"We’ll turn the page and we’ll keep committing" - Lotto Soudal confident of keeping Caleb Ewan on board

Caleb Ewan is one of the best sprinters in the peloton, but despite the risks of Lotto Soudal being relegated to pro Team level, the Belgian team aren't concerned about the possibility of loosing the Australian.

“It doesn’t change anything. We are committed to winning bike races. The relegation system has been in place for three years now, so we’ve been aware of it since I joined the team," team DS Allan Davis told Velonews. "It hasn’t changed the way we go about our business. We’re here to win bike races".

Ewan has a contract until 2024, however the contract could be broken in the eventuality of a relegation - which is very much a possibility. “Everyone is aware of it. I couldn’t see it happening though. I haven’t even thought about it actually. I’m so concentrated and committed to the plan and I’m sure we’ll be fine if we keep on going the way that we are going," David admits however. "At this time of the year there’s still a lot of bike racing to be had, and we’ll just focus on that.”

The Australian has suffered two crashes during the Tour de France, aswell as one on the opening day of the Giro d'Italia. He hasn't taken a stage win in either of the races, but has noticeably only finished once in the Top10 of the Tour, being far from the level expected of him. Davis argued: “I empathize a lot with him and I feel for him. He’s been coping with it for a while now, and like they say in English, the rough end of the pineapple. He’ll bounce back though, we’ll turn the page and we’ll keep committing".

"From a sports director’s point of view, I’m really proud of the guys and how they are moving on from each setback. We’re coping it left right and center but it’s about how you deal with it as a group," he concluded.