COLUMN | Rating all World Tour team's 2023 transfers

The winter is every year a calm period for some riders, whilst many others find themselves in battles for contracts and negotiations. Team managers and agents continue to have hard work through the dark months, and in this column I take a look into all World Tour teams and rate them.

All World Tour teams (with the addition of Lotto Soudal and Israel - Premier Tech who were at World Tour level in 2022) have been rated from 1/10. Note that the ratings are subjective, as are the opinions on display in this article.

AG2R Citröen Team
In: Franck Bonnamour; Alex Baudin; Bastien Tronchon; Pierre Gautherat
Out: Bob Jungels; Lilian Calmejane; Clément Champoussin; Gijs van Hoecke; Anthony Jullien

Rating: 3/10

AG2R is not known for big transfers, however many good things can't be said about this winter. Most French teams have kept their core, however some blows have been dealt with the loss of Lilian Calmejane and Clément Champoussin who were part of the team's classics block. The late addition of Franck Bonnamour will help soothen the blow, but the tree remaining riders are unlikely to make much of a difference in the coming couple of seasons - perhaps Bastien Tronchon, stage winner at the Vuelta a Burgos, can prove me wrong.

Although I wouldn't say crucial, Bob Jungels has shown his best form in years this season, and his loss will also be felt, specially as the team continues to pursue GC goals for Ben O'Connor.

Alpecin-Deceuninck
In: Soren Kragh Andersen; Ramon Sinkeldam; Quinten Hermans; Kaden Groves; Nicola Conci; Robbe Ghys; Jensen Plowright; Jason Osborne
Out: Tim Merlier; Guillaume van Keirsbulck; Julien Vermote; Scott Thwaites; Floris de Tier; Jay Vine; Sjoerd Bax; David van der Poel; Edward Anderson

Rating: 6.5/10

A classics and sprint oriented team, doing exactly that. Alpecin's signings were very good in it's debut season at World Tour level, some of the very best actually. However to begin with it has to be mentioned the loss of Jay Vine and Tim Merlier. Vine was understandable as the team did not have an orientation for the mountains, however such a talent that has developed in the team would make Alpecin a team capable of succeeding in another terrain with one rider alone. Tim Merlier will be replaced, but for several years has been a headliner in Alpecin and you can't shrug off such a depart.

Nevertheless, in the sprint field I would say Alpecin absolutely redeemed itself. The signing of Kaden Groves is perfect in my opinion, a very explosive sprinter that can also ride the classics well, he is virtually a second Jasper Philipsen. The late signing of Ramon Sinkeldam will help both him but mainly Philipsen in the leadouts, something which Alpecin has not exactly excelled in the past.

Quinten Hermans fits perfectly into the classics and cyclocross role that the team already has vast experience with Mathieu van der Poel. The two are similar riders, but can benefit from each others' presence. And Soren Kragh Andersen, who has over the last few years dipped in DSM, can see a resurgence that would bring the best out of him, and this is the ideal team for his calendar preferences and racing style.

Astana Qazaqstan Team
In: Luis León Sánchez; Martin Laas; Gleb Syritsa; Gianmarco Garofoli
Out: Vincenzo Nibali; Miguel Ángel López; Valerio Conti; Sebastián Henao; Stefan De Bod; Michele Gazzoli

Rating: 2/10

Astana this winter has suffered, and I mean a lot. Vincenzo Nibali was past the climax of his career, however a brilliant performance at this year's Giro saw him bring some points - which still weren't enough to remove Astana from the last spot at the 2022 UCI rankings when it comes to World Tour teams. The loss of Miguel Ángel López has brutalized the team further though, being a main leader. There are talks of a transfer with Mark Cavendish, but until it's official it's always a doubt, but wouldn't effectively change the course of this winter.

In the signings department it can't be said it was a meaningful run. Luis León Sánchez has already been in the team for many years and will serve the team's traditional "hunt breakaways" role which will be hard to see him succeed at this point in his career, whilst he will rarely have any GC rider to support. The uprising of Russian sprinter and track rider Gleb Syritsa is a breath of fresh air, however it may still be early to see him rise up the ranks against World Tour competition.

