Alpecin-Fenix close to confirming Kaden Groves as substitute for Merlier

Alpecin - Fenix are keeping Jasper Philipsen and Mathieu van der Poel in their ranks, and Kaden Groves is close to being confirmed as the newest team leader for the 2023 season.

The signing seems confirmed according to sources reported by Wielerflits, and the Australian sprinter will be moving to Alpecin-Fenix. This won't result in a lowering of division as the Belgian team is certain to rise to World Tour level next year - the opposite of Team BikeExchange - Jayco's current risky situation.

The 23-year old sprinter has been emerging over the last two years and this year has won the points classification at the Volta a Catalunya alongside a stage win. He repeated the feat at the Tour of Turkey. Groves has had an opportunity to fight for his own chances on less competitive fields where he's succeeded this year, in the shadow of Dylan Groenewegen.

Groves will be starting the Tour de Suisse this weekend where, despite the hilly terrain, he will be attempting to take a stage win. The Vuelta a España is a possibility in the calendar for him later in the year.