Bakelants notices remarkable trend in transfers: "Van Aert, Pogacar, Van der Poel: they all did that"

"An important observation is that the big stars have committed themselves in the classics and stage races for several years. Not only to their teams but also to the bike manufacturers," he opens his analysis in HLN. "Tadej Pogacar stays with UAE Team Emirates until 2030, Mathieu van der Poel signed a ten-year deal with Canyon, Wout van Aert committed himself for life with Visma | Lease a Bike, and also Remco Evenepoel stayed where he was."

When it comes to the big teams, it is notable that the UAE Team Emirates retains its solid stronghold, as does Visma | Lease a Bike: "Pogacar keeps all his important teammates, and also at Visma | Lease a Bike, no key riders have left. Instead, they will reinforce their team with know-how and scientific improvements," said the Belgian, who did notice one top transfer with Simon Yates. "The transfer of the year. And I think it is also useful because he will still bring the ins and outs of the rival from time to time through Adam Yates, it seems to me. But UAE is above it all. Pogacar has more talent than Vingegaard, and the team has more money than its Dutch rival."

Then there is team-Evenepoel, Soudal Quick-Step. It's interesting from a Belgian perspective. Bakelants is shocked by the stagnation of Patrick Lefevere's team. "I had thought they would bring in more sponsors to reinforce themselves. Especially with Evenepoel as a two-time Olympic champion. Isn't that a star performer? That that doesn't work out inevitably affects the transfer policy at Soudal Quick-Step. Because let's be honest: the arrival of Valentin Paret-Peintre, Ethan Hayter, Maximilian Schachmann, and co. It does not excite us. I remain apprehensive, and probably Remco too," Bakelants concludes critically.