Visma abandon signing of Intermarché - Wanty star despite three-year deal being agreed

For all intents and purposes, Mike Teunissen's return to the Team Visma | Lease a Bike setup had looked certain earlier this year. According to a new report however, the deal has now been abandoned at the last by the Dutch-based team.

The news comes via a report from Wielerflits, who believe that Teunissen had previously "reached an agreement with the Dutch WorldTeam in the Tour de France, where he signed for three years," with plans within Team Visma | Lease a Bike to make Teunissen the regular leadout man for the sprint supremo, Olav Kooij. 

As mentioned however, that no longer seems to be the case. "The Dutch team has left Teunissen in the lurch," Wielerflits reports. After having successfully guided Biniam Girmay to three Tour de France stages and the Green Jersey earlier this year, Teunissen had a number of offers on the table before opting for a return to Visma. Given the falling out between parties though, it now seems as if a move to the Astana Qazaqstan Team is instead going to be the finish point of the 32-year-old's transfer saga.

"At Visma | Lease a Bike he was offered an annual salary of around half a million euros. In the end, three teams approached Teunissen: Astana Qazaqstan Team, INEOS Grenadiers and again his current team Intermarché-Wanty. It was already clear to the latter team that they had to refute the offer financially with a creative construction. That did not work," Wielerflits notes. 

In terms of incomings at Team Visma | Lease a Bike however, respected journalist Daniel Benson reported on Monday that Visma was interested in bringing in INEOS Grenadiers seemingly certain to depart superstar, Tom Pidcock. Whatever the case, it looks set to be a busy few weeks and months for those in charge of transfers at Team Visma | Lease a Bike and an intriguing one for fans of cycling.