisse this year. At the beginning of August, the Swiss had a crash at the Tour of Portugal and was unable to ride for the rest of the 2021 season.
2 November
Hideto Nakane will continue into 2022 with EF Education-Nippo. The U.S. WorldTour team announced the extension of the contract of the 31-year-old Japanese rider, who joined the team a year ago after a season with the transalpine team of Delko and three years with the Italian Nippo-Vini Fantini. Nakene only had one professional success in his career, winning stage six of the 2020 Tour de Langkawi.
1 November
Elia Viviani‘s return to Ineos Grenadiers is now official. The sprinter from Verona, after a difficult two-year experience at Cofidis, comes back with a three-year contract in the British team, his former team from 2015 to 2017. Despite his problem in the last two years, the 32 years old Viviani is still considered one of the best sprinters worldwide and a formidable asset for track cycling too.
Ineos Grenadiers continues to focus about its future and after signing Luke Plapp, Magnus Sheffield and Ben Tulett, today the British team announced the signing of Kim Heiduk and Ben Turner for the next two seasons. The 22-year-old from Doncaster Turner from Trinity Racing Team, has followed a very similar path to Tom Pidcock, having started out in cyclocross and alternating road and cyclocross. The 21 year-old Heiduk from Team Lotto – Kern Haus is the winner of German Under-23 national road champion and of a stage at Tour d’Eure-et-Loir.
The Basque Omar Fraile has signed a two-year contract with Inoes Grenadiers. The Spanish national champion leaves Astana after four years where in 2018 won a stage at the Tour de France.
Jesùs David Peña will ride for the next two years with Team BikeExchange – Jayco. For the 21 year old Colombian this is the first year as a professional rider and in his palmarès as Under 23 twice the victory in the Vuelta a Colombia in his category. Peña was also second, behind Juan Ayuso, in the seventh stage of the last Giro d’Italia U23.
The Gazprom-RusVelo team has unveiled its final line-up for the 2022 season. The Russian team will have 21 riders in its ranks, including many new recruits: Italians Giovanni Carboni (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), Nicola Conci (Trek-Segafredo), Andrea Piccolo (Viris Vigevano), Matteo Malucelli (Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec) and Alessandro Fedeli (Team Delko), the Costa Rican Kevin Rivera (who was without a team after his departure from Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), the Spaniard Jose Manuel Diaz (Team Delko), the Czech rider Michael Kukrle (Elkov-Kasper) or the Norwegian Eirik Lunder (Team Coop). Ilnur Zakarin and the following riders have all been confirmed for next season: Marco Canola, Cristian Scaroni, Pavel Kochetkov, Petr Rikunov, Ivan Rovny e Dmitry Strakhov. “Today we can say that our 2022 roster is complete,” team manager Dmitri Sedoun said on his team’s website. Gazprom-RusVelo 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract): Marco Canola (22), Giovanni Carboni (22), Nikolay Cherkasov (22), Sergei Chernetski (22), Nicola Conci (22), José Manuel Diaz (22), Alessandro Fedeli (22), Pavel Kochetkov (22), Michael Kukrle(23), Eirik Lunder (23), Matteo Malucelli (22), Denis Nekrasov (22), Artem Nych (22), Andrea Piccolo (22), Petr Rikunov (22), Kevin Rivera (22), Ivan Rovny (22), Cristian Scaroni (22), Dmitry Strakhov (22), Mathias Vacek (22), Ilnur Zakarin (22).
18-year-old Matyas Kopecky, the reigning Czech junior champion, has signed a contract until 2023 with the Professional Novo Nordisk team.
Continental Team Tirol KTM Cycling Team has announced their latest new riders for 2022: the 21 year old Czech Karel Vacek, previous riding for Qhubeka. The existing team includes: Paul Buschek, Felix Engelhardt, Matevz Govekar, Stefan Kovar, Florian Lipowitz, Logan Mclain, Kevin Rosola and Emanuel Zangerle.
31 October
Jonathan Castroviejo, Jhonatan Narvaez, Salvatore Puccio, Brandon Rivera, Ben Swift, Geraint Thomas (?) have all renewed for one more year and an official announcement is expected within days.
The 25 year old Spanish Isaac Canton will not renew with Burgos-BH and he is now looking for a new team.
Tuur Dens is joining Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise. The 21-year-old arrives as a neopro and has signed a two-year deal with the Belgian team.
30 October
Sjoerd Bax after this year excellent season with the continental team Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel was expected to move with Quebeka. The difficult situation of the South African team has opened new scenarios and, according to Wielerlifts’ sources, the 25 year old is requested by Jumbo-Visma, Rally Cycling and Alpecin-Fenix, that seems the closest to the Dutch rider.
According to Radsport, Jempy Drucker will not see his contract renewed after just one year at Cofidis. Drucker does not want to stop at 35 and is still looking for a new team.
According to Wielerlifts, after two seasons with Team BikeExchange (Mitchelton-Scott in 2020), the 34 year old Kazakh Andrey Zeits is ready to return home with Astana Qazakstan.
29 October
Three new signings for the 2022 Eolo-Kometa squad. The Italian professional team has announced the signing of Mirco Maestri (Bardiani), Giovanni Lonardi (Bardiani) and Simone Bevilacqua (Vini Zabù). They will be added to the team roster after the recent announcement of Diego Rosa and David Martin. Maestri leaves the Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè after six years and this year he has achieved two successes in Slovenia races. Also Lonardi is joining from Bardiani, where he raced in the last two years. In his career, Lonardi has obtained four victories including a stage at Tour of Bulgaria. Bevilacqua leaves Vini Zabù after four seasons and he is the winner of a stage at Tour de Langkawi 2019.
Belgians Tiesj Benoot and Ilan Van Wilder may soon leave Team DSM. Lotto Soudal has expressed is interest and team manager John Lelangue confirmed this to Het Laatste Nieuws.
The Kazakhstan-based Astana have announced the two-year contract renewal of Italians Fabio Felline, Manuele Boaro and Davide Martinelli and Colombian Harold Tejada, who will remain with the team until at least the end of the 2023 season.
Wielerflits reports that Sacha Modolo and Alexandar Richardson will not be part of the Alpecin-Fenix squad for next season. Their new destination is still unknown.
Maurits Lammertink is recovering from the accident he was involved in in June, when he was hit by a scooter. According to Wielerflits, Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert would be willing to offer him a renewal if the 31-year-old Dutchman returns to racing once he has received the OK from his doctors.
The 20 year old Xabier Isasa (Laboral Kutxa) will ride for Euskaltel-Euskadi for the next two seasons, 2022 and 2023. In 2021 in his category, Isasa was the winner of three Spanish races (in Muxika, Oiartzun and Helduz), obtained several placing (second in the Vuelta a Madrid, in Antzuola, Gatzaga, Oñati, Gernika and Aretxabaleta and fourth in the Volta a Valencia, and also competed in the Giro U23.
Julen Amézqueta from Navarra and Colombians Jhojan García and Juan Fernando Calle will continue to ride for the ProTeam Caja Rural-Seguros RGA next season, after extending contracts for one more year. In 2021 Amézqueta (in his fourth year with the team) was third overall in the Vuelta a Andalucía, seventh in the Route d’Occitanie, ninth in the Spanish Championships and sixth in Castilla y León. García finished fourth in the Tour of Turkey and the Tour of Hongrie, and was penalised by been positive for COVID at the end of the season. The young Colombian climber Calle had the season compromised by injuries. He has now fully recovered and ready to dimostrate his talent.
28 October
A new signing for Rally Cycling for the 2022 season. The U.S. Professional team announced the signing of August Jensen, a 30-year-old Norwegian who rode with the French Delko team this year. Jensen raced in the past for Team Coop, Israel Cycling Academy and Riwal Securitas and won a stage at the Arctic Race of Norway in 2017. After Kristian Aasvold, Jensen is the second Norwegian to join the American team.
Two confirmations at Lotto Soudal, that has made official the renewal for the next year of Steff Cras and Matthew Holmes.
Alpecin – Fenix has announced the arrival of Fabio Van Den Bossche signing a two-year contract. Already a professional since 2020 with Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise, he has shown his qualities, especially in the races in the North and has participated twice in the Tour of Flanders.
The newspaper La Marseillaise has reported that Lucas De Rossi (a relative of the former AS Roma footballer) and Julien Trarieux, both from the now closed Team Delko, are expected to move to the emerging continental Team Sprinter Nice Métropole.
Krits Neilands will still ride for Israel Start-Up Nation. The 27 year old Latvian has signed a new two-year contract.
The Czech Michael Kukrle (with Elkov – Author since 2016) will ride in a Professional team for the first time in his career. This year’s national road race champion, Kukrle also won several races in Eastern Europe and next year will part with Gazprom-Rusvelo where he sign.
Movistar follows the talented Iván Romeo closely, but the 18-year-old Spaniard will not yet ride for the WorldTour team next year. Romeo will first sign a contract with the talent team of Hagens Berman Axeon, reports Marca. Last summer Romeo became junior Spanish champion on the road and in the time trial. That aroused the interest of Movistar, which seriously considered transferring the junior to the pros next winter. In 2022 Romeo will first join Hagens Berman Axeon, the continental training team of manager Axel Merckx. Possibly he will stay there only for half a year, because according to Marca, it is likely that the 18-year-old rider in the summer still switches to the main team of Movistar. According to reports, a three-year WorldTour contract is ready for Romeo.
Nicola Bagioli has decided to leave professional cycling. The 26 year old Italian rider announced on social media his intention to put aside his bicycle and to follow with his partner on an artisanal local activity (the handcrafted production of soapstone pots typical of the Valmalenco where he lives). The career of the Italian rider from B&B Hotels p/b KTM has therefore come to an end at just 26 years of age. Nicola Bagioli full profile @procyclingstats
27 October
Two new transfers for Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli. Gianni Savio’s team, in fact, will welcome next year the young Colombian Brandon Rojas, as confirmed by the 19-year-old himself in an interview with El Colombiano. Also the 22-year-old Jeison Casallas (Colombia-Tierra de Atletas) confirmed to El Colombiano that he would be moving to Drone Hopper next season.
Two renewals at Astana Qazaqstan. The team directed by Alexander Vinokourov has extended the contracts of two Kazakh riders Dmitriy Gruzdev and Artyom Zakharov until 2023.
EF Education-Nippo announced today the addition of the Polish rider Łukasz Wiśniowski. The 29-year-old Polish from Qhubeka NextHash have previously ridden with Etixx-QuickStep, Team Sky and CCC and competed in four Grand Tours and eleven MonumentClassics. Wiśniowski, whose career-best result is a second place at Omloop Het Nieuwsblad 2018, will reinforce the American team in the Classics and signed for one year.
Team Novo Nordisk has announced the first four renewals for next season. The riders involved are David Lozano, Stephen Clancy, Declan Irvine and Mehdi Benhamouda. All four riders have signed an agreement that expires in 2022.
B&B Hotels p/b KTM has officially extended the contracts of three riders. The French team have renewed their contracts with Cyril Lemoine until 2022 and with Eliot Lietaer and Sebastian Schönberger until 2023.
The Australian team Team BikeExchange announced today that the stagiaire Kelland O’Brien has signed for two seasons his first professional contract. O’Brien just a few months won the bronze medal in the Team Pursuit at the Tokyo 2020 Games. The 23-year-old Australian, who is a former world champion in the discipline, has also shown himself on the road at national level, taking second place in the road race and third in the time trial at the 2021 National Championships at the start of the season.
Andrea Bagioli extend with the Quick Step. The 22-year-old will continue with the Wolfpack until at least the end of 2023. During a difficult 2021, the young Italian rider had to fight a persistent knee injury that kept him off his bike after a promising early season marked by a win in France at Royal Bernard Drome Classic. He was soon forced to stop and only from July he was able to comeback displaying some strong performances.
26 October
James Shaw (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling) joins EF Education-NIPPO after signing a one year contract. Aged 25, the British rider will support the team in the Classics. During this season, Shaw obtained some good results on the climbing stages of the Tour of Slovenia and the Tour of Norway.
According to a report from AS, Sebastian Mora is without a team at the moment since Movistar will not renew his contract.
27-year-old Oscar Pelegri will be racing in a Pro team for the first time, after signing with Burgos – BH for 2022.
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert has not renewed the contract of Jasper De Plus, who now appears to be retiring from professional cycling. According to WielerFlits, the 24-year-old did not receive any further offers and has decided to hang up his bike. The winner of Chrono des Nations U23 (2019), had as best result with the Belgian team only a ninth place in the Belgian time trial championships in 2020.
Florian Maitre is leaving the pro scene for the moment, since the French rider was unable to renew his contract with Team TotalEnergies. On the other hand, Julien Simon, Paul Ourselin and Dries Van Gestel all extending their respective contracts with the Professional team for another season.
In an interview to El Colombiano, Oscar Sevilla said that he will continue in the peloton in 2022. Aged at 45, the Spanish rider is currently with the Continental Colombian team Team Medellin – EPM and he has been on the cycling scene for more than twenty years with the most important in Europe where in 2001 he finished second in the Vuelta a España, then fourth the following year, and seventh in the Tour de France. The Iberian climber turned professional in 1998 with the Kelme team, and has achieved in his career over fifty victories, including the final classifications of Vuelta Asturias, the Vuelta de Madrid and Vuelta a San Juan.
Stan Van Tricht signs for Deceuninck – Quick-Step. Stan Van Tricht (22) has been racing with the team as a stagiaire since the 1 Aug 21. The Leuven born Van Tricht signed for two years.
25 October
Wout Poels will still be a rider for Bahrain Victorious. The team announced his contract extension for another year. Initially the 2016 Liege – Bastogne – Liege winner seemed not to have been reappointed by the team, but as previously indicated by wielerflits.com, the situation changed and Poels will be racing with Bahrain Victorious at least up to the end of 2022. Poels full profile @procyclingstats.
The French team B&B Hotels p/b KTM has announced the contract extension of four riders, Jens Debusschere, Jérémy Lecroq and Cyril Barthe have extended their contracts for two more seasons, while Julien Morice has signed for one more season only.
Stijn Steels will spend a third season in the Wolfpack. The 32-year-old Belgian arrived in Deceuninck-Quick Step in 2020 from Roompot-Charles and it is considered the perfect domestique especially in the one-week stage races. Steels renewed for one more year.
Three contract renewals at TotalEnergies. The 2021 team of Peter Sagan, has in fact formalized the contract extension for one season of the sprinters Chris Lawless and Lorenzo Manzin and of Fabien Grellier
Team Novo Nordisk has official announced the signing of three riders moved from their Development Team to the Professional team. Belgian Robbe Ceurens, Dutch Jan Dunnewind and Italian Filippo Ridolfo have all signed for two seasons up to the end of 2023. The team is known also for having athletes with diabetes in its ranks.
Arkéa-Samsic has announced the renewal for the 2022 season of two riders: Benjamin Declerq and Christophe Noppe.
Tiesj Benoot and Team DSM are about to part ways. After a few misunderstandings and clashes over the past few months, everything seemed to be back on track with the signing of the renewal, but now the parties are reportedly agreeing on a termination. According to WielerFlits, the break-up is now imminent and the previously agreed renewal until the end of 2022 is about to be cancelled, with the Belgian already looking for a new team. Like him, previously other top members of the team such as Marcel Kittel (2015), Warren Barguil, Edward Theuns (2018), Tom Dumoulin (2019), Michael Matthews (2020) and Marc Hirschi (2021) broke off their relationship with the German team before the agreed conclusion of the contract. Jumbo-Visma and Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert have been mentioned as his possible 2022 destination.
Vincenzo Albanese, Mark Christian, Francesco Gavazzi and Edward Ravasi have renewed their contracts with Eolo – Kometa. Vincenzo Albanese, one of the most outstanding riders of this season, renews for two seasons, while the British Mark Christian and the Italians Francesco Gavazzi and Edward Ravasi extend their relationship with the team for one year.. Together with the Portuguese Daniel Viegas, the Hungarians Erik Fetter and Márton Dina, the Italians Davide Bais, Alessandro Fancellu and Samuele Rivi and the Spaniards Sergio García, Arturo Grávalos, Alejandro Ropero and Diego Pablo Sevilla, who had signed for two seasons last winter, as well as the already renewed Lorenzo Fortunato, the number of riders confirmed for next season rises to 14.
24 October
After 8 years with Team DSM, Chad Haga has decided to leave the team. The American has contributed to the many victories of his teammates and has also been able to get personal win such as the victory in the final time trial of the 2019 Giro d’Italia. On his Instagram profile, Haga has announced his intention not to continue racing with his current team and it seems that he has already reached an agreement for next season that should soon be official announced.
According to information revealed on the Twitter account of Ciclismo en Linea, Juan Diego Alba will ride for the Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli team in 2022. After two disappointing seasons with the Movistar Team, the 24-year-old Colombian climber will move down one level to the Italian ProTeam. In the team managed by Gianni Savio, the 2019 Giro d’Italia U23 stage winner, third on the General Classification, would join compatriots Daniel Munoz, Jhonatan Restrepo and Santiago Umba.
23 October
The two Slovaks Erik Baška and Juraj Sagan did not have their contracts renewed by Bora-Hansgrohe after the three-time world champion Peter Sagan decided to leave the German team and join TotalEnergies (it seems difficult for them to find a place in the French squad). According to Novy Cas, an offer has been made to both of them by Slovakian continental team Dukla Banska Bystrica. According to the rumours, Baška has also received offers from other teams, while Juraj Sagan is even considering retirement.
After failing to renew his contract with Deceunink-Quick Step, Ian Garrison has found a new home. The American rider has just signed up with L39ion of Los Angeles for a season, returning to his homeland. The 23-year-old hopes, a former US time trial champion, will attempt to revive his career, which is struggling to take off after his 2nd place finish in the U23 Worlds time trial in 2019.
In an interview to VeloNews, the Androni Giocattoli-Drone Hopper team general manager Gianni Savio, said that although the team is not among the 34 applications submitted to the International Cycling Union (UCI) for the WorldTour and ProTeam entries for next season, there is no problem for next year and some of the administrative procedures will be completed in the next few days. The current 2022 roster include the new arrivals Grosu, Marengo and neopro Gabriele Benedetti (Italian U23 champion) and several riders 2021 team riders which had recently renewed for the new season: Bais, Ravanelli, Sepulveda, Munoz, Bisolti and Chirico. The others confirmed are Ponomar, Umba, Marchiori, Cepeda, Restrepo, Vigo, Tagliani and Tesfatsion. The team have recently terminated the contract with Jerman and will soon announce the recruitment of two interesting young Colombians.
With the demise of the DELKO team at the beginning of October, several riders have yet to find a new home for the 2022 season. Experienced rider Eduard Prades has signed a contract with Spanish ProTeam Caja Rural – Seguros RGA for the next season. He already rode for this team in the past, between 2015 and 2017. The 34-year-old from Alcazar won during his career several races including the Presidential Cycling Tour of Turkey (18), the Tour of Norway (18), the Vuelta Aragón (19), Philadelphia Cycling Classic (16) and the Gran Premio Città di Peccioli – Coppa Sabatini (15).
The 18-year-old Belgian rider Dries De Pooter, since the 1 Aug a stagiaire for the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert WorldTour team, will be riding for a continental team next season as Hagens Berman Axeon made his arrival official on its Twitter account on a two-year deal. De Pooter full profile @ procyclingstats
22 October
According to Cyclingnews, Geraint Thomas is expected to continue with Ineos Grenadiers next season. The Welshman joined the then known Team Sky in 2010 and is likely to renew his contract, which expires at the end of this year. The 35-year-old, who in recent months had also been approached by Cofidis and Qhubeka NextHash, is now just a few details away from signing the contract extension.
As reported by DirectVelo, the Frenchman Marlon Gaillard, who has not received an offer of renewal from TotalEnergies, has decided to retire from professional cycling, despite his young age, to return to his university studies.
Burgos-BH today has announced the renewal of five riders. The Spanish team has extended the contracts of some of its most representative riders, such as Daniel Navarro, Ángel Madrazo, Jetse Bol, Óscar Cabedo and Jesús Ezquerra.
After Mateusz Gajdulewicz and Kacper Gieryk, the HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski team has announced the signing of three young riders, Michal Pomorski, Milosz Osko and Dominik Gorak. Aged 18, 19 and 20 respectively, the three Poles will be making their debut at Continental level in 2022. While Dominik Gorak was crowned Polish junior time trial champion in 2019, Milosz Osko and Michal Pomorski finished second in the road race of the Polish championships in the same category, Osko in 2020 and Pomorski in 2021.
Renewals also for with the French team Arkéa Samsic, which announced the confirmation of Maxime Bouet, Romain Hardy, Kévin Ledanois and Laurent Pichon for next season.
Matteo Sobrero signs for two years with BikeExchange – Jayco. After a year at NTT Pro Cycling and one at Astana – Premier Tech, the Italian time trial champion now is joining the Australia Team to continue his growing career.
Alexandr Riabushenko, Simone Velasco and Michele Gazzoli officially join Astana Qazaqstan. The Kazakh team has formalised today these expected addition to the team and all signed a two-year contract for 2022 and 2023.
21 October
Davide Ballerini renews for two more years with Deceuninck-QuickStep. In his second year with the Belgium team, Ballerini became the first Italian in eight years to win Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and was able to achieve two more victories and several placings.
A talented young sprinter has signed up with the Rally Cycling team until 2023. Joining his compatriot Arvid de Kleijn in the American ProTeam, Wessel Krul (21) arrives from the SEG Racing Academy. Vice-champion of the Netherlands for Juniors and U23 in 2018 and 2019, Wessel Krul has won a stage of the Ronde de l’Isard last year, before winning this season a stage of the Flanders Tomorrow Tour.
Dorian De Maeght has been a trainee with Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB since 1 August and now the Belgium team has confirmed that he will be riding with them for the next two seasons. Previously De Maeght has been riding for the CT Borgonjon-Dewasport.
Team Total Energies announced that it has extended the contracts of Edvald Boasson Hagen, Jéremy Cabot and Victor De la Parte until 2023.
Canadian Raphaël Parisella has joined B&B Hotels p/b KTM. The French team has announced a two-year contract for the 19-year-old, who raced last season in the Sables Vendée Cyclisme jersey.
The young Spaniard David Martìn, who made a name for himself thanks to his excellent sprint riding for the Contador Foundation in the Under 23 category, is now ready to make the big leap into professional racing with the Eolo – Kometa team. The Italo-Spanish team has announced the signing of a two-year agreement with the Andalusian rider.