Bahrain - Victorious
In: Andrea Pasqualon; Nikias Arndt; Dusan Rajovi´c; Fran Miholjevi´c; Rainer Kepplinger; Cameron Scott; Sergio Tu
Out: Luis Léon Sánchez; Sonny Colbrelli; Dylan Teuns; Jan Tratnik; Domen Novak; Chun Kai Feng; Stephen Williams; Alejandro Osorio

Rating: 1.5/10

I've rated Bahrain's winter transfers as the worst in the entire World Tour. Of course unplanned, but the official loss of Sonny Colbrelli will be a very hard hit. The departure of Dylan Teuns cripples the team's classics capabilities as does Jan Tratnik leaving - two riders who thrived this season. Luis León Sánchez managed to ride at a decent level this year, but his and Domen Novak's loss see a further reduced climbing capability within the team, and developing British puncheur Stephen Williams will also be out of the picture.

Bahrain have, by far, lost a significant amount of quality into the 2023 season. This talent could be replaced, but it hasn't, in no way. The additions of Andreas Pasqualon and Nikias Arndt will slightly improve the team's capacity in the sprints, but Phil Bauhaus and Jonathan Milan aren't in my opinion amongst the fastest in the World Tour and so this will make little difference. The five remaining transfers are unlikely to make any important difference in 2023. Fran Miholjevi´c is an interesting transfer, but at the young age of 20 I can't expect him to be netting wins already.

BORA - hansgrohe
In: Bob Jungels; Nico Denz; Victor Koretzky; Florian Lipowitz
Out: Wilco Kelderman; Felix Grossschartner; Martin Laas; Lukas Pöstleberger

Rating: 3.5/10

BORA have an interesting mix, with 4 riders in and 4 out. Going out are Wilco Kelderman and Felix Grossschartner in the climbing field, which isn't ideal for a team that puts so much emphasis in the climbs. It does also in the sprints, but the departure of Martin Laas and Lukas Pöstleberger aren't good news for Jordi Meeus who would likely be counting on the duo - as for Sam Bennett he has kept his trusted right-hand men (van Poppel, Archbold and Mullen).

Coming in is Bob Jungels, who can be a reliable domestique and outsider if he finds his best form. That's just about it however, Nico Denz should be providing support for the sprinters whilst the team continues it's journey into exploring off-road riders as it signs Victor Koretzky following the disband of B&B Hotels-KTM.

Cofidis
In: Jonathan Lastra; Christophe Noppe; Axel Mariault; Harrison Wood
Out: Davide Villella; Sander Armée; Kenneth Vanbilsen; Tom Bohli, Szymon Sajnok

Rating: 2/10

I look at the transfers of Cofidis and in all honesty it seems like a nothing burger. Is that a bad thing though? Not necessarily, the team has kept all it's leaders and has not lost quality. Perhaps the rating of 2 is unfair then, but I feel like there is a relative stagnation, where all the riders coming in and out have around the same quality and that may see no change from this year's modest performances.

The team will hope to develop Axel Zingle who is their only true young talent. Otherwise a lot of it's leaders head into another year of age where they may fade against the younger competition. With the new UCI rankings starting the French team should likely try to get a lot of points this year instead of risking it all for big wins.

EF Education-EasyPost
In: Richard Carapaz; Andrey Amador; Mikkel Honoré; Stefan de Bod
Out: Michael Valgren; Sebastian Langeveld; Ruben Guerreiro; Alex Howes; Hideto Nakane; Daniel Arroyave

Rating: 7.5/10

EF have a very interesting transfer season and mostly because of one rider. A shocking transfer to me, Richard Carapaz signed a three-year deal with the American team. However talks are that he may not be put to fight for Grand Tour GC results, which is exactly where he specializes in. Instead, there is a very real chance he'll be fighting for week-long stage-races and then wins in Grand Tours, which I fear may backfire for such a consistent and strong rider.

The other signings include his right-hand man and Mikkel Honoré, which is in my opinion a good transfer, a rider that should fit in perfectly. He's essentially replacing Michael Valgren who will jump to the development team as he recovers from his injuries. Four of the departures will make little difference, and Ruben Guerreiro leaving sees the possible mountain support for Carapaz further fade.

