With global drinks conglomerate Red Bull joining the sponsorship of BORA - hansgrohe in 2024, talk of the team signing Red Bull-sponsored riders didn't take long to start whirring. In the most tangible sign of such rumour having depth, talks have reportedly opened for Tom Pidcock.
According to the respected Italian journalist of La Gazzetta dello Sport, Ciro Scognamiglio, "BORA - hansgrohe is interested to sign Tom Pidcock already for 2025," he writes on his X (Twitter) account, explaining how the deal is a genuine possibility. "The current Olympic and world champion MTB has already a contract with INEOS Grenadiers till 2027. Talks in progress, difficult but not impossible we understand."
It would definitely be a surprise to see the INEOS Grenadiers willing to part ways with Pidcock, having spent so much time and resources in him over recent season and being very vocal in their desire to make the Brit the figurehead of the new-era of the team. Pidcock himself meanwhile has continued to impress this year, taking a big victory at the Amstel Gold Race and the 24-year-old will continue his development as a potential Grand Tour contender of the future at the Tour de France later this summer, fully backed by the INEOS Grenadiers.
Fellow Red Bull-sponsored riders such as Wout van Aert have also been linked to BORA - hansgrohe since the announcement of the company's added investment into the team, although those within the set-up have spoken previously of a desire to build the next generation of stars, rather than buy ready-made world beaters from their rivals.
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