UAE Team Emirates on the brink of signing Tim Wellens

Tim Wellens is one of Lotto Soudal's most reputable riders over the last decade and one of it's most important. Largely due to the relegation possibilities the team faces, the 31-year old is looking for a new squad to represent in the coming years and UAE Team Emirates lead the way.

It had already been rumoured that the Belgian would likely be leaving, however now the rumours seem certain. It has been said by Het Nieuwsblad that Wellens is on the verge of signing for UAE Team Emirates, who are making the effort to diversify their classics lineup.

Wellens has been a prolific winner over the last decade with several dozen wins across the board despite being a baroudeur. He's taken four Grand Tour stage wins at the Giro and Vuelta over the years, aswell as some big wins such as the GP de Montreal and the GC in several World Tour races: Benelux Tour (twice), Tour de Pologne and the Tour of Guangxi all sit on his palmarès.

With Tadej Pogacar's performance in the cobbled classics campaign this year, it's possible that the Belgian has also been hired with the intent of assisting the Slovenian in a field where the team does not yet have a world-class lineup.