The Garmin-Cannndale merger has become a little clearer in terms of who will ride for the team in 2015. After strong performances and a first pro win, Alex Howes has signed a contract extension with the team and Davide Formolo, the neo-pro star has agreed to move to the team.

From the Garmin team of 29 this season, 14 have deals that will carry on into the merger: Janier Alexis Acevedo, Nate Brown, André Cardoso, Tom Danielson, Lasse Norman Hansen, Ryder Hesjedal, Alex Howes, Ben King, Sebastian Langeveld, Dan Martin, Ramunas Navardauskas, Tom Jelte Slagter, Andrew Talansky and Dylan van Baarle.

David Millar is retiring and Rohan Dennis left the team earlier this month. 8 Cannondale riders can move over to the team, but only Formolo has put pen to paper. The other 7 who could move are Moreno Moser, Alan Marangoni, Kristijan Koren, Davide Villella, and Matej Mohoric and Alberto Bettiol. Those 7 had deals with Cannondale next season. The team is also interested in Ted King, whose deal runs out at the end of the season.

“We still have between five and eight places available,” Vaughters told Cyclingnews. "We’re in talks with many riders and we’re obviously trying to build the best team we can. What I can say is that we’ll look to have an overall strong team but the emphasis is moving more towards stage races and the Ardennes.”

Vaughters can have 30 men on his team next year but he insists his budget will determine how many riders he signs.

From Garmin-Sharp’s existing team Jack Bauer, Thomas Dekker, Caleb Fairly, Koldo Fernandez, Phillip Gaimon, Raymond Kreder, Lachlan Morton, Nick Nuyens, Johan Vansummeren, Tyler Farrar, Steele von Hoff and Fabian Wegmann are out of contract.

Vaughters would not confirm which riders from the out of contract list would be offered new deals but Cyclingnews understands that at least Bauer and Vansummeren would be given offers.

Raymond Kreder has been heavily linked to the new Dutch pro-continental team that has already signed Johnny Hoogerland and his family Michael and Wesley are rumored to be going to the team too.