After it has almost been confirmed that Carlos Verona will join Orica-BikeEchnage in a midseason transfer, Patrick Lefevere is keen to add Belgian champion Philippe Gilbert to his team.

"We will meet soon," Lefevere said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. "But there is still no official confirmation. Philippe has asked me for a draft contract, but that is no guarantee. But I'm feeling hopeful."

The manager had hoped to also add Sep Vanmarcke to his team, but that doesn’t look possible as his team only has a deal with sponsors until the end of 2017, meaning he cannot offer more than a one-year deal. Gilbert is willing to sign for a year, Vanmarcke wasn’t. Lefevere explained that there are some current riders on his team leaving because of the one-year problem.

"That's why Stijn Vandenbergh is leaving for AG2R and Nikolas Maes is most likely going to Lotto-Soudal. But it is what it is. So you see who jumps out of the boat first."