If you have noticed a surge in transfer stories over recent weeks it's because the market is well and truly in full swing. With the Spring Classics over and the Giro d’Italia acting as another key marker, teams have two major reference points from which they can ascertain the riders they want to sign, keep, or let go.
Of course, as stipulated in the UCI’s big book, riders ‘shall not sign for new teams before August 1’, but the reality is that deals – in principle and in writing – are already being drawn up.
And it’s a rather conservative estimate to suggest that there are over 100 riders on the market when you consider that IAM Cycling (28 riders) will fold and Tinkoff (27) may follow, that WorldTour teams drafted in 37 neo-pros this year, and that the general nature of the transfer system means that a number of contracts typically expire.
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However, there isn’t one single driving force in the current market. Instead there are a number of overlapping influences; Peter Sagan’s future; the Bahrain project; IAM Cycling’s demise; Tinkoff’s uncertainty; a lack of clarity from the UCI over their 2017 reforms; and increased influence from major bike manufacturers. It all lends itself to creating one of the most complex and tense transfer markets in recent history.
Where will Sagan ride ?
Take the world champion as an example – a personification of the current market in many ways. In one corner we have Oleg Tinkov waving a contract tying him to Sagan for 2017. It’s not worth the paper it's written on if the Russian hasn’t a squad for the coming year and, as he doesn’t, Sagan is able to explore his options.
Specialized, who are understandably keen on protecting their stake in Sagan, are actively trying to find a team for the world champion. Hence why links with Astana and Etixx – both on Specialized bikes – have grown. If that sounds complicated enough then throw in the fact that Sagan would want to bring with him his brother, another rider, and two staff members that have been with him since his Cannondale days, and you being to understand the stakes. It all adds up to around 5 million Euros a year, reportedly. There have been reports that Tinkov and Sagan have a gentleman's agreement to dissolve the contract but they are not yet confirmed.
Contador a key
Trek-Segafredo
Manufactures on the move
So far…
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