France's David Moncoutié (Cofidis)(Image credit: Unipublic)
Dan Martin while riding for Garmin-Chipotle in 2008(Image credit: Stephen McMahon)
Although there's still several weeks to the International Cycling Union's (UCI) September 1 deadline, when 2010 team line-ups and rider transfers can be officially announced, details are leaking out about who is going where – and, equally relevant – who is not.
One of those incorrectly linked to a move is Daniel Martin. The promising 23-year-old finished second in this year’s Volta a Catalunya and had been linked to the new Team Sky setup. Although he has Irish nationality, he has previously raced for Great Britain and his presence on the 2010 team had been perceived as a logical fit.
Not so, say senior figures from both Garmin-Slipstream and Team Sky.
“Daniel has a contract with us until the end of 2010,” said Garmin Manager Jonathan Vaughters. “He’s not moving to Sky next year,” confirmed Team Sky Directeur Sportif Scott Sunderland.
David Moncoutié is reported by L’Equipe to be close to signing a new deal with Cofidis, saying that he is keen to ride what what would be his 14th season, both with the team and as a professional cyclist. However, he said that he would have different objectives to before.
“I am thinking of racing one more year, but without doing the Tour [de France] as I didn’t enjoy it this summer,” he is quoted as saying. “I need another motivation. For example, basing my season around week-long races and returning to the Vuelta a España, a race that I have enjoyed. And I’d also like to ride for a leader, something that I have never done.”
According to Het Nieuwsblad, Cofidis has agreed to contract terms with Kevin Ista (Agritubel) and Jens Keukeleire (Soenens-Yamadoo).
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Another French outfit AG2R La Mondiale will have a new look next year, with seven riders departing according to cyclismag. Aurélien Clerc, Renaud Dion, Cédric Pineau, Alexandr Pliuschin, Stéphane Poulhiès, Jean-Charles Senac and Blaise Sonnery are all searching for new teams in 2010.
Two other Frenchmen, Cyril Lemoine and Jonathan Hivert, have not taken advantage of extension options in their contracts with Skil-Shimano and will depart at the end of the season. However, Fumiyuki Beppu has agreed to stay with the team until at least the end of next year.
Rabobank’s Matthew Hayman is also heading for new pastures, having signed for an as-yet undisclosed team. Tom Leezer is staying with the Dutch squad for two more years, according to the team’s website. Steven Kruijswijk moves from the continental squad to the senior team for a similar term and Bauke Mollema and Mauricio Ardila have one year extensions.
Two other riders are reported to be changing jerseys from their current teams. Colombian rider Cayetano Sarmiento has attracted the attention of Acqua e Sapone, no doubt due in part to his final day victory in June’s Baby Giro. And South African sprinter Robbie Hunter is rumoured to be moving from Barloworld to Garmin-Slipstream.
