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List of most prominent riders who head into 2023 without pro contract
CyclingSaturday, 31 December 2022 at 12:24
As is the case every year, there are limited spots to fill within the World Tour and ProTeam ranks. Some riders fail to grab contracts for the upcoming season including big figures in the peloton. We take a look at some who are to be decided into 2023, including Mark Cavendish, Nairo Quintana and Miguel Ángel López.
Seeking to set his name in the history books with a 35th stage win at the Tour de France, Mark Cavendish has been battling to stay at the top level. After not having his way with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team this year, the Manxman managed to score some victories but was absent from the Grand Boucle, and found a contract with French ProTeam B&B Hotels-KTM which was set for a big budget increase and had virtually automatic Tour wildcards.
The story ended in the worst possible way however, as the team collapsed following the abandon of some of the possible sponsors. In December Cavendish found himself without a contract, and has been rumoured to join several teams. Most convincingly however is Astana Qazaqstan Team, his final World Tour opportunity.
The Kazakh team has terminated Miguel Ángel López' contract, and the freed budget could be ideal to sign the Manxman, who has been seen in Spain riding a bike from the Astana team. Team DSM rider Cees Bol, who was also ready to join B&B Hotels-KTM, is also rumoured to be joining the blue outfit.
Previously mentioned Miguel Ángel López is another big figure. Having been interrogated back in July when returning to Europe due to connections with a Spanish doping ring led by Dr. Marcos Maynar, the Colombian was then fire from Astana Qazaqstan Team after further evidence of his involvement in possible illegal acts.
Although he has not been suspended, López found himself in a very complicated position very late into the year, and there have been no mentions or rumours whatsoever of him returning to racing at the top level anytime soon.
Perhaps most famously, it has been Nairo Quintana who's had the longest story of the summer. After a sixth place at the Tour de France, the Arkéa Samsic rider tested positive in two tests at the Tour for the painkiller Tramadol. Although he has not been suspended, his results from the Tour were nullified as were his UCI points, and his set renewal with the French team was cut.
Quintana rode for three seasons with the French team and was instrumental in it's current rise to World Tour level. Many teams have been rumoured such as Bahrain - Victorious, Astana Qazaqstan Team and several others, but throughout the months many teams denied contacts or interest.
Most recently, Quintana claimed he would be racing the Grand Tours in 2023 and quite likely racing in the World Tour. Over a month has passed however, in what has become one of the biggest ongoing mysteries in the sport, as to this day still no team has officially announced the Colombian.
The most recent rumour had been Israel - Premier Tech, however with only two days left to 2022, Quintana is not connected with any team. In a recent interview, former pro and manager Johan Bruyneel said that multiple teams were threatened to be removed from Tour de France if they signed Quintana. There is no evidence to suggest that is the case, however it adds another layer of mystery to this long saga.
However more riders remain without a contract. Most noticeably perhaps Domenico Pozzovivo, who has ridden for Intermarché - Wanty - Gobert Matériaux this season, where he performed at a strong level despite being at the age of 40. Recently, team manager Aike Visbeek said that "we simply cannot afford Pozzovivo", who finds himself in a similar situation to last winter.
Max Richeze was also set to a move to B&B Hotels-KTM but is now stranded again on the verge of retirement. Carlos Barbero, Davide Villella, Lachlan Morton, Sebastián Henao, James Piccoli, Yousif Mirza, Alexander Cataford, Matthew Holmes, Oliviero Troia, Michele Gazzoli and Anthony Jullien are the remaining World Tour riders who have not signed for the 2023 season.
With the collapse of B&B Hotels-KTM, several riders were left without a contract, despite their high level. The likes of Alexis Gougeard, Franck Bonnamour, Pierre Barbier and Sebastian Schönberger are among the riders who are expected to continue racing in 2023 but have not yet found a deal, following a mistimed end to their team.
The likes of Eduard-Michael Grosu, Belgian beach racing champion Jordi Warlop and Costa Rican climber Kevin Rivera are among the biggest faces that for the time being, are far from secured to stay in the peloton for the coming year.
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