CYCLING MARKET | INEOS finally take on big signing but Derek Gee is uncertain; What can the end of Arkéa give rival teams?

The season is coming very close to its end and riders are facing their final opportunities to leave a mark in the 2025 season. The market is not closed, but not many riders remain available to be signed for the upcoming 2026 season. INEOS Grenadiers in the meantime have finally announced the transfer of Kévin Vauquelin, but there is no agreement on Derek Gee for the time being who is facing a legal battle against Israel - Premier Tech.

That of the British team is ultimately the big story of this past week. The British team had announced the signing of French national champion Dorian Godon from Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale and the promotion of Theodor Storm to the elite team, but for months there had been no announcements - with the potential signings of Derek Gee and Sam Welsford both stalled.

Whilst the sprinter seems unlikely to join the team, who may instead focus on Ben Turner as its new head sprinter, Derek Gee is still very much an unknown. Before the news broke that he had broken his contract with Israel - Premier Tech, it had already been rumoured by Daniel Benson that he had been in talks with the team. This could still happen, but the Canadian rider has found himself in a legal battle over the termination of contract.

"I terminated my contract with just cause, as is every person's right when they are unable to continue performing their work under the existing circumstances. This decision was not taken lightly - it followed an irreparable relationship with the team principal, as well as serious concerns related to racing for the team, both from a safety and personal-belief standpoint that weighed heavily on my conscience."

However the 28-year old is facing unimaginable backlash: "I am now facing what I understand to be a damages claim said to exceed approximately 30 million euros - for doing nothing more than exercising my fundamental rights as a professional and a person."

Israel is being removed from the team name and involvement with the team fully as of 2026, which connected with the departure of team manager Sylvan Adams, will assure the team's survival and return to safe conditions. This could potentially open a window for Gee to stay in the team, which may become Canadian next season due to the sponsorship of Premier Tech as the only title sponsor currently.

However the team did finally confirm the signing of Kévin Vauquelin, it's second signing and once again this being a Frenchman, most likely with some influence from TotalEnergies which may become a title sponsor of the team at some point in the future. Vauquelin will boost the team's Grand Tour possibilities whilst also being very versatile for the classics and time trials, having a lot of potentiall room for development still.

There have been big moves this week in the women's field with Pauliena Rooijakkers signing with UAE Team ADQ as is the case with Kigali World Championships bronze medal Mavi García. The duo, alongside Megan Jastrab and Frederica Venturelli, are joining the likes of Elisa Longo Borghini next season to form a very strong team.

We've had Team Picnic PostNL announce the signing of Soudal - Quick-Step's James Knox as well as three young riders in Milan de Ceuster, Oliver Peace and Dillon Corkery. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe signed Jarrad Drizners from Lotto whilst losing Matteo Sobrero to Lidl-Trek.

Israel - Premier Tech announced its only second signing of the winter in young Italian climber Alessandro Pinarello who is making the move over from the Bardiani team; whilst Astana have signed Arkéa's Cristián Rodríguez and Uno-X Mobility have signed Alexander Kamp over from the Intermarché - Wanty squad.

It was a big week in terms of contract extensions as well, as several World Tour teams have confirmed several names staying with their teams as the European season virtually comes to a close. Most notable is that of Israel - Premier Tech, who after confirming the end of its Israeli affiliation, have managed to begin confirming riders who are staying. George Bennett, Hugo Hofstetter, Nick Schultz and Guillaume Boivin have all been secured.

Cofidis have renewed with Ion Izagirre, Emanuel Buchmann and Nicolas Debeaumarché; XDS Astana Team have renewed with Harold Martín López, Matteo Malucelli, Aaron Gate and Nicolas Vinokourov; Team Picnic PostNL keeps Warren Barguil, Gijs Leemreize, Chris Hamilton and Tim Naberman onboard whilst Groupama - FDJ has secured Rémy Rochas, Thibau Gruel and Brieuc Rolland. Lidl-Trek have also renewed with Patrick Konrad in the men's team and Lucinda Brand on the women's side.

The end of Arkéa - B&B Hotels, currently still a World Tour team, is a big topic this week but these aren't sudden news and nothing has changed abruptly. The team's likelihood of ending is already known since the very start of the year and in June, riders were given freedom to sign with other teams regardless of their contract situation as its future was in no way assured. Kévin Vauquelin, Top10 at the Tour de France and podium at the Tour de Suisse and Flèche Wallonne was the obvious piece of gold in the French team and INEOS Grenadiers has for the past few months worked on signing him.

Cristian Rodríguez (Astana), Luca Mozzato (Tudor), Raúl Garcia Pierna (Movistar), Amaury Capiot (Jayco AlUla) and Jenthe Biermans (Cofidis) are some of the riders with a lot of quality who didn't struggle to find a new contract, whilst the team's veteran Arnaud Démare is retiring from the sport.

But there are a few quality riders that are now officially on the market and can be great acquisitions even for the top teams in the world. 22-year old Ewen Costiou is a big surprise taking into consideration his many quality performances in the French calendar this year including the win at the Tour du Limousin. Veteran Clément Venturini is also struggling to find a contract and has admitted considering retirement because of it, but he could become a big asset for teams looking for UCI points as from 2027 onwards the points scored in cyclocross races (where he is one of France's best) could also move on to the road. Thibault Guernalec and Alessandro Verre are amongst the riders also still yet to find a contract but with good chances of staying in the World Tour.