Imagine a team consisting of a Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España winner (Nairo Quintana), a former world champion (Rui Costa), a Grand Tour podium finisher (Esteban Chaves), winners of 89 and 52 career sprints (Elia Viviani and Fernando Gaviria), a winner of multiple Spring Classics (Michael Valgren) and a Tour de France yellow jersey wearer (Mike Teunissen). Quite the team of eight, collectively capable of winning sprints, challenging for the GC, and triumphing from the break.
The composite of eight riders might all be in their 30s, almost certainly their best years behind them, but they’re still capable of winning bike races themselves or helping teammates to do so. What binds them together is that each of them is one of the estimated 100 WorldTour riders still without a confirmed contract for 2025.
Some of them will be assured of their future – Colombians Quintana and Gaviria are reportedly said to be close to re-signing for Movistar – but for most of them they’ve now reached panic stations, frantically ringing their agents, asking for updates, pleading for good news.
Nairo Quintana is still without a contract for 2025
“It’s a horrible situation to be in,” says Israel-Premier Tech’s Simon Clarke. Three years ago, the Australian was without a contract until Israel became aware of his availability over the Christmas period. “There are a few people in my team with undecided futures and I feel for them because I can genuinely say I’ve been there before,” he continues. “The big transfer window starts at the Tour de France, and the absolute latest it finishes is the Worlds. If you’ve not got a solution after the Worlds, it’s probably not looking good. Even now, there’ll be riders who just don’t know.”
Of the riders scrapping around for contracts, more than 60% of them are under 30. Some have previously been tipped for greatness (Lucas Hamilton and Milan Vader, both 28), and some are just at the start of their promising careers (Luis-Joe Lührs, 21; and Harrison Wood, 24). “If you’re under 35 and feel like you’ve got a lot more to give to the sport, it’s definitely a tough moment,” says Clarke. “But if I was out of contract this year at 38, I’d have a much different reaction because now I’m satisfied with what I’ve achieved.” Clarke has one year remaining on his contract before probably retiring.
Simon Clarke found himself in a similar position three years ago before signing with…