The experienced Portuguese rider Tiago Machado extended for one more year with Radio Popular Boavista. During his long career, the 36 year old won only one race (Tour de Slovénie in 2014) but obtained several placings in important competitions. Machado full profile @ procyclingstats
20 October
As reported by Het Nieuwsblad, the 34-year-old Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert rider Pieter Vanspeybrouck has decided to retire. He has end his career after 14 years of pro riding and only one success, the 2011 Sparkassen Giro. Turned professional in 2008, the Belgian has spent almost his entire career at Topsport Vlaanderen, moving to his current team in 2017.
The Spanish team Movistar have made official the arrival of Will Barta. The American rider, who comes from EF Education-Nippo, has signed a two-year contract and will therefore reinforce Eusebio Unzue’s team with his qualities. The 1996-born rider is a strong time trialist and has achieved some great results riding against the clock.
Giacomo Nizzolo will ride for the Israel Start-Up Nation next season. On its social channels, the Israeli team announced today the signing of the former Italian and European champion for the next two seasons. The Italian rider leaves the Qhubeka NextHash team, with which he raced for the last three seasons.
The Spanish ProTeam Caja Rural-Seguros RGA announced today a one year contract extension for three of its riders: Jonathan Lastra, fourth in the Tour of Algarve this season and well placed in several races, Ivaro Cuadros and the Venezuelan Orluis Aular.
Rob Britton said on his Instagram account that he is quitting professional cycling. Rally Cycling will lose one of its iconic riders, Britton in fact has been a member of the American team since 2016. The 37-year-old Canadian won the Tour of Utah in 2017, as well as the Tour of the Gila on two occasions (2015 and 2018). Britton full profile @procyclingstats
Zdenek Stybar stays at Deceuninck-QuickStep. The Czech signed a new one-year contract with the Belgian team, where he is one of the main points of reference for the Northern Classics, which are still his main objectives for the final stage of his career. Stybar joined Patrick Lefevere’s team in 2011 after a successful cyclo-cross career (where he won two world titles). During his career he has achieved prestigious successes such as Strade Bianche, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, E3 BinckBank Classic and Eneco Tour, as well as stages in the Tour de France and Vuelta a España.
Valerio Conti and Antonio Nibali are joining Astana Qazaqstan. The official confirmation of the two transfers already anticipated in the last weeks arrived this morning from the Kazakhstani team. Both signed a two-year contract. The 28 year old from Rome. Conti leaves the UAE Team Emirates after eight and a half seasons (he started in the summer as a trainee in Lampre-Merida), and where he had four professional victories, including a stage at the Vuelta a España. In 2019, Conti wore the Maglia Rosa (the Pink Jersey) at Giro d’Italia for six days. Vincenzo Nibali’s brother, Antonio, after initially signing a one year renewal with Trek – Segafredo, in recent weeks cancelled that signed agreement to follow his older brother back to Astana. The 29 year old from Messina has one win in his career, a stage at the 2018 Tour of Austria.
Italian rider Giovanni Carboni (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè) will change team in 2022. The 26-year-old rider shared this information on his Instagram account. “Life is a succession of moments, a sporting career is a succession of seasons. Last Sunday, the 2021 season ended for me and, after four years, my adventure at Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè also ends. Thanks for everything and good luck for the Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè”, wrote Carboni, who had a good season with several placing including fourth of the Adriatica Ionica Race and fifth in a stage of the Giro d’Italia. Also Mirco Maestri announced via social media that he will leave Bardiani – CSF – Faizané. Again the destination is still unknown.
19 October
Three new signings for Bahrain Victorious. The Asian team has announced three new arrivals, the 20 year old Italian Edoardo Zambanini, for two seasons at Zalf-Euromobil, who arrives as neopro, the 23 year old Colombian Alejandro Osorio from Caja-Rural and the 28 year old Jasha Sütterlin, who in the morning announced the end of his experience with Team DSM. They all signed a two year contract.
Mattia Bevilacqua leaves the world of professional cycling. The rider of the Vini Zabù has announced, through a post on his social profiles, the end of his cycling career. The 23-year-old has never obtained a win and will retire at the end of the season.
Will Barta have announced that he is leaving EF Education-Nippo. The 25 year old American new destination is still unknown and should soon be made public. The 23 year old Swiss Stefan Bissegger, who has obtained three wins in his first pro season, has extended his contract with EF Education-Nippo currently ending in 2022 for a further two seasons.
James Knox signs a new two-year contract with Deceuninck – QuickStep. The British rider thus continues his adventure with the Belgian formation that had made him turn professional in 2018. Born in 1995, the climber from Kendal is part of the team’s group for the Grand Tours, in which he has achieved some good placings, as well as being a valuable element at the service of the captains, such as at the Giro d’Italia 2020 finished 14th in support of Joao Almeida and Fausto Masnada while in 2019 he had closed the Vuelta a España in 11th position.
Victor Campenaerts returns to Lotto Soudal. The hour record holder has signed a three-year contract with the Belgian WT Team, which he left two years ago to join Dimension Data now Qhubeka, with whom he still had a year left on his contract but which is in such bad shape that it has released its riders for next year. The South African team is at risk of closure and may not start next season.
German rider Jasha Sütterlin announced on his Instagram account that will not be retained by Team DSM in 2022. Sütterlin has been with the team since 2020 but this year he was unable to achieve any major results and retired from the Tour de France after the first stage.
After a successful 2021 season in which he won the Circuit des Ardennes International and finished third in the Lillehammer GP, Lucas Eriksson has extended his contract with the Danish Riwal Cycling Team for another season. I think I deserved to race at a higher level, so now I want to prove it. Eriksson full profile @ procyclingstats.
Nurbergen Nurlykhassym (Vino – Astana Motors) is just 21 years old and will start riding professionally on 1 January 2022 for the Astana Qazaqstan Team, as stated on his team’s Twitter account. Nurlykhassym signed for two years and this season, he has distinguished himself by winning the Kazakh U23 national road title.
According to the Portuguese website MaisFutebal, Rui Oliveira and his brother Ivo Oliveira have both renewed for 2 year. With them there are also Yousif Mirza and Davide Formolo in Dubai for a training camp. Both are expected to sign soon with the team.
Héctor Carretero will leave Movistar after five seasons. The 26-year-old Spanish climber is signing with ProTeam Equipo Kern Pharma. This year he won a stage at the Vuelta Asturias Julio Alvarez Mendo after a sprint a duex with Nairo Quintana and was third in the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana in may.
18 October
Thimo Willems will leave Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise after this season. The 25-year old rider rode for the ProContinental team in the past three years. According to DirectVélo, Willems will join Minerva CT, a new continental team with a Belgian license, in 2022.
On its Twitter account the junior Kacper Gieryk has announced that next season will ride for HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski team. Gieryk performances during the European and World Championships have been very positive and the 18-year-old Polish rider was seventh in the time trial in Trento, then twelfth in the time trial at the World Championships. He is the second young rider recruited by the Polish team after Mateusz Gajdulewicz, who is 17 years old.
Johannes Staune-Mittet and Tim van Dijke have been re-signed with the Jumbo-Visma Development Team in recent weeks, but Hidde van Veenendaal will have to leave the Dutch team. The 2019 Paris-Roubaix Juniors winner has not had his contract extended. “The management didn’t see the development in me that they hoped and expected,” the 20-year-old explained in an interview with WielerFlits. However, Hidde van Veenendaal found quickly a new team and signed up with continental team Metec-Solarwatt p/b Mantel.
On his Instagram account after the Veneto Classic, Rémy Rochas, who took fifth place in the Italian one-day race, thanked his whole team, riders and staff, for the great work done for the race and carried on saying “happy retirement Nathan Haas, congratulations for your career”. Was the Veneto Classic, the last race of Australian rider Nathan Haas’ career? At the end of the season his contract with the Cofidis team, in which he has been riding for the past two seasons, will expire. Following the words of his teammate, the 32-year-old rider should retire at the end of season and the official announcement should take place very soon.
Ibon Ruiz signed for one more year with Equipo Kern Pharma
Team Vorarlberg (CT) has announced the signing of Riccardo Zoidl (Team Felbermayr – Simplon Wels) for the 2022 season. The 33 year old Austrian rider, a former World-Tour and Trek rider, had a very good season in 2021, finishing 5th in the Sibiu Cycling Tour and the Sazka Tour.
Lennard Kämna has made up his mind: he will be a cyclist again. The German from Bora-Hansgrohe, who we saw win a stage in the Tour de France in 2020, had decided to get off his bike and took a break after racing until May 21. Therefore, Kämna is now confirmed for the 2022 season with the German team.
Two riders will join the Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise team, which won the Grand Prix du Morbihan on Saturday with Arne Marit, as professionals as of January 1st 2022. They are Milan Fretin (Lotto-Soudal U23) and Kamiel Bonneu (Basso Team Flanders). Both are sprinters that can do perform in one day races as well and have signed a contract for two seasons with the Belgian ProTeam.
Emerson Oronte (Rally Cycling) last week announced with a post on Instagram his retirement from pro cycling. The 31 year old American wrote … see here his post @ emersonoronte
Eros Capecchi (Bahrain Victorious) will not be in the peloton next year. At 35 years of age, the Umbrian rider have decided to halt is career after spending 16 years in the peloton. Capecchi has been riding mainly as a domestique in some of the most important teams in the peloton such as Liquigas, Movistar, Astana, QuickStep and Bahrain. In his long career, there are four successes including a stage in the 2011 Giro d’Italia. Capecchi full profile @ procyclingstats
17 October
Bahrain Victorious announced today the renewal of the contracts of Damiano Caruso (until the end of 2023 season) and Gino Mäder (for three more years). Both riders are coming off a very positive 2021. The Italian did some good things, winning the Alpe Motta Spluga stage at the Giro d’Italia, which he finished in second place behind Egan Bernal, and then one at the Vuelta. The Swiss also won a stage at the Giro d’Italia, specifically in Ascoli Piceno, then also won a stage at the Tour of Switzerland and finally finished the Vuelta in fifth place, with white jersey attached, with a very convincing third week.
The 2022 season continues to take shape for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA with the incorporation of a new rider. It is the Colombian Yesid Pira (Siachoque, 1999), who was promoted after having acted as stagiaire in the team since 1 August 21. He is the fifth signing of the green team so far after the already confirmed signings of Iúri Leitao, Calum Johnston, Michal Schlegel and Fernando Barceló. Pira, a talented climber, won the fourth stage of the Vuelta a Colombia and raced in the Tour of the Porvenir and the Giro del Valle d’Aosta. The Colombian signed until the end of the 2023 season.
16 October
Since yesterday there are growing rumours on the financial difficulties of Vini Zabù. The team managed by Angelo Citracca and Luca Scinto is loosing its main sponsor. Vini Zabù is in fact expected to sponsor a WT team (Intermarché Wanty Gobert?). The team’s future prospective are therefore rather dark, with a probable farewell to the ProTeam category and perhaps the choice of a step back with a team that could be committed to the Continental category or perhaps even among the Under 23. However, the risk of closure is also a sad possibility.
Euskaltel-Euskadi has e announced that on their social media that Jokin Aranburu and Dmitry Zhyhunou will no be part of their roster for the 2022 season. Their new destination is still unknown.
15 October
Sean Quinn finally makes it the WorldTour joining EF Education-Nippo. The promising young American had already experencied top-level cycling a year ago when he finished the year as a stagiaire with Deceuninck-QuickStep. After his Belgian trial, however, the 21 year-old returned to Hagens Berman Axeon and enjoyed an excellent 2021 which convinced the EF to invest in him. Quinn has signed a two-year contract, which will tie him to Jonathan Vaughters’ team until the end of 2023.
According to Ciro Scognamiglio of the Gazzetta dello Sport, Roman Kreuziger (Gazprom – RusVelo), who will hang up his bike at the end of this season, is set to become a member of the Bahrein-Victorious managerial staff. The news have become official during the day.
Douglas Ryder, owner and manager of the Qhubeka NextHash team, writes an open letter in which he confirms, unfortunately, the difficulties his team is experiencing. “Today we are not in a position to submit our initial application for our UCI WorldTour licence for next year to the sport’s governing body. We are actively engaged with potential partners, and our current partners, as we work to secure our future for 2022. Since inception our team has provided hope and opportunity to over 50 riders from Africa who have ridden for us at either Continental, Pro Continental or World Team levels, a, d as a result have had the opportunity to showcase their talent and realise their dreams.” Here in full DOUGLAS RYDER: TEAM UPDATE
Ethan Vernon will ride for Deceuninck Quick Step and has signed a contract that runs until the end of 2023. The young Briton has several good results on his palmares, including a victory in stage 4 of the Tour de l’Avenir, in Bar-le-Duc, and a top ten finish at the World Championships in the U23 individual time trial. In a video posted on Deceuninck – Quick-Step’s social channels, Vernon spoke about his happiness to join the Wolfpack from next season.
According to the Gazzetta dello Sport, Israel Nation is considering to replace Andrè Greipel with Giacomo Nizzolo.
Miguel Angel Lopez‘s return to Astana is official. Miguel Angel Lopez makes his return to Astana Qazaqstan Team: the 27-year-old Colombian rider has signed a two-year deal with the team for 2022 and 2023.
14 October
Julien Antomarchi, who was not confirmed by French Continental team Xelliss-Roubaix Lille Metropole, in which he has been racing since 2015. The 37-year-old Frenchman, who has also been affected by Covid’s disease this year, which has not allowed him to perform at his best, has announced to Directvelo his intention to hang up his bike.
Norwegian Kristian Aasvold, who was part of Riwal in 2020 and returned to Team Coop this year after the Danish team downsized at the end of last season, is returning to the pro ranks. The 26-year-old, who has so far not achieved any career successes, will ride with the US-based Rally Cycling team next year.
Wessel Krul recently agreed on a contract for 2022 with Metec-Solarwatt. The 21-year old Dutch rider from Enkhuizen was going to make the move from SEG Racing Academy, which will stop after this season. However, according WielerFlits, the situation may changed, because the American ProTeam Rally Cycling has offered to Krul has a two years pro contract. Metec-Solarwatt will not stand in Krul’s way, so the rider of SEG Racing Academy will probably soon sign a pro contract with the American team
Jonas Rutsch has renewed his contract with EF Education-Nippo for a further three years. The 23-year-old German, who recently put in an impressive eleventh place at Paris-Roubaix, won by Sonny Colbrelli, and had a good Tour de France in support of Rigoberto Uran.
A new rider for Movistar securing the services of young Brazilian promise Vinicius Rangel. The 20-year-old from Cabo Frio who currently rides in the ranks of the Spanish under-23 team Telco’m-OnClima Osés signed a contract for the next three seasons with the World Tour team led by Eusebio Unzué. During this season Rangel won the general classification of the Vuelta a Cantabria and the Vuelta a Salmanca, and at the World Championships in Flanders he finished ninth in the road race.
Double new arrival at Bahrain Victorious: Spanish rider Luis León Sánchez (Astana) and young Danish rider Johan Price-Pejtersen (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team), both have been signed for two seasons. For Luis León Sánchez will be his 19th season as a professional. Under-23 time trial world champion Johan Price-Pejtersen will have a great opportunity to prove himself.
After two seasons with the Cofidis team, Fernando Barcelo will return to Spain in 2022 after signing a one-year contract with Caja Rural-Seguros RGA. In 2021, he was fourth in the general classification of the Tour of Wallonia last July. The 25-year-old Spaniard will be one of the leaders in the Caja Rural team.
13 October
The American EF Education-Nippo team has secured Marijn Van Den Berg, who grew up in the Groupama-FDJ development team. Van Den Berg has shown outstanding sprinting skills that have allowed him to obtain two major wins at the Tour de l’Avenir 2021. The 22-year-old Dutch rider has signed a two years deal.
Ian Garrison will not renew with Deceunink QuickStep. The American rider, silver medallist at the 2019 World Time Trial Championships among the Under-23s, was unable to convince the Belgian team in his two years with the Wolfpack and will therefore be forced to look for a new arrangement for the coming years.
Johan Meens, a young Belgian who was twelfth Liege-Bastogne-Liege 2021 among the Under 23, will turn professional with Bingol Pauwels Sauces WB after spending a year in their development team.
The Israel Start-Up Nation team has announced the arrival of Jakob Fuglsang and Hugo Houle, both from Astana PremierTech. The two riders, linked to Canadian sponsor PremierTech, seemed to be close to a move to BikeExchange, which was very close to signing an agreement with the sponsor that this year supported Astana. However, in the last few days the negotiations broke down and so, at this point, it seems likely that the Canadian sponsor could link up with the Israeli formation. Chris Froome’s team could therefore be strengthened by these two excellent riders, with the 36 year old Dane still wanting to prove himself after a difficult season and the 31 year old Canadian twice national time trial champion.
Colombian rider Sebastian Henao (28) and Italian rider Leonardo Basso (27) will join Astana Qazaqstan Team in the upcoming season with Henao signing one-year contract (2022) and Basso signing a two-year deal (2022 and 2023). They have raced for the British team respectively since 2014 and 2018 playing an important role in supporting their captains, Henao in the Grand Tours climbs and Basso in the Northern Classics.
Renewals for Bahrain-Victorious. The Bahrain-based team has announced contract extensions for six riders: Mikel Landa, Pello Bilbao, Hermann Pernsteiner, Rafa Valls, Fred Wright and Yukiya Arashiro. Mikel Landa, despite an unlucky season, has extended his contract for the next two seasons. Pello Bilbao, who was ninth overall at this year’s Tour de France, will also be able to continue for another two years. Wright also renewed for two year and Pernsteiner, Valls and Arashito for another season.
Jesper Hansen has put an end to his professional cycling career in France. The Danish rider, who took part in the Circuit des Ardennes last week, revealed on the website of his Continental Team, Riwal Cycling, that he was retiring from the sport. The 30-year-old former Tinkoff-Saxo (2014-2016), Astana (2017-2018) and Cofidis (2019-2020) rider had already been close to retiring at the end of last season, before finally taking up a final year with Riwal Cycling. Hansen won the 2015 Tour of Norway. Hansen full profile @ procyclingstats.com
Asier Etxeberria (1998, Eguesibar, Navarre) will ride for Euskaltel-Euskadi for the next two seasons (2022 and 2023), after training as a cyclist for the last five years in the amateur teams of the Euskadi Foundation, the last three with Laboral Kutxa. In 2019, he was already a stagiare with Euskaltel-Euskadi, just like this year, wearing the orange jersey in the Tour of Limousin and the Tour of Croatia. As a Laboral Kutxa cyclist, this 2021 he won in Gorla and Elgoibar, was second in Tolosa, Zegama and Villatuerta, fifth in Beasain, sixth in the Vuelta a Zamora and 25th in the Giro U23. His incorporation to the first team is added to the already announced Unai Iribar (1999).
Ivan Ramiro Sosa signs a two-year deal with Movistar. Long anticipated, the Colombian’s transfer from Ineos Grenadiers is now official. The 23 year old is the sixth signing of the Spanish team after those of Óscar Rodríguez, Max Kanter, Alex Aranburu, Oier Lazkano and Gorka Izagirre. The Colombian joins his new team after two seasons with Ineos where he was unable to express is full potential. Turned professional with Androni – Sidermec in 2017, he has so far achieved thirteen career successes, winning five short stage races such as Vuelta a Burgos (2018,2019), Sibiu Tour (2018), Adriatica Ionica Race (2018) and Tour de la Provence (2021), as well as a good number of placings. In his career he has so far only participated in two GTs, the Giro d’Italia 2019 and the Vuelta a España 2020, always in the service of the team.
The 25 year old Belgian Jordi Warlop will leave Sport Vlaanderen Baloise, with whom he raced for the past four seasons, to join B&B Hotels p/b KTM for the next two years.
12 October
Bahrain Victorious have officially announced the contract renewals of Matej Mohorič and Sonny Colbrelli (ending speculations of a move to Astana) for two more years. Both winners of their national championships they had a superlative seasons in 2021. This year the 26 year old Slovenian won also two stages at the Tour de France and was second in Benelux Tour, Tour de Pologne and in the Donostia San Sebastian Klasikoa. Mohorič has signed for two more years extending to the end of the 2023 season. Also for Sonny Colbrelli signed for a further two years after a formidable season with victories in the first wet Paris-Roubaix in 20 years, the European Championship, the GC at Benelux Tour, and multiple stage wins.
The EF Education NIPPO team will no longer count on Lawson Craddock, who was crowned US time trial champion this season. The Houston native announced the news on his Instagram account: “Well, that’s a wrap on my time with @efprocycling. It’s hard to put into words what the relationships I’ve made over the last six years mean to me, but it’s time to turn to a new chapter in my career. I’ve loved being part of this family, and while it’s sad to say goodbye I’m extremely excited to head into a new environment for 2022. Thank you to everyone involved” he said.
German rider Georg Steinhauser (Tirol KTM Cycling Team) will enter the WorldTour next season with the EF Education-NIPPO team signing a two year contract. The 19 year old climber (he will be 20 on October 21st) has had a great season. In the Elite calendar, he was second in the Tour of Bulgaria and ninth in the Tour de l’Ain and in the U23 races he had a stage win in the Giro del Valle d’Aosta, a third place in the recent Piccolo Lombardia and some good performances in the Tour de l’Avenir.
Former Czech road race champion Petr Vakoč has decided to retire from professional cycling at the age of 29 to “focus on new challenges”. The Alpecin-Fenix rider announced that he would be retiring after the Giro del Veneto on Wednesday, October 13 after 10 years as a professional rider. Vakoč suffered extremely serious injuries while out on a training rider in South Africa where both he and his then Quick-Step Floors team-mate Laurens De Plus were struck by a lorry on a training camp in 2018
11 October
The Qhubeka-NextHash team is still looking to stay in the pelotons in 2022. According to Cyclingnews, the management is currently looking for new partners and rumours of new sponsor start to circulate. In order to maintain a WorldTour license for next year the team needs to supply their initial paperwork to the UCI by October 15, and sports director Lars Michaelsen is in a race against time.
Maximiliano Richeze is one of the riders whose contract with UAE Team Emirates is expiring and the team did not offer him a contract renewal. The 38 year old Argentinian would like to find another team and carry on riding. Richeze won 14 races including two stages in the Giro d’Italia (2007), in the Tour of Suisse and three stages in the Argentinian Vuelta a San Juan Internacional and made his professional debut in 2006 with the Ceramica Panaria-Navigare jersey.