Groupama - FDJ
In: Laurence Pithie; Reuben Thompson; Samuel Watson; Lenny Martinez; Romain Grégoire; Enzo Paleni; Lorenzo Germani
Out: Anthony Roux, Sébastien Reichenbach; Ramon Sinkeldam; Jacopo Guarnieri; Tobias Ludvigsson; Attila Valter; Antoine Duchesne; Matteo Badilatti

Rating: 8/10

Groupama have made a risky but in my opinion brilliant move. With the rise of a new generation, they have done just that. 7 riders signed, and every single one from the development team. They are putting to use their background work and will be using their own homemade talents from 2023 onwards, whilst keeping it's entire set of leaders such as Gaudu, Démare, Pinot, Küng and Madouas.

Démare has lost his two leadout men, and Attila Valter was a rider growing in the team, so in immediate effect it may cost a little. However within these 7 riders is immense talent including climbing sensation Lenny Martinez and classics rider Romain Grégoire who are among the very best under-23 riders. If the trend continues, some of these riders should in the coming seasons make a meaningful difference and possibly become the team's new leaders. I am a big fan of what's been done, specially as some teams over the last few years dropped their investment in development teams as it's riders signed with rival teams.

INEOS Grenadiers
In: Thymen Arensman; Connor Swift; Leo Hayter, Joshua Tarling; Michael Leonard
Out: Richie Porte; Adam Yates; Richard Carapaz; Dylan van Baarle; Andrey Amador; Eddie Dunbar

Rating: 3.5/10

INEOS is a two-edged sword. I must begin with the good side, which is that the team brought in three big talents. Thymen Arensman as a future Grand Tour contender and perfect INEOS fit. Leo Hayter as another very strong climber for the future and national talent, and Joshua Tarling who came in straight from the junior ranks. Don't get me wrong, I think these three are great signings, but the riders heading out the door will make a very big impact in the team.

It can be said that Richie Porte and Eddie Dunbar won't make a big difference, but it leaves the team without it's old mountain depth. That is because Adam Yates and Richard Carapaz have left the team, in a strike that sees the British team likely further away from the level of Jumbo-Visma and UAE Team Emirates - whilst keeping a higher budget. Focus in it's new British talents and Tom Pidcock was the bet, aswell as the hope Egan Bernal returns to his best level, Tao Geoghegan Hart is reborn after 2020, and Pavel Sivakov finally achieves his consistency.

However it's a lot of ifs for such a risky move to work. But perhaps the biggest loss is Dylan van Baarle, who has in the space of a few months finished second at the World Championships and Tour des Flandres, and won Paris-Roubaix this year - aswell as being crucial help in the Tour de France. Losing him to Jumbo-Visma is an even bigger blow. INEOS will likely no longer be a dominant classics team as was the case this year, and again see it's distance against Jumbo and UAE grow in this field.

Intermarché - Circus - Wanty
In: Rui Costa; Mike Teunissen, Niccolò Bonifazio; Lilian Calmejane; Dion Smith; Arne Marit; Rune Herregodts; Madis Mihkels; Laurenz Rex; Tom Paquot; Dries de Pooter
Out: Alexander Kristoff; Domenico Pozzovivo; Jan Bakelants; Andrea Pasqualon; Jan Hirt; Dimitri Claeys; Quinten Hermans; Tom Devriendt; Barnabás Peák; Kévin van Melsen; Corné van Kessel, Théo Delacroix

Rating: 4/10

Intermarché have gone through a roller coaster this winter. 11 riders in, 12 out, over a third of the team. Budget difficulties appeared after the team wildly succeeded this year, but choices had to be made as the Belgians could not keep all their talent. Alexander Kristoff, Jan Hirt, Domenico Pozzovivo and Quinten Hermans - alongside Tom Devriendt who shocked at Roubaix - have left the team. But this was expected, it was clear, as the team very clearly had chosen it's 2023 leaders already months ago, so it was no blow.

Biniam Girmay is incredibly talented and popular, he is the new star of the team and a millionaire four-year contract is the evidence. An all-in for a bright new talent who is only 22. With the exception of Louis Meintjes who had his very best form this year, the team is back to complete classics and sprints focus. Gerben Thijssen and new signing Madis Mihkels will have their own leadouts, Arne Marit and Niccolò Bonifazio will add further sprinting power, which can be put to good use if organized right. The focus in the classics is also clear and Mike Teunissen can very well become a team leader now that he will find his freedom away from Jumbo-Visma.

