Stars on the move after merger? "Amstel Gold’s number 6 to Visma | LaB, sprint powerhouse signs with Alpecin-Deceuninck"

Last week, Alexander Kamp already found a new team in Uno-X Mobility. Biniam Girmay is also rumored to be leaving the team, but rumors of a move to Israel—Premier Tech—have been circulating for a long time, while an announcement of the transfer is still pending. But a lot of men have to leave, and they are not just the first ones that come along.

Yesterday, it became clear that Hugo Page would sign with Cofidis. The sprinter and all-rounder has been achieving good results for years, but after the merger, there is no longer a place for the 24-year-old Frenchman. He will reportedly not be the only sprinter to leave, as Gerben Thijssen also seems to be looking for a new team.

The 27-year-old Belgian sprinter had a difficult season, with no victories and a very tough Giro d'Italia, where he failed to finish in the top 10. Thijssen was hoping to take a step forward, but that did not happen. That is why the sprinter finds himself in jeopardy with the merger and is being shown the door. Alpecin-Deceuninck seems to be interested in the Belgian's services, according to Het Laatste Nieuws.

Most likely, he would end up in the sprint train of big names such as Jasper Philipsen and Kaden Groves, but in smaller races, he will undoubtedly be allowed to go for his own chance. Moreover, the Australian's contract expires in 2026, and many teams have already shown interest. Will he want to step out of Philipsen's shadow? If so, there may be a spot open for Thijssen.

The sprinter's departure was perhaps to be expected, but the fact that Louis Barré would be leaving the team came as a surprise. The 25-year-old Frenchman was one of the few bright spots at Intermarché-Wanty and made a great impression in the classics: he finished sixth in the Amstel Gold Race and the GP Montréal. But even for him, there would be no place left.

Although other teammates are having more difficulty finding a new team, that will not be the case for Barré; given his rapid development, he may even take a considerable step up. According to La Dernière Heure, Visma | Lease a Bike is eager to sign him. Who knows, he may make giant leaps with the Dutch team.

Furthermore, Barré is not the only Frenchman from the team who could sign with a Dutch team. Alexy Faure Prost could also make a similar move, but he will reportedly ride for Picnic PostNL in 2026. The 21-year-old talent finished second in the Giro della Valle d'Aosta (behind Isaac Del Toro) in 2023, but has not yet been able to make the step up.