Ripley wrote:
Wait, so the two guys who set their career goals to beat each other signed for the same team? I call the duo "The fat and the ugly".

Supernutz wrote:
Daniel Clark expressed delight at the signing of Jen's Christiansen today. "He is a really strong rider, and we will be that much stronger in the peloton because of his presence. I'm really looking forward to our first training rides...where we can start busting each other's balls!"

Akos Molnár ignores offers from European teams to sign with Manzana - Postobón Team

Manzana - Postobón Team also extend a helping hand to local contract rebel Hector Fernández Hernández

Wilier Triestina - Selle Italia is shoring up their climbing depth with the signing of their second climbing talent, Bernard Garin

Mario Rizzi travels North to sign with Bora - Hansgrohe

Once again, a contract agreement has been leaked by a young rider before it's official announcement! Jens Christiansen had agreed terms with Israel Cycling Academy but this was not yet made public by the RTGUCI. A similar incident had been reported just a day earlier. As such, the RTGUCI has decided that if there is a third offender, they will be made to start the first three races of their career from the back of the peloton to neutralize any chance of the rider entering a breakaway.

AbhishekLFC wrote:

Young Moroccan prospect Elias Abdessabour has officially joined Italian squad Wilier Triestina, where he will make his professional debut next season. He penned a year long contract, snubbing some World Tour offers as reports suggest. Abdessabour claims no regrets for signing with Wilier Triestina, a team, he said, that fits his riding style and whose calendar meets his preferences.

"I've been riding in Italy for the past two years, so I think it's a good step for my career. I know Italian roads suit me and so does this team," Abdessabour told us. "Plus," he added, "there's lesser pressure here. I'd like to ride my own races and think on my development far from the cameras, before people start demanding good results."

Abdessabour will be joined by another climbing talent, Bernard Garin, whom his delighted to welcome aboard. "It's really nice to have someone you can speak to in a language you feel comfortable with. I can scratch some Italian, but French really is my cup of tea. So it will be nice to talk with Bernard as well as learn with [Lilian] Calmejane."

Not joining South African side Team Dimension Data, who have supported Abdessabour's short career, might have come as a surprise, but the Moroccan doesn't see it that way. "They gave me everything and I have to thank the team for never leaving my side and for making this day come true," he said. "But I have to look in terms of adaptability and personal growth. Like I said, Wilier Triestina is more suited for my short term goals, goals I must not oversee so I don't end up being another anonymous rider in the peloton."

Abdessabour begins his pre-season training with a relaxed look and smile on his face as he prepares to embrace his path amongst the pros.

Mario Rizzi, young Italian prospect well known in Lombardy region, signed his first professional contract with German squad Bora-Hansgrohe. He said that he wants to move to proffesional ranks earlier, but probably nobody expected move to the 1st division of cycling this early.

"That was my goal, to move up, but we honestly didn't expected this interest. I was hoping some Italian team would contact us and offer me a deal, but not this," Rizzi told us.

"I got three great offers, and it was really tough to choose the right team. However, I believe my choice is the right one, as Bora is still growing team with solid sponsorship. Also I will have great opportunity to learn from the best one, Peter Sagan," Rizzi explained his decision.

"I'm really motivated to prove I belong in the pro cycling and I hope to prove those who doubt me couple last years wrong. Really excited for this challenge," finished Rizzi.

Our sources confirmed that the contract length is 2 years, so Rizzi will definitely have the space to grow and prove himself. On the team perspective, Bora added high profiled young rider to its already decent pool.

One more note to add: Mario Rizzi's camp also put up a statement with the hope that RTGUCI did make mistake in Rizzi's name spelling only in the official statement and not in the documents. "We reached out to the RTGUCI about this issue and hope to have their answer in a few days," said Rizzi's agent via phone.

Nagy Levente will don the colours of Lotto - Soudal as he starts his professional journey

Team Dimension Data finally get the puncher they were after in the form of Guilherme Barbosa

The RTGUCI would like to apologize to Mario Rizzi and his team for the misspelling which appeared in our earlier announcement. Clearly, our media representative needs to have his eyes checked. Some say this is almost karma for the Holier than Thou attitude that the UCI have been taking over contract news leaks.