WorldTour Transfer rumours: Fausto Masnada to CCC, riders set to join Rod Ellingworth at Bahrain-Merida plus more
Liège-Bastogne-Liège winner Jakob Fuglsang is also believed to be on the move
CCC Team is believed to be beefing up its roster for 2020 with Giro d'Italia stage winner Fausto Masnada as incoming Bahrain-Merida boss Rod Ellingworth is expected to welcome new riders to the squad.
The UCI's August 1 opening day of transfers is approaching but behind the curtains teams, riders and agents are signing deals.
Those contracts will only be made official and pubic on August 1 or after.
CCC Team has signed Italian Fausto Masnada from Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec, multiple sources confirmed to Cycling Weekly. He won two stages in the Tour of the Alps and the San Giovanni Rotondo stage at the Giro d'Italia.
>>> Richard Carapaz says he wants to stay with Movistar despite rumours of Team Ineos deal
The 25-year-old from Bergamo raced the last three years with Androni and is considered mainly a general classification rider.
Masnada will makes the move with Russian Ilnur Zakarin, coming from Katusha-Alpecin. Zakarin has won two stages in the Giro, including one this year to Lago Serrù, a stage in the Tour de France and placed third overall in the Vuelta a España.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Long-time Team Ineos coach Rod Ellingworth is on the move to Bahrain-Merida, having worked with the likes of Geraint Thomas and Mark Cavendish in the past.
Team Ineos announced Ellingworth would leave but Bahrain-Merida has yet to confirm the deal. Ellingworth is set to become the team principal.
"I find it strange that another team announces that he is joining our team," John Allert, the Managing Director of McLaren Cycling, told Cycling Weekly.
"We are 12th now or so on the team rankings, so it's clear we are going to make changes to become the best. You look at other teams, they have layers of riders coming through, and we need that."
Any signatures may be held up as currently Brent Copeland is the team manager and responsible for signing off contracts with the UCI governing body.
>>> UCI say they intend to sanction Miguel Ángel López for punching fan at Giro d’Italia
Vincenzo Nibali is expected to leave Bahrain-Merida for Trek-Segafredo. However, Ellingworth's new team is thought to be signing Mikel Landa from Movistar, a source said. Also, according to Marca newspaper, Pello Bilbao (Astana) – winner of two Giro stages this year – and José Joaquín Rojas (Movistar) will join Bahrain-Merida.
Dane Jakob Fuglsang (Astana) could join Movistar, according to Marca. He won the Critérium du Dauphiné in 2017 and this spring, Liège-Bastogne-Liège. In July, he will lead Astana at the Tour de France.
Astana, according to a few different sources, will bring in Mattia Cattaneo from Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec. The Italian won the Giro dell'Appennino this spring and placed second behind Dario Cataldo, currently with Astana, in the Giro d'Italia 2019 Como stage.
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.
-
I’m having to tell people I’m still a cyclist despite the fact it’s not cool anymore
Bragging rights now belong to the paddleboarders
By Michael Hutchinson Published
-
Canyon Grail CF SL 7 AXS review: a gravel bike of two halves?
The integrated cockpit and aero tubing are somewhat at odds with the Grail's taller stack height
By Rachel Sokal Published
-
Rod Ellingworth returns to WorldTour, rejoining Bahrain Victorious
Former Ineos Grenadiers deputy principal spent one season with the team in 2020
By Adam Becket Published
-
‘Wow, I'm really good at cycling’ - Fred Wright on the ride that changed him
British national champion reflects on his ‘oh yeah’ moment long before turning professional
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
'This was the day that I realised I'm quite good at racing' - Matej Mohorič remembers the ride that changed him
A stage winner in all three Grand Tours, as well as Milan-San Remo, Mohorič reflects back on his 2012 Junior World Championships victory
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders fined and sent to education course after racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sanctioned after incident at the Tour of Guangxi
By Adam Becket Published
-
Intermarché-Circus-Wanty riders apologise after being withdrawn from race over racist gesture
Madis Mihkels and Gerben Thijssen sent home from Tour of Guangxi after social media post of racist gesture
By Adam Becket Published
-
Matej Mohorič considering using a dropper seatpost for Strade Bianche
The Bahrain Victorious star won Milan-San Remo in 2022 with the help of a dropper post
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
Phil Bauhaus outsprints Caleb Ewan to win stage one of Tour Down Under
The German recovered from an earlier crash to beat Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint
By Sophie Smith Published
-
Wright on Fire: Fred Wright on his breakthrough year, almost winning, and Primož Roglič
The young Bahrain-Victorious rider is one of the hottest properties in the peloton. All he needs now is a victory.
By Adam Becket Published