Cycling: For the most part, the squads for the coming season have already been determined. But some professionals have not yet signed a contract. Are they retiring or just waiting for the right offer?
1) Mark Cavendish
As in the previous year reappears in this list Mark Cavendish (Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl). The record stage winner of the Tour de France still dreams of being able to win another stage in France. But will he find a suitable team for this? He will finally turn his back on his current team from Belgium, because there is no longer a place for the now 37-year-old Briton in the squad. Rumor has it that he could switch to EF – EasyPost. Mark Cavendish in pink? We would like to see that!
2) Rigoberto Uran
Currently traveling in pink Rigoberto Urán (EF - EasyPost). The Colombian can look back on great successes. He has already finished second in the Tour de France. He even did that twice at the Giro d'Italia. He was able to celebrate stage victories in all three major state tours. But now Richard Carapaz (Ineos Grenadiers) joins the team. It is questionable whether one would like to continue with Rigoberto Uran or not. He himself will have to decide whether he would like to contest a Grand Tour again as captain or whether he would rather work as a noble helper in the future.
3) Domenico Pozzovivo
As a Dominic Pozzo alive (Intermarché – Wanty – Gobert Matériaux) competed in his first Giro d'Italia, he rode it together with Gilberto Simoni, Danilo Di Luca, Paolo Bettini and Ivan Basso. 17 years later, the little Italian is still on his bike - and is waiting for a new contract. The then 40-year-old has shown that he is still good for good results. Finishing ninth in the Tour de Suisse and eighth in the Giro d'Italia, he scored valuable points for his team. At the end of the season he finished in the top eight three times in Italy (Coppa Agostoni, Giro dell'Emilia, Tre Valli Varesine). Actually, it would be negligent for some teams not to bring Pozzovivo for 2023.
4) Yves Lampaert
The opening winner of the 2022 Tour de France is not yet under contract with any team for the coming season. At Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, they don't seem to be sure whether they want to continue with the Belgian in the coming year. The only 31-year-old is still in great shape. In addition to his stage win in the Tour of France, he is still one of the top classic specialists. Just last year he finished fifth at Paris – Roubaix. Who grabs Yves Lampaert?
5) Fernando Gaviria
Rarely have there been two top sprinters on the transfer market for free at the turn of the year. But in 2022/23 the time has come. In addition to Mark Cavendish is also waiting Fernando Gaviria (UAE) on a contract for the coming season. The Colombian was practically kicked out at UAE because his attitude left something to be desired. Good for the German Pascal Ackermann, who will probably become the number one sprinter in the team. But what about Fernando Gaviria? The 28-year-old is in the best age for cycling. During his career he has already won five stages in the Giro d'Italia and two in the Tour de France. A team without a sprinter could probably get Gaviria relatively inexpensively - and his starter Maximiliano Richeze at the same time.
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