The 2022 season was yet again long and hard, producing success and disappointment in the men’s peloton, with the fight for UCI ranking points and places in the 2023 WorldTour adding an extra twist as well as extra demands on many riders.
Jai Hindley, Dylan Groenewegen, João Almeida and Christophe Laporte all raced for a new team, had new goals at the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and the Classic and new teammates to work with in 2022. Some struggled with the changes, injury or expectations and even COVID-19, while others revelled in the change.
These ten riders selected by Cyclingnews all impressed in 2022 after team transfers.
In due course we’ll be looking at the successes of the women’s transfer window, plus the flops on both sides but for now read on for a closer look at the men who made an instant impact in 2022 at their new teams.
- From: Team DSM
- To: Bora-Hansgrohe
- Wins: 2
- Highlights: Giro d’Italia
Jai Hindley was one of Bora-Hansgrohe’s new stage race strategy signings after they let Peter Sagan go for the 2022 season.
The likeable Australian was not under pressure or expected to immediately win the Giro d’Italia but he did, with some superb riding in the final week and then a decisive attack on the final mountain stage on the Marmolada to snatch the maglia rosa from Richard Carapaz.
It was redemption for Hindley after he lost the 2020 Giro d’Italia to Tao Geoghegan Hart and confirmed that he really is a Grand Tour contender.
Bora-Hansgrohe also showed their worth, backing Hindley as a team and proving their pivot to Grand Tours and stage races has been carefully constructed and executed.
Now it is up to Aleksandr Vlasov, Sergio Higuita, Lennard Kämna and Cian Uijtdebroeks to take the next big win, while Hindley seems set to try his hand at the mountainous Tour de France.
- From: Jumbo-Visma
- To: BikeExchange-Jayco
- Wins: 7
- Highlights: Stage win at Tour de France and two stages at the Saudi Tour
The powerful Dutch sprinter was a late signing and perhaps a gamble for BikeExchange-Jayco but one that delivered. He scored seven wins, a haul of UCI ranking points and an extra sense of purpose to the Australian team in 2022.
Groenewegen sensed his chances at Jumbo-Visma were limited…
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