Trek-Segafredo in no rush to find replacement for Alberto Contador
The American team won't begin the search for a new GC rider until after the Vuelta a España
Trek-Segafredo will not in a rush to replace Spaniard Alberto Contador, winner of seven Grand Tours, when he retires after the Vuelta a España.
The American WorldTour team for now will rely on Dutchman Bauke Mollema and a developing roster in 2018.
>>> ‘The Vuelta a España will be the usual horrendous race, the toughest stage race of 2017’
"We need to see if someone comes out the Vuelta, you usually get some stars emerging. We are going to remain calm for now," general manager Luca Guercilena told Cycling Weekly.
"It's clear that the trading has advanced, riders have made their decisions, but you never know what happens on the market and you might find an opportunity."
Three-time Vuelta a España winner Contador starts the three-week Spanish tour, his last race, on Saturday.
Mollema, 30, began the Tour de France this July in a support role for Contador after placing seventh overall in the Giro d'Italia. He won to Puy-en-Velay on stage 15 of the Tour and and finished 17th overall.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
In past editions of the Tour, he placed sixth and seventh overall but has fared better in the Vuelta, placing fourth in 2011.
"Mollema becoming more and more solid every year and we want to support him. We'd like to find someone for the Giro, maybe not already for 2018, but someone we can work with over time," Guercilena continued.
"We are going to assess the opportunities when they come. We are not going to go crazy because we have to replace Alberto at all costs."
"When you make an investment like that, it takes time and planning before you decide.
"We have good rider in the team already [with Mollema]. Clearly, though, Alberto won't be easy to replace, but since we made investments to grow with young riders a couple years back, we are in a place to work on that."
Trek had thought that the team would begin 2018 with Contador and Mollema, and had budgeted accordingly when looking at signing new riders.
However, after a disappointing Tour de France, 34-year-old Contador decided to end his career already in 2017.
Time passed in the short and precious transfer window before Contador made his retirement announcement on August 7. In that time, some big riders, like Fabio Aru, already inked deals with other teams.
"[Aru is] a classy rider, he showed that in the Tour, but we can't regret how things have gone," Guercilena said.
"Clearly, the market moved on, but let’s see what happens in the Vuelta if something comes up."
Of the big stage racers, only Fabio Aru and Daniel Martin have yet to announce his 2018 plans. It is unclear if Martin, sixth in the Tour, will stay with Quick-Step, move to a team like UAE Team Emirates as rumoured or find another team.
Aru, racing in the Vuelta, reportedly already agreed to a deal with UAE.
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
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
Forget distance covered, these are the key stats to note in your Strava Year in Sport
We asked a coach how to best analyse our end of year Strava data
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'She should show a bit more respect' - Lotte Kopecky responds to Demi Vollering comments
The pair seemingly had one last fractious year together at SD Worx-Protime in 2024
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I couldn’t quite believe it’ - Charlie Quarterman on his rags to riches Giro d’Italia selection
The British rider spent a year at amateur level with Philippe Wagner Cycling before heading back to the top with Corratec
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Giving up the Giro breaks my heart’ – Trek’s Giulio Ciccone forced out of home tour by Covid symptoms
Italian was relishing leading Trek’s challenge at Giro that starts in his home region
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Lizzie Deignan to return to racing at Flèche Wallonne, is a possibility for Liège–Bastogne–Liège
Trek-Segafredo finalise roster for Wednesday's Ardennes Classic, with Deignan returning for the first time since 2021
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lizzie Deignan: 'It’s a shame someone can’t see the value of the Women’s Tour'
The Women’s Tour’s only double winner expresses her disappointment after the cancellation of the 2023 race
By Owen Rogers Published
-
‘She said she wanted to cry’ - Elisa Longo Borghini lauds team-mate after dominant Jebel Hafeet win
The Italian duo rode clear of the peloton at the UAE Tour to take a memorable one-two
By Tom Davidson Published
-
All the 2023 kits: EF Education-EasyPost share latest collaboration with Rapha
American WorldTour team become latest to release their new 2023 kit, here's the rest
By Adam Becket Published
-
Van Vleuten confirms her superiority with Ceratizit Challenge GC victory
Elisa Balsamo takes the final stage bunch kick on the Madrid circuit after consummate work from Trek-Segafredo
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Trek-Segafredo win the Ceratizit Challenge by La Vuelta team time trial
Elisa Longo Borghini led the American squad home and will take the leader's red jersey into the remaining four stages
By Owen Rogers Last updated