šØ Grading the latest WorldTour contract extensions š
Analysing a batch of new deals including Christen, Niedermaier and Garofoli
Hi Subscribers,
One of the most rewarding aspects of working on my Substack is that I can focus on topics and stories that Iām passionate about, and that I believe you, as a reader, will enjoy as well.
The downside is finding the off switch, or even having the capacity to slow down when itās the middle of the season and thereās so much going on in the world of cycling.
Thatās why Iām going to focus part of my time this week on revisiting and completing some of the stories I started during the Giro and at the beginning of June but never quite had the opportunity to finish.
Iām still going to focus on the build-up to the Tour and breaking transfer news, but I also donāt want to let a few stories slip through the cracks. Theyāre definitely worth keeping.
It will mean a slightly eclectic batch of stories this week, including interviews with two highly promising juniors (no paywall), a retro feature with photographer Graham Watson, and content on Juan Ayuso and Israel-Premier Tech - theyāre two different stories, heās not moving there.
To bring us up to date on the transfer front, hereās the latest grades for a handful of key contract extensions.
Thanks
Daniel š«¶
Fabio Christen Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team šØš
Two-year contract extension
There was a time, not too long ago in fact, when Q36.5 and all of Doug Ryderās previous squads tended to focus exclusively on signing veterans past their prime. However, that perception has changed somewhat in the last couple of years, mainly due to the signing of Tom Pidcock, but also because of Fabio Christen's arrival back in 2022. The Swiss rider was snapped up from EF Education-NIPPO at the end of the 2022 season, and he hasnāt looked back since, firmly establishing himself as one of the most promising young riders in the peloton. The talent was evident for all to see when he beat Isaac del Toro on the road to Evaux-les-Bains at the Tour de lāAvenir a few years ago, and this season he has picked up two wins, and claimed second place on stage 2 of the Tour de Suisse on Monday after being out-foxed by the more experienced Vincenzo Albanese.
āFabio was just 20 years old when he joined us at the launch of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team in 2023, and right from the start, he made a big impression. He carried that momentum into 2024 with strong performances in races like the Arctic Race of Norway and the Deutschland Tour. This season, we celebrated his first professional win togetherāa significant milestone that I believe is just the beginning,ā Ryder said when news of the riderās fresh two-year deal was announced.
āFabio is a talented, dedicated, and focused rider. He thrives on hilly terrain and in punchy race finales, and he brings a positive energy to the team with his consistently friendly attitude towards staff and fellow riders. I truly value that. Weāre excited to support him as he continues to grow, and I look forward to seeing what he can achieve in the years ahead.ā
We havenāt seen Christen in Grand Tours yet, but that could well change at the Vuelta a EspaƱa later in the season when Q36.5 acquire their second wildcard invite of the season. Thereās genuine versatility with the young rider, too, so while some of his best results have come in week-long races, thereās a strong indication that he could also be a factor in one-day races as he continues to develop. He also ticks another box for Ryder, who stressed at the Giro that he wouldnāt sign a rider to compete with Pidcock for leadership. Christen isnāt close to that level, but over the next two years, he has the ideal environment to get fairly close without stepping on anyoneās toes. Keeping Christen on board for another two seasons was a complete no-brainer for Ryderās team.
Transfer Grade: B+
Antonia Niedermaier (CANYON//SRAM zondacrypto) š©šŖ
Three-year contract extension