Enrico Battaglin becomes final Katusha rider to get new deal as he signs for Bahrain McLaren
A number of riders were left surplus to requirement after Israel Cycling Academy took over Katusha's WorldTour licence
Enrico Battaglin has become the final Katusha rider to sign a new deal for the 2020 season, gaining a contract with Rod Ellingworth's Bahrain McLaren outfit.
The Italian, who has won three stages of the Giro d'Italia during his career, is the final Katusha rider to find a new team for the season ahead after Israel Cycling Academy took over Katusha's WorldTour licence to become Israel Start-Up Nation.
While a number of Katusha riders were kept on by their new proprietors to fill the talent gap as the Israeli squad stepped up to the top tier of professional cycling, such as Alex Dowsett and Nils Politt, combining two rosters left a number of riders surplus to requirement.
Ilnur Zakarin was one of the first out the door after cycling's transfer window opened in August, the Russian penning a deal with CCC after five years with Katusha.
>>> Chris Froome leaves training camp early as sports director doubts recovery
News had emerged during the Tour de France that Katusha had told their riders to look for new contracts, expecting the team to fold at the end of the season, with main sponsor Alpecin moving over to sponsor Mathieu van der Poel's Alpecin-Fenix outfit, apparently tripling the budget provided by previous title sponsors Corendon-Circus.
Britain's Harry Tanfield found a contract with French squad Ag2r La Mondiale, while a number of others now find themselves scattered amongst the WorldTour and ProTeam ranks.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Marcel Kittel had quit the team in May before retiring in August, with Simon Špilak also calling it a day after 15 years in the professional peloton.
The only remaining question mark hangs over Ian Boswell, the American rider has neither retired nor secured a contract for next season. On a recent episode of The Cycling Podcast, the 28-year-old said he would be transitioning away from professional road racing and instead planned to participate in gravel events.
Boswell can be seen out training on his Instagram and has said he will soon reveal more about his plans for the future.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Jonny was Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor until 2022.
I like writing offbeat features and eating too much bread when working out on the road at bike races.
Before joining Cycling Weekly I worked at The Tab and I've also written for Vice, Time Out, and worked freelance for The Telegraph (I know, but I needed the money at the time so let me live).
I also worked for ITV Cycling between 2011-2018 on their Tour de France and Vuelta a España coverage. Sometimes I'd be helping the producers make the programme and other times I'd be getting the lunches. Just in case you were wondering - Phil Liggett and Paul Sherwen had the same ham sandwich every day, it was great.
-
Treat yourself this Christmas with a huge £2000 off, on electric gravel bikes from Pearson Cycles
Deals
By Paul Brett Published
-
Colnago ditches the traditional diamond frame for its radical new Y1Rs - 'the most aerodynamic UCI-compliant road bike in the World Tour'
Designed in conjunction with Team UAE and the result of years of innovative R&D Colnago's Y1Rs cuts a progressive departure from the existing VR4s. Is this the shape of things to come?
By Luke Friend Published
-
Katusha announce women's team following merger with Israel Cycling Academy
The heavily rumoured merger has now been confirmed by both teams
By Jonny Long Published
-
Marcel Kittel quits Katusha-Alpecin
Marcel Kittel has quit Katusha-Alpecin and will take a break from racing.
By Alex Ballinger Published