"We are waiting for him": Solution Tech NIPPO Rali pray for a swift arrival of its 'lost' leader

The absence of Kyrylo Tsarenko from Solution Tech NIPPO Rali has not gone unnoticed. After a season in which the Ukrainian was one of the team’s key riders, his name is missing from both the official website and the UCI listings, despite having previously indicated that he'd continue with the ProTeam in 2026, raising doubts about his situation.

With no public explanation, attention turned to the Italian team's director, Serge Parsani, finally clarified to tuttobiciweb what lies behind this unexpected absence.

Far from sporting reasons, Parsani explained that the issue is unrelated to performance and stems from unresolved personal matters. "Kyrylo has some personal matters to resolve and, unfortunately, until he does, he cannot return to racing. These are bureaucratic issues and, until they are settled, we cannot allow him to compete."

It is a major setback given Tsarenko’s importance last season - scored 539 of Solution Tech's 2310 UCI points in 2025 - when he secured five wins, including the team's biggest, winning the queen stage of the Tour of Slovenia.

Despite the situation, the message from management is clear: the team still counts on him and expects him back as soon as his case is resolved.

"Exactly, we are waiting for him. Once he has sorted out his situation, he will resume racing. In the meantime, while waiting for things to clear up, he keeps training."

The statement confirms there is no split between the two parties, only a forced pause.

In the meantime, the team has tried to offset his absence by strengthening the roster over the winter, aiming to maintain competitiveness and cover the points shortfall. "Over the winter, we signed three or four riders of a certain level (ex-WT riders Kamiel Bonneu, Michele Gazzoli or Santiago Umba among others, ed.), so we hope that, during the season, they can help us collect some of those points that, in my opinion, are hurting cycling today."

A thought that ties into another of Parsani’s criticisms: the current points system, which he considers poorly balanced across races.

The Italian manager did not hide his frustration with how points are distributed in professional cycling, especially for teams at their level. "It’s unthinkable to score points in World Tour races because we don’t get invitations."

He went further by comparing the value of different competitions. "If we win a stage in a .2 race, we get seven points, and if we win a stage in Sardinia, it’s like finishing 30th at Milano-Sanremo. It’s absurd."

Parsani also looked back to explain why the team fell just short of the top 30, pointing to injuries as a decisive factor. "In September, we couldn’t count on Rajovic or Quartucci who, since his crash, hasn’t returned to racing." The situation left the team in 31st place, agonisingly close to a target that could have changed their competitive outlook.

In addition, the Italian offered a reflection on the ranking system after the disappearance of teams. "With Arkea folding, we could have moved up to 30th by the end of 2025, but that scenario was not considered."

Thus, the Tsarenko case is explained, but not resolved. The rider remains out of competition but retains his place within the team, which awaits his return while trying to sustain its project in an increasingly demanding context.

An unexpected pause for one of their most decisive riders… and a question mark that will only lift once the bureaucratic hurdles are cleared.