Two of Arkéa - B&B Hotels' star riders set to break contract and force World Tour moves

Two of Arkéa - B&B Hotels' brightest stars, Vincenzo Albanese and Clément Champoussin are reportedly set to sensationally force a breaking of their respective contracts in an attempt to ensure a transfer across the World Tour.

Champoussin, the star signing of the team ahead of the 2023 season, has performed relatively strongly over the last two seasons, taking victory at Giro della Toscana earlier this year and coming 2nd overall at the Arctic Race of Norway in 2024 and played a role in the team's Tour de France lineup in both 2023 and 2024. Albanese meanwhile, only joined from EOLO-Kometa at the start of this season, finishing 2nd in the GC at the Tour des Alpes Maritimes et du Var, but failing to add a single victory to his palmares.

According to a report by Le Telegramme, both are now set to leave the team already, despite having a contract until the end of 2025, using a get out clause to do so and leaving the French-based team completely helpless in the process, unable to prevent two of their leading riders and point scorers from departing the roster.

For Champoussin, a switch to Astana Qazaqstan Team, who earlier this Wednesday have already announced the arrival of Mike Teunissen, seems to be the landing point. Albanese meanwhile, is now likely to join Jonathan Vaughters' EF Education-EasyPost according to reports.

As this is a developing story, not much more is known at this time, but rest assured we'll keep you up to date with any further developments in the intriguing transfer saga