Jumbo-Visma
In: Wilco Kelderman; Dylan van Baarle; Jan Tratnik; Attila Valter; Thomas Gloag
Out: Tom Dumoulin; Mike Teunissen; Chris Harper; Pascal Eenkhoorn; David Dekker

Rating: 8.5/10

A supreme winter. National champion Pascal Eenkhoorn was likely a small blow to sponsors, but on the road it made little difference, as did the retirement of Tom Dumoulin. Mike Teunissen is in the list there, but the five departing riders will not in any way affect the team's Grand Tour and classics blocks. It kept all it's leaders and added another: Dylan van Baarle. The Paris-Roubaix winner will turn Jumbo from the strongest to the absolute best World Tour classics team in 2023 which can be critical for success in the spring for many riders. All of it's leaders stayed inside Jumbo.

Jan Tratnik will be strong support for the classics and Grand Tours, as will Attila Valter. The signing of Wilco Kelderman should have immediate effect as he will likely be Roglic's main support at the Giro d'Italia, and Thomas Gloag will be a very important rider to eye for the future. A simple winter, but one that is very effective following a very successful season, with sponsors likely depositing more trust in the team.

Movistar Team
In: Fernando Gaviria; Ruben Guerreiro; Iván Romeo
Out: Alejandro Valverde; Iñigo Elosegui

Rating: 4/10

Movistar are a team that for decades has kept it's main figure, Alejandro Valverde, but that changes now. His departure will be meaningful, but he continues to train with the team, is in the staff, and over this year he wasn't the rider bringing in the results, so this move will not be as costly. Two riders out, three in, but the three signings are actually quite decent. Will they work though? Ruben Guerreiro will likely have a stage hunting role which is what he desires, however he may be the right-hand man that Enric Mas needs simultaneously. Depends on how the team works with both.

Then there's Fernando Gaviria. A rider obvious transfer seeing him leave UAE. The thing with Gaviria is you just never know what he'll be able to do. With an aero bike and a team he will enjoy more maybe he can have a better level. He needs support, but he does have in Movistar, the real question is will the other riders want to support him? Max Kanter as a pure sprinter, but also Alex Aranburu and Ivan Cortina. All three had their freedom this year, let's see if the team is able to actually form a block for Gaviria and not let him race as was the case in UAE. Hint: They should, seeing how most of Valverde's freed budget must've gone to the Colombian.

Soudal - Quick-Step
In: Tim Merlier; Jan Hirt; Casper Pedersen
Out: Mark Cavendish; Zdenek Stybar; Mikkel Honoré; Iljo Keisse; Stijn Steels

Rating: 7/10

Quick-Step is usually a team of few transfers, 2023 is the case once again. It loses Mark Cavendish, but that transfer is easily replaced by Tim Merlier whose powerhouse and classics-oriented sprinting style should be absolutely perfect for the team, who gain the Belgian national champion, stronger presence and exposure in cyclocross and a new leader. Expectations are high. The team loses Zdenek Stybar but the Czech hasn't been as relevant over the last few years, and Mikkel Honoré who at times performed well in the classics.

Coming in is Casper Pedersen, who like Soren Kragh Andersen felt stagnated at DSM but I believe will bounce back. Most importantly Jan Hirt, sixth at this year's Giro. Hirt is a clear support move for Remco Evenepoel towards the Giro d'Italia. If he has his best form, it is a great move and sign of support to build a block, it may do for this year if van Wilder and Masnada perform. However the team remains under pressure to give Evenepoel a bigger crew to perform in the mountains, I predict big changes at the end of 2023.

Team Arkéa Samsic
In: Luca Mozzato; Clément Champoussin; Cristián Rodríguez; Jenthe Biermans; David Dekker; Andrii Ponomar; Mathis Le Berre; Ewen Costiou
Out: Nairo Quintana; Romain Hardy; Winner Anacona; Connor Swift; Christophe Noppe; Dayer Quintana; Benjamin Declercq; Miguel Eduardo Flórez; Markus Pajur

Rating: 3.5/10

The loss of Nairo Quintana certainly was not in the team's plans, the way it happened at least. The Colombian helped the team into World Tour, where it will now have a more modest lineup to support itself. Many departures and no big names to replace. However the team likely will keep it's classics and domestic priorities, and the signings it brings are focused on that.

