Victor Campenaerts could leave Lotto-Soudal to make room for Philippe Gilbert and John Degenkolb
The Hour Record holder apparently turned down an increased offer earlier this season as he decided to wait because other teams were showing interest
Victor Campenaerts could leave Lotto-Soudal as the Belgian team prioritise their funds for signing Paris-Roubaix winners Philippe Gilbert (Deceuninck - Quick-Step) and John Degenkolb (Trek-Segafredo), according to reports.
The team are said to have insufficient budget to re-sign the new Hour Record holder, who apparently turned down a new and improved contract earlier in the season, Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad reports, with Campenaerts deciding to wait it out as other teams were circling with lucrative offers of their own.
>>> Here’s who is going to win the Tour de France 2019, according to the bookmakers
However, once Campenaerts had decided he wanted to remain at Lotto-Soudal the team's talks with Gilbert and Degenkolb had progressed so far down the road that the same offer was no longer there for the Belgian.
Campenaerts was offered a second contract renewal of far less value than the first offer, with Lotto-Soudal said to still be hoping to find additional budget and make a better proposal to the time-trial specialist. The team on Monday took to Twitter to state that contract negotiations were still ongoing with Campenaerts.
However, the Belgian isn't holding out hope and will look for a new team for the 2020 season, a task he will have to accomplish on his own until he finds a new manager having recently relieved Dries Smets of his duties, who coincidentally also manages Philippe Gilbert.
Philippe Gilbert has said his non-selection for the Tour de France will definitely play a role in whether he renews with Deceuninck – Quick-Step, his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
The Belgian said that as as soon as his omission from his squad's Tour line-up was announced a number of other teams were straight on the phone to the Belgian.
Re-signing for Lotto-Soudal, where Gilbert had his most successful season ever on the bike in 2011, picking up the stage one victory and first yellow jersey of the Tour de France, both national road and time trial championships as well as a number of spring Classics titles including Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Amstel Gold Race, Flèche Wallonne and Strade Bianche, would see the Belgian reunited with his old BMC boss John Lelangue.
Lelangue, a sports director at Lotto-Soudal, said that Gilbert was "on our list" of potential recruits, adding "I know Philippe well, he could be a real leader for our team. I’m definitely going to listen to his manager. He wants to race for another two years and I am convinced that he will do well. He still has the motivation of a junior."
John Degenkolb will also miss out on the Tour de France this year, having taken a memorable and emotional stage victory at last year's race, as his Trek-Segafredo team go all-in on the GC ambitions of Richie Porte, who has crashed out of the previous two editions of the Tour.
The 30-year-old told German news website Radsport News of his Tour omission: "[It is] a decision that I fully accept, because as I said earlier what is good for the team and their goals is good for all of us.
"The final decision has not yet quite fallen," Degenkolb added, "but after six consecutive participations, not going there this year is for me to get over."
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
Hi. I'm Cycling Weekly's Weekend Editor. 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.
-
I'm about to turn 40 - how can I keep riding fast?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
By Charlie Graham-Dixon Published
-
Life Time Grand Prix to have fewer riders and wild cards in 2025
The flagship US gravel series has confirmed the six races that will be a part of the competition next year
By Adam Becket Published
-
'All the pressure was on him': Philippe Gilbert impressed by Kasper Asgreen’s form ahead of Paris-Roubaix
Danish rider finished seventh for Soudal Quick-Step after Patrick Lefevere called for riders to ‘save team’s honour’
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Philippe Gilbert says Julian Alaphilippe could benefit from fresh start at new team
Former Paris-Roubaix and Tour of Flanders winner says Alaphilippe may enjoy new challenge away from Patrick Lefevere's Soudal Quick-Step team
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Current WorldTour system is killing all the smaller teams,’ says Reinardt Janse van Rensburg
South African ex-Lotto Soudal rider fears more teams could find themselves in B & B Hotels-KTM situation if the system doesn’t change
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Caleb Ewan ‘not going anywhere’ after team's relegation, says Lotto-Soudal
Spokesperson for Belgian team says that Ewan has expressed desire to stay and lead the team in 2023
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Philippe Gilbert slams UCI for ‘negligence’ at Vuelta a Burgos
‘It’s time safety topics are taken seriously’ says Belgian former World Champion
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘It's not been a great Tour for the sprinters’ - Caleb Ewan rues bad luck at the Tour de France after heavy crash on stage 13
Lotto Soudal sprinter involved in nasty crash with a teammate midway through stage into Saint-Étienne
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'I’m still having to pinch myself a little bit, what a ride!' : Reinardt Janse van Rensburg’s journey to a sixth Tour de France
The 33 year old South African rider feared his career was over before Lotto Soudal came calling.
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Lotto Soudal pins Tour de France hopes on 'one of the fastest riders of the peloton', Caleb Ewan
Caleb Ewan, Philippe Gilbert, Andreas Kron and Tim Wellens all make the team's Tour de France lineup
By Tom Thewlis Published