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This was the big news today and somewhat unexpected it was. Slipstream veteran Ryder Hesjedal is moving to Trek on a one year deal:
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-partner="tweetdeck"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Join us in welcoming <a href="https://twitter.com/ryder_hesjedal">@Ryder_Hesjedal</a> to Trek Factory Racing! <a href="http://t.co/gJZHbYvdAo">pic.twitter.com/gJZHbYvdAo</a></p>— Trek Factory Racing (@TrekFactory) <a href="https://twitter.com/TrekFactory/status/636534052368052224">August 26, 2015</a></blockquote>
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Apparently the aim is another shot at Giro success? Not the most exciting of signings one would think but Trek are in need of some results that come with not too big of a pricetag so maybe it's a decent gamble? For Cannondale it is another one of the old guard gone with Dan Martin already confirmed as leaving (but not yet confirmed at Etixx) while they seem set to bring aboard Rigoberto Uran. Times they are a' changing over in Argyle land. Are they still argyle btw?
Also confirmed today is Rein Taaramäe taking his reign of terror from Astana over to Katusha. With two minor stagerace wins he has gotten his career somewhat back on track at Astana but apparently the grass is greener over at the Russian neighbors so we will see if he keeps up winning in his new surroundings.
Apart from Europcar the big move (or stay) we are waiting on is Mark Cavendish. What happens to him will determine much of the rest of the market too. Sascha Modolo seems to be in talks with Etixx and there has apparently been talk of Kittel to Etixx too, a move that his agent has gone out and denied. Kittel will honor his remaining contract year at Giant according to him.