According to the newspaper La Marseillaise, the French ProTeam Team Delko competed its last race of its history on Sunday at Paris-Tours. The news was confirmed later in the morning and from today Delko team ceases operations with immediate effect. The team, managed by Philippe Lannes, stops after 10 years due to financial difficulties and after being unable to found a way to continue the journey that began in 2011 under the name of La Pomme Marseille. The team has parted ways with several riders, including Biniam Girmay to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert and Clément Berthet to AG2R Citroën, Eduard Grosu to Androni, while Atsushi Oka departed for the EF Education-Nippo feeder team, Nippo-Provence-PTS. In May, the team also let go of a DS, three trainers and nutritionist due to its financial problems. in order to reduce its payroll. The riders of Team Delko learned the bad news on Sunday morning before the start of Paris-Tours, the staff was informed on Friday.
Cyclist Wout Poels is leaving Bahrain-Victorious. The team has announced that the expiring contract of Poels will not be renewed. Poels rode the past two years for the formation from Bahrain. He did not achieve any victories in that period, but the 34-year-old rider did ride the Tour de France in the polka dot jersey for a long time this year. In the mountain classification he eventually finished second behind Tour winner Tadej Pogacar. In a message on Twitter, Bahrain-Victorious said goodbye to other five riders: Eros Capecchi, Scott Davies, Marco Haller, Kevin Inkelaar and Marcel Sieberg with the text: “It was a pleasure, we wish you all the best for the future”.
The Astana team is getting a clear shape. The Kazakh team will be called Astana Qazaqstan Team in 2022 and today announced the contract extensions of two riders, Yuriy Natarov and Yevgeniy Gidich, who signed for a further two years.
10 October
The 19 year old Norwegian Johannes Staune-Mittet, winner of a stage in the Ronde de l’Isard a few days ago, and the 21 Dutchman Tim van Dijke, the U23 champion and winner of a stage in the Tour of Croatia, have extended their contracts with the development team of Jumbo Visma and will move to the WT team at a later stage. The Norwegian and the Dutch rider have respectively extended their contracts with the Jumbo until 2026 and 2024. Tim van Dijke will start his professional career in 2023, joining his twin brother Mick, who recently turned Pro, and Johannes Staune-Mittet will join the ranks in 2024.
With a second place at Gran Piemonte behind Matthew Walls, Giacomo Nizzolo ended his racing season. And now? In which team will Giacomo Nizzolo ride in 2022? The rumours about Israel-Start Up Nation or Cofidis are real? The 32 year old Italian sprinter in an interview with Bici.pro explains that for the moment he doesn’t have an answer: “It’s a good question that I can’t answer at the moment, let’s say that like everyone else I’m waiting for the situation to evolve”, he stated. Nizzolo is at the end of his contract with Qhubeka-NextHash and he wants to wait for the outcome of his troubled team, which has already left some under contract riders free for the coming season, before making is final decision.
9 October
Following the signing of Martin Svrcek, who will turn professional in July, the Deceuninck-QuickStep team has announced a second addition for 2022. As confirmed by Patrick Lefevere in Het Nieuwsblad, the Wolfpack will soon welcome into its ranks young Briton Ethan Vernon, who won a stage at this year’s Tour de l’Avenir. The 21-year-old is also expected to join his compatriot Mark Cavendish, who is expected to sign an extension with the Belgian outfit next week.
According to Ciro Scognamiglio, the return of Elia Viviani to the Ineos Grenadiers team is “a done deal” according to the well-informed, journalist for the Gazzetta dello Sport. “The only thing missing is the official announcement, but sources confirmed this morning at the start of the Giro di Lombardia that the transfer of Elia Viviani from Cofidis to INEOS Grenadiers for the next few seasons can be considered a done deal,” he said on his Twitter account.
According to the Belgian daily Het Nieuwsblad, Victor Campenaerts has been freed to sign up with other teams next year and could well sign for Lotto Soudal next season. Although he has a contract with Qhubeka until the end of next season, Campenaerts is free to decide where to go next season and negotiations are in progress between the Qhubeka NextHash rider and John Lelangue, general manager of the Belgian team. The current Hour Record holder has already worn the Lotto Soudal jersey in their development team in 2013, then the professional team in 2018 and 2019.
According to Revista Mundo Ciclistico, Brandon Alejandro Rojas will be a rider of the Drone Hopper-Androni Giocattoli team for the next two seasons. The 19-year-old Colombian rider, who until now raced for Colombia Tierra de Atletas-GW Bicicletas, will follow Gianni Savio, the general manager of the Italian ProTeam and a great talent scout having launched riders such as Egan Bernal and Ivan Sosa.
Two contract extension for Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team have been announced today: Louis Meintjes and Lorenzo Rota. Both joined the Belgian team in 2021 and the 29-year-old South African and the 26-year-old Italian have extended their contracts until 2023.
8 October
The Tour of Lombardy will be the last race for the 37 year-old Polish rider of Lotto Soudal Tomasz Marczyński. Two stage victories are the most important achievements on the record of Marczyński. Marczyński began his professional career in 2006 at Ceramica Flaminia, for which he raced for three seasons. After a year in the continental circuit, he returned to the professional peloton in 2010 with CCC-Polsat-Polkowice. With this team he won the 2.2 races Tour de Seoul and the Tour of Malopolska. In 2012, he moved up to the WorldTour with Vacansoleil-DCM. After the dissolution of Vacansoleil-DCM in 2013, Marczyński returned to CCC Polsat Polkowice. After a season at Torku Şekerspor, he ended up at Lotto Soudal where he won twice stages in the Vuelta in 2017: first in Sagunt, later in Antequera Los Dólmenes.
Julien Duval is leaving the professional world. The 31-year-old, who rides for AG2R Citroën, will retire and will end his career with two races on French soil, Paris-Tours 2021 and the Chrono des Nations 2021. Duval full profile @ procyclingstats
A few weeks ago, it was announced that Premier Tech would end its partnership with the Astana team from next season. This Friday, the Astana-Premier Tech team unveiled the new name it will use in 2022: Astana Qazaqstan Team. The choice of this new name was explained in a press release. “Qazaqstan is the most accurate and correct name for Kazakhstan in its English transcription. Qazaqstan is a kind of new state brand on the international stage, which combines centuries-old traditions, language, culture and strategy of the country’s development in today’s world.”
Johan Le Bon has made his choice! The 31 year old Breton rider was approached by two teams that will compete at Continental level in 2022, namely Xelliss-Roubaix Lille Métropole and Team U Nantes Atlantique, but he decided to reject both offers and continue his adventure with Dinan Sport Cycling. In the columns of the newspaper Le Télégramme, the former professional rider explained the reasons that pushed him to continue with the amateurs. “This return to the amateurs allowed me to find a second wind, a new motivation to train. I discovered a bike without pressure, without stakes except to enjoy myself”, confides Johan Le Bon.
7 October
The career of Manuel Belletti (Eolo – Kometa) has come to an end at the Gran Piemonte 2021. The 35 year old rider from Romagna ended is professional career after 14th seasons. As a pro rider, Belletti had 19 successes, including a stage win at the 2010 Giro d’Italia. His pro carrier started in 2008 with the Gianni Savio’s Serramenti – Diquigiovanni, then in 2010 he moved to Colnago – CSF Inox and in 2012 Belletti experienced the WorldTour in 2012 with Ag2r La Mondiale. After two years, he returned with Gianni Savio at Androni for one year, and then moved to Southeast, where he stayed for three years before returning again to the court of Gianni Savio, until last year, before spending his last pro season with the team of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador.
Two new arrivals for Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert, which is strengthening its team, especially for the classics of the North in order to support of the new captain Alexander Kristoff. Dimitri Claeys and Adrien Petit have joined the Belgium team. The Belgian Claeys joins from Qhubeka-NextHash and has signed a one-year contract, while the Frenchman Petit is coming from TotalEnergies and has signed for two seasons.
Sergio Martín, Jefferson Cepeda and Aritz Bagües renew with Caja Rural-Seguros RGA for one more year. Sergio Martín from Madrid, Ecuadorian Jefferson Cepeda and Aritz Bagües from Guipuzcoa will continue to wear the green jersey next year after participating in the recent edition of La Vuelta. Martín will thus complete his third full season in the professional team of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, which he joined in 2020 after three years in the elite and U23 subsidiary. During that time he has shown his growth in the category with a very interesting second half of 2021, being seen in demanding days of the Tour of Slovenia, the Tour of Britain or the Giro of Sicily. Also with a past in the subsidiary team Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, Jefferson Cepeda will start his fourth season as a professional, all in the green formation. The South American climber has proven his adaptation to the category with outstanding and courageous performances in the mountains. At the age of 25, having completed two participations in La Vuelta, it is time to know the potential of the brave rider from Sucumbios. The first block of renewals is completed by Aritz Bagües, a rider who in just two years at Caja Rural-Seguros RGA has become a very valuable piece in the support of his leaders. Reliable in almost all terrains, the Basque rider will provide experience to a young team, bringing work and solidity in the main events of the calendar. Freely translated from the Caja Rural-Seguros RGA website
According to Le Télégramme, the Arkéa-Samsic team has completed its squad for next season. Four of its riders should extend their contract with the Breton ProTeam: Amaury Capiot, for two seasons and Christophe Noppe, Benjamin Declercq and Kevin Ledanois, for one season. On the other side, Winner Anacona, will not be extend his contract with Emmanuel Hubert’s team and will have to find a new team for the 2022 season. With 5 new arrivals already announced (Edet, Verre, Hofstetter, Guglielmi and Ries), the team’s rank should be completed with a squad of 29 riders for next season.
Rumoured for weeks, it is now official: Joe Dombrowski (UAE) will join the Astana team for 2022. The 30 year old American in 2021 Giro d’Italia won a stage in Sestola and was second in stage 3 at the Vuelta. The former Tour of Utah winner will reinforce the ranks of the Kazakh WT Team until the end of 2023.
Gorka Izagirre (Astana – PremierTech) will make his return to the Movistar team in 2022, where he has signed a contract for two seasons. The Basque rider was already a member of the Spanish team between 2014 and 2017. After years of sharing teams with his brother Ion, the siblings will be follow a different path with Ion Izagirre signed with Cofidis next year.
6 October
The American ProTeam Rally Cycling announced today its first recruit for the 2022 season. It is the American cyclo-cross rider Gage Hecht. Hecht, who is the US champion in the discipline, also competed on the road with the continental team Aevolo.
Antonio Nibali‘s career will not continue at Trek-Segafredo (although he had a contract until 2022). The American team announced the news on its Twitter account on Wednesday just after the finish of Milan-Turin. “Upon mutual agreement, Trek-Segafredo and Antonio Nibali have decided not to proceed with a contract extension. Best of luck for your future, Antonio!” the tweet said. Will Antonio follow is brother Vincenzo in Astana?
The Uno-X Pro Cycling Team has announced a one year contract extensions for nine Norwegian riders: Erlend Blikra, Martin Urianstad, Kristian Kulset, Torjus Sleen, Iver Skaarseth, Syver Waersted, Jonas Abrahamsen, Lars Saugstad and Sindre Kulset. The Norwegian team is currently ranked 4th as ProTeam and has been very active on the ciclomarket signing WT riders such as Jonas Gregaard (Astana-Premier Tech) and Niklas Eg (Trek-Segafredo). With the nine renewal, Uno-X Pro Cycling announced today the Scandinavian team has now completed its roster for the 2022 season (30 riders is the maximum number allowed for a ProTeam. Uno-X Pro Cycling Team – IN Anthon Charmig (NeoPro), Fredrik Dversnes (NeoPro), Niklas Eg (Trek), Jonas Gregaard (Astana), Tord Gudmestad (NeoPro), Lasse Norman Hansen (Qhubeka), Adne Holter (NeoPro), Anders Halland Johannessen (NeoPro), Tobias Halland Johannessen (NeoPro), William Blume Levy (NeoPro); OUT Daniel Hoelgaard (Ritiro), Markus Hoelgaard (Trek), Jonas Hvideberg (Team DSM), Julius Johansen (Intermarché), Frederik Rodenberg (Team DSM); 2022 ROSTER (Year of end contract) – Jonas Abrahamsen (22), Idar Andersen (23), Erlend Blikra (22), Anthon Charmig (23), Fredrik Dversnes (23), Niklas Eg (23), Jonas Gregaard (23), Tord Gudmestad (24), Kristoffer Halvorsen (23), Lasse Norman Hansen (23), Jacob Hindsgaul Madsen (23), Adne Holter (24), Morten Hulgaard (22), Anders Halland Johannessen (24), Tobias Halland Johannessen (24), Kristian Kulset (22), Sindre Kulset (22), Niklas Larsen (23), William Blume Levy (23), Johan Price-Pejtersen (22), Erik Resell (23), Lars Saugstad (22), Anders Skaarseth (23), Iver Skaarseth (22), Torjus Sleen (22), Rasmus Tiller (22), Torstein Traeen (23), Martin Urianstad (22), Søren Waerenskjold (22), Syver Waersted (22).
The French ProTeam St Michel – Auber93 has announced on its website that the experienced French rider Stéphane Rossetto will stay with the team for another season.
At the age of 36 and after sixteen seasons in the professional peloton, Fabio Sabatini has decided to end his career on Wednesday 13 October at the end of the Giro di Veneto, according to information revealed by Tuttobiciweb. The Italian rider will have been an important domestique supporting during his carrier rider such as Alessandro Petacchi, Peter Sagan, Marcel Kittel and Elia Viviani, whom he followed to Cofidis in 2020 after having spent five years with Deceuninck-Quick Step.
5 October
Ben Healy (Trinity Racing) joins EF Education-NIPPO. The 21-year-old Irish rider is the youngest Tour de l’Avenir stage winner and has in his palmarès wins at the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia (the Baby Giro), the Ronde de l’Isard, and both the Irish road and U23 time trial championships. Healy signed a two years contract. Healy full profile @procyclingstats.
Movistar announces the agreement with the young talent Oier Lazkano, who leaves Caja Rural – RGA after two seasons with a success at the Tour of Portugal. Born in 1999, he signed a three-year contract with Spain’s top team.
Uno-X Pro Cycling Team had signed for two years Fredrik Dversnes. The 24-year-old Norwegian, who is currently a trainee with Gazprom-Rusvelo, has had a good 2021 winning the International Tour of Rhodes and the jersey of King of Mountain in the Artic Race of NorwayTour.
According to Le Télégramme, Johan Le Bon has received two offers to move back to professional cycling after a season with the amateur team Dinan Sport Cycling. Le Bon was the winner of 17 races this season the Xelliss – Roubaix Lille Métropole team and Team U Nantes Atlantique, both Continental Teams in 2022, are reported to be very interested in the 31 year old French.
Rémy Mertz has extended his contract with the Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB team. The 26-year-old former Lotto Soudal rider has extended his contract by one season. This year, the Belgian born in Luxemburg finished seventh in the Tour de la Communauté de Valence and eighth in the Tour du Doubs.Mertz full profile @procyclingstats
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Italian Simone Velasco (Gazprom-RusVelo) will join Astana-Premier Tech next season. The 25 year old from Bologna rider should have already reached an agreement with the Kazakh team. Velasco had a positive season with some good results including a solo victory in the Tour du Limousin – Nouvelle Aquitaine last August.
The 28-year-old Ludwig De Winter (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) says goodbye to the peloton. Today at Binche-Chimay-Binche he has experience his last rides in the peloton after a short career as a domestique, in which he did not achieve any personal successes.
4 October
Nicolas Roche (Team DSM) retires from professional cycling. The 37-year-old’s announcement comes after a career including 22 Grand Tour finishes. The 37-year-old Irishman has decided to hang up his wheels after 17 years as a professional bike rider, a time when he won two stages in the Vuelta a España, took fifth and sixth overall in the same event and clocked up a number of other professional successes. Roche full profile @procyclingstats. Situation
Morten Hulgaard has extended his contract with Uno-X Pro Cycling Team by one year. On Sunday, he was third in the Münsterland Giro behind Mark Cavendish and Alexis Renard. The 23-year-old Dane, who joined the Norwegian team in 2020, is also an excellent rouleur and was third in the Poitou-Charentes.
The UAE Team Emirates has signed Alexys Brunel (Groupama – FDJ) for two years. The 22 year old Frenchmen last year achieved his first and so far only pro victory at the Etoile de Bessèges and he has already shown his talent at youth level, especially in time trials. Brunel full profile @procyclingstats.
Matteo Pelucchi decided to end his career after 11 years as a professional. Pelucchi will hang up his bike at the end of the Gran Piemonte 2021. The last race of the Qhubeka-NextHash sprinter will therefore be on Thursday 8th October. Born in 1989, the rider from Giussano has achieved 16 professional successes, including two stages at the 2015 Tour of Poland and one at the Tirreno-Adriatico the year before.
3 October
Geraint Thomas has yet to sign a contract for next year. According to Ciro Scognamiglio, the Ineos Grenadiers would still like to count on him next year, but the Welshman has not yet made a decision regarding 2022 and has not yet given a definitive answer to his current management, nor to any other interested teams.
2 October
Zdenek Stybar will race another season with Deceuninck-QuickStep. Although it has not been made official, the contract extension has been confirmed by team manager Patrick Lefevere, who wrote about it in his weekly column in Het Nieuwsblad.
Italian Andrea Paqualon and Belgians Kévin Van Melsen and Aimé De Gendt have extended their contracts with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux. While De Gendt has extended his lease until 2023, the first two mentioned have re-signed for one season with the Belgian WorldTeam managed by Jean François-Bourlart.
David de la Cruz has signed a two-year contract with Astana Premier Tech. The Spanish rider has decided to leave UAE Emirates, with whom he has raced for the past two years, to join the Kazakh squad. The 32-year-old Spanish climber from Sabadell joins Italians Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo) and Gianni Moscon (INEOS Grenadiers) in the ranks of the new riders of the team managed by Alexandre Vinokourov.
1 October
Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, that in the last weeks had confirmed the passage of the stagiaires Louis Blouwe and Ceriel Desal, has announced the signing for the next season of the Estonian Karl Patrick Lauk (Team Pro Immo). The 24-year-old, who achieved ten victories this year (including a stage and the final classification of the Tour of Estonia), has signed a contract valid until the end of next year. Former Lotto Soudal rider Remy Mertz and Luxembourgian brothers Luc and Tom Wirtgen have also signed new contracts for the 2022 season. Finally, Nokere Koerse 2021 winner Ludovic Robeet has renewed his contract until the end of 2023.
Stagiaire/Trainee 2021 (in progress). The 2022 UCI transfer window officially opens on the 1st August, giving teams the chance to add stagiaire to their roster. Teams on the international circuit can now also sign up young riders to give them an important opportunity to grow. A special contract allows WorldTour, Professional and Continental teams to sign up to a maximum of three trainees from 1 August until the end of the year. For many it is an important opportunity to prove they are worth and try to get a contract for the following season. Here the current situation (in progress): WTT – Ag2r Citroën Team Thomas Delphis, Paul Lapeira, Valentin Retailleau; Cofidis Axel Zingle, Hugo Toumire, Jacques Lebreton; Deceuninck-QuickStep Jason Osborne, Stan Van Tricht; Ineos Grenadiers Luke Plapp; Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux Maxime Jarnet, Dries De Pooter, Stijn Daemen. Trek-Segafredo Filippo Baroncini, Daan Hoole, Asbjørn Hellemose; Team BikeExchange Choon Huat Goh, Kell O’Brien; UAE Team Emirates Felix Groß; PRT: Androni-Sidermec Cristian Rocchetta, Samuele Zambelli, Manuele Tarozzi; Arkéa – Samsic Mathis Le Barre, Kévin Vauquelin, Yannis Voisard; Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè Luca Colnaghi, Filippo Magli; Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB Louis Blouwe, Ceriel Desal, Dorian De Maeght; B&B Hotels p/b KTM Florian Dauphin, Adrien Lagree, Axel Laurance; Burgos-BH Rodrigo Álvarez, Adrià Moreno; Caja Rural – RGA Pablo Garcia, Yesid Pira, Alberto Serrano; Eolo Kometa Vicente Hernaiz, David Martín, Davide Piganzoli; Equipo Kern Pharma Igor Arrieta, Ivan Cobo, Pau Miquel; Fundacion Euskaltel-Euskadi Unai Iribar, Asier Etxeberria; Gazprom-Rusvelo Riccardo Lucca, Fredrik Dversnes, Eirik Lunder; Rally Cycling Raphaël Parisella, Riley Sheehan, Charles-Etienne Chretien; Team TotalEnergies Thomas Bonnet, Emilien Jeannière, Alan Jousseaume; Vini Zabù Gregorio Ferri, Giulio Masotto, Riccardo Tosin.
29 September
Swiss rider Oliver Behringer, Australian Samuel Munday and Dutchman Brian Kamstra have announced their retirement from professional cycling after five years with Team Novo Nordisk. They will leave the team dedicated to diabetic athletes after five and six years (Munday and Kamstra).
Contract renewal for Floris De Tier, a solid Northern classics rider who will remain with Alpecin Fenix for one more season. De Tier joined Alpacin last year after three seasons at Jumbo-Visma, .
Following yesterday news, Lotto Soudal has announced the signing of Jarrad Drizners. The 22-year-old from Adelaide, South Australia joins the team from Hagens Berman Axeon. Drizners, a two-time national U23 champion (road race 2020, criterium 2019) signed an agreement for two years.
According to L’Equipe, Tom Dumoulin could be set to break his contract with Jumbo-Visma in order to be able to move to Team BikeExchange in 2022. Dumoulin has a contract through next season but could be on his way to the Australian squad of Simon Yates and Michael Matthews next year.
Alex Aranburu has officially joined Movistar signing a three years contract. The Spanish rider leaves Astana – PremierTech after two seasons in which he confirmed his great qualities also at WorldTour level, obtaining important victories as a stage at Tour of Basque Country and many prestigious placings. Born in 1995, he made his professional debut in 2017, wearing the jersey of Caja Rural – Seguros RGA and so far in his career he has achieved four successes.
As widely expected, Gianni Moscon signs a two-year contract with Astana. The rider from Trento leave Ineos Grenadiers after six seasons to have his opportunities with the Kazakh team with whom he has signed a two-year contract. A professional since 2016 with the Team Sky jersey, the 27-year-old from Trento has achieved eleven successes, including two national time trial titles and also two victories in short stage races such as the Tour of Norway and the Tour of Guangxi.
28 September
Cofidis signs Wesley Kreder for two seasons. Kreder is a valuable domestique who had spent several years at Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux.
According to Ciclismo en Lìnea, Gianni Savio’s team, Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec has secured the services of Colombian Didier Merchán (Colombia Tierra de Atletas), 22-year-old winner of the Vuelta a Antioquia 2021 and of the Giro del Medio Brenta.
