Alpecin-Deceuninck confirm Kaden Groves as a replacement for Tim Merlier

Alpecin-Deceuninck have hit the ground running in the transfer season, with the signings of Quinten Hermans, Soren Kragh Andersen, Jensen Plowright and perhaps the most important figure: Kaden Groves.

Although it can be contested, the Australian's responsibility will be very high within the Belgian team as he comes in to fill the spot left by Tim Merlier who's joining Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team. The 23-year old will be sharing leadership duties with Jasper Philipsen when it comes to the sprints, a side which the team has heavily focused and depended on for the last few years.

Whilst the remaining signing will focus on the classics Groves will have the role of taking wins throughout the year, mainly in World Tour races. He has already done so this years with a win at the Vuelta a Catalunya, aswell as another at the Tour of Turkey. However, he has shown very consistent results throughout the year and partially that also comes due to his capacity of going over the climbs better than most other sprinters.

With Philipsen and Jakub Mareczko alongside, the Belgian team will likely try and split the three riders throughout a lot of the calendar, but Groves will likely have freedom and leadership on the grand majority of his goals.