What does the cycluminati talk about once racing has petered out? Transfers, mostly: who’s headed where — and what that might mean for next season.
That, and how our heroes (or at least, the top riders) are spending their season: vacationing, visiting sponsors, accidentally crushing KOMs…
And longing for the start to the season.
THE THURSDAY THREE
- Transfers — Confirmed and Possible
- Remco’s Accidental KOM
- How Long Until the Season Starts?
AND…WHAT’S ON MIKE’S MIND
- What About Cyclocross?
MIKE’S RIDE OF THE WEEK
- Foxy’s Fall Century (Northern California)
PEZ VIDEO OF THE WEEK
- Tour de France 2027 Route – Full Presentation
Topic #1: Transfers — Confirmed and Possible
‘Tis the season for inter-team transfers, where we see riders seeking advantages — financial, performance-oriented, and personal — by switching teams.
Not that every rider of note is changing teams: We also see contract extensions this time of year, as with Jay Vine‘s re-up with UAE Team Emirates, where he’ll try to avoid kangaroos, support Tadej Pogačar, and hopefully win a race or two.
This season’s blockbusters — so far — happened last week: Richard Carapaz left EF for NSN, Kasia Niewiadoma-Phinney moved to Lidl-Trek and Filippo Ganna switched from NetCompanyINEOS to the men’s Lidl-Trek squad. Since then, the most notable transfer is Lucinda Brand‘s decision to slide into Niewiadoma-Phinney’s spot at Canyon-SRAM, where she’ll end her career, including both road and cyclocross, in 2028.
Other transfers of note:
- Giulio Ciccone leaves Lidl-Trek for Pinarello Q36.5.
- Arnaud De Lie goes from Lotto-Intermarché to Tudor Pro Cycling, through 2030.
- Mikel Landa is returning to Euskaltel-Euskadi, where he began his career, after three years at Soudal Quick-Step.
- Valentin Madouas is leaving Groupama-FDJ after nine years to join Cofidis.
- Magnus Sheffield moves from NetCompanyINEOS to Uno-X Mobility through 2030.
But maybe the biggest transfer news is the non-news: Primož Roglič has been rumored to be heading to teams ranging from Lotto-Intermarche and Tudor Pro Cycling to, rather crazily, Unibet Rose Rockets, while Paul Seixas, confirmed for Decathlon CMA CGM in 2027, has told the press that he finds ongoing talk about his next team exhausting.
Frankly, I don’t blame him. I vastly prefer race season to transfer season!
Topic #2: Remco’s Accidental KOM
Want to get cyclists talking? Mention a KOM.
Especially one that gets broken after standing for a long time.
And especially one that gets broken…without trying.
Just last Monday I wrote about Remco Evenepoel’s trip to California, starting in LA, where he scouted the LA Olympic time trial course.
Since then the World TT champ migrated up to Northern California, home to his bike sponsor Specialized. While there, he rode through a photoshoot and, quite by accident, set a new best on the “Double Reservoir Loop,” a well-known 27.69-kilometer Strava segment. His time of 40:18 was 23 seconds faster than the previous record, which had stood since 2018.
“Accidental” is the key word here. Remco’s Strava post carried a telling emoji in the caption, so we’re guessing he knew exactly what he was doing.
I know I write about Remco often. But the guy keeps us entertained. And my fellow cyclists really are talking about this feat.
Topic #3: How Long Until the Season Starts?
Our partners at ProCyclingStats provide a rich and invaluable array of information, from recent race results and rider profiles to…a list of upcoming WorldTour races.
When I check that list during the season, I see several races, all in the next month — sometimes in the next week.
Here’s what that list looks like now:
When Milano-Sanremo is four months away — but on the “Next WorldTour races” list…We have a long off-season in front of us, friends.
And…What’s on Mike’s Mind: What About Cyclocross?
Speaking of the off-season, here’s one topic that I’m not hearing my road racing friends discussing: cyclocross.
I’m certain some of our readers will beef with that point: ‘Cross has a rabid following.
But I get the sense that it’s a shrinking following, especially as the sport searches for a pure-cross hero. It’s been missing one really since…Sven Nys retired. Van der Poel, van Aert and Pidcock quickly turned to the road for most of their racing (and most of their income); as long as MVDP and, to a lesser degree, WVA can show up midway through the season and practically toy with their competition, many fans won’t pay close attention.
Maybe that will change; maybe Nys’ son Thibau will virtually fill his dad’s shoes, or some other rider will rise, but for now…count me as one of those struggling to muster much enthusiasm for the ‘cross scene.
Mike’s Ride of the Week: Foxy’s Fall Century
Davis, California hosts two annual endurance rides: the spring Davis Double, and “Foxy’s Fall Century.” The fall event was renamed from the Davis Fall Century to Foxy’s Fall Century to memorialize Ed Delano, “beloved by Davis cyclists as a great ride partner, a senior rider who set a strong example, and a mentor to younger cyclists.” In 1978!
I missed the official ride this year, so contributed some volunteer hours, thereby earning eligibility for the following weekend’s workers’ ride. It was a spectacular Saturday — this is everyone’s favorite time of year in Northern California.
A small group of us formed, riding steady over the not-terribly-hilly route. Unlike the official ride, the volunteers’ version didn’t offer rest stops. No worry: we ride these roads often enough to know where the spigots are.
I see rain in the forecast, so will soon turn to Zwifting — but man was last Saturday a fantastic day to ride outside.
PEZ VIDEO: Tour de France 2027 Route – Full Presentation
Order a cafe au lait, a baguette, and don’t forget your beret – it’s time to settle in for a couple hours of Tour de France 2027 – here’s the full presentation of the official men’s route and the Tour de France Femmes route:
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The post The EUROTRASH Thursday Three: Transfer Update, Remco’s Accidental KOM & the Long Off-Season appeared first on PezCycling News.
