News in brief: Rick Zabel is moving from BMC to Katusha for the upcoming season. The 22-year-old signed a 2-year contract and is primarily supposed to strengthen the classic team of the Russian racing team. After Tony Martin, Zabel is the second commitment of a German professional within a few weeks. This makes the rumored entry of the Bielefeld company Alpecin more and more likely.
After his second year as a professional, Rick Zabel is about to change scenery in the pro peloton for the first time: Erik Zabel's son is leaving his previous team BMC and will join the Katusha team next year. There the former U23 national champion meets his two compatriots Nils Politt and Tony Martin, whom he is already looking forward to: "Katusha is becoming an increasingly international team and with Nils Politt and Tony Martin two other Germans are already driving there." Above all, Zabel should strengthen the lead-out of Alexander Kristoff in the classics and also go for a result himself if the opportunity arises.
In the past few weeks there have been repeated rumors that Alpecin - previously a sponsor of the German WorldTour Team Giant-Alpecin - would be involved with Katusha for 2017. The signings of Tony Martin and Rick Zabel could be a pointer in that direction. A decision on this can be expected in the next few weeks.