The Bahrain Merida team is still on the lookout for two riders ahead of the 2017 season. Former Criterium du Dauphine winner Janez Brajkovic is set for one of the two spots – although the team management have told Cyclingnews that no contracts have been officially signed - while they also weigh up the choice between signing another climber to support Vincenzo Nibali or bring in a rider to compliment their Classics contingent.
Brajkovic was linked to the team several weeks ago by the Italian media and the 32-year-old is currently at home in Dubai as he trains for 2017 and finalises his visas. He has spent the last two years at UnitedHealthcare but is looking to return to the WorldTour.
"We still have open negotiations with him but nothing is yet official,” Bahrain Merida’s Brent Copeland told Cyclingnews.
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"He’s a rider we’ve looked at a lot and we think he can support Nibali in the mountains. We still have two spaces open on the team and he’s in contention for one of them, certainly. I think that it’s likely he’ll take it."
Brajkovic came through the ranks under Johan Bruyneel at Discovery and later rode as part of Astana and RadioShack, alongside Lance Armstrong. He spent another three years at Astana between 2012 and 2014, finishing ninth in the 2012 Tour de France.
"He came to our first training camp and spoke with the team and the management. He gave us a good impression. He’s a classy rider who has done well in certain races but at the same time he can be a bit fragile. That’s really our only concern but we’ll make a decision soon."
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