More deals and negotiations for 2013
Last year’s Tour of Flanders winner Nick Nuyens has been reported as being set to leave the Saxo Bank Tinkoff Bank squad that he has competed with for the past two seasons.
Belgian media say that nothing is yet confirmed but that there is a big chance that he will compete with Jonathan Vaughters’ team next year.
“We are in deep negotiations with Garmin Sharp, but also with other teams, the rider’s manager Jef Van den Bosch told the Gazet Van Antwerpen.
“Even with his current team Saxo Bank, we are still talking. It is not yet entirely sure Nick goes to Garmin. Talks are going in the right direction. I expected a breakthrough at the end of the week.”
The Garmin-Sharp team had spoken about Sep Vanmarcke as a future prospect but he has decided to move elsewhere.
Flecha to Vacancoleil
Spanish rider Juan Antonio Flecha is set to quit Team Sky and instead take up a place on the Vacansoleil squad. The 2010 Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner finished fourth in Paris-Roubaix this year, equalling his 2006 finish, and has also finished second once and third twice.
The 34 year old will head Vacansoleil’s team for the northern Classics and will also share his experience with the younger riders on the Belgian squad.
According to several Belgian media outlets, he will replace Stijn Devolder, who has not been able to live up to expectations.
Ag2r signs Giro stage winner Pozzovivo
Italian climber Domenico Pozzovivo will be one of several new riders who transfers to the Ag2r La Mondiale team next season, filling one of the spaces vacated by departing riders such as Nicolas Roche.
The 29 year old is having his best season to date, winning a stage, the mountains competition plus the overall in the Giro del Trentino, netting a stage plus second overall in the Tour of Slovenia, and picking up as stage win and eighth in the Giro d’Italia.
He has spent eight years with the Colnago CSF Inox team, and will hope to continue his progression in France.
Biciciclismo, who reports his signing, notes that Ag2r La Mondiale boss Vincent Lavenu has already signed Yahueni Hutarovich, Samuel Dumoulin, Carlos Betancur, Davide Appollonio and Steve Chainel.
He is seeking to secure his team’s place in the WorldTour next year.