10/04/2024

No Philipsen, Evenepoel or van Aert - BORA-hansgrohe not thinking of big transfers into 2025; does not exclude Red Bull jersey for Tour de France

Wout van Aert had been rumoured to be a possible signing for BORA - hansgrohe into 2025 due to the new Red Bull connection. The German team however is not planning on signing any big star Ralph Denk confirms, and that includes both Remco Evenepoel and Jasper Philipsen.

"Not really much because the feeling in the team is that we have a secured a long-term future, and we still have contracts with Bora, Specialized and Hansgrohe until the end of 2027," team manager Ralph Denk told GCN. "We will respect those contracts but beyond 2027 we have a future and that means a lot for our staff because it’s not just a three or four-year future... for sure the cycling fans will see the Red Bull branding somewhere around us but it’s not decided where or the timing."

"Exchange Remco for Wout van Aert" - Jan Bakelants believes swap could benefit both Visma and Quick-Step

Red Bull, with whom the team already had ties with, has bought a 51% share of the team and soon will likely become a title sponsor. We do not know however when that will happen, but it could be as soon as the Tour de France. The team ponders on a possible new bike or jersey colour scheme, Denk tells. However on the priority list, keeping the team's current - and many - leaders and team staff is at the top.

With the signing of Primoz Roglic and Sam Welsford, the team brought in two new leaders who have each brought wins already this season. Now, there is a big focus in reneweing with Giro d'Italia winner Jai Hindley: “We’re in good talks. He achieved a lot with us, or us with him. I have a good relationship with him and it would be nice if he is willing to stay with us."

"Jonas Vingegaard won’t be winning a third Tour this year" - Philippa York gives Visma leader no chance following brutal Itzulia crash

The team is opening an under-23 structure in 2025, with Denk also confirming that a women's team is not yet in the plans for the upcoming season. The team now looks to develop more of it's own talents, and will not be pursuing any high-level transfer into 2025. Jasper Philipsen is too expensive for the available budget he says, which automatically rules out Wout van Aert who had also been linked with the team.

Remco Evenepoel was also borught up as a possibility, but Denk is not looking to make a bid for the time-trial World Champion. "Remco has a contract. We were not in talks. It’s logical but he has a contract with Soudal Quick-Step and we accept that."