It is official is the arrival of young Portuguese rider André Domingues (Efapel) at Burgos-BH. The 19 year old climber will strengthen the Spanish team and he has signed a one year contract.
According to the newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, the Australian Jarrad Drizners, a rider who grew up in the Hagens Berman Axeon (Axel Merckx’s team), is close to Lotto Soudal. Drizners (22) has already been able to become national champion among the Under 23s.
After having announced a few days ago the arrival of Oscar Rodriguez, the Spanish team Movistar has confirmed the arrival on its roster of the young Max Kanter, coming from Team DSM. The German sprinter and twice two-time German under-23 champion have signed a two years contract with the team.
27 September
The MTB specialist Samuel Gaze has extended his contract signing a new three-year deal with Alpecin-Fenix, which brings the new deadline to 2024.
Moreno Hofland (30 EF Education-Nippo) is retiring from ProCycling since he has confirmed that he is suffering from gastrointestinal ischemia ( EF Education-Nippo. EF Education-Nippo has welcomed Owain Doull to the team from next season. After six years he is leaving Ineos Grenadiers and signed for two years.
Salvatore Puccio will extend with Ineos and Ginni Moscon transfer to Astana should be soon announced.
Mickaël Delage (36) rode in Groupama-FDJ jerseys in the last race of his careers (his retirement was already announced a few weeks ago) at Paris-Chauny, which was won by Jasper Philipsen. Also his teammate William Bonnett (39) is retiring at the end of the year although he may ride a few more races between now and the end of the season.
Among the riders who made their mark at the world championships there is the Brazilian Vinicius Rangel Costa because of his ninth place finish, in a race without teammates and for which he rode his own bike. The 20 years old Brazilian is linked to a possible move to Movistar or in one of its satellite teams.
BikeExchange is offering an opportunity to the Olympic track medallist Kell O’Brien who will start to race as a trainee at CRO Race tomorrow.
After seven seasons with Bora-hansgrohe, Michael Schwarzmann will leave the German Team to join Lotto Soudal for the next two years.
25 September
According to Ciclismo Internacional, there are three South Americans expected to leave INEOS Grenadiers at the end of this year. As already stated in several occasions, Ivan Sosa should have signed a contract with Movistar (the only thing missing is the official announcement), and two other Colombians, Brandon Rivera and Sebastian Henao, also looking for an alternative squad. The 25-year-old Rivera will probably leave the British team for Astana and also Henao is expected to be heading to the Kazakh team. More certain is the future of Jhonatan Narvaez: the Ecuadorian rider’s contract expires on 31 December but a renewal seems imminent, according to South American sources.
Ciro Scognamiglio (Gazzetta dello Sport) has reported that Astana seems interested in Michele Gazzoli. Therefore, the 22 years old of Colpack-Ballan could soon join the Kazakh team, where he will find fellow Italian Vincenzo Nibali (already official), and possibly Gianni Moscon and Valerio Conti that are negotiate with the team.
The newly crowned junior world champion Per Strand Hagenes will ride with Jumbo-Visma Development for the next two seasons. The 18-year-old Norwegian, who was runner-up at the European Championships in Trento, will have the opportunity to showcase his skills at Continental and Under-23 level and get a taste of the pro world in some race.
According to Le Télégramme, the 29-year-old Maxime Cam (B&B Hôtels p/b KTM) is retiring at the end of the season. Having injured his knee in June during the National Championships, he will not be racing again.
24 September
Jhonatan Restrepo will stay at Androni – Sidermec. Arrived in the Italian professional formation two years ago, the Colombian has signed a new one-year contract with the team that from next year will be called Drone Hopper – Androni Giocattoli. Restrepo won seven races with the Gianni Savio team and was second a few days ago in the Trofeo Matteotti behind Matteo Trentin.
The mountain biker Milan Vader has official signed with Jumbo-Visma. The 25-year-old Dutchman has signed a three-year contract.
According to Le Télégramme, B&B Hotels should complete their team for next season, signing 19-year-old Canadian Raphaël Parisella and 25-year-old Belgian Jordi Warlop, currently with Sport Vlandereen.
Euskaltel-Euskadi’s renewal campaign continues, with Antonio Angulo, Ibai Azurmendi, Unai Cuadrado, Peio Goikoetxea and Txomin Juaristi all have signed for next season too.
The 36 year old Kenny De Ketele (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise), who rode the last road race of his career yesterday at the Omloop van het Houtland won by Taco Van der Hoorn, will not be seen again in the peloton and will concentrate on the track at the end of the season before hanging up his bike after the Six Days of Rotterdam (7-12 December).
Cofidis has officially confirmed the signing for one year of Ion Izagirre The 32-year-old is leaving Astana – PremierTech after three seasons in which he was the winner of the Tour of the Basque Country and the Tour of Poland, as well as stages at the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España, he has collected a total of 15 victories during his career that began in 2011 in the Euskaltel Euskadi jersey.
23 September
The Bardiani-CSF-Faizané team has announced today the extension of the contracts of Filippo Fiorelli and Luca Covili for one more year.
Mikkel Honoré will stay with Wolfpack for another two years. The Danish rider had a great season with several placing in the top five and winning a stage at Settimana Coppi e Bartali and a stage at the Itzulia Basque Country. Honoré has signed a new two-year contract with Deceuninck-QuickStep that will run until the end of 2023.
Vincenzo Nibali‘s move to Astana is now official. The news had been in the air for months. The Kazakh team made it official on Twitter by posting the unmistakable emoticon of the shark. The Sicilian rider is returning to Astana after the successful spell between 2013 to 2016, years in which he won the Giro d’Italia, the Tour de France and the Giro di Lombardia twice.
Oscar Rodriguez (Astana) has signed a two-year contract with Movistar and he will ride with the Spanish Team until the end of the 2023 season. The 26 year old Rodriguez is a climber and won a stage at the 2018 Vuelta a España with the Euskadi jersey.
22 September
The Norwegian Professional team Uno-X Pro Cycling has announced today the signing of the 20-year-old Norwegian Tord Gudmestad, who rode with Team Coop this year and was crowned Under-23 national champion in June.
Eolo Kometa‘s first reinforcement for the 2022 season is Diego Rosa: a one-year contract for the 32-year-old climber from Corneliano d’Alba, who will arrive from Arkea Samsic. It will be the third year in the Professional category for Rosa, who after being launched by Androni at the beginning of his career has ridden for World Tour teams such as Astana and Team Sky, before moving to Arkea in 2020. His career-best placings include victories at the 2015 Milano-Torino, a stage at the 2016 Tour of the Basque Country and the 2018 Settimana Coppi Bartali, as well as a second-place finish at the 2016 Lombardia, a top-10 finish at Liège-Bastogne-Liège the same year.
Five renewals at Euskaltel Euskadi. The Basque formation has announced the confirmed of five of its riders on its roster. Mikel Aristi, Iker Ballarín, Joan Bou, Gotzon Martín and Antonio Soto have all signed contracts for next year.
Martin Svrček is the first official addition to the Deceuninck – QuickStep team. The 18-year-old from Team Franco Ballerini will turn professional next year, until the end of 2024.
21 September
Mikhel Raim signs for one year with Burgos – BH. For the Estonian rider it is a return to professional racing after having raced this year at continental level with HRE Mazowsze Serce Polski after five years at the Israel Academy. A complete sprinter, he could be a valuable asset for the Spanish team.
Callum Johnston (Holdsworth Zappi Team) has signed for Caja Rural. The 23 year old Briton signed his first professional contract and will ride with the Spanish team for at least two years.
20 September
The 28 year old Daniel Hoelgaard (Uno-X Pro Cycling Team) will also leave cycling after a ten-year career divided between Norwegian teams and Groupama.
Euskaltel-Euskadi is promoting Asier Etxeberria, Unai Iribar (both of whom are already 2021 trainees) and Xabier Isasa to the first team. The Basque team, on the other hand, will lose Garikoitz Bravo, who will hang up his bike at the end of the season, along with team-mate Mikel Alonso and compatriot Enrique Sanz, who had already been announced in recent days.
Lilian Calmejane has renewed with Ag2r Citroën and will remain with the French team in 2022.
The 19 year old Magnus Sheffield joins Ineos Grenadiers. After leaving Rally Cycling, with whom he signed his first professional contract this year, Magnus Sheffield will join Ineos Grenadiers from next season signing a three year contract.
19 September
The ten-time National Time Trial Champion and four-time World Champion, Tony Martin will retire at the end of the season. The 36-year-old German of Jumbo-Visma, who has dominated the time trial scene for many years, has announced via his own website and social channels that he will retire in a few days after the Mixed TimeTrial of the World Championships, waiving the remaining part of his contract.
18 September
The divorce between Miguel Angel Lopez and Movistar is official. The announcement has been made by the Spanish team itself, which through an official note makes it known that the rider’s contract will be terminated at the end of the month. The fracture that began during the penultimate stage of the Vuelta a España 2021 was therefore irremediable, when the Colombian retired after losing his third position following an attack by Adam Yates, which was answered by his teammate Enric Mas. As for previous rumours (see reports on the 7 September), the Colombian rider seems to be close to sign with his previous team Astana and according to Cyclingnews could join the Kazakh team as early as from the beginning of October.
17 September
Lilian Calmejane, who joined the AG2R Citroën Team this season, is expected to extend his contract with the team for another season, according to a report from L’Equipe. The official announcement of his contract extension by his team should be made soon.
Enrique Sanz (32 Equipo Kern Pharma) have announced his farewell to professional cycling. At the age of 32, he will end his pro career that began in 2011 in the Movistar jersey, during which he achieved four victory successes.
Official renewals for Mathias Norsgaard and Sergio Samitier, who have signed long-term deals with Movistar. Norsgaard has signed up to 2023 with the Spanish team, where he arrived last year as a neo-professional. He his a time trial specialist and was recently second in the third stage of the Tour of Benelux. The 26 year old Spanish climber, Samitier has signed a three-year deal and was last year 13th in the Giro on his debut.
16 September
After winning in two days the Giro di Toscana and the GP Peccioli, Michael Valgren renewed his contract with EF Education-Nippo for the 2022 season. The 29-year-old Danish said: “I’m very happy to stay with this team, I feel at home here, they understand me, we work very well together and I’m super happy to continue this project”.
Arkéa-Samsic climber Warren Barguil is still under contract with the Breton team until the end of next year. However, according to Ouest-France, he has been in discussions with several teams, including the French WorldTeam Groupama-FDJ. However, the rider should stay with Emmanuel Hubert’s team, says the website, although also he has been approached also by B&B Hotels p/b KTM and by Israel Start-Up Nation.
Giovanni Visconti and Bardiani-CSF-Faizané will go on together at least for another year. The Italian professional team has announced that it has extended its agreement with the Sicilian rider for another season.
15 September
Wout Poels has received an offer from Israel Start-up Nation. Although the Dutchman is likely to extend his contract with Bahrain-Victorious at the end of the season, the 33-year-old is also on the table of Israel Start-up Nation for 2022 according to a report by journalist Daniel Benson. The Israeli World Tour team is said to have made Wout Poels the successor to Dan Martin who will end his career at the end of the year. The former winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège would be the replacement of the Irishman for the Ardennes classics but also for the stage races.
14 September
New reinforcement for EF Education-Nippo. After announcing the signings of Esteban Chaves and Odd Christian Eiking in recent weeks, the US team has announced the signing of Eritrean Merhawi Kudus, who leaves Astana after two years. The Eritrean climber turned professional in 2014 with MTN-Qhubeka. The 27-year-old has so far achieved five career successes, including a Tour of Ruanda in 2019 and signed for two years with EF Education.
Ben Hermans will remain with the Israel Start-Up Nation until at least the end of 2023. Today the Belgian rider renewed his contract for the next two years with the Israeli team, where he has been riding successfully since 2018. In these last four seasons with the team directed by Kjell Carlström, the 35-year-old has achieved eleven victories, more than he had achieved in the previous nine years of his career: among his main successes are the final classification of the Tour of Austria, won in 2018 and 2019, the 2019 Tour of Utah, and, this year, the Arctic Race of Norway and the Tour of the Apennines.
13 September
The young Spanish rider Marc Brustenga (Caja Rural) has officially signed a two-year contract with Trek – Segafredo. The 22-year-old Spaniard, Brustenga after a spell in France with V.C. La Pomme Marseille when he was just 18 after three seasons, moved to Filial Caja Rural-RGA. Five victories for him this season, including the Aitzondo Clasica-Asteasu and the G.P. Ciudad de Vigo.
According to Cyclingnews editor-in-chief Daniel Benson, after three seasons Nicolas Roche will not renew his contract with Team DSM, whose management is further rejuvenating its squad. The experienced 37-year-old Irishman is therefore currently without a team for next season. The same source also suggested that Luis Leon Sanchez (37) may move to a different team as well and the top prospective is with Bahrain – Victorious, with whom he would have signed a two-year contract, leaving Astana after seven years. Daniel Benson also twitted that Lukasz Wisniowski is leaving Qhubeka NextHash and heading to EF for next year.
On the latest episode of RadioCorsa, the Italian cycling journalist Beppe Conti has reported that an internal contrast has emerged between Ineos Grenadiers and Egan Bernal despite his winning on the Giro d’Italia 2021. In the meantime, the Israel Start-Up Nation would have a huge offer ready for him, with the possibility that Chris Froome will decide to retire after a disappointing season or will accept a contract renegotiated. However, Giuseppe Acquadro, who looks after the interests of the winner of the last Giro d’Italia, denied the news at the microphones of CyclingNews, explaining that Bernal is happy with his relationship with the team and that he is even already focused on the Tour de France 2022, which at this point should be his main objective next season. “There is nothing true in this story – commented Acquadro – Egan has an agreement for another two years with Ineos Grenadiers and he is happy in this team…….I don’t know where this story comes from.”
12 September
The Czech rider Michael Schlegel has confirmed that next season will ride for Caja Rural – RGA. The 26 year old Schlegel had so far a successful year winning the Tour of Malopolska and arriving third on the queen stage of Sibiu Cycling Tour with the jersey of the continental Elkov – Kasper.
The biker Victor Koretzky have joined B&B Hotels p/b KTM signing a two year contract. The French biker was recently bronze in the cross country at the World Championships in Val di Sole and fifth at the Tokyo Games and is currently number one in the specialty ranking.
Mikel Alonso Flores (Euskadi) will retire at the end of the season. The Basque rider is only 24 year old and in the last two years as a ProTour rider has obtained little results.
11 September
Sonny Colbrelli have extended his contract with Bahrain-Victorious for two years ending all rumours about his possible transfer to Astana. Colbrelli will ride with his current team until the end of 2023.
Alpecin-Fenix have made official the extension of the contract of the young Austrian talent born in 1999, Tobias Bayer, who will remain in the team at least until the end of 2023. Alpacin also signed among its ranks Maurice Ballerstedt (Jumbo-Visma Development Team). The German has signed a long term deal that will end in 2024 season. Ballerstedt profile @procyclingstast
Norway’s Uno-X confirmed the renewal for the next two seasons of Torstein Træen, the 26-year-old home rider who this year managed to reach the top ten at the Tour Alsace and also at the Tour of Norway.
Jakob Fuglsang appears to be headed for Team BikeExchange. According to CyclingNews, the Dane has already signed a multi-year deal with the Australians, who may also welcome sponsor Premier Tech.
According to Ciro Scognamiglio of La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Basque Ion Izagirre could leave after three seasons Astana at the end of the season to settle with Cofidis or Movistar. Scognamiglio also claims that his replacement would be Sébastian Henao, who is leaving after eight seasons with INEOS Grenadiers.
10 September
Another official announcement is the transfer of Luxembourger Michel Ries, who signs a two-year contract with Arkéa – Samsic, saying goodbye to Trek – Segafredo.
According to El Pais, the young Spanish rider Ivan Romeo is joining Movistar.
The classics specialists Florian Sénéchal, who recently won a stage at the Vuelta a España, has extended his contract for two more years with Deceuninck – QuickStep, with whom he turned professional in 2018.
After the sudden divorce between Astana and Premier Tech and the clear intention of the Canadian brand to stay in the WorldTour sponsoring another team (with Qhubeka?), Hugo Houle has announced to lapresse+ that he is following Premier Tech even if he is still under contract with Astana up to the end of 2022. Also leaving Astana Andrea Piccolo and according to Ciro Scognamiglio, the young Italian rider will join Gazprom – Rusvelo next year.
Romain Grégoire (18) is ready to move forward and will sign a contract with Ag2r Citroën. The talented young Frenchman, who won the European junior championship this morning and many races during the season, is ready to turn pro for a WorldTour team skipping the U23s. According to Wielerlifts, Ag2r Citroën initially intended to leave him in their development team but then decided to offer him a professional contract to beat off competition from Groupama-FDJ. Grégoire full profile @ procyclingstats.
According to Dutch media WielerFlits, Magnus Sheffield (Rally Cycling), one of the great hopes of American cycling, is set to join the INEOS Grenadiers at the end of the season. The 19-year-old rider has already signed a long-term contract with the British World Tour team and a confirmation is expected in the next few days.
9 September
Alpecin-Fenix has announced the arrival of Robert Stannard. The 22-year-old Australian will leave Team BikeExchange after three seasons and signed for two seasons with the team of the brothers Philip and Christoph Roodhooft. Stannard came through Team BikeExchange’s development programme and joined the WT team as a trainee in 2018 then for three seasons through this year. He is a good sprinter and do well in one-day races.
Iuri Leitao, the Lusitanian sprinter and pistard, has signed his first professional contract with Caja Rural – RGA. Already rumoured in recent weeks, he will ride the next two seasons for Spanish team.
The 23-year-old Frenchman Eddy Finé will continue his career with Cofidis and signed a deal for another year.
38-year-old Mikel Nieve has told the Diario de Navarra that he will leave Team BikeExchange after four years. The Basque already has a contract for next year and is ready for a new adventure. Among his possible destinations Movistar seems to be the favourite one.
In an interview with ES Ciclismo, the experienced Spaniard Gustavo Cesar Veloso, twice Volta a Portugal winner (2014, 2015) and a Volta a Catalunya and Vuelta a Espana stage winner, has announced his retirement from cycling. Born in 1980, he rode his last season with Tavira after having long been a symbol of the W52 / FC Porto.
Bardiani CSF Faizanè, the team of Bruno and Roberto Reverberi, has announced the contract renewal with Enrico Battaglin (31), winner of three stages of Giro d’Italia, and Samuele Zoccarato (23), a promising young rider who turned professional in 2021 and was third in the road race of the Italian championships. Battaglin extended for one more year and Zoccarato for two years until 2023.
8 September
According to CyclingFever the agreement between Max Kanter (Team DSM) and Movistar is a done deal.
Odd Christian Eiking has signed with EF Education – Nippo for next two seasons. The Norwegian rider, coming from Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux where he has been riding since 2018, is back from the Vuelta a España where he wore the Red Jersey for seven stages.
Jimmy Janssens and Senne Leysen have extended with Alpecin – Fenix. Born in 1989, the former has signed a one-year contract, while the latter, born in 1996, will see his contract run until 2023.
It is now official that, Pau Miquel and Eugenio Sánchez, both arriving from Cantera Lizarte, joined Equipo Kern Pharma.
Owain Doull will leave Ineos Grenadiers after five years with the British team. Doull explained to Cyclingnews that he has already signed for a new team.
American rider Kiel Reijnen, who turned professional in 2009, will end his career at the end of the season, his Trek-Segafredo team announced. The 35-year-old Reijnen has been winning two stages at the Tour of Utah in 2015 and 2016, several other races in USA and a Tour of Ruanda in 2011. He will not leave the world of cycling completely, as he will now turn to Gravel Racing.
7 September
Two young riders of Mastromarco Sensi Nibali will join the Bardiani CSF Faizanè team in the next season. Alessio Nieri and Martin Marcellusi, respectively born in 2001 and 2000 have signed a two years contract with the Green Team.
Twenty-seven-year-old Antwan Tolhoek (Jumbo-Visma) has signed a contract with Trek-Segafredo for the upcoming two seasons.
Miguel Angel Lopez, who extended his contract with Movistar until 2023 a few weeks ago, could leave the team much sooner than expected. This is what the boss of the Spanish team, Eusebio Unzué, suggested in an interview on Onda Cero radio, confirming that the Colombian’s future is in doubt. This follows his controversial retirement on the penultimate stage of the Tour of Spain when Lopez, who was far behind his main rivals and saw the podium slipping away from him, decided to retired in frustration against the advice of his team managers. According to Tuttobiciweb, the Colombian rider, now looks set to leave Eusebio Unzue’s team to return to Astana. Bicycle supplier Wilier Triestina, which is very interested in the South American market, would be delighted with this return.
The Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team has signed two young talents for the next two seasons: 21-year-old Dane Julius Johansen, who currently rides for Uno-X Pro Cycling, and 20-year-old Frenchman Hugo Page, currently riding for Conti Groupama-FDJ. A track specialist, Johansen was crowned world champion in the team pursuit in 2020 and Danish champion in both the time trial and road race last year. Page has been winning numerous races in the junior category, including in 2019 the French time trial champion title and the Chrono des Nations.
Alexey Lutsenko has extended his contract with Astana for another three years, until 2024. The 28 year-old Kazakh rider has already won several stages in the Tour de France, the Tour of Spain, the Critérium du Dauphiné, Paris-Nice and Tirreno-Adriatico, but this year he has shown that he can also be a general classification rider by taking the 2nd place in the Critérium du Dauphiné and the 7th in the Tour de France, his first top 10 in a Grand Tour.
According to Diario de Navarra, next season Oier Lazkano (Caja Rural-RGA) will join Movistar Team. Lazkano, 21, who has been with the green team since the end of 2019 and won a stage of the Tour of Portugal 2020.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, 32-year-old Elia Viviani (Cofidis) will sign a three-year deal with Ineos Grenadiers.
6 September
Alpecin-Fenix has officially announced the signing of Michael Gogl (Team Qhubeka NextHash). The 27 year old Austrian, who was sixth at the Strade Bianche at the beginning of the year, has signed for the next two years with the Belgian team. Belgian team that, as reported by Sportwereld, has also put in its sights the 21 year old Belgian Fabio Van den Bossche (Sport Vlaanderen – Baloise).
Mickaël Delage (Groupama-FDJ) announced that he will retire at the end of the currents season.
