In-season transfer deal in the making? "Bettiol leaves EF immediately for Vinokourov's Chinese money"

Alberto Bettiol appears to be making a remarkable move in the cycling peloton. The Italian of EF Education-EasyPost still has a contract with the American team until the end of this season, but Astana Qazaqstan will add him to its ranks as of August 15, according to La Gazzetta dello Sport and transfer journalist Daniel Benson.

Bettiol was starting to become part of the EF staff, so the transfer is quite remarkable. He had been riding for Jonathan Vaughters' team since 2019 and achieved superb results. That started with his first pro win in 2019, right away in the Tour of Flanders. In 2021, he was also the best in the 18th stage at the Giro d'Italia.

The now 30-year-old Bettiol struggled with many injuries in recent years but started winning again this season. After a good winter without problems, he won Milan-Turin after a beautiful solo. In Boucles de la Mayenne, he then won a stage and the overall ranking. The icing on the cake came just before the Tour de France with the Italian champion's jersey. Much was expected of him in the Tour, but Bettiol had to give up sick after two weeks.

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Astana Qazaqstan can spend money after new sponsorship deal

So the Tour might have been Bettiol's last race in the EF colors. He will be seen from August 15 in the light blue of Astana Qazaqstan, a team that suddenly has a lot to spend thanks to Chinese money from XDS-Carbon-Tech. Bettiol will sign for 3.5 years, becoming team boss Alexandre Vinokourov's first significant addition. It is a welcome transfer, as Astana will have to pick up many UCI points this year and next season to keep its WorldTour license after 2025.

For next season, Vinokourov has only fourteen riders on the payroll; with Bettiol added, that will be fifteen. That includes Dutchmen Ide Schelling and Cees Bol, as well as a solid sprint core, including Davide Ballerini and Max Kanter. Bettiol is the first true classics specialist, although we might add men like Christian Scaroni and Simone Velasco in time.