Transfer mechanics: Analysing teams - Part 2

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Tejay van Garderen (BMC Racing)(Image credit: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)

As the new season quickly approaches, Cyclingnews is taking a look at the ins and outs of the 2018-2019 transfer window and analysing how the different teams have equipped themselves for the forthcoming season.

Analysis: There’s no doubt that Dimension Data have strengthened their line-up with the acquisition of Gasparotto, Kreuziger and Valgren. The Dane is easily the most exciting prospect to join the team in recent years, while Kreuziger will have more opportunities to race for himself in stage races, with the aim of picking up valuable WorldTour points in an area the team have been lacking. Gasparotto might be nearing the end of his career but his experience will be relied upon whenever he lines up at a race. As one of the team's directors told us after the signing was announced, the Italian never needs to be told when to move up or pay attention; he’s always in the right position.

Elsewhere, the team have signed Wyss and Bak in order to solidify the squad's spine, while Nizzolo will be charged with supporting Cavendish and leading the line in several races, such as the Giro d'Italia. The re-signing of the Manx Missile represents something of a gamble, given the last two seasons, but, overall, the team have recruited well. The criticism they faced this year came down to the fact that if their three leaders – Cavendish, Cummings and Boasson Hagen - failed to deliver then there was nowhere else to turn. Not only have they signed more depth, they’ve added quality into the mix, too. Of the riders who have left, only Pauwels will be genuinely missed. The contract extension for O'Connor provides an exciting prospect for the future but the majority of the stage race responsibilities lie with Louis Meintjes.

Analysis: When you don't have the budget of Team Sky, or even the next level of WorldTour teams, you need to be creative in the transfer market. That effectively means taking punts on riders that either aren't on the radar of other teams, haven't fully developed yet or are simply deemed surplus to requirements at other squads. With EF Education First, virtually every rider they've signed for 2019 fits into one of those three categories, and once again it's hard to see where the wins are going to come from. This is a squad that appears to want to dip their toes into every pool, whether that's stage racing, sprinting or the Classics but without truly committing investment to one area.

The biggest question, however, revolves around Van Garderen. The American is now 30 and sits at a major crossroads in his career. Negotiations with the team took place in May – during the Tour of California – so the team were certainly keen on signing the American. Their plan is to give the former BMC rider tangible, realistic goals, rather than creating hype and pressure over scenarios that may not happen. So, if there's talk of going for GC at the Tour by the time July comes around, then we already know the plan isn't working. This could be the move that reignites Van Garderen, who will be racing alongside riders he came through the ranks with as a junior.

Analysis: This was one of the quietest transfer windows the French team have had since their formation in 1997. Three riders joined – all from the same team – while two longstanding servants in Roy and Vichot, along with Cimolai, departed. Kung, who agreed to join before the Tour this year, represents the most important addition, and will add vital horsepower to the squad, while Scotson is the first Australian to sign with Madiot’s men since Wesley Sulzberger, almost a decade ago. Frankiny is a decent climber, who appeared to improve as the Giro d'Italia wore on this year. Roy and Vichot were two mainstays of this team but the squad's management retained several key riders to support Demare and Pinot, both of whom were given contract extensions.

Analysis: Given the poor year they've had, Katusha were relatively quiet in the transfer market. Debusschere looks like an interesting prospect for the Classics, while Battaglin woke up during a contract year in order to earn a move from LottoNL. Guerreiro has never raced a Grand Tour but will add to the limited pool of climbers on the team, while Navarro brings experience to work alongside Boswell in protecting Zakarin.

However, the team's overall success will rest on Kittel and whether the German can find his mojo after a bleak 2018. They've extended contracts with several of his lead-out train, although they're arguably missing one more body, but the recruitment of Zabel senior could be influential. This team, however, are still struggling to replace Joaquim Rodriguez – a consistent presence through the Classics and Grand Tours, and who could be relied upon for points as well as wins. For all of Zakarin's hype, he remains fragile and unpredictable. At least Spilak is in a contract year, which means he'll turn it on for the Tour de Suisse at the very least.

Daniel Benson was the Editor in Chief at Cyclingnews.com between 2008 and 2022. Based in the UK, he joined the Cyclingnews team in 2008 as the site's first UK-based Managing Editor. In that time, he reported on over a dozen editions of the Tour de France, several World Championships, the Tour Down Under, Spring Classics, and the London 2012 Olympic Games. With the help of the excellent editorial team, he ran the coverage on Cyclingnews and has interviewed leading figures in the sport including UCI Presidents and Tour de France winners.