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
Not the greatest renewals ever, but still a good chunk of cap space available. I'm guessing you'll be wheeling and dealing to improve the team while waiting on Cian and his breakthrough
@cunego - Blouwe is one of those odd ones that should be better. Maybe this year with his extra cash, he'll have a little less stress in his personal life and that'll bring out the best in him in the peloton. And re: the Cian/Poole overpay, "probably a little too cautious" is very kind. You can just say "you are a terrible negotiator."
@redordead - Wheeling and dealing is the only way we know to go. Be in touch if you see something you like (and you decide to sack up and not sit out this transfer window...)!
@SotD - Well thank you, that's very kind I do think we have some decent pieces, though not many PCT quality leaders. Thankfully as you say, we've got some interesting assets to move and some wages to be blown. Be in touch in transfers
@ember - We'll very much look forward to the talk Cheers mate, it's certainly a bit easier going into this transfer season with at least half a roster. Think we kept 4 of the riders we ended 2024 with in the 2025 season.
@TMM - Thanks mate, indeed we've got some pieces to hold onto and some interesting bits and bobs around the edges. Nobody quite of the Lagane-type aura, but then again we're a more understated team than your dynasty Perhaps we'll be in touch in transfers?
Agreed with some other that it can be very tough to gauge the younger riders that have FA-inflated wages. I spent a long time trying to see what decreases have been possible in the past and took some higher risks this time, but I've been burned before. Ultimately the important thing is that he's on board.
RIP Exxon Duke, David Veilleux, Double Feature, and Monster Energy
As you say in the first post, survival and working for the future was the aim and you stayed thoroughly on course. Excited to continue to see one of my favourite managers to watch (in transfers, perhaps not renewals ) build a long-term project
24/02/21 - kandesbunzler said “I don't drink famous people."
15/08/22 - SotD said "Your [jandal's] humour is overrated"
11/06/24 - knockout said "Winning is fine I guess. Truth be told this felt completely unimportant." [PT] Xero Racing
@bbllover, Abhi - Indeed an active window beckons, although Cian sticking around is the main priority. Now it's time to make sure the roster is fit to rise up the table slightly, while maintaining that youth development feel.
@kb - I'm glad Akhmaevi has become a PT rider with you...he's a nice piece to have. And though Roosen was just a 'one and done' rider, it was good to see the surprise package of PCT being supported by Duvel - Tsingtao
@jandal - You know it's going to be a fun transfer season for us all, but it feels like this round of PCT action is going to be a bit more competitive than usual...with Heine, jt, TMM (with a new lease of life), Abhi and many other more-knowledgeable-than-me managers coming through the division, it might be a tricky season
DETAILED TRANSFER AVAILABILITY
As the transfer window is soon to be underway, team management figured it would be helpful to those teams starting to plan with their available budgets by providing some acceptable asking prices. All of the below riders are available for cash or swap offers, but cash prices are listed (except for Poole, who has such a wide range of values depending on the eye of the beholder, that it's not worth putting a price on him). We look forward to your outreach once the transfer season kicks off!
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! 
I'm sure I'll come knocking anyway, at least for the talk 
Perhaps we'll be in touch in transfers?
) build a long-term project 
