Transfer talk in Belgium: Van Aert and van der Poel could lose key domestiques for the Classics

At Visma | Lease a Bike, transfer rumors have been flying thick and fast in recent weeks. The team surrounding Jonas Vingegaard, especially van Aert, could look very different next season. According to reports, there is interest in Italian climber Davide Piganzoli from Polti VisitMalta, but Visma is likely to lose sprinter Olav Kooij to French team Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale. And that happens to be the new destination of yet another Killer Bee...

Although recent reports have mentioned upcoming contract extensions for sprint star Matthew Brennan, puncher Ben Tulett, and leader Matteo Jorgenson, the rumors surrounding Tiesj Benoot seem true. The Belgian has been riding for Visma since 2022 and is one of van Aert's right-hand men. However, Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale also wants to sign Benoot. According to HLN, it would be a three-year contract, as a 'driving force' in the team's dream of winning a Monument.

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In addition to the potential transfers of Jasper Stuyven (Lidl-Trek) and Dylan van Baarle (also Visma) to Soudal-Quick Step, Edward Planckaert of Alpecin-Deceuninck is also being mentioned as a reinforcement for The Wolfpack. Timo Kielich is also set to leave the team to replace Benoot at Visma, while Q36.5 (Tom Pidcock's team) is said to have made an offer to puncher Quinten Hermans and Xandro Meurisse.

However, the most significant departure could be that of Gianni Vermeersch for van der Poel. The Belgian, who plays a crucial role in his lead rider's ambitions every spring, is said to have attracted the interest of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Negotiations are reportedly already in the final stages. Brent Van Moer of Lotto is seen as a possible replacement, although Alpecin-Deceuninck reportedly faces stiff competition from Q36.5 and Soudal-Quick Step, among others.