In 2025, Duvel - Tsingtao accomplished the team goal to stay in the Pro Continental Tour for another season, while continuing to progress its youth development programme.
Coming into the previous season with a 40% domestic rider (e.g. Belgian / Chinese) roster target, Directeur Sportif Jean Wauters was delighted to exceed that goal and manage to set the team up for success in years ahead.
"Duvel and Tsingtao have been clear from the outset of this project that the development of the cycling programme in Belgium and China is the main priority. Last season, the team achieved safety in the PCT division with 52% of the roster made up of Belgian and Chinese riders.
We also gave professional debuts and a year's development to Uijtdebroeks, Poole and Ju, while continuing the development of Pollefliet.
2025 saw fewer victories than the previous year, but both stage wins were provided by Yikui Niu, one of the team's most-respected Chinese veterans. He has made his country very proud with his performances in the PCT division and we hope his mentorship continues to advance Chinese cycling.
The long-term development of this project remains the priority in 2026, while Duvel and Tsingtao also hope to see a slightly more competitive team in year 2 in the PCT."
This is how Duvel - Tsingtao's 2026 renewals ended up.
We overspent in some areas and were brutal in other areas. We were almost entirely done in round 1 of renewals, with only 1 rider left to finalise after the initial attempt. For the second year in a row (after letting Dion Smith walk for free), the renewal moderator was deeply shocked by Duvel - Tsingtao team strategy in renewals.
Clearly, team management needs training from jph or others on how best to nickel and dime their riders.
RENEWALS RESULTS
Nat
Name
Old Wage
New Wage
Change
Availability
Cian Uijtdebroeks
£330,000
£295,000
-£35,000
No
Max Poole
£215,000
£190,000
-£25,000
Yes
Joeri Stallaert
£195,000
Released
-£195,000
N/A
Marcus Faglum Karlsson
£186,000
£240,000
+£54,000
No
Xianjing Lyu
£155,000
£135,000
-£20,000
No
Alberto Bettiol
£139,000
£135,000
-£4,000
Yes
Willi Willwohl
£110,000
£130,000
+£20,000
Yes
Mingrun Chen
£90,000
£90,000
£0
No
Nicholas Dlamini
£90,000
£75,000
-£15,000
Yes
Emilien Viennet
£85,000
Released
-£85,000
N/A
Cristian Perez
£75,000
£55,000
-£20,000
No
Yikui Niu
£70,000
£90,000
+£20,000
No
Stan Dewulf
£70,000
£70,000
£0
No
Louis Blouwe
£65,000
£105,000
+£40,000
Maybe
Zouzou Andriafenomananiaina
£65,000
£80,000
+£15,000
Yes
Clement Venturini
£55,000
Released
-£55,000
N/A
Gianni Vermeersch
£55,000
Released
-£55,000
N/A
Stan Van Tricht
£50,000
£50,000
£0
No
Jinyang Ju
£50,000
£50,000
£0
No
Quinten Hermans
£50,000
Released
-£50,000
N/A
Gianluca Pollefliet
£50,000
Released
-£50,000
N/A
Old wages
New wages
Wages left
£2,500,000
£1,790,000
£710,000
DISCUSSION
The goners
First of all, we must thank the following for their efforts, who were all relatively easy cuts due to either declines, greed, or just not quite fitting into the new Duvel - Tsingtao roster composition:
- Marcus Faglum Karlsson: Well deserved rise in salary after a good year in PCT. He'll be riding for the team again next season.
- Willi Willwohl: Again, a deserved rise after a good year in PCT without much support. He will be available, and might be an excellent option for a team not looking to spend much on a sprinter.
- Yikui Niu: We only had two stage wins all of last season Niu scored both of 'em. He's not going anywhere in his final year of his prime.
- Louis Blouwe: Did a job as a support rider. We're not convinced he's worth his wage, but perhaps others are, which is why he's listed as a 'maybe'.
- Zouzou Andriafenomananiaina: What a nice profile to have, but sadly he doesn't quite fit with our intended roster composition. He'll be on the block.
The team players
- Cian Uijtdebroeks: We thought his asking price was quite high when we first received his demands. Comparing him to some of his peers, we think he's probably earning £70k more than he should. We've been robbed! It's OK though, Cian is our golden boy and will face no repercussions.
- Max Poole: Another who we probably could've gotten a little lower. You will note he's on the block. We will be considering any variety of offers for this 6 potential attacking climber beast.
- Xianjing Lyu: A decent first stint in the PCT for Duvel - Tsingtao, team management believes he has what it takes to score decent points for the team, possibly with some extra 'motivation'. He'll be staying.
- Alberto Bettiol: Came in to do a job as a leader. Fulfilled that role ably. He can move on to new pastures, and likely has what it takes to do a solid leadership role in the CT for either a new team or development team that needs a veteran (33+) presence.
- Nicholas Dlamini: Highly sought after on the FA market the year prior, we managed a £15k wage cut, but will be fielding offers for the versatile man this coming transfer window.
- Mingrun Chen, Stan Dewulf, Cristian Perez, Stan van Tricht, Jinyang Ju: They stay.
Renewing youngsters can be scary, but as you correctly pointed out, you were probably a little too cautious I was in the same situation with Blouwe's demands as you are, except that I decided to not give him a contract. Hope it works out for you one way or another!
Should be a fun offseason for you! Faglum Karlsson is a nice piece to build around, and then a lot probably depends on how well you'll be able to move the riders on the transfer block. But you have a ton of cap space anyway to build a squad that will safely keep you in the division again. Good luck
DUVEL - TSINGTAO 
Niu scored both of 'em. He's not going anywhere in his final year of his prime.
I was in the same situation with Blouwe's demands as you are, except that I decided to not give him a contract. Hope it works out for you one way or another! 
