is riding a bike too much, too soon?

yes, would be more fun if a top name involved but it's the time of year when the title Van Aert or Van der Poel gives to a Strava ride generates several articles online

🕵️

The role can vary, if he’s just hanging around for old times’ sake or if he’s helping to fund the team next year. Be interesting to see what the team says

One of the new sponsors, Stoneweg, is able to fund the team but yes, open to the latter. It’s also a test for the team to explain this, they’ve presented a take over, but is Adams hanging around and even a benefactor of the team in 2026?

can't diagnose what happened but the story is a concern with the amount, the morning session etc

sure but his project was to promote Israel and that's ended despite his pledges, a big reversal and a reason to walk away. It's one thing if he's turning up for rides with a team in 2025 but another if he's still a significant benefactor in the future. Is this a take over or a masquerade?

stopped by police at 1.15pm. There's no good time for it but drinking lots of cocktails in the morning is a worry

it's weird to see so many rider moves and extensions being announced at this time of year

Torstein Træen's move to Uno-X now confirmed on the team website

can remember the tears when he lost the Giro on the last day but he was soon smiling again

thanks 🍻

seems probable but even that's not obvious. Many sponsors today own their teams to save the VAT for this, ie NSN will have to charge sponsors more just to pay this tax, more still if they want a fee as well. Plus their roster isn't an easy sell to sponsors either, Gee or not

true, but even crop out the second sentence and it's hard to know what the plan is as if they see the sport growing this also means they're on the hook for the next three says of rider wage growth too. Be good to learn more about their plans, hopefully some fuller interviews to come

it's more buy the team and you get the UCI licence that goes with it as the licence is contingent on the team. The press release says they've got a World Tour licence but hopefully this is settled, that the UCI and their auditors have reviewed NSN's plans etc

yes but it's regulated and requires approval, eg Sky to Ineos happened mid-season. Ideally this would have gone through earlier but doing it now during the registration/licence process is ok as long as enough info can be given to reassure the UCI, ie they'll want to be sure money is there