As it has been already reported, after tying a knot with Cervelo as of the next year, MTN-Qhubeka is looking to significantly bolster their line-up for the 2015 season. After some rumors suggesting that Team Sky rider Edvald Boasson Hagen would be their major signing for the next year, according to Dutch media African Pro Continental squad approached Belkin Procycling riders Theo Bos and Robert Gesink, currently attending the Tour de Pologne.
MTN-Qhubeka will participate in their first ever three-week event at the Vuelta a Espana later this month, but their line-up requires significant strengthening ahead of the upcoming season in order to meet their biggest objective confirmed in Dutch media: attending the Tour de France in 2015.
"(…) but its target for next season is to be at the start of the Tour de France in Utrecht. Therefore some big-name transfers may still be expected from the South African team," said telesport.nl.
Signing a new deal with bike manufacturer Cervelo and rumored arrival of Gerard Vroomen to the team management is a huge step in a development of the young African squad, but major changes in their roster are expected to follow.
Even though the future of Belkin Procycling has been secured thanks to the Dutch national lottery, many of their riders run out of contracts by the end of the current season and are regarded a real deal on a transfer market. While one of their biggest stars Wilco Kelderman is expected to stay with the team and a departure of Bauke Mollema to Trek Factory Racing has been officially confirmed, MTN-Qhubeka approached Theo Boss and Robert Gesink, both currently participating in the Tour de Pologne.
Signing Bos would offer the African squad a classy sprinter, even though the future of 30-year old Dutchman in road cycling is currently uncertain after he revealed that returning to the track is seriously considered. However, after several less successful appearances Belkin sprinter returned to his winning ways in Poland what might positively influence his decision.
The second MTN-Qhubeka’s object of interest, Gesink, returned to action in Poland following a rest period forced by a minor cardiac surgery, and certainly will be looking to re-boost his confidence as a general classification rider after solving lingering health problems.
While it seems that it is going to be all for Kelderman in Belkin in upcoming seasons, eventual move to the African Pro Continental team might offer Gesink a welcomed dose of trust and confidence to rebuild his reputation as a serious grand tour contender.
Christophe PREMONT 35 years | today |
Boas LYSGAARD 20 years | today |
Timo ALBIEZ 39 years | today |
Inez BEIJER 29 years | today |
Anthony SAUX 33 years | today |
© CyclingQuotes.com