The debut among the Professionals of the talented Tobias Halland Johannessen, winner this year of the Tour de l’Avenir and second at the Giro d’Italia Dilettanti, will be among the ranks of Uno-X Pro Cycling team where he currently riding in their development team. The Norwegian has signed a contract until 2024. Also his twin brother Anders Halland Johannessen, seventh at Tour de L’Avenir will follow his brother path from the development to the Pro Team, after a brilliant season in which he was eighth at Giro d’Italia Under 23 and the ninth at Tour of Turkey.
5 September
In an interview to Bici.pro, Marco Marcato as confirmed that after 17 years of professional cycling, he will retire. The 37 years old Veneto rider, who won a Paris-Tours in 2012, after some physical problems, in April he had an episode of arrhythmia and he had to undergo a small ablation operation for atrial fibrillation, has already in agreement with its team (Uae Team Emirates) to continue working for them. Full profile @procyclingstats.
The partnership between Mathieu Van Der Poel and Alpecin – Fenix will continue for a long time. Although his contract is still in force until the end of next season, the Belgian professional team and its Dutch captain have reached a new agreement for a further three years, ending in 2025.
3 September
Dan Martin (Israel Nation) announces retirement from professional cycling. The 35-year-old Irishman has called time on his career after 14 seasons in which he won 22 pro races, including two Monuments and five Grand Tour stage victories. Martin full profile @procyclingstats.
Alejandro Valverde will continue to race next season. After leaving the Vuelta a España with a fractured collarbone, the Movistar rider has returned to training and announced his participation in the end of season Italian Classics. On the microphones of the Spanish version of Eurosport he announced that he feels “strong and motivated, to help or to look for victories” and that he will still be with Movistar in 2022.
Dries Devenyns will carry on riding for Deceuninck-QuickStep for one more year. The Belgian rider, who has been with Patrick Lefevere’s team since the 2017 season, has signed a contract renewal to continue racing with the Belgian formation for another year. The 38 years old achieved only one success with the team’s jersey at last year’s Cadel Evans Great Ocean Race, but has always been a great domestique supporting his teammates to success.
Jonas Rickaert has extended his contract with Alpecin-Fenix until 2025. The 27 year old Belgian rider made his mark this season by winning the Raf Jonckheere GP in July.
According to Le Télégramme Julien Morice contract extension with B&B Hotels p/b KTM is ready to be signed. The 30-year-old rider, who has been with B&B Hotels p/b KTM team since 2018 (when Jérôme Pineau’s team was created), is expected to extend his contract for another season (until 2022). Julien Morice turned professional with Europcar in 2015 and will be riding for the French continental team for a fifth consecutive season.
Bardiani CSF Faizanè announced the signing of two more young Italian riders. Bruno and Roberto Reverberi’s team has signed for the next two seasons: the 23 years old Manuele Tarozzi (currently riding as a trainee with Androni) and the 21 year old Alex Tolio (Zalf Euromobil Fior). Tarozzi is a good sprinter and Tolio should be well suited for one day races.
2 September
Ineos-Grenadiers confirmed the signing of the young British Ben Tullett for three years. Tulett, who turned 20 last week, has spent two good seasons with Alpecin-Fenix, moving from the juniors into the pro squad. A two-time junior cyclocross world champion, Tulett finished ninth overall at the recent Tour de Pologne and 12th at Flèche Wallonne in April, he was also fifth in his first race, the Tour of Antalya.
Taco Van der Hoorn has been one of the best stories of the year 2021. The Dutch rider has had his best successes with a solo victory in the Giro d’Italia and a stage win in the Benelux Tour on Wednesday. And at 27 years old, the Dutch rider has been rewarded for his excellent season by extending his contract with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux until 2024. While his brother has decided to join BORA-hansgrohe, Boy Van Poppel extends his contract with the Belgian WorldTeam until 2022.
1 September
Rohan Dennis leaves Ineos Grenadiers for the rivals of Jumbo-Visma. The Dutch team signed the 31-year-old from Subiaco for two seasons, adding to an already strong time trial team with specialists such as Tom Dumoulin, Primoz Roglic and Wout Van Aert. The Australian joins compatriot Chris Harper, who has signed a new one-year contract, Dennis’s former teammate in Rabobank in 2011.
Kristoffer Halvorsen, 25, joined the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team this season and will continue with the Norwegian team until 2023. The former INEOS Grenadiers and EF Education-Nippo remains one of the Scandinavian ProTeam’s key riders.
31 August
Team TotalEnergies recruits Alan Jousseaume for 2 years. The new team of Peter Sagan, after Sandy Dujardin, they have just signed Alan Jousseaume, another member of the Vendée U, for the next two years. The 23 year old has been a trainee with the team managed by Jean-René Bernaudeau since 1st August, and he has quickly convinced the team leaders to sign his first professional contract.
According to WielerFlits, 25-year-old Sjoerd Bax (Metec – Solarwatt p/b Mantel), 2021 runner-up in the Dutch national championships and winner of the Alpes Isère Tour in the spring, is heading towards Qhubeka-NextHash.
Kenneth Vanbilsen has extended his contract with the French Team Cofidis for another year. A dedicated domestique, the 31-year-old Belgian won À Travers le Hageland in 2019.
Alexis Gougeard (AG2R Citroën) will join the B&B Hotels p/b KTM, he has signed a two-year contract. The 28 year old Gougeard had a great year in 2015, where he had won the Classic Loire-Atlantique, the Eurométropole Tour, a stage of the 4 Jours de Dunkerque and a stage of the Tour of Spain. Gougeard also won the Polynormande in 2017 and the Circuit de la Sarthe in 2019.
Two contract extensions for AG2R Citroën Team: Lawrence Naesen for two more years and Gijs Van Hoecke for one more year.
Jason Osborne will race as a trainee at Deceuninck-Quick-Step. The 27-year-old German has made a name for himself as a rower in recent years, but has decided to change track and focus on a career as a cyclist. Osborne is a successful rowing career, with a world title in 2018, several European titles and silver at the last Olympic Games in Tokyo. However, the German has also already shown his qualities as a road biker. For example, last year he won the first edition of the virtual UCI Cycling Esports World Championships, ahead of several pro cyclists. He also finished eighth and sixth at the German pro time trial championships in 2018 and 2019. Osborne should make his debut in Gullegem Koerse next week.
30 August
Roux, Lienhard and Stewart extend their contracts with Groupama-FDJ. The Groupama-FDJ team has announced contract extensions for three of its riders: former French champion Anthony Roux, Swiss rider Fabian Lienhard and Briton Jake Stewart. Roux and Lienhard have signed for another year, while Stewart is now tied to his team until 2024. Groupama-FDJ is thus securing its 21-year-old talent for the long term, Stewart took 2nd place in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad this year.
According to Marca, several teams are following the evolution of the Colombian Nairo Quintana (Team Arkéa-Samsic), since his contract runs until 2022 and his future is still uncertain. Among the monitoring teams: AG2R Citroën Team, who could make him their leader for the Grand Tours, Bora-hansgrohe, who have just recruited his compatriot Sergio Higuita and finally, the Bahrain-Victorious team, in order to support Damiano Caruso and Mikel Landa. Emmanuel Hubert, the general manager of Team Arkéa-Samsic, has totally denied a possible departure of his leader.
In an interview to the Italian sport newspaper “La Gazzetta”, Vinokourov stated that there are no problems for the Vincenzo Nibali deals that should be signed very soon and that Astana is also closed to Elia Viviani (he could sign this week). Vinokurov offered to Viviani manager Lombardi a two-year contract. Nibali and Moscon have been in the sights of Astana for some time now, and with Elia Viviani the team will start to get a new shape. Viviani has also two more options on the table: the British Ineos-Grenadiers and the Belgian Deceuninck-Quick Step and today there will be a meeting with the directors of Cofidis, who will try to keep him in their team.
29 August
The 21 years old German sprinter Kim Heiduk (Lotto Kern Haus) to Ineos? Source: @CyclingTransfers reporting a rumour from the german TV @sportschau. Heiduk full profile procyclingstats
28 August
Jumbo-Visma has contracted mountain biker Milan Vader for 2022. Multiple sources have confirmed this to WielerFlits. Vader will ride a combined mountain bike and road program. On Saturday afternoon the 25-year-old rider from Zeeland will compete at the World Mountain Bike Championships in Val di Sole.
At the end of his contract at the end of the season, Diego Rosa should not be renew with Arkéa-Samsic. The 32-year-old Italian, who joined the French team in 2020, has never achieved the expected results. However, the Italian climber could soon find a new home as he is expected to join EOLO Kometa next season, according to a report in La Gazzetta dello Sport.
According to Diario de Navarra, Caja Rural-RGA will significantly renew its roster for 2022. At least five members of the 2021 squad will not continue with the Navarre-based team at the end of this season. The sprinter Jon Aberasturi, yesterday confirmed his departure to Trek-Segafredo. Colombian Alejandro Osorio, has also confirmed his departure for Team-Bahrain, and Jon Irisarri, 25, will retire at the end of 2021. There will be at least two other departures, which have not yet been announced.
Caja Rural-RGA does not plan to transfer any rider from its development team, and has already made a couple of signings: Czech Michal Schlegel (Elkov – Kasper), 26, who raced in the WTT CCC three years ago and the Portuguese Iuri Leitao, 23.
27 August
Belgian Boris Vallée of Bingoal – Pauwels Sauces – WB will certainly quit at the end of the season. At only 28 years old, he has decided to free himself from the pressures of professional cycling.
Australian Jay Vine, who was recruited after winning the Zwift Cycling Academy in 2020 and is currently competing in the Vuelta, has had his contract renewed with Alpecin-Fenix until the end of 2023.
Hugo Hofstetter joins Team Arkéa-Samsic for two years. After Alexis Renard, who has signed up with the Cofidis team for the next two seasons, another French rider from the Israel Start-Up Nation is returning home as Hugo Hofstetter will be a rider of Team Arkéa-Samsic in 2022 and 2023. Fast in the sprint and with good predispositions for the northern classics, the Alsatian had joined the Israeli team in 2020 from Cofidis. Hofstetter won last year Le Samyn.
Magnus Sheffield left the American Team Rally on the 18 August. On his twitter account the 19 year old Sheffield said “I have left Rally Cycling as of August 18th. I have deep gratitude for all of the experiences and opportunities the team provided to me. I wish my teammates and the team nothing but the best.” A WTT is is possible destination. Here his full profile.
Pieter Serry have renew for two years with Quick Step.
Jon Aberasturi (Caja Rural) signs with Trek-Segafredo. The Basque sprinter will add options in tough sprints and has obtained 15 pro victories during his career. The 32-year-old from Vitoria-Gasteiz signed a contract that will see him ride for Trek-Segafredo through 2023.
26 August
According to Ciro Scognamiglio (@ Gazzetta dello Sport), Team Rusvelo is ready to recruit in 2022: Giovanni Carboni (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè), Matteo Malucelli (Androni Giocattoli – Sidermec), Kevin Rivera (ex Bardiani) and Nicola Conci (Trek – Segafredo).
Otto Vergaerde signs with Trek-Segafredo until 2023. The American team Trek-Segafredo has signed Otto Vergaerde from Alpecin-Fenix on Thursday morning. He will be under contract with the team until 2023 and reinforce the team for the Classics. After three years with Alpacin and working for his leader Mathieu van der Poel, Vergaerde will support Jasper Stuyven and Edward Theuns, both good person friends.
25 August
Nicolas Edet leaves Cofidis and signs for Arkéa-Samsic. Nicolas Edet, who turned professional in 2011 with Cofidis and has remained with the team since, will ride for Team Arkéa-Samsic for the next two seasons. The Breton team announced this in a press release on Wednesday, Edet being the fourth recruit for 2022 after Kévin Vauquelin (VC Rouen 76), Alessandro Verre (Team Colpack Ballan) and Simon Guglielmi (Groupama-FDJ). Nicolas Edet, was the KOM winner on the Vuelta a España in 2013 and the GC winner of Tour du Limousin in 2018.
24 August
Jannik Steimle is the latest rider to have extended his agreement with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, the team for which he turned pro at the beginning of 2020 following a short but successful spell as a stagiaire, for two more years. In his first year with the Wolfpack, the German was the winner of the Tour of Slovakia.
Jelle Vanendert will soon put an end to a fifteen-year cycling career. The former rider of Française des Jeux and Lotto Soudal, who currently rides for Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB, will say goodbye to cycling on Wednesday, September 15 during the Grand Prix de Wallonie. A Tour de France stage winner, the Belgian climber was several time a protagonist in the Ardenne Classics. Here is full profile procyclingstats.
23 August
30-year-old Adrien Petit is moving from Team TotalEnergies to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert. This was confirmed to WielerFlits by several sources. Adrien Petit started his professional career in 2011 at Cofidis, where he stayed for more than five years. Victory in the Tro-Bro Léon (2014) and a prologue victory in the Tour of Luxembourg (2015) earned him a transfer to Direct Energie. Since 2016 the Frenchman has been part of Jean-René Bernaudeau’s team, which will have a new leader in Peter Sagan in 2022. Petit can also play a role in the new spring core around Alexander Kristoff at the Belgian team.
Simon Guglielmi signs for two years with Arkéa-Samsic. A few weeks ago, its present team, Groupama-FDJ, made clear that they had no intention to extend Guglielmi’s contract. Now, the 24-year-old rider has signed for the next two seasons with the team managed by Manu Hubert.
After announcing, the extension of contract for Miguel Ángel López for the next two seasons, Movistar Team confirmed six other names from its current roster will stay with the team until the end of 2023: German Juri Hollmann, Colombian Einer Rubio, Portuguese Nelson Oliveira and Spaniards Antonio Pedrero, Jorge Arcas and Carlos Verona.
Markus Hoelgaard (Uno-X) signs with Trek-Segafredo. The 26-year-old Norwegian will reinforce the team Classics squad through 2023. Hoelgaard signed a two-year deal. Hoelgaard, from Stavanger, just finished the Tour of Norway in 4th position and top-10 finishes in every stage.
Cycling team Jumbo-Visma has signed for the next two years with Frenchman Christophe Laporte (Cofidis) and Belgian rider Tosh Van der Sande (Lotto). Laporte will be useful also to assist Wout Van Aert in the classics, while Van der Sande can be a valid support for sprinter Dylan Groenewegen.
The BORA-hansgrohe team for next season is taking shape. The German team announces the arrival of Jonas Koch from Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert with a two years contract and the 18 years old German neo pro Luis-Joe Lührs, who signed for 3year. Luhrs full profile @ procyclingstats.
UAE Emirates has extended the contracts of four riders. Sprinter Fernando Gaviria signed until the end of 2022, just like the 2013 world champion Rui Costa and Jan Polanc. UAE Team Emirates have also confermed the renewal of Alessandro Covi ‘s contract for another three years. The 22 years old Italian, second and third in this year Giro d’Italia stages, will race with the team at least until the end of 2024.
22 August
Uno-X Pro Cycling continues to strengthen its squad for the 2022 season. After the arrival of Jonas Gregaard (Astana-Premier Tech) and Niklas Eg (Trek-Segafredo), the Scandinavian team announced today the signing of sprinter and Danish rider, Lasse Norman Hansen (Qhubeka NextHash). The 29-year-old, who won a silver medal in the team pursuit at the recent Tokyo 2020 Olympics and a gold in the madison paired with Michael Morkov. Hansen has signed a contract valid until the end of 2023.
21 August
Sport Vlaanderen has signed the 20 year old Vito Braet (Lotto Soudal U23), offering him a contract for the next two seasons. For Braet full profile here.
20 August
Arkéa-Samsic team has signed young Italian Alessandro Verre, who will join the Breton team next year and for the next three seasons. Currently a member of Team Colpack Ballan, the 19 year old rider showed his credential this year by winning a stage in the Giro del Valle d’Aosta and finishing 6th in the U23 Giro d’Italia.
Team Cofidis has announced a new recruit: François Bidard from (AG2R). The 29 year old French climber, regularly trains with Guillaume Martin, have signed a two year agreement with CédricVasseur ‘s team.
19 August
Alexis Renard, 22, from Saint-Brieuc is joining Cofidis after two seasons with Israel-Start-Up Nation. The Breton rider, French amateur champion in 2019 and 3rd in the Tour of Wallonia this year has signed up for two seasons.
Cériel Desal turns pro at Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB. Desal signed a contract up to the end of the 2023 season. His full profile here.
Fuglsang’s agent, Moreno Nicoletti, told Danish TV 2 SPORT, about the uncertain surrounding Jakob Fuglsang, 36, future is expected to be in place in the foreseeable future. At the end of the season his contract his expiring with Astana and currently no offers are on the table. Nicoletti have spoken with Quick-Step, Israel Start-Up Nation and Astana, but with nothing concrete to report yet and hoping in some development after the Vuelta.
18 August
Odd Christan Eiking, according to journalist Jarle Fredagsvik, is expected to soon announce the renewal of his contract with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert.
According to le Télégramme, Julien Simon is signing for one more year with TotalEnergies and Arkéa-Samsic is very interested in Simon Guglielmi, who has not been confirmed by Groupama-FDJ.
Caja Rural is interested in the Portuguese rider Iuri Leitão (Tavfer-Measindot-Mortágua) into its ranks next year. Leitão is a very sprinter aged 23 who has won recently 2 stages at the Volta ao Alentejo.
Benjamin Thomas, 25, will ride for the next two season with Cofidis. The current French time trial champion, bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympic Games in track cycling, is start with Cofidis after 4 seasons with the Groupama-FDJ team. Twice time-trials French champion, in La Haye-Fouassière in 2019 and last June in Épinal, he also had stage victories at the Tour de Wallonie and the 4 Jours de Dunkerque (2017).
Rémi Cavagna extends with Deceuninck – Quick-Step. The Frenchman will stay with the team until at least the end of 2023. Rémi Cavagna joined the Wolfpack in 2017 and has since turned into one of the best time trialists in the world, the victories he got at the French Championships, Tour de Romandie or Tour de Pologne. The Frenchman’s also won solo stages at the Vuelta a España, Tour of California and the Road Nationals, where just two months ago he was crowned champion after an entire day spent in the breakaway.
Austrian rider Félix Gall, 23, who currently rides for Team DSM, has committed to two seasons with the AG2R CITROËN TEAM starting January 1, 2022. Gall, a climber, will be the first Austrian rider to join the AG2R CITROËN TEAM since its creation in 1992. After Paul Lapeira (2 years) and Valentin Paret Peintre (3 years), both from the AG2R CITROËN U23 team, Clément Berthet, who joined the team from 1 August 2021 through 2024, and Antoine Raugel (2 years), Felix Gall is the fifth rider to sign for the AG2R CITROËN TEAM.
From the Vuelta in an interview with VeloClub, Dmitriy Fofonov, who is currently leading the Astana-Premiertech team at the Vuelta, confirmed that both Omar Fraile and Ion Izaguirre should remain with the team next year, and did not deny news about the departures of Alex Aranburu, Oscar Rodriguez and Gorka Izaguirre in the direction of Movistar. The team seems to be now very closed to sign Vincenzo Nibali (Trek) and are evaluating opportunities to sign Sonny Colbrelli (Bahrain – Victorious) and Jonathan Lastra (Caja Rural – Seguros RGA).
17 August
Anthon Charmig, 23 years old, has signed an extension with the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team until 2023. The Dane has had a very good season, taking 2nd place overall in the Alpes Isère Tour, 6th in the Tour of Turkey and more recently 7th in the Tour of Denmark. Known as a good climber, the native of Aarhus represents one of the best hopes of the Norwegian team and of Danish cycling since he finished 2nd of the U23 European Championships.
Another rider from the Uno-X Pro Cycling Team who could be on the verge of joining the WorldTour is Julius Johansen, Ekstrabladet reports that the 21 year old Dane is close to joining Intermarché Wanty Gobert.
A few days after the announcement of the recruitment of Pierre Barbier (Team Delko), B&B Hotels p/b KTM has made official a new arrival for next season, that of German rider Miguel Heidemann, who has signed until 2023. A time trial specialist, the 2021 German time trial runner-up to Tony Martin (Team Jumbo-Visma) has spent the last two years with the Leopard Pro Cycling team.
Strengthening their team for one day races, Team DSM have announced that the Norwegian Jonas Iversby Hvideberg (22) and the Danish Frederik Rodenberg Madsen (23), both currently racing for Uno-X Pro Cycling Team will join the team next season, riding in the team’s colours until at least the end of 2023.
Luca Rastelli will turn professional with Bardiani CSF Faizanè. The junior vice-world time trial champion in 2017 has signed a two-year contract with Bruno and Roberto Reverberi’s team. The class 1999 joins Iker Bonillo, Omar El Gouzi, Alessio Martinelli and Luca Colnaghi, already announced in the last weeks by the Italian professional team.
According to Gazzetta dello Sport – Ciro Scognamiglio, after 3 seasons Ivan Ramiro Sosa should leave Ineos Granadier at the end of 2021. His italian agent, Giuseppe Acquadro, is working for a solution to bring the Colombian to Movistar. In addition, Gianni Moscon, after six season, is likely to be leaving Ineos-Granadiers as well. Rumours are suggesting Astana as his next destination.
16 August
The new Drone Hopper by Gianni Savio and Marco Bellini is gradually composing. The team, which will have the Spanish company as its first name, has in fact made official a new engagement for the 2022 season. This is Eduard Grosu, a Romanian sprinter who will turn 29 on 4 September. A professional since 2014, Grosu currently runs for French team Delko. The words of Gianni Savio welcomed the rider who in his professional career has achieved twenty successes: «Eduard Grosu is a good sprinter who has won several races, including the Ronde Van Limburg, an important Belgian classic. We welcome him with enthusiasm into our team and we believe that he will be able to be a protagonist from the beginning of next season»
Now it is official, Davide Cimolai signed for 2 seasons with Cofidis. After three years, Cimolai will leave Israel Start-Up Nation at the end of the season to join the French team.
Trek-Segafredo have signed Simon Pellaud. Swiss-born and Colombian by adoption, will wear Trek-Segafredo jersey for the next two years (2022-2023). Pellaud, who turns 29 in November, become professional year was in 2015 with IAM Cycling, but with the team folding the following year, he restarted in the Continental level with USA-based Team Illuminate. After two seasons in the United States, he returned to Switzerland and joined Pro Team Androni-Sidermec, where he showed off his skills as a tireless attacker, notably at the Giro d’Italia. His palmares include the Swiss U23 Championship in 2013, a stage at the 2018 Tour of Hainan, and two silver medals at the Swiss Elite Championship, 2019 and 2021.