Despite being a smaller team, the signings of Ewen Costiou and Andrii Ponomar may have some future, whilst David Dekker is a wildcard. The main moves are those of Luca Mozzato nd Clément Champoussin however, who reinforce the team's main block who stays just as strong, if not stronger. We shouldn't expect to see Arkéa fighting in the mountains for big wins anymore, but the red jerseys will remain very visible.

Team DSM
In: Patrick Bevin; Harm Vanhoucke; Alex Edmonson; Oscar Onley; Matthew Dinham; Max Poole; Sean Flynn; Tobias Lund Andresen; Lorenzo Milesi
Out: Soren Kragh Andersen; Nikias Arndt; Cees Bol, Thymen Arensman; Nico Denz; Casper Pedersen; Asbjorn Kragh Andersen; Joris Nieuwenhuis; Mark Donovan

Rating: 2/10

DSM is a team which does not have many reasons to smile this January. But keeping in mind that it is a home for under-23 riders to develop and the sponsors seem happy, that should be fine. The team loses Thymen Arensman who was it's uprising shining star, and the block of Soren Kragh Andersen, Cees Bol and Casper Pedersen who at the team's prime years seemed to be a trio which covered all bases of a classics and sprinting oriented team at the very best level.

It's leaders left, as many times happened in the past, besides a few names. Coming in there are many under-23 riders which continue the team's tradition. Oscar Onley and Patrick Bevin are two very different riders but the team will hope to obtain some results through them - albeit not much at World Tour level.

Team Jayco AlUla
In: Zdenek Stybar; Alessandro De Marchi; Eddie Dunbar; Lukas Pöstleberger; Chris Harper, Filippo Zana; Felix Engelhardt; Blake Quick; Rudy Porter; Welay Hagos Berhe
Out: Tanel Kangert; Cameron Meyer; Dion Smith, Jack Bauer; Damien Howson; Nick Schultz; Kaden Groves; Alex Edmonson; Sam Bewley; Alexander Konychev

Rating: 2.5/10

Eight Australian riders leaving the team is definitely a big chance, a part of it's classic block leaving as the team brings in a Saudi Arabian sponsor and gains some more international figures. Quality riders I must say, but something doesn't feel right about them. The team has lost Kaden Groves who was already a leader and Grand Tour stage winner, but it didn't gain any leader. In my opinion, it gained a group of riders who will hunt stage wins and some more who may develop into reliable teammates at most in coming years.

Jayco didn't seem to have a real plan for these transfers. Stybar has the experience but the team lacks a true cobbled classics leader. Eddie Dunbar is touted as the leader for the Giro four years after his last Grand Tour. Filippo Zana is a nice talent but I don't see how he fits into the plans. Alessandro De Marchi is Stybar 2.0, a quality stage hunter several years ago but currently overwhelmed by a new level in the peloton. It just seems like a bunch of transfers that don't link. The team lost a leader and a lot of national riders, but in my opinion it's gained almost nothing, and has lost support for both Simon Yates and Michael Matthews in the process.

Trek - Segafredo
In: Natnael Tesfatsion; Mathias Vacek; Thibau Nys
Out: Gianluca Brambilla; Alexander Kamp; Matteo Moschetti; Simon Pellaud; Jakob Egholm

Rating: 4/10

Trek are a team known to have it's leaders happy. This winter came a result of that essentially, with very little action as it's leaders stayed. The departure of Alexander Kamp could potentially be a tough loss, but it is unsure still what his level will be. The other four riders hadn't had a real influence in the team this season. On the other hand, the three signings are all young riders who give promise of some future.

Natnael Tesfatsion is a breakaway hunter in the making. Mathias Vacek is still a bit of an unknown, but was the youngest World Tour stage winner this year and shown very impressive numbers with Gazprom. But Thibau Nys will be the main figure to keep an eye, another cyclocross/road expert, he's a young rider but having the perfect support from the team and brand in what should be a long-term move finally.

