🚨 Massive transfer news update ✍️
All the latest ins and outs at EF, Movistar, Q36.5, and news on 45+ riders
Hi Subscribers,
I probably could have drawn this out over several stories this week, but I always enjoy bringing you the latest transfer news from around the peloton as quickly as possible.
Here goes, 1,200 words that concentrate on the likes of EF Education-EasyPost, Q36.5 Pro Cycling, Movistar, Israel-Premier Tech, and more than 45 riders in total. There’s a lot in this one.
Finally, this Substack turned one on Friday 🎂, which may not have been the best time to announce a 20% sale on annual subscriptions, so I’ve extended the offer until midnight tonight, UK time. The link is below.
Thanks
Daniel 🫶
We’ll start with Q36.5 Pro Cycling. As Doug Ryder confirmed to us during the Giro d’Italia, the team has not been on the market looking for a rider who would compete with Tom Pidcock for leadership. Instead, the team have looked to improve the general quality and depth of their roster. The team raced this season with 25 riders, and with two Grand Tours, plus a vast calendar throughout the campaign, they’ve been stretched at times due to injuries.
Their primary goal has been to reward their best out-of-contract riders with new deals. This means extending contracts with Matteo Moschetti and Fabio Christen for two years each, while simultaneously presenting Damien Howson with new terms. Although Howson’s extension has not yet been officially announced, it will be disclosed soon.
Their biggest signing will be Fred Wright, who is set to join from Bahrain Victorious. That deal cannot be announced until August 1st at the earliest, but the team hopes that Wright will step up and become a major contributor to the team’s UCI points target. The team aims to become a WorldTour squad in three years; however, being one of the top two UCI ProTeams in the coming seasons will significantly enhance their chances of receiving race invitations. We don’t know the exact length of Wright’s contract, but it seems he will split his role between supporting Pidcock and having his opportunities to shine in other races.
Quinten Hermans is also coming in from Alpecin-Deceuninck and will add extra steel in the Spring Classics and hillier stage races.
Read more: Rider Transfer Index Page
There have been reports in the Belgian media that Xandro Meurisse (Alpecin) and Brent Van Moer (Lotto) are also joining the team. I can’t confirm those signings as of yet, but titles such as Het Laatste Nieuws are typically on the money with these matters.