Jonas Gregaard (Astana) after 3.5 years in the Kazakh team, have rejoined Uno-X Pro Cycling Team. The 25 years old Danish rider have signed for 2 seasons.
The Astana team’s is set to continue in 2022. The team’s Kazakh shareholders confirmed that they will continue as team owner and main sponsor for the upcoming season. Alexandr Vinokurov has been reappointed as Sports Team Principal for the 2022 season and will oversee the rider and staff recruitment and sporting operations. Announcements regarding rider contract extension and new rider signings will be made in the near future.
15 August
The experienced Tomasz Marczynski, currently riding on the Tour of Poland, will not be in the peloton next year either. The Lotto Soudal rider made his decision official on his home roads.
14 August
Victor Lafay has extended his contract with the Cofidis team for a further two seasons until 2023. After turning professional in 2018 with the team led by Cédric Vasseur, Lafay has only this year expressed his full potentiality winning a stage at the Giro d’Italia, and finishing third in the Arctic Race of Norway a few days ago.
Bahrain Victorious has announced the signing of young Polish rider Filip Maciejuk, who will be joining the team for the 2022-2023 seasons. The 21-year-old – who has spent the last four seasons with the Continental Team Leopard Pro Cycling – has now signed his first World Tour contract with Bahrain Victorious for the next two seasons. Filip Maciejuk is a time trial specialist and a bronze medalist at the World Championships Men Juniors in 2017. This season, he won the General Classification of L’Etoile d’Or (a UCI Nations Cup race), taking the opening Individual Time Trial and he was also silver medallist at the Polish National ITT Championships. Maciejuk is currently riding at the Tour de Pologne wearing the jersey of the Poland National Team.
13 August
After Biniam Girmay, who is already joined the team, and the Norwegians Alexander Kristoff and Sven Erik Bystrom (UAE-Team Emirates), the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team continues its recruitment for the 2022 season, The French team announced today that it has signed Gerben Thijssen (23) and Kobe Goossens (25), the two riders from the Lotto Soudal team, as well as Laurens Huys (22), from Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB team, for the next two years. While the first two are climbers, Gerben Thijssen is a sprinter.
The 29-year-old French sprinter Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotel) has signed for Cofidis for two years. As a pro rider, the Frenchman has achieved 45 victories so far. He won the Étoile de Bessèges six times, the Boucles de la Mayenne four times and the Circuit Pays-de-la-Loire three times. He also won the 4 jours de Dunkerque and the Route Adélie.
Done deal for Davide Cimolai in Cofidis? Cimolai should leave Israel Start-Up Nation at the end of the season to join Cofidis in 2022. An official announcement on the recruitment of Cimolai or Bryan Coquard (B&B Hotels p/b KTM) or both is expected later today.
12 August
Stefano Oldani will ride with Alpecin – Fenix starting from next season. The Italian rider leaves after two seasons Lotto Soudal, the team with which he debuted among the professionals, to join Mathieu van der Poel’s team, with which he signed a two-year contract.
Fabio Aru (Qhubeka) will retire at the end of the Vuelta a España 2021. The 31 year old Sardinian rider has made a surprise announcement after three years of injuries and disappointment and have chosen to end his professional career at the end of the Vuelta where he was the winner in 2015. During his ten years as a professional, in addition to the Vuelta in 2015, he was twice on the podium at the Giro d’Italia (third in 2014 and second in 2015), won seven stage in the Grand Tours (three at the Giro, two at the Vuelta and one at the Tour de France), as well as the Italian Championships in 2017.
The exodus of riders out of Delko continues. The team has been experiencing financial difficulties for a few months now. After losing Biniam Ghirmay and Clement Berthet, who moved respectively to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert and Ag2r Citroën, next year also Pierre Barbier will leave joining B&B Hotels p/b KTM. The 23-year-old Frenchman, who has signed a contract valid for the next two years, is the younger brother of the more famous Rudy, Barbier is a sprinter who won the third stage of the Tour of Bulgaria in 2020.
Just before the start the Vuelta a España 2021, Movistar has renewed the contract of Miguel Angel Lopez, signing a two-year contract extending up to 2023. which brings the new expiry date to 2023.
In an interview with Wielerlifts, the Team DSM Head Coach Rudi Kemna, explained that Ilan Van Wilder will not be released from his contractual obligations and that Felix Gall, Max Kanter and Martijn Tusveld expiring contracts will not be renewed. In addition, they have have announced the signing of two youngsters from their development team until the end of 2023: Marius Mayrhofer and Leon Heinschke. Born in 2000, Mayrhofer is a sprinter and was third in the opening stage Settimana Coppi e Bartali. Heinschke ( 21), is the former German Under-23 champion.
11 August
According to La Voix du Nord, Alexys Brunel will not be extended by the Groupama-FDJ team. Despite finishing , the Boulogne-sur-Mer native is struggling to convince the entire staff of the French team. Brunel joined the team in 2018 as a trainee and was then confirmed in the WorldTour squad in 2020. Third in the French time trial championships, he has one victory as a Pro: a stage on the Étoile de Bessèges. In addition, Anthony Roux will continue to ride for Groupama-FDJ. The 34-year-old has been racing professionally since 2008, is in the process of signing a one-year contract extension. “I haven’t signed yet, but I’ve got the team’s approval,” the 2018 national champion told the local press.
After 8 years, Tony Gallopin returns to Trek. The 33-year-old Frenchman has signed a two-year deal which will see him race with us through 2023. Gallopin previously raced with the Trek family in 2012 and 2013 when he won Clásica San Sebastian.
10 August
As for previous rumours, Team Manager Marc Madiot has confirmed to L’Equipe, that after four years, Benjamin Thomas will leave Groupama-FDJ at the end of the season. Thomas, the recent Madison bronze medallist at the Tokyo Olympics and French time trial champion will is expected to ride for Cofidis in 2022.
Premier-Tech towards Qhubeka NextHash and with them Fuglsang, Boaro and possibly Lutsenko. After three stage wins at the Giro d’Italia, now, for Douglas Ryder’s Qhubeka NextHash, the doors are opening wide for a possible agreement with Premier Tech. Jakob Fuglsang, Alexey Lutsenko and Manuele Boaro are also likely to follow, and could then join the Qhubeka team which has a surprising good season so far. Premier-Tech, officially separated from Astana on 6 August, left the Kazakh team after a five-year partnership.
Nico Denz (27) and Asbjørn Kragh Andersen (29) have extended their contracts at Team DSM for another season. The German and the Dane have been tied to the German WorldTour team until the end of 2022.
George Bennett signs a 2 year deal with UAE Team Emirates. The NewZealander veteran palmares include the Tour of California in 2017, a solo win at the Gran Piemonte, an Italian semi-classic in 2020 and two top-10 Grand Tour finishes at the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta España.
Antoine Raugel, 22, who rode for the Groupama FDJ continental team this season, will join the AG2R CITROËN TEAM for two seasons starting in 2022. Raugel, who was the French road racing champion U19 in 2017 and
3rd in Paris-Troyes this year, was already a stagiaires for AG2R in the second part of the 2020 season.
9 August
The latest addition to EF Education–NIPPO for the 2022 season is Colombian rider Esteban Chaves. Riding in the WorldTour since 2014, Chaves is a two-time grand tour podium finisher, won stages at Giro and Vuelta and the Monument Classic Lombardia in 2016.
François Bidard to join Cofidis, the Norman rider François Bidard will spend his last months with the AG2R Citroën Team, with whom he has been racing since 2014. According to Actu.fr, he will be riding for the Cofidis team from January 2022, where he should be a good lieutenant for its leader Guillaume Martin.
According to Charles Marsault, from Velo-Club.net, the exodus continues at Delko, and according to his sources, the Romanian Eduard-Michael Grosu will go to Drone Hopper (Androni-Sidermec) and the Spanish José Manuel Díaz to Intermarché.
Ramon Sinkeldam, Ignatas Konovalovas and Miles Scotson have extended their contracts with Groupama-FDJ. Konovalovas and Sinkeldam have extended for another season, while Scotson has signed until 2023. Arnaud Démare can carry on with receiving their support for his sprinting. In addition, the 24 year old Dutch sprinter Bram Welten (Team Arkéa Samsic) joins as well for two seasons.
Alvaro Hodeg signs with UAE Team Emirates for two years. The UAE Team Emirates continues its recruitment campaign. After signing Joao Almeida, Pascal Ackermann and Marc Soler, the Emirates team has signed Colombian rider Alvaro Hodeg for the next two seasons. A member of the Deceuninck-Quick Step team since 2018, the 24-year-old sprinter has never fully express his undoubted potential. Is Gaviria on his way out?
Corbin Strong signs with Israel Start-Up Nation for 3 years. The Israel Start-Up Nation team has announced the signing of New Zealander Corbin Strong for the next three years. Strong, who is only 21 years old, is a track specialist and became world champion in the points race in 2020. He was present at the Tokyo Olympic Games in recent days where he finished 11th in the American race with Campbell Stewart. However, Corbin Strong has also shone on the road with his current team SEG Racing Academy, winning the New Zealand Cycle Classic earlier this season.
Trek – Segafredo announces five renewals among its classics specialists riders. Alex Kirsch, Emil Liepins, Quinn Simmons, Edward Theuns, all signed a two-year contract until 2023, and Alexander Kamp, who has signed for one-year.
William Blume Levy (ColoQuick)joins Uno-X Pro Cycling Team. The Uno-X Pro Cycling Team has announced a new recruit: William Blume Levy, a 20 year old Danish rider. He has signed for the next three seasons with the Norwegian team. Blume Levy already has a good reputation due to his very good results in the junior ranks, including his victory in the Tour of Flanders Juniores in 2019.
Aleksandr Vlasov joins BORA-hansgrohe for three years! After Sam Bennett and Shane Archbold (Deceuninck-Quick Step), Danny van Poppel (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux), Ryan Mullen (Trek-Segafredo), Sergio Higuita (EF Education-NIPPO), Jai Hindley (Team DSM) and Marco Haller (Bahrain Victorious), the German team has officially announced the recruitment of Aleksandr Vlasov, the russian climber of the Astana-Premier Tech team. This is a new important reinforcement for BORA-hansgrohe, which adds to its squad a rider who finished this year fourth in the Giro d’Italia, second in Paris-Nice and third in the Tour of the Alps.
8 August
A two year contract for Marc Soler (Movistar). Also the Catalan rider signs with UAE Team Emirates. ”I’m coming here with a lot of excitement and with desire to work hard and and enjoy this new chapter”, said Soler in the announcement.
7 August
According to Alexander Paillou (VeloClubDuNet), Miguel Angel Lopez have signed for another year with Movistar.
Another expected move is now official. Pascal Ackermann will defend the colours of UAE Team Emirates in the coming years. The German sprinter comes over from BORA-hansgrohe and signs a contract for two seasons.
6 August
Jon Aberasturi to Trek-Segafredo. Jon Aberasturi seems to be on his way to Trek-Segafredo. According to the Spanish newspaper El Correo Álava, the 32-year-old Spaniard, currently in Caja Rural – Seguros RG, is ready to sign a contract for two seasons. Aberasturi won a stage in the Tour of Slovenia this year.
And Juraj Sagan follows his brother! A two year contract signed for Team TotalEnergies.
Biniam Girmay Hailu (Delko) has been added to the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert roster with immediate effect. The 21-year old Eritrean will already make his debut next Monday at the Tour of Poland. Girmay Hailu, who currently lives in Italy, signed a deal until the end of 2024.
As already reported at the end of July, Matteo Sobrero is set to join Team BikeExchange. Italian time trial champion and third in the last Tour of Slovenia, Matteo Sobrero (Astana – PremierTech) will change team next season. According to Ciro Scognamiglio, a journalist specialising in cycling at La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Astana rider is about to sign up with the Team BikeExchange team. All that is missing is the official announcement of the Australian WorldTeam, which would sign its first reinforcement for 2022.
UAE Team Emirates, official the arrival of João Almeida with a contract until 2027.
Alan Boileau, who is under contract until 2022, is extending with B&B Hotels p/b KTM team. According to Le Télégramme, the 22-year-old rider is ready to conclude the agreement to ride with the French team for an additional season (until 2023). In his first season as a Pro rider, Boileau won three stages in the Tour of Rwanda.
The ambitious Norwegian Uno-X Pro Cycling Team has made a new recruitment signing Danish rider Niklas Eg. After four seasons with Trek-Segafredo, the 26-year-old rider has signed with the Norwegian team until 2023. Very promising among the youth categories, with a third place in the 2017 Tour de l’Avenir behind Egan Bernal and Bjorg Lambrecht, Niklas Eg results in the last two seasons have been rather disappointing, and Eg is looking for a new opportunity.
5 August
The 24 year old Sandy Dujardin (Vendée U) will be a Team TotalEnergies rider for the next two seasons. Known as a good puncher, he will be supporting the new team recruits such as Peter Sagan.
After a few difficult years at Trek-Segafredo (2017-2019) and at Lotto-Soudal (2020-2021), German John Degenkolb (Lotto Soudal) is returning to Team DSM, the team he rode for from 2012 to 2016 when it was called Argos-Shimano and Giant-Alpecin. The 33 year old has signed a three-year deal ending in 2024. Degenkolb won 36 races in his career, and his palmares includes 10 stages in the Vuelta, 1 in the Giro, Gent-Wevelgem (2014), Paris-Roubaix (2015) and Milan-Sanremo (2015). and a stage win at the Giro D’Italia.
No more Philipp Walsleben in the professional peloton next season. The 33-year-old German rider from Alpecin-Fenix has announced that he will stop racing after this year. “I’ve been thinking about stopping for a long time,” Walsleben said.
The second signing of Gianni Savio’s new Drone Hopper (Androni-Sidermec) PRT team is Umberto Marengo. The 29-year-old Piedmontese rider, arriving from Bardiani CSF-Faizanè. Marengo, who won a stage at the Tour of Utah in his career and duelled with Simon Pellaud at the Giro d’Italia, where he finished second in the breakaway kilometres classification behind the Swiss rider.
The 20-year-old Conti Groupama-FDJ Lewis Askey will join the WorldTour team for the next two seasons. Since 2020, the Briton is the seventh rider to move up to the WT Groupama-FDJ from their development team, after Kevin Geniets, Simon Guglielmi, Alexys Brunel, Lars van den Berg, Clément Davy and his compatriot Jake Stewart. “We want to create a real group for the Classics with young riders of which Stefan Küng, Jake Stewart, Fabian Lienhard and Lewis Askey will be the base. This is a long-term project,” said sport director Yvon Madiot in a statement.
Spanish Juan Pedro Lopez, Frenchmen Kenny Elissonde and Julien Bernard have renewed their contracts with Trek-Segafredo until 2023. Also the 20 year old Italian Antonio Tiberi renewed up to 2024 and finally Antonio Nibali has signed for a further season, therefore the Sicilian will not be riding with his brother Vincenzo, who is leaving the team.
Ben Gastauer will retire at the end of this season. The Ag2r Citroën rider revealed that due physical problems. Since mid-April he is no longer able to compete at a high level and for the first two months he was unable to sit on his bike. The Luxembourger has therefore decided to leave professional cycling and will end his career on the roads of his home country at the Tour of Luxembourg from 14-18 September. The class of ’87 has spent his entire career with the French team, including two victories, a stage and the general classification at the 2015 Tour du Haut Var.
4 August
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux has officially announced the signing of two Norwegian riders Alexander Kristoff (UAE Team Emirates), winner of 79 pro races, and Sven Erik Bystrøm (UAE Team Emirates), former U23 World Champion, for the 2022 season. The duo both from Stravanger signed a signed a two year deal with the French team.
In an interview to Cyclingnews, Cofidis team manager Cedric Vasseur said that the French team has not made any attempt to sign Geraint Thomas from Ineos Grenadiers but Vasseur confirmed interest in getting on board Dan Martin (Israel Start-Up Nation).
BORA – hansgrohe further strengthens its roster: presenting Jai Hindley, Sergio Higuita and Marco Haller as new signings. Ralph Denk’s team is strengthening itself on different fronts, thereby also initiating strategic changes. All riders will be under contract with BORA – hansgrohe for at least the next three years.
Michael Storer time with Team DSM is coming to an end. Next season he will be a Groupama-FDJ rider. Thee 24 year old Australian recently dominated the Tour de l’Ain. In addition, Marc Madiot’s team has announced the arrival of Quentin Pacher (B&B Hôtels p/b KTM). Both young and good climbers, they will be able to fulfil personal ambitions as well as to help their team leaders David Gaudu and Thibaut Pinot in stage races. The two recruits have signed a contract for two seasons.
It seems that João Almeida (Quick-Step) will ride alongside Tadej Pogačar in the coming years, together with talents Juan Ayuso (18 Colpack-Ballan) and Finn Fisher-Black (19 Jumbo-Visma Development). After the Olympics, the sprinter Felix Groß (22 Rad-Net Rose) will also move to the UAE Team Emirates where next season he will also meet Pascal Ackermann (Bora). Negotiation are ongoing to reach agreements with Marc Soler (Movistar), Álvaro José Hodeg (Quick-Step). A lot of riders are also expected to leave the team: Valerio Conti, Rui Costa, David De la Cruz, Marco Marcato and Aleksandr Riabushenko. The Norwegian pair Alexander Kristoff and Sven Erik Bystrøm are also moving. Finally, Davide Formolo and Alessandro Covi are expected to sign for further 2 years, Fernando Gaviria seems to have accepted a reduced contract and Maximilliano Richeze is uncertain if retire or stay in the group stay for one more year.
At the end of the season, and after loosing Maarten Wynants and Paul Martens, both retired, Jumbo-Visma will loose three more riders leaving:Antwan Tolhoek (Trek-Segafredo), Christoph Pfingste (his contract will not be renewed) and George Bennett (UAE, Bahrein, Quebeka). On, the other hand Chris Harper has extended his expiring contract and Rohan Dennis, Christophe Laporte and Tosh Van der Sande will reinforce the roster. Finally, it seems that negotiations with Wout Poel have ended without any success.
Following San Sebastian win, Nelson Powless extends with team EF Education–NIPPO for 3 years. Jonathan Vaughters’s team have lost Tejay van Garderen and Mitchell Docker since both will retire, while Sergio Higuita has apparently signed with BORA-hansgrohe. Meanwhile, Esteban Chaves (BikeExchange) should join with his talented compatriot Didier Merchan (22, Colombia Tierra de Atletas-GW Bicicletas). According to unconfirmed sources also the 20 year old Irish talent Ben Healy (Trinity Racing) would make the transfer as well the British 25-year-old James Shaw (Ribble Weldtite Pro Cycling).
3 August
Peter Sagan signs with the ProTour Team TotalEnergies up to 2023. The three-time world champion to join French team with Specialized as new bike sponsor. He will join the Vendée-based team in the coming season, along with two very strong rouleurs, Polish rider Maciej Bodnar and Italian rider Daniel Oss. The Californian brand Specialized will now supply Team TotalEnergies, including helmets, shoes and tyres, as well as Roval wheels and components.
Sprinter Caleb Ewan has extended his contract at Lotto Soudal for an additional two years. The 27-year-old Australian will stay at the team till at least the end of 2024. Also Frederik Frison has extended his contract the end of 2023. Finally Rüdiger Selig (Bora) will join the Belgium team with a two-year agreement.
Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert is strengthening its squad for the end of the season. Three new trainees will join the ranks of the Belgian team until the end of the year: the 22 years old French rider Maxime Jarnet, the Belgian Dries De Pooter and the Dutch rider Stijn Daemen.
According to Le Télégramme, Alexis Renard could join the Cofidis team in 2022. The 22-year-old Breton rider recently was third on the Tour of Wallonia. The Frenchman now with Israel Start-Up Nation was the French Amateur Champion in June 2019 and he is always considered one of the best young French talent. The Saint-Brieuc native had plenty of request for other teams including B&B Hotels p/b KTM and Arkéa-Samsic but decided to move in the French WT Cofidis.
The Norwegian team Uno-X, for example, have announced that from next year will be adding 20 year old Adne Holter to its roster, who has signed a contract until 2024. Uno X also has an agreement for next year with another 20 year old Marcus Sander Hansen, but he will race in the development team in 2022, before moving to the main team in 2023 and 2024
It is now official, after two years apart, Sam Bennett, who had previously spent six years in Ralph Denk’s team, will be returning to Bora- hansgrohe. With Danny van Poppel, Shane Archbold and Ryan Mullen, the Irishman will be joined by a powerful sprint squad. All four riders have received two-year contracts.
Iwan Spekenbrink’s Team DSM has lost Jai Hindley is going to BORA-hansgrohe and Martijn Tusveld to Jumbo-Visma, on the hand the German team has already secured for 2022, John Degenkolb (Lotto Soudal) returning in the team after five years.
Recently, Cyclingnews reported that Team Ineos Grenadiers‘s Leonardo Basso, Owain Doull, Sebastian Henao and Iván Ramiro Sosa would not have been offered a contract renewal . The same happened for the winner of the 2018 Tour de France, Geraint Thomas. In addition, Michał Gołaś and Cameron Wurf – both 37 years old – are retiring at the end of the season and there are rumours of Moscon in talks with QuickStep. No much to say about new entry in the team.
2 August
According to WielerFlits, Maurice Ballerstedt will make his professional debut with Alpecin-Fenix next year. The 20-year-old German in the past two seasons has been training with Jumbo-Visma Development Team but has now decided to move to the Belgian ProTeam. Here his profile @ procyclingstats.com
Koen De Kort has decided to retire, but remains with Trek – Segafredo as team manager support. The expert rider from Gouda, a few months ago he was victim of a terrible accident and had the amputation of three fingers and part of the right hand. The Italian team manager, Luca Guercilena, will also have to handle the loss of Vincenzo Nibali, expected to move to Astana with his younger brother Antonio Nibali, of Ryan Mullen moving to BORA-hansgrohe and Niklas Eg that should join Uno-X. Trek-Segafredo has already announced the signing of Filippo Baroncini, Asbjørn Hellemose and the Dutch and Daan Hoole (check full info on this on 12 July). According to several rumours, the 21-year-old Spanish talent Marc Brustenga (Caja Rural U23) together with Simon Pellaud (Androni), Otto Vergaerde (Alpecin-Fenix) and Antwan Tolhoek (Jumbo-Visma) will also be added in team roster. Other persistent rumours are linking Tony Gallopin and Geraint Thomas to the American team.
