"I didn't know if the contract I had signed would be honored or not" - Intermarché-Lotto rider reveals chaos of new team negotiations

Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty merged into one World Tour team this winter, but it was anything but a smooth process. Besides being officially confirmed late, the riders did not know if their contracts were going to be honoured. Many were deceived, but even amongst those that did end up making it into the new team, such as Lionel Taminiaux, there was quite a lot of tension over what could go wrong.

Several riders were told that they would be under contract for the new team, and then were not. Tom Paquot's (Intermarché-Wanty) recalling of the matter displayed a particularly difficult reality, in which the riders learnt about the merger through the media, not the team; and his verbal agreement with the team was later pulled back. Paquot retired from the sport at the end of 2025, failing to find a team to continue.

Taminiaux, formerly part of Lotto which did have the majority of the riders transitioning into the new team, was not safe from the fears that surrounded the riders and staff from both teams. "As a rider, we weren't aware of it at all (adding to Paquot's claims, ed.). I had re-signed with the team before the merger was even mentioned. After the announcement, I was a bit uncertain: I didn't know if the contract I had signed would be honored or not," Taminiaux said in words to Cyclism'Actu.

"It wasn't a sure thing that I would be kept on the team. I had to wait quite a while before getting a definitive answer, like all the other riders who had contracts with both teams. It was especially a very long wait after the announcement was made during the Tour de France".

This was particularly difficult for the riders that were not racing at the top level, not because it made it impossible to find a new contract, but because it left much less time to be in negotiations with other teams; and entering the market at a time where many teams have made their investments and decisions already.

"Of course, there were worries. Even though I had a two-year contract, if it's not honored, you have to look for something else. But there weren't that many opportunities: many teams were waiting to see if the merger would go through or if other teams like Arkéa would officially fold before signing riders. It was an uncertain situation for a very long time".

"Yes, and that motivates me enormously. Having to prove myself every week and having that pressure to perform for the team is enjoyable. I'll also have a role in mentoring the up-and-coming young riders, teaching them how to manage their efforts and achieve the best possible results".

"I'm not thinking about it yet, but I'm more realistic than a dreamer. Winning a Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix seems impossible to me against the top five riders in the world who are all in contention for the win. My job is to score points in the races that suit me. I still have two years left on my contract, and I want to be effective where I have a chance".