UAE Team Emirates
In: Adam Yates; Tim Wellens; Felix Grossschartner; Jay Vine; Domen Novak; Sjoerd Bax; Michael Vink
Out: Rui Costa; Fernando Gaviria; Max Richeze; Yousif Mirza; Oliviero Troia; Joel Suter; Alexys Brunel; Andrés Ardila

Rating: 9.5/10

For me the best team when it comes to transfers this winter. I will say it immediately, this comes from a lot of money, that is certain, but UAE used it right. It's lost Fernando Gaviria, but out of the eight departures the team kept it's entire leader base and focus in the stage-races, which is serious improved. Tim Wellens is a perfect fit for UAE as in he's a breakaway rider and classics specialist, but he has talked about how he wants to support Pogacar and could be a good Grand Tour move. Domen Novak, compatriot of the team leader, is a good addition to the mountain block.

The team signed four quality climbers. With João Almeida and Juan Ayuso also having their freedom, this allows the team to support all it's leaders. Adam Yates will support Pogacar whilst Jay Vine will support Almeida. Yates is a one-week specialist, and Vine is one of the single biggest emerging climbing talents, who can very easily in my eyes become a new Sepp Kuss, that is if he doesn't begin developing as a stage-racer. Felix Grossschartner is another decent climber and classics rider who will bring more support to the climbers.

Israel - Premier Tech
In: Nick Schultz; Stephen Williams; Jens Reynders; Marco Frigo; Derek Gee; Mason Hollyman; Matthew Riccitello
Out: Alessandro De Marchi; Mathias Brändle; Alex Dowsett; Patrick Bevin; Rudy Barbier; Carl Fredrik Hagen; James Piccoli; Jenthe Biermans; Alexander Cataford; Guy Niv

Rating: 3/10

Now out of the World Tour, it wasn't expected that Israel would thrive in the transfers. Although I haven't counted it, the team signed Dylan Teuns last summer whilst keeping it's veteran leaders on board. Not a good decision though when they fail to bring any meaningful young talent. However the team has let go of many of it's riders who were past their peak, and the likes of new signings Mason Hollyman and Stephen Williams will have more freedom, as will Corbin Strong.

Nick Schultz was a good last-minute grab. The team lost Patrick Bevin but with exception of the Kiwi, the departing riders will not see Israel dip in quality, whilst it attempts to develop a new generation of decent riders.

Lotto Dstny
In: Eduardo Sepúlveda; Jacopo Guarnieri; Pascal Eenkhoorn; Milan Menten; Arjen Livyns; Mathijs Paasschens; Lenner van Eetvelt; Johanes Adamietz; Liam Slock
Out: Philippe Gilbert; Tim Wellens; Reinardt Janse van Rensburg; Carlos Barbero; Roger Kluge; Harm Vanhoucke; Steff Cras; Kamil Malecki; Matthew Holmes; Filippo Conca; Viktor Vershaeve; Xandres Vervloesem

Rating: 2.5/10

Last but not least, Lotto Soudal. In my opinion they must go all-in on Arnaud de Lie, he's the best thing the team could hope for at the time being, a homegrown massive talent who can spring and ride the classics. Hence, as it falls to Pro Team level, the team completely sheds riders, a total of 12, including Philippe Gilbert and Tim Wellens, aswell as many leadout men who did not succeed alongside Caleb Ewan.

Ewan is getting a new leadout man in Jacopo Guarnieri, a good signing in my opinion as the Australian seriously needs changes within the team - although I argue more would be better. Now Pro Team, the team signed several under-23 and Belgian riders from Bingoal, no meaningful name, but it is very clearly the start of a new phase.

Teams by order:

9.5/10 - UAE Team Emirates

8.5/10 - Jumbo-Visma

8/10 - Groupama - FDJ

7.5/10 - EF Educations-EasyPost

7/10 - Soudal - Quick-Step

6.5/10 - Alpecin-Deceuninck

4/10 - Movistar Team

4/10 - Intermarché - Circus - Wanty

4/10 - Trek - Segafredo

3.5/10 - INEOS Grenadiers

3.5/10 - BORA - hansgrohe

3.5/10 - Arkéa Samsic

3/10 - Israel - Premier Tech

3/10 - AG2R Citröen Team

2.5/10 - Team Jayco AlUla

2.5/10 - Lotto Dstny

2/10 - Astana Qazaqstan Team

2/10 - Cofidis

2/10 - Team DSM

1.5/10 - Bahrain - Victorious