“Lorenzo Fortunato and EOLO-KOMETA: the story continues! We are proud to announce that the winner of the Zoncolan stage of the last Giro d’Italia will wear the jersey of our team for the next two years..” Ending rumours on a possible move to a WT, a few minute ago, the official communication from the Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador team. Lorenzo Fortunato renews with EOLO-KOMETA for the next two years. Here the official communication @ eolokometacyclingteam.com
Next season, the South African team, Qhubeka-NextHash will loose Dimitri Claeys (Intermarché-Wanty Gobert) and Lasse Norman Hansen (Uno-X), both pretty sure to leave the team, and they are at risk of having to say goodbye to the European champion Giacomo Nizzolo (many requests from other WT but under contract until 2022). Qhubeka has already promoted, from its development team, one of Africa’s greatest talents: Eritrean 21 year old Henok Mulubrhan (Qhubeka U23).
Eusebio Unzué’s Movistar will probably confirm Alejandro Valverde for one more year and is looking to reinforce the team with more Spaniards. Rumours are reporting contacts with Astana-Premier Tech brothers Gorka and Ion Izagirre, with the hill sprinter Alex Aranburu and with Óscar Rodríguez. In addition the signing of David De la Cruz (UAE-Emirates) seems to be a done deal.
For next season, the Roodhooft brothers’ team, Alpecin-Fenix, is expected to say goodbye to Otto Vergaerde (Trek-Segafredo) and Louis Vervaeke (Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl), the only new arrival rumoured so far is Stefano Oldani (Lotto Soudal).
With the exception of Brent Bookwalter (retiring) and Esteban Chaves (Trek, EF), the future of many of the Australian BikeExchange riders with expiring contract is still unsure. Mikel Nieve is now 37 and it may decide to retire and Christopher Juul-Jensen should have is contract extended, but it is not yet clear how things will end for Andrey Zeits, Tsgabu Grmay, Alexander Konychev and Barnabás Peák. BikeExchange is still interest on young talents and it is in talks with strong sprinters Jarrad Drizners (Hagens Berman Axeon) and Kelland O’Brien (Inform TMX Make). It seem sure that the 21-year-old Colombian Jesús David Peña, considered a great climbing talent, will soon be announced officially and the negotiation with the Italian time trial champion Matteo Sobrero is ongoing.
Patrick Lefevere’s team, called Quick-Step-Alpha Vinyl next season, should add in its rank the 27 year old climber Louis Vervaeke and in addition, Gianni Moscon (Ineos). There are more rumour circulating with names such as Davide Cimolai, Daniel Martin, Jakob Fulgsang and Elia Viviani. João Almeida, Álvaro José Hodeg and Sam Bennett are sure to leave, with New-Zealander sprinter Shane Archbold (Bora) also on his way out.
Stan Van Tricht (SEG Racing Academy) will join Deceuninck-QuickStep as a stagiaire for the second part of the season. According to Directvelo, Van Tricht will join the WorldTour squad in the final three months of the season. The 21 year old Belgian, has already obtain some good results and this year, he was 3rd on International Tour of Rhodes, 7th on Circuit de Wallonie and Ronde Van Limburg. Van Tricht’s full profile
1 August (Cycling’s official transfer window opens)
Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB has chosen two stagiaires for the second half of the season. They are Ceriel Desal and Dorian De Maeght. The Flemish Desal (EFC-L&R-Vulsteke) is a 21 year-old is an all-rounder with his team and this season he was second in the GP Rik Van Looy and third in the Boucles de l’Austreberthe and the GP Color Code-Bassenge. The 23 years old Dorian De Maeght (CT Borgonjon-Dewasport) was third, last week, in the Internatie Reningelst.
Antoine Raugel (Groupama-FDJ) to join AG2R Citroën. The 22 year old is one of the new hopes of French cycling and he will join AG2R Citroën in 2022. According to ledauephine.com, Antoine Raugel will leave the Groupama-FDJ continental team to join AG2R Citroën. Raugel full profile here.
It is now official and Clément Berthet will race with the AG2R CITROËN TEAM starting from today (contracted until the end of 2024).
Three stagiaires will be joining Vini Zabú: Gregorio Ferri (Casillo-Petroli Firenze), a 24 year old sprinter, the 22 year old Giulio Masotto (Zalf Euromobil Fior), another fast wheel, and the 23-year-old Ricardo Tosin (General Store Essegibi F.lli Curia), a rider for tougher courses.
Benjamin Thomas to leave Groupama-FDJ to sign for Cofidis. According to Gaspard Bremond (ouest-france.fr), the rider Benjamin Thomas (Groupama-FDJ), double French time trial champion, who will be competing in the Olympic Games in Tokyo this week in track cycling, will be leaving Groupama-FDJ to join the Cofidis team.
31 July
According to the Betsson Norge journalist Jarle Fredagsvik, One-X has already secured in its ranks the Danes Lasse Norman Hansen (Quebeka), Jonas Greegard (Astana) and Niklas Eg (TreK) for next season.
Cofidis have announced 3 new stagiaire: french amateur champion Axel Zingle, 2019 Peace Race winner Hugo Toumire and the talented Jacques Lebreton, who will make his debut immediately after the Tour de l’Avenir.
Ilan Van Wilder will leave the DSM team, with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert being the most likely destination. He could also be joined by Tiesj Benoot and Alexander Kristoff, previously also linked to the Norwegian Uno-X.
30 July
Luke Plapp will turn pro with Ineos Grenadiers. He will join the team as a stagiaire before WorldTour career kicks off in 2022, immediately after Tokyo 2020 where he is taking part in the track cycling event. The British team made official today the signing of the talented Australian rider, a complete athlete and the national time trial champion (a speciality in which he was vice-world jrs champion in 2018). For the full profile of Luke Plapp.
The first new name has arrived for Gianni Savio and Marco Bellini’s Drone Hopper for 2022. It is official the two years signing of the 21 year old Gabriele Benedetti (Zalf Euromobil Desirèe Fior), the Under 23 Champion of Italy.
29 July
The AG2R Citroën Team could make an unexpected transfer this Sunday 1st August by recruiting Clément Berthet. According to the Dauphiné Libéré, the rider, who is under contract with Team DELKO until 2024, will join Vincent Lavenu’s team, on the first day of the market. In the new team, the young former mountain biker, this year 13th in the Mont Ventoux Dénivelé Challenge, will join an experienced brunch of riders such us Bob Jungels, Greg Van Avermaet and Oliver Naesen.
The German WorldTeam BORA-hansgrohe officially confirmed that at the end of the season the sprinter Pascal Ackermann and triple world champion Peter Sagan will leave the team. Sagan seems to be heading to TotalEnergies and Ackermann is on his way to UAE Team Emirates. Both transfer has yet to be finalised, since teams are only allowed to do so from 1 August.
The Intermarché – Wanty Gobert team for 2022 is taking shape. The transfers of Alexander Kristoff (UAE), Dimitri Claeys (Qhubeka-Assos) and Gerben Thijssen (Lotto-Soudal) have been completed, but may only be announced on 1 August. The current leader Aimé De Gendt will also stay. The 27-year-old from Oost-Vlaanderen extends his expiring contract with the Walloon WorldTour team with two extra seasons. Hilaire Van Der Schueren, the team sports director is looking for two more reinforcements to complete the team roster.
28 July
Caja Rural-Seguros RGA announced today that they will be welcoming three trainees from August 1st. Alberto Serrano, Pablo Garcia and Yesid Pira, all three members of the reserve team, will join the professional ranks until the end of the season. Garcia has notably distinguished himself in the Spanish U23 time trial championships by taking the 2nd place. Colombian rider Pira is known for his climbing skills and this year he took 5th place in the overall classification of the Tour of Colombia.
The promising 21 year-old Louis Blouwe (Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB Dévelopement), will join the professional ranks of the Belgian team next year. This season, the Belgian rider has shown his capability with a 9th place in the GC of the Tour de la Mirabelle and riding the Tour of Hungary with Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB ProTeam.
In an interview, after the conclusion of his effort for the Olympic individual time-trail, Joao Almeida has admitted that as for the future, all has being defined, but without being able, “obviously”, to reveal which one. Since the beginning of the year he has been linked to UAE Team Emirates. Is he going there? Or is Bora-Hansgrohe the feasible alternative option?
27 July
According to cyclingnews.com, Ineos-Granadiers is ready to revolutionise its roster. The British team currently have 31 riders on their books but only a few of them with ending contracts are expected to re-sign for 2022. Among the riders with contract to be ended or renegotiate: Geraint Thomas (wages reductions or opting for Qhubeka Assos, Cofidis and Trek-Segafredo, however with the latter two denying any interest in the rider); Rohan Dennis (that should have already signed a two-year deal with Team Jumbo-Visma), Michał Gołas (retire or new team), Cameron Wurf (retire or new team); Iván Sosa (Movistar or Bora); Sebastian Henao (new team); Owain Doull (new team EF?); Leonardo Basso (new team). In addition it seems to be uncertain the future of Ben Swift, Brandon Rivera and Gianni Moscon. So far, in addition to the already signed Luke Plapp (the Australian 2021 time trial champion), the only transfer replacement rumours have involved Aleksandr Vlasov, but the Russian has on sights the option to settle down with Bora-Hansgrohe.
Gianni Savio, the General Manager of the Italian ProTour team Androni Giocattoli- Sidermec, confirmed that 28 year old Swiss rider Simon Pellaud will leave the team at the end of the year when his contract expires. The relationship with him is very good but Pellaud is close to a WorldTour team. Will he race in 2022 with Trek-Segafredo as for previous rumours?
23 July
According to the Italian journalist Beppe Conti, during the Radiocorsa programme, Deceuninck-QuickStep team has Alberto Bettiol in its sights, despite the recent renewal of the Tuscan’s contract with EF Education-Nippo. Vincenzo Nibali‘s next destination should still be Astana-PremierTech, but in the last few hours, there has also been interest from BikeExchange for the Sicilian. The Australian team would also like to sign another Italian, time trial champion Mattia Sobrero, who is leaving Astana-PremierTech. However, the Kazakh team could have another Italian champion in the team next year, and according to a report on RAI on Wednesday, there was a lunch between Beppe Martinelli and Sonny Colbrelli to discuss his possible arrival at Astana next season.
Next season, Martin Marcellusi and Alessio Nieri both Italian and from Mastromarco Sensi Nibali, are turning pro with Bardiani-Csf-Faizané.
From 1 August, the Spaniards Vicente Hernaiz and David Martin and the Italian Davide Piganzoli will be training with the Eolo-Kometa ProTeam. Hernaiz (22) is described by the team as ‘one of the most attacking riders in the Spanish amateur peloton’ and is developing into an all-rounder. This season he rode the Giro d’Italia under-18s. His compatriot Martin (22) is considered a promising sprinter. Italian Piganzoli (19) is a time trial specialist and a good all-rounder. This year, he participated in the Giro Under-23s where he was tenth in the final classification.
Choon Huat Goh will join the WorldTour Team BikeExchange as a trainee from 1 August. The 30-year-old will become the first Singaporean rider to ride at the highest level of professional cycling. Until now he has been riding for the Malaysian Continental Terengganu Cycling Team.
Louis Vervaeke (Alpecin-Fenix) is expected to sign for Deceuninck-Quick Step. The Belgian rider had a very good Giro d’Italia, finishing 20th overall and 4th in the fourth stage. Former winner of the Ronde de l’Isard, the native of Ronse has often struggled to confirm his climbing skills, but he should nevertheless strengthen the Wolfpack for Evenepoel’s Grand Tour ambitions.
22 July
According WielerFlits, in 2022 Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana-Premier Tech) will ride for BORA-hansgrohe. The German team had to beat the fierce competition from INEOS Grenadiers and UAE Emirates.
Bardiani CSF Faizanè is extremely active, and after Martinelli, Colnaghi e Bonillo, have now signed for the 2022 season Omar El Gouzi, a young Italian climber currently with team Iseo Rime Carnovali. The 21 year old is having a good season and was 4th in the general classification at the recent Giro della Valle d’Aosta and 9th on the ‘Baby Giro’ GC.
21 July
Just to confirm an already given news, UAE Team Emirates has signed the 19-year-old New Zealander Finn Fisher-Black (Jumbo-Visma Development). Despite his young age, in 2021, Fisher-Black has already won the national time trial title, two stages at the New Zealand Cycle Classic and the Istrian Spring Trophy and he was fourth in the GC of the Baloise Belgium Tour (won by by Remco Evenepoel). Finn Fisher-Black has signed a contract until the end of the 2024 season and his debut with the new shirt will take place on 25 July, in Spain at Prueba Villafranca-Ordiziako Klasika.
According to Wielerflits, the 22 year old Belgian rider Laurens Huys is expected to join the Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux team in 2022. This season, the rider of Bingoal Pauwels Sauces WB was 6th at the Tour of Hungary and is considered a good puncheur.
After two years of experience with team Colpack Ballan, in 2022, the 20 years old Alessio Martinelli will turn Pro with Bardiani CSF Faizanè. For Alessio Martinelli the #Greenteam is not a completely new experience since at the beginning of the 2021 season he joined the team in a training camp in Benidorm, Spain. After Luca Colnaghi and Iker Bonillo, Martinelli is the third neopro joining Bardiani for the next season.
At the beginning of the month, there were transfer rumours circulating about the possible departure of Marc Soler to UAE Team Emirates. But in an interview with BiciEscapa Podcast, the Spaniard said he was not closing the door on a possible contract extension with the Movistar team: “Well I can’t say anything concrete, there are several options, including the option to renew with Movistar. It is true that this year the door is more open but we are not excluding any options”. As a reminder, Antonio Pedrero was also considered for the team of Tadej Pogacar.
20 July
Here is a follow up of the Bardiani Team story related to the dismissal of Kevin Rivera and Filippo Zaccanti, see below news on the 19 July, with comments from the Bardiani entourage. Kevin Rivera and Filippo Zaccanti won’t ride anymore for Bardiani CSF Faizanè. Both of them have terminated their contract with Roberto Reverberi’s team after some complicated months and results below expectations. Reverberi rejects the claim of Rivera coach and is stating that the rider refused to join the rest of the team preferring to stay and train in Costa Rica. Only at this point the team have decided that it was best for both parties to interrupt relations.
The Eolo-Kometa team campaign to reinforce the squad in 2022 is in full motion. According to Tuttobiciweb, the Professional team is ready to sign three 24 year old riders, all looking for the right opportunity to affirm their talent: the climber Nicola Conci (Trek-Segafredo), the sprinter Giovanni Lonardi (Bardiani CSF Faizané ) and Simone Bevilacqua (Vini Zabù).
Cyclingnews confirmed rumours dating back several months and Sergio Higuita EF-Education Nippo) will join Bora-Hansgrohe together with Jai Hindley (Team DSM). Esteban Chaves will replace Higuita at EF-Education Nippo.
19 July
Kevin Rivera will be soon looking for a new team. Crciclismo.com (see full 🇪🇦article) in an interview to his friend, coach and advisor Piero Ravaglia said that Kevin Rivera’s the 2021 cycling season has been ruined because of covid19. Although he recovered from the virus, which he took at the Vuelta al Táchira, he is still suffering from chronic fatigue that even, according to Piero Ravaglia, could force him to stop racing for good. Ravaglia says that Rivera is currently not training and is forced to take absolute rest and that it is impossible to predict what will happen in the future. He adds that four other Bardiani riders have had similar problems. It would appear that the Bardiani Team has not been very supportive of Rivera and others who had Covid in the team. For Rivera there is currently no effective cure and the Bardiani Team Managers don’t believe that the affected riders will ever fully recover. Since 30 June, Kevin Rivera and Filippo Zaccanti are no longer part of the Italian ProTeam Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè.
In a Bici.pro interview with Ivan Basso (Sport Manager ProTeam), it emerged that Eolo- Kometa is a possible interest for Georg Steinhauser (Tirol KTM Cycling Team). The 19 years old German won yesterday’s final stage of the Giro Ciclistico della Val d’Aosta. Basso said “… Steinhauser is very good. He’s one of the guys who will probably come with us next season. I had already seen him at the Tour of the Alps. ….”. Full results Steinhauser
B&B Hotels sees two of its most important riders leave for WorldTour Teams. Le Télégramme is reporting and confirming previous rumours. Sprinter Bryan Coquard (29) seems to be leaving for Cofidis, where he is seen as a replacement for the outgoing Elia Viviani and Christophe Laporte. Quentin Pacher (29) is on his way to Groupama-FDJ. Jérôme Pineau, the general manager of the ProTeam B&B Hotels p/b KTM, confirmed to French newspaper that both leaders will leave after this season.
Friction between the management of the DSM team and many riders from the Team have been common in the past (Marc Hirschi, Tom Dumoulin, Warren Barguil…) but also at present. For some reason, disagreement with the management team seems to be common and many of the Team young talents do not want to respect their signed contract deadline. After Ilan Van Wilder (21), two more riders have expressed their desire to leave the German team according to WielerFlits.nl: Norwegian Andreas Leknessund (22, contracted until 2023) and Austrian Felix Gall (23, contracted until 2022). The next few days will be decisive to take a final decision.
The New Zealand Continental Team, Global 6 Cycling, has announced the arrival on their ranks of the “young Norwegian talent Tim Edvard Pettersen … as a strong bet for the future in fast sprints.” The Team is regularly racing in Europe, they also have a training base in Italy, and ride Pinarello’s bikes. The 18 years old sprinters was recently second in the National Championships Norway MU23 Road Race.
18 July
Sport Vlaanderen-Baloise has strengthened its ranks with 20-year-old Jenno Berckmoes. The rider comes over from club team Home Solution-Soenens, where he became Belgian Team Time Trial Champion on 4 July and won Le Trophée des Grimpeurs at Vresse-sur-Semois on the 7 July. He is currently racing the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta – Mont Blanc.
17 July
The resurrection of Mark Cavendish since his return to the Deceuninck-Quick Step team would be the envy of a few riders who want to get back to the top. Patrick Lefevere explained this in his weekly column for Het Nieuwsblad, the Wolfpack general manager is not hesitating to name names. “The story we are telling with Mark (Cavendish) is a dream for many people in the peloton. I get a lot of applications from major riders. Daniel Martin and Elia Viviani would like to come back, Jakob Fuglsang is also pulling on my arm”, says Patrick Lefevere.
At Lotto Soudal there are nine riders whose contracts are about to expire and, according to the Wielerlifts, in addition to Oldani, very closed to Alpacin, John Degenkolb should be moving to Team DSM, Gerbe Thijssen and Kobe Goossens, both heading to Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert, could also be leaving. According to the Dutch portal, Dimitry Clayes is also set to sign a contract with the team for next year, leaving Qhubeka Nexthash after just one season.
Pascal Ackermann, who is showing great form at the Settimana Ciclistica Italiana, apparently was not called up for the Tour because he has already agreed with another team for next year, UAE Team Emirates?
Several CyclingDigest sources have confirmed a done deal with Elia Viviani is expected to sign with Eolo-Kometa when returning in Italy after the Olympic Games.
From 1 Aug, Arkéa Samsic is giving three promising cyclists the chance to ride with their ProTeam. The 20 years old Kévin Vauquelin has been signed up to the end of 2023 and is considered a strong rouleur and a talent for track racing. Mathis Le Berre (20) from Côtes d’Armor-Marie Morin-U is a puncheur who already won the Ronde Finistérienne this year. Finally the 22 years old Swiss rider Yannis Voisard (Swiss Racing Academy) a climber that recently won a stage in the Baby Giro, where he also finished seventh in the GC.
16 July
As every Thursday evening on Radiocorsa from RaiSport (Italian TV channel), Beppe Conti, a well known journalist, provided an update on the transfer market situation. Many requests for Gianni Moscon, with Deceuninck-QuickStep ready to step in with a proposal with the intent of reinforce further its team for the North Classics. However, Ineos-Grenadiers does not want to loose the Italian and it is preparing a renewal contract for the next two seasons. Another man at the centre of the 2022 cyclomarket is Vincenzo Nibali. The Sicilian have spoken with the management of Astana for a sensational return, but the Kazakh team is awaiting the go-ahead from the ownership. A lot of movement around Jumbo-Visma. Jonas Vingegaard‘s performances at the Tour de France convinced the team managers of the Dutch team to promote and invest on him. The 32 years old Primoz Roglic, would be left with two possibilities: the first to share the captain’s ranks with his young teammate, the second to find another team if these conditions do not satisfy him. For Conti, this second hypothesis appears very probable at the moment and in his opinion Bahrain-Victorious could be the right option for him!
The French newspaper Ouest-France has revealed that Julian Lino (CC Nogent-sur-Oise), Pascal Lino’s son, has signed for the German Continental team Bike Aid. Lino was fourth in Épinal a few weeks ago in the time trial of the French Championships in the Amateurs category and should make his debut with his new team at the end of July during the Grand Prix de Pérenchies.
In the forum area of Cyclingnews, Remy55, a forum member reported that the former biathlete Florian Lipowitz (Tirol KTM Cycling Team) could soon by joining Bora-Hansgrohe. The news has been rumoured for a while and apparently, Bora-Hansgrohe general manager Ralph Denk yesterday during a podcast interview expressed the possible interest of Bora on the young German prospect, since he consider the climber one of the best German youth in circulation. He should join Bora for the 2022 season. Remy55 has reported that “Ralph Denk is guest in a podcast with a local bavarian newspaper …. Yesterday he was asked which young german rider he has an eye on and he said Lipowitz is one of the biggest german talents and they have him on their radar. Reading between the lines and knowing Lipowitz‘ bond with Lorang it‘s 99% sure that he will be at Bora next year.” CyclingDigest private sources have confirmed that an agreement between the parties is very possible and that the rumour is valid and substantiated.
See Lipowitz full results @ procyclingstats.com. On the same Forum, another member, Colonel, stated that “Valerio Conti (UAE) to Cofidis“. One again CyclingDigest have been contacted one of our sources that confirmed the move as very possible although nothing has been yet signed.
15 July
Luca Colnaghi is a new pro rider, for the 2022 season, for Bardiani Csf Faizanè. The 22-year-old Italian joins the team led by the Reverberi family from the Trevigiani Team, one of the strongest amateur teams in Italy. In the last two years, Colnaghi won two stages in the Giro d’Italia Under23 in 2020 and numerous podiums in prestigious races. Full profile procyclingstats.com
Mick van Dijke and Michel Hessmann will join the pro team of Team Jumbo-Visma in 2022. The two U23 riders make the move from Jumbo-Visma Development Team, but will still be accompanied by the development team next year. They will do most of their races in a team consisting of riders from the development team and professionals. Both riders sign for three seasons. Full press release @ teamjumbovisma.com
14 July
In an article of the French regional newspaper Le Dauphine has been reported that after two years spent with Groupama-FDJ, which he joined from its development team La Conti Groupama-FDJ, Simon Guglielmi will leave at the end of the 2022 season. The native of Chambéry learned a few weeks ago that his contract would not be extended.
