With reports that Astana’s budget may be cut and rumours appearing that they may even struggle to stay afloat past 2017, some of the team’s star riders are reportedly looking elsewhere. Much has been made of Nibali opting to move elsewhere for 2017, which looks very likely. Classics leader Lars Boom is reportedly seeking a new team that will let him race cyclocross.

Talented climber Diego Rosa is perhaps the next rider to leave. L’Equipe linked him to Sky and his agent Giuseppe Acquadro confirmed that Sky were interested in the 27 year old Italian.

Rosa was excellent in 2015, helping Aru win the Vuelta and put Aru and Landa on steps two and three of the Giro podium. He enjoyed a stellar end to 2015 too, winning Milan-Turin, attacking on the corner where his fan club awaited, before taking fifth as teammate Nibali won Il Lombardia. This year he has been back in domestique duties, but took a fabulous solo stage win in the Vuelta al Pais Vasco and is set to ride his first Tour de France this season.

At Sky, he would have chances to be a leader, but may also ride as a domestique in some events. Bora-Argon 18 are reportedly seeking to become a WorldTour team in 2017 and are keen on Rosa, having him as their outright leader in Grand Tours to go with Sam Bennett in the sprints. Even if Bora fail to make the WorldTour requirements, they still have a great calendar, riding all the big races and Classics in 2017 (minus Il Lombardia and the Giro).

Rosa has not ruled out re-signing with Astana, who may give him more leadership if Nibali does depart this winter.