Fernando Gaviria has been linked to a move to UAE Team Emirates, where he would join Ireland's Dan Martin.
Fernando Gaviria tipped for transfer to UAE Team Emirates
Colombian sprinter Fernando Gaviria is set to leave QuickStep for UAE Team Emirates, according to reports in the European media.
Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported the Colombian is to leave his current team mid-contract.
He is signed to QuickStep until the end of next year. However, the team needs to cut costs amid sponsorship woes.
And reducing the number of big stars it employs would trim its large wages bill. Gaviria is said to earn about €2 million per year.
However, how his transfer to UAE Team Emirates would impact on Dan Martin and Fabio Aru is not entirely clear.
If Gaviria does sign for the team, his presence at Grand Tours would need to be catered for with a lead-out.
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And that would split the team’s goals between stage wins and general classification.
Dan Martin joined UAE Team Emirates for the increased support it promised at the Tour de France.
Any rider transfer that would impact on that support will be closely watched by Irish fans.
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While Alexander Kristoff rode the Tour de France this year in the same team as Dan Martin, his lead-out needs are not comparable to Gaviria’s.
The Colombian is much younger and faster and would be tipped to win several stages in any Grand Tour he rides.
And that would mean at the Tour considerable lead-out resources would very likely be provided for him, which would likely weaken the team’s GC aspirations with Martin and Aru.
However, it is important to stress that neither Gaviria, UAE Team Emirates or QuickStep have commented on the reports linking the rider to the Italian-run Middle East-backed team.
QuickStep, a Belgian team, has been the most prolific winner in the WorldTour this year. However, despite its 69 wins, team boss Patrick Lefevere is still looking for a new sponsor.
QuickStep, a flooring company, is continuing with the team for three more years. But it wants to become a secondary sponsor.
And so Lefevere needs to bring in a new backer to take on the title sponsorship. If he is not successful, the team will continue but at a reduced budget.
Niki Terpstra has left and is already signed to Direct Energie for next year. Max Schachmann has departed for Bora-hansgrohe.
And now the Italian media is reporting Fernando Gaviria is departing for UAE Team Emirates despite being contracted to QuickStep for another season.
The same newspaper, which first reported Fabio Aru’s intention to sign for UAE Team Emirates last year, has also now reported Enric Mas may be about to leave QuickStep.
Still aged just 23 years old, the Spanish rider was 2nd overall the Vuelta this year and won a stage. Like Gaviria, he has a year to run on his QuickStep contract.
If the Belgian team does not have a sponsor for next year, it would allow some riders to leave to reduce costs.
And some riders may want to leave a year before their contract expires to maximise the bargaining power they have at present.
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