AG2R Citroën is giving three of its young cyclist from the development team the chance to ride for their World Team from 1 August. These are Thomas Delphis (22), Paul Lapeira (21) and Valentin Retailleau (21). Lapeira is already signed a two-year contract with AG2R Citroën. The 21-year-old rider was third in the French championship for amateurs this year and winner of the Italian U23 race Trofeo Città di San Vendemiano. Delphis, winner of the U23 French time trial champion in 2020, and the 21-year-old Retailleau, will race as interns from the rest of the season.
Lotto Soudal loses another talent. Following the indicaions from WielerFlits.be, Stefano Oldani will move to Alpecin-Fenix at the end of this season. The 23-year-old Italian will probably sign for two years. Oldani full results @ procyclingstats.com
According to WielerFlits.nl (although in not a done deal) Tosh Van Der Sande (Lotto Soudal) will move soon to Jumbo-Visma. The 30-year-old Van der Sande would become the third Belgian with the Dutch WorldTour team. There are more WorldTour teams interested in Van Der Sande, but Jumbo-Visma is in pole position. If all other rumours are confirmed, the Belgian will be the third addition, with Christophe Laporte and Rohan Dennis, to Richard Plugge’s team. This season, Van der Sande finished fifth in Dwars door Vlaanderen and tenth in the Amstel Gold Race, so he will be a perfect addition for Jumbo-Visma in the Flemish spring Classics.
CyclingDigest is verifying rumours on the transfer of Valerio Conti from UAE Team Emirates to Codifis. Our sources are stating that it is a possibility and some talk has taken place but no deal as been signed between the parties.
13 July
Marc Madiot’s Groupama-FDJ should be closer to the emerging climber Quentin Pacher (B&B Hotels).
Hilaire Van Der Schueren, team manager of Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert confirms some rumours about the departure from the team of Danny Van Poppel and Jonas Koch. Both will leave the Belgian team and join next year at Bora-hansgrohe. Van Der Schueren also appears to have a great interest in Ilan Van Wilder (DMS), leaving his current team at the end of the season. Laurens Huys (current WB) is also ready to sign with Intermarché as well.
The arrival of Alexander Kristoff to Team TotalEnergies is close to being confirmed and he should join the team also to bring some additions to the nearly confirmed Peter Sagan.
The Qhubeka NextHash team have announced that Eritrean Henok Mulubrhan has signed his first professional contract with them and he will join the World Tour team from January 1, 2022. For the past two years, the 21-year-old has been part of the continental team Team Qhubeka-Conti. In youth categories, Mulubrhan has been Champion of Eritrea in 2018 and Appennino. For the official team press release: https://teamqhubeka.com/henok-mulubrham-steps-up-to-the-worldtour-in-2022
12 July
The TotalEnergies team will welcome three trainees in the second part of the season. The French team is giving three riders of the Vendée U a chance to join and experience life as a professional cyclist. These are puncheur Thomas Bonnet (22), sprinter Emilien Jeanniere (22) and climber Alan Jousseaume (22). From August they can participate in UCI .HC and .1 level competitions for TotalEnergies.
B&B Hotels has also announced that three trainees will join the team for the second part of the season. Florian Dauphin (22), Adrien Lagrée (24) and Axel Laurance (20). They are for the amateur team of VCP Loudéac, which has close ties with B&B Hotels. Laurance managed to win a stage in the Course de la Paix Grand Prix. He also finished eighth in the final standings.
According to AD.nl, John Degenkolb (Lotto Soudal) is rumoured to be moving to Team DSM. The team of Iwan Spekenbrink wants to bring the 32-year-old German back to the team, Degenkolb raced with Argos-Shimano and Giant-Alpecin from 2012 to 2016. DSM has many young talents and would gain a wealth of experience with Degenkolb. Degenkolb has in his career won Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix, Paris-Tours, Gent-Wevelgem and stages in all Grand Tours (Vuelta x10, Tour x1, Giro x1).
The American team Trek-Segafredo has announced today the signing of three new professionals for 2022: the 22-year-old Dutchman Daan Hoole (SEG Racing Academy), the 20-year-old Italian Filippo Baroncini (Colpack) and the 21-year-old Danish Asbjørn Hellemose (VC Mendrisio) should join the American team Trek-Segafredo in 2022 as a neo-professional. Hoole is considered a potential Northern Classics protagonist and is a good sprinter as well time trial specialist. This year, he was 2nd in the Tour de Rhodes prologue and won on the Coppa dell Pace, a hilly Italian classic. In 2021, Baroncini won a stage at Giro d ‘Italia U23 and the Italian national time trial U23 title, he also was second in the road race Championship. Hellemose has spent the last two years racing in Italy with good results, strong uphill, he was fifth in the Giro Ciclistico d’Italia U23 and he is a good prospect for stage races and the Grand Tours. Press Release from racing.trekbikes.com
11 July
Finn Fisher-Black, the young New Zealander from the Jumbo Development Team, already signed for UAE Team Emirates for 2022, left the Jumbo-Visma development team with immediate effect and is expected to join UAE from the 1 August.
The BikeExchange Team, which is expected to loose Esteban Chaves at the end of the season, seems to be very interested in the young Colombian Jesus David Peña Jimenez (Colombia Tierra de Atletas). According to ciclismointernacional.com, the 21 years old winner of the Vuelta de la Juventud, is ready to join the Australian team.
10 July
According to the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws, both Ineos Grenadiers and Lotto Soudal are eager to sign Ilan Van Wilder, currently with Team DSM, immediately.
After speaking with Jakob Fuglsang ‘s agent, Ciro Scognamiglio of Gazzetta dello Sport is reporting that talks with Codifis have now ended without success and the Danish rider could now remain in Astana-PremTech.
Cofidis is actively looking for a successor to Elia Viviani. The Italian did not do well with the French team. They are now looking for a replacement and one among Bryan Coquard, Giacomo Nizzolo, or Davide Cimolai seem to be in poll position for the succession.
9 July
Mercato rumours heard by @Gazzetta.it: @AlexRiabushenko will leave @TeamEmiratesUAE at the end of this year. According to their sources he will join @AstanaPremTech in 2022
WielerFlits.nl has confirmed previous voices on Jai Hindley move from Team DSM to BORA-hansgrohe. The 25-year-old Australian will leave his current team after four seasons. Hindley will meet former teammates Wilco Kelderman and Lennard Kämna, among others. Hindley was the surprise of 2020 and after winning the Herald Sun Tour in his own country in January, the Australian took the second place in the final standings of the Giro d’Italia. So far in 2021, the climber has struggled to confirm his new status and the whole season has been disappointing.
The transfer of Vincenzo Nibali (Trek-Segafredo) to the Kazakh team Astana – Premier Tech should soon be official. The Messina Shark had raced in this team for three seasons winning the Tour de France in 2014 as well as the Giro d’Italia in 2013 and 2016. Rumours at the Tour de France also specifies that he could sign a two-year contract there. The only doubt is that in the event of an Olympic medal the Sicilian could decide to hang up the bike and retire.
8 July
According to information unveiled from Wielerflits, the Belgian Alpecin-Fenix rider Otto Vergaerde should sign for the Trek-Segafredo team in 2022. Mathieu van der Poel’s usual teammate in classics and stage races, he could play a similar role in the new team.
Arrived in 2018 in the Trek-Segafredo team, Ryan Mullen should leave the American team at the end of the season according to the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad. The Irishman, a time trial specialist, should sign with the Bora-Hansgrohe team where he could meet his compatriot Sam Bennett.
7 July
Drone Hopper will be the first name of the team (in 2021 Androni-Sidermec) directed and managed by Gianni Savio and Marco Bellini for four years from 2022. Drone Hopper is a Spanish technology start-up based in the outskirt of Madrid. Savio explains: «We have signed a four-year agreement, with a gradual investment for a good Professional team over the next year and subsequently aspire to the leap in the category. We are ready to intensify our international activity even more to bring the name of our new sponsor around the world».….. updates will follow on the composition of the team.
6 July
Spaniards Igor Arrieta and Ivan Cobo will go professional with Kern Pharma next year. They are currently members of Equipo Lizarte, the development team of Kern Pharma, both Spanish national U23 champions: Arrieta in the time trial and Cobo in the road race. “They are both destined to become excellent professional riders,” said Manolo Azcona, president of the Kern Pharma and Lizarte teams.
Transfers 2021-2022 : tableau des rumeurs et infos mercato 🇫🇷 full report by velo-club.net
Wielerflits reports that Peter Sagan will join Team TotalEnergies on a three-year deal from 2022. He is set to be signing along with his main sponsor and USA bike brand, Specialized (replacing Wilier Triestina). The deal should be signed after the Tour de France and Sagan will bring in the team riders like his brother Juraj, Daniel Oss, Maciej Bodnar and Erik Baska and his entourage: two mechanics, two soigneurs, a sport’s director, a press officer, and a hospitality manager. The three-time world champion has a personal contract with Specialized and the American brand will come with him to the French team. According to Wielerflits, Bora-hansgrohe will also stay on Specialized in 2022. Team TotalEnergies is a UCI ProTeam and they seem to be investing in aiming to build a team for the WorldTour. Currently, the French ProTeam often receives wildcards for all top Classics including the Flemish and Ardennes Classics, as well as for the Tour de France. Jean-René Bernaudeau, the TotalEnergies boss, may now be able to create a top-class team, especially for one-day racing, adding to riders such Chris Lawless, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Pierre Latour and Niki Terpstra (if he stays in the team), Sagan and company.
5 July
According to rumours circulated by Ciro Scognamiglio from Gazzetta dello Sport, Nicola Conci will leave Trek-Segafredo at the end of this season. His next port should be Eolo- Kometa Team in 2022, the team of Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador. Whispers are also being made that Alvaro Hodeg could leave Deceuninck-Quickstep at the end of this season and if Max Richeze ends his career in 2021, he could replace him in UAE Team Emirates. Esteban Chaves should leave GreenEdge Team at the end of the year, in pole position for his next team EFprocycling team.
Today AG2R Citroën Team announced two new riders for the 2022 season, both are coming from the Espoirs team AG2R Citroën U23: Valentin Paret-Peintre with a three year contract and Paul Lapeira for two years. Valentin Paret-Peintre is Aurélien’s younger brother (currently thirteenth in the Tour GC, and is considered a good climber. Last year, the young 20-year-old won a stage of the Ronde de l’Isard at the top of Ax 3 Domaines, before taking sixth place in the final standings. Paul Lapeira, from Fougères, is twenty years old and this year won the San Vendemiano Trophy in Italy and did well on the Course de la Paix Grand Prix.
4 July
With is contract ending this season, Marc Soler is leaving Movistar after seven years. The Spanish climber is about to sign a contract with UAE Emirates, according to TVE. Soler won Paris-Nice in 2018 and stages in the Vuelta a España, the Tour de Romandie and he finished third in the Tour of Catalonia. In addition to Soler, UAE Emirates also has an advanced interest in Antonio Pedrero. The 29-year-old Catalan has been riding for Movistar since 2016 and won the Route d’Occitanie earlier this season. David De la Cruz will not be offered a new contract by UAE Emirates and is reportedly going to Movistar.
3 July
Raymond Kerckhoffs has reported on WielerFlits that Wout Poels and Martijn Tusveld are in the picture at Jumbo-Visma to strengthen the team around Primoz Roglic for the high mountains. Talks have taken place with both climbers and various sources have confirmed all.
After speculation beginning in April, several reports are confirming that Gianni Savio, team manager of Androni-Sidermec (the former team of Egan Bernal, Mattia Cattaneo and many others), is ready to announce next week a 4-year deal with a new Spanish sponsor, a Madrid-based electronic engineering company.
2 July
According to Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, Bryan Coquard will become Cofidis‘ new sprinter. Sprinter Elia Viviani’s contract with Team Cofidis expires at the end of this season and since the Italian was unable to do much, the French team was looking for a replacement and found Bryan Coquard. The 29-year-old Frenchman will end his contract with B&B Hotels after four years. Team Cofidis is also in talks with Jakob Fuglsang and Giacomo Nizzolo.
Beppe Conti reported during Radiocorsa RAI TV) that Vincenzo Nibali and Peter Sagan are currently at the centre of all market attentions. The Sicilian, in total break with the Trek-Segafredo team, is ready for the great return to Astana where Beppe Martinelli will welcome him. Vinokourov’s ,rather skeptical on Nibali, farewell to the Kazakh team, opened the doors to the Shark, who would find the team with which he had his greatest successes (two Giro and one Tour). Then there is the Peter Sagan situation. Bora-Hansgrohe wants to get rid of him to get new riders and Sam Bennett back. The almost certain departure of the Irish rider, however, would leave the Deceuninck-QuickStep without its best sprinter. This is why Lefevere approached Tim Merlier, capable of winning stages both the Giro and the Tour this season. Still staying at Wolfpack, the team manager has been impressed by the performance of Mark Cavendish, and the renewal for Cannonball is very close.
UAE Team Emirates is still looking to further reinforce thier squad in support to Tadej Pogacar. Ciro Scognamiglio from Gazzetta dello Sport tweeted about rumours of a possible interest of the UAE George Bennett currently riding for Jumbo-Visma.
29 June
In an interview to Enzo Vicennati @ bici.pro, Ivan Basso has outlined the programme for next year of his Eolo-Kometa Team. Basso confirmed that they were in talks with Vincenzo Nibali and Elia Viviani to reinforce their roaster for 2022. But since then things have changed: “We had to choose between three possible steps forward” – explains Basso – “and the first involved the engagement of a top rider such as Elia or Vincenzo. The second was to continue in the current dimension, the third was to keep the family jewels and insert some reinforcement. And in the end, we chose the latter, continuing the natural growth process envisaged at the beginning of the project “. This means that Lorenzo Fortunato will stay with Eolo-Kometa, and negotiations are nearly concluded and that other teams will be the solutions for Viviani and Nibali.
According to an Het Nieuwsblad report, Finn Fisher-Black will next year leave the Jumbo-Visma Team. The 19-year-old New Zealander, who still trains with the Dutch formation, is leaving for UAE Emirates. Jumbo-Visma tried hard to keep the rider but the UAE Emirates offer was far more generous. Fisher-Black has been making considerable progress in recent years. This season he took two stages in the New Zealand Cycle Classic and won the Istrian Spring Trophy in Croatia and the Youth New Zealand time trial championship. Earlier this month he also impressed among the big boys in the Baloise Belgium Tour, finishing the individual time trial in third place, behind Remco Evenepoel and Yves Lampaert, and eventually finished fourth in the general classification.
28 June
Ciro Scognamiglio, journalist from La Gazzetta dello Sport, stated on his twitter account that his sources confirmed the move of Alex Aranburu from Astana-PremTech to Movistar Team in 2022 can be considered a done deal. Also, Gorka Izagirre could join the Spanish team.
25 June
Ciclomarket rumours from Ciro Scognamiglio, La Gazzetta dello Sport: Astana wants to keep Matteo Sobrero, the recent winner of the Italian time-trial Championship. Sobrero’s contract ends this year and GreenEdgeTeam is very interested in the Italian rider. According to his agent, Jakob Fuglsang (AstanaPremTech) the danish rider, for next year is in talks with two teams, AstanaPremTech and TeamCOFIDIS (in pole position); the bike manufacture is pushing for Peter Sagan to join the French TeamTotalEnergies, several sources are reporting that the deal is almost done.
24 June
Following indications from Charles Marsault, a journalist from Velo-Club.net, Biniam Grmaye is close to signing for Intermarché Wanty Gobert. The 21-year-old Eritrean professional ended his contract with Delko at the end of May and is negotiating his comeback with the French Pro Tour team.
23 June
The Bora-Hansgrohe is one of the most active teams on the market trying to build a competitive line-up for next year. Ralph Denk and his Bora-Hansgrohe Team are close to signing two young talented riders, Aleksandr Vlasov (Astana-Premier Tech), offering a three-year deal, and Jai Hindley (DSM). The Russian wants to change team and continue his growth process, but the Kazakh team would like to lock him in with an important contract of at least three seasons. Second in the 2020 Giro d’Italia, the Australian DSM athlete struggled a lot this year, chasing a condition that never came. To win over Denk and his staff, Hindley is called to a second half of the season at a high level.
In the Bora home the Peter Sagan saga is still unfolded. In the few days, both parties seemed to have gotten closer, but the discussion will probably be postponed to the end of the Tour de France.
21 June
After missing the call for the 2021 Tour de France, tension is mounting between Sam Bennett and his Deceuninck – Quick-Step boss, Patrick Lefevere (see his considerations 🇳🇱 @ Sporza.be). The Irish sprinter has already been linked to a possible move back to his former team Bora-Hansgrohe and to Ineos Grenadiers, more Tour success this year would have further enhanced his earning potential.
19 June
After a splendid Giro victory on the Zoncolan and the success at the Adriatica Ionica Race, including the Cima Grappa stage, shares of Lorenzo Fortunato are on the rise. The Bolognese rider could remain at the Eolo-Kometa team but at least a couple of WorldTour teams have expressed interest in the rider. According to Quibicisport.com, Luca Mazzanti (Fortunato’s agent) has confirmed that in addition to Cofidis, Trek-Segafredo is ready to offer a two-year contract.
18 June
During a cycling TV programme on the Italian National Television, Beppe Conti (Journalist) announced that Aleksandr Vlasov is close to finding an agreement for next year with the German Team Bora-Hansgrohe.
17 June
Rohan Dennis linked with move from Ineos to Jumbo-Visma. DOUBLE WORLD CHAMPION TIME TRIAL ROHAN DENNIS TO JUMBO-VISMA full article from 🇳🇱 Wielerflits. The newspaper reported that Jumbo-Visma will be the 2022 team for the twice World Time Trial champion Rohan Dennis. The Australian could have extended his contract with INEOS Grenadiers and also had an offer from UAE Emirates, but various sources confirmed to WielerFlits that 31-year-old Dennis has chosen the Dutch squad and the Australian will leave Ineos at the end of 2021.
14 June
🇮🇹 quibicisport.it have reported that Vincenzo Nibali has a new options for the 2022 season. The Australian BikeExchange team, which is managed by the South African Brent Copeland (his former Sport Direct in Bahrain Merida). For Nibali there are also other possibilities and Astana, Deceuninck and UAE.
12 June
Juan Ayuso (Colpack-Ballan) the winner of today’s ‘Baby Giro’ will join UAE Emirates with immediate effect (previously from the 1st August ’21). The Spanish rider secured the overall victory, after winning three stages including the “queen stage”. The Almeria born Spaniard won the Giro d’Italia U23 race at just 18 years old, becoming the youngest “Baby Giro” winner in history. Recent previous winners of the U23 Giro d’Italia include Tom Pidcock, Andrés Camilo Ardila, Aleksandr Vlasov and Pavel Sivakov. Early last year, at the age of 17, Ayuso signed a five-year deal (that will end in 2025) with the UAE Emirates. Ayuso full rider profile @ procyclingstats.com
During Radiocorsa, a popular cycling TV programme, broadcasted by RAI, the Italian National Television, journalist Beppe Conti has confirmed the possible renewal of Peter Sagan with Bora-Hansgrohe. The three-time world champion didn’t find an agreement with Deceuninck-QuickStep and is not willing to reduce his salary.
The UAE Team Emirates is said to be looking for an experienced and strong climber, (such Damiano Caruso?) to help Tadej Pogacar mend a weak point from his team and support him in the most demanding stages of the Tour de France. At the end of 2021, Caruso’s contract with Bahrain-Victorious expires and the Sicilian is thinking about his future (leader or top domestique?). The UAE has also targeted Maximilian Schachmann, while he intends not to renew the contract to Alexander Kristoff, linked with the ambitious Norwegian Uno-X Pro Cycling and Team Intermarché.
Simon Pellaud, whose agreement with Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec expires at the end of the season, according to some rumors reported by SRF (a Swiss TV), is speaking with Trek-Segafredo to negotiate a possible move to the World Tour team in 2022.
Several WorldTour teams are approaching Lorenzo Fortunato (Eolo-Kometa), the winner of the Zoncolan stage at the Giro d’Italia 2021. Rumours are linking the 25 year old from Bologna to Cofidis. In the French team, he could gain experience as a leader and investigate his full potential in the Big Tours.
5 June
Elia Viviani has struggled for victories since joining Cofidis from Deceuninck – Quick-Step in 2020. Next year, the Italian is said to be joining upstarts EOLO-Kometa, the ProTeam of the same nationality backed by Ivan Basso and Alberto Contador.
After spending the past two seasons at Trek-Segafredo, the 36-year-old Vincenzo Nibali is destined for pastures new, with Deceuninck – Quick-Step 9 to mentor Evenepoel) and Astana – Premier Tech ( to work again with the staff of the most successful period of his career from 2013 to 2016) the two likeliest options.
Rohan Dennis is not expected to renew with Ineos Grenadiers when the Australian’s contract is up at the end of the year. Their rivals Jumbo-Visma are interested but the front runner at the moment is UAE Team Emirates.
Dutch publication Wielerflits understands that Cofidis’ Christophe Laporte will be on the move joining Jumbo-Visma next season. The Frenchman has already taken a couple of wins for himself this season.
Sam Bennett‘s future will be away from Deceuninck – Quick-Step. Rumours are suggesting he may move to Bora-Hansgrohe (securing a ride in the Tour de France) or, more surprisingly, to Ineos Grenadiers (the Irishman could be the team’s first top sprinter since Mark Cavendish).
Peter Sagan looks set to leave Bora-Hansgrohe at the end of the season after five years with the team. Deceuninck – Quick-Step have ruled themselves out, but the Slovakian has several alternatives. According to L’Équipe, Total Direct Energie are said to be interested, and also Israel Start-Up Nation have apparently expressed their desire to bring Sagan onboard.
8 may
At the end of his contract with the Deceuninck-Quick Step, Joao Almeida will no longer be a Belgian rider next year. Patrick Lefevere, the general manager of Wolfpack, personally announced it this Saturday (today) in the columns of Het Nieuwsblad. “João Almeida will leave our team at the end of the season. His agent has shown relatively little respect in the negotiations. He has too often said to me: ‘Patrick, I swear on my children’s head that …’. I am allergic to this statement. Anyone who is honest should not use such language. ” As a reminder, Joao Almeida was initially announced at UAE-Team Emirates, but BORA-hansgrohe now seems to be holding the rope according to the latest information.
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