Milano-Sanremo champion Jasper Philipsen has not yet signed a contract extension at Alpecin-Deceuninck, despite reports claiming the deal is on the table. His agent Alex Carera informs that there are still details to finetune before the proposed four-year deal can be officially signed.
Over the last few weeks, BORA - hansgrohe and UAE Team Emirates have ruled themselves out of the race for Belgian's services, believing that Philipsen would remain at Alpecin. However, Carera has confirmed that no deal has been signed at present and that image rights remain an unresolved aspect of the deal. "We have some clear ideas but until now nothing has been signed," Carera told GCN.
"That’s because there are some important points to discuss with the team. If we find a solution it’s good but if we don’t then we need to wait and analyse other opportunities. There is a meeting in one or two weeks with Jasper. We’ll definitely decide before the start of the Tour de France. It’s not a question about money but image rights. His image has increased a lot in the last few months. We need to find a solution for this."
Philipsen is set to lead the line of Alpecin-Deceuninck at the Tour de France this month alongside fellow team leader Mathieu van der Poel. Philipsen won four stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France last year, owing part of his success to excellent leadouts from the Dutch world champion.