Cycling transfers: This year the transfer carousel in cycling is turning faster than ever before. Bora in particular – hansgrohe is active and in the midst of a major upheaval. But the other teams will also find something. TotalEnergies snapped up Peter Sagan and John Degenkolb switched to DSM. Classification hopeful Joao Almeida is drawn to UAE Team Emirates.
Cycling transfers: Bora – hansgrohe loses many drivers …
With Pascal Ackermann and Peter Sagan departing, Bora-hansgrohe has some strong riders to replace. Both have secured numerous victories in recent years and played a major role in the German team's rise to become one of the best in the world. Along with Peter Sagan, Maciej Bodnar, Daniel Oss , and Juraj Sagan are all moving to TotalEnergies. Rüdiger Selig – previously riding alongside Pascal Ackermann – is transferring to Lotto-Soudal. While Andreas Schillinger is retiring, the futures of Michael Schwarzmann and Erik Baska remain uncertain.
Peter Sagan:
“This new adventure is very exciting. Jean-René Bernaudeau is a manager who wants to change world cycling.”
Jean Rene Bernaudeau:
“Of course, signing Peter makes us incredibly proud. He's probably the most popular driver in the world, he's an exceptional talent and he's taking us into new dimensions. Above all, this transfer is a sign of our sporting ambition.”
... and accesses the transfer market
It's clear: Bora-hansgrohe is losing a lot of riders. Accordingly, replacements need to be found – and they have now been found. Top sprinter Sam Bennett is returning to Bora-hansgrohe along with Shane Archbold . Danny van Poppel is also joining the sprinters' roster. In addition, the strong time trialist Ryan Mullen, the all-rounder Marco Haller , and the climbers Sergio Higuita and Jai Hindley are also joining. The latter two, in particular, make it clear: Bora-hansgrohe intends to be serious contenders in the mountains!
Jay Hindley:
“My focus will be on tours, week-long and grand tours. I can still develop there and I want to work on that with my new team.”
Sergio Higuita:
"From my point of view, Bora - hansgrohe has everything to fully exploit my potential in the coming years. Of course it will also be a challenge to be the first Colombian to drive in a German team, but I quickly realized that we have the same spirit. Everything is very informal – and I like that.”
BORA – hansgrohe further strengthens its roster: presenting Hindley, Higuita and Haller as new signings.
Read more here: https://t.co/hc2Bql7jOE
:: Bettini pic.twitter.com/BXfJPKJmtb
— BORA – hansgrohe (@BORAhansgrohe) August 4, 2021
Degenkolb moves to DSM
John Degenkolb has also found a new team . Although, to be fair, the team isn't entirely new to the 32-year-old. After all, he already rode for Team Giant-Alpecin from 2012 to 2016, the team that later became DSM. So he's likely to be familiar with some of the people and the structure. Things weren't going so well for Degenkolb at Lotto-Soudal recently. A change of scenery to something familiar could therefore do him some good. The team management will use him in the sprint train and in the Classics – exactly where the man from Gera sees himself.
John Degenkolb:
“I had a great time with the team back then and we have always remained good friends, even during my journey through the peloton. I'm really looking forward to re-immersing myself in the culture of the team, integrating into the sprint train and the classics faction and being part of the group chasing stages at Grand Tours. Personally, I also have the goal of growing into the role of road captain.”
...
Welcome home, @johndegenkolb ! #KeepChallenging pic.twitter.com/pAGw8fXIsQ
— Team DSM (@TeamDSM) August 5, 2021
UAE secures Almeida's services
One of the most sought-after riders of this transfer window is – or rather WAS – Joao Almeida. The Portuguese rider previously rode for Deceuninck-Quick-Step, finishing fourth and sixth in the Giro d'Italia. However, since the Belgian team wanted to focus more on Remco Evenepoel, they let the 23-year-old leave on a free transfer. Many teams expressed interest in him, including Bora-Hansgrohe. But now Joao Almeida has opted for UAE Team Emirates – and for a full five years! This gives Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar a true super-domestique at his side.
(I.e.
We're delighted to announce the signing of @JooAlmeida98 on a five-year deal.
Welcome Joao!
Full story https://t.co/BQaccg6jqV #UAETeamEmirates #RideTogether pic.twitter.com/UOwoENHWwI
— @UAE-TeamEmirates (@TeamEmiratesUAE) August 6, 2021