Swiss rider Marc Hirschi has had his contract with Team DSM terminated with immediate effect, the team has announced. The 22-year-old leaves his contract with the former Sunweb squad a year early to join a yet to be known team for 2021, in a hugely surprising move.
He is being strongly linked with UAE Team Emirates by numerous reports, where he'd join the 2020 Tour de France Tadej Pogačar in the team's line-up, as well as their other new signings for 2021 Matteo Trentin and Rafał Majka.
Hirschi won La Flèche Wallonne along with two stages of the Tour de France in 2020, as well as the Tour's most combative rider award and third place at the World Championships road race.
In a team statement, Team DSM said: "Team DSM has reached a settlement agreement with their rider Marc Hirschi to terminate their present employment before the original end date of 31 December 2021. It has been agreed that the agreement will be terminated with immediate effect and that no further comments will be made.
"Marc Hirschi experienced in 2020 a breakthrough season with some amazing highlights. Hirschi and the team brought home some great wins; a stage in the Tour de France and Fleche Wallonne. An exciting 2nd place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège and a podium finish at the Road World Championships (3rd) were a further display of the great season which youngster Hirschi experienced in 2020.
"Team DSM wishes Marc Hirschi all the best for the continuation of his career and expresses its gratitude for what Marc Hirschi has contributed to the team."
Thank you for reading 10 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
-
-
The brass neck of it! Organisers draft in replacement after race lap bell stolen
Organisers of the Peaks 2-Day in Yorkshire call in reserves after thieves make off with the the well-travelled clanger
-
What is a tubeless tire? Everything you need to know about tubeless tech for road and gravel bikes
Thinking about 'going tubeless'? Here's a short guide to the tire and rim technology
-
Pfeiffer Georgi relishes new leadership role at Team DSM
'I feel like I’m able to be more in the race,' says the in-form Brit
-
‘It was perfect being boxed in’ - Charlotte Kool doubles up on final day of UAE Tour
The Dutchwoman proved the fastest, while Elisa Longo Borghini toasts overall victory with ice cream
-
‘I’m excited to be in the game myself again’ - Charlotte Kool stuns world's best at UAE Tour
The Team DSM rider sprinted into the spotlight with victory on stage one
-
Meet Sean Flynn, the Edinburgh-born mountain biker moving to the WorldTour with DSM
The 22-year-old has stepped up to elite level after two years with development teams, and is looking to push on
-
Flying Dutchwoman: Lorena Wiebes on pressure, winning at the Tour de France, and leaving DSM
The SD Worx rider won 22 races in 2022, including two stages at the Tour de France Femmes and a clean sweep at the RideLondon Classique. She told Adam Becket how she did it
-
‘You never know in the Tour’ - Romain Bardet fearless as he lines up Tour de France GC bid
The 32-year-old is ready to play the tactical game this July
-
Humble, grounded but not satisfied: Scottish rider Sean Flynn's WorldTour ascension
DSM have signed a rider who they believe can develop into a potential winner of hilly Classics
-
Ex-mountain biker Sean Flynn completes 'dream' move to DSM
The Scotsman has signed a two-year contract with the WorldTour outfit
