|
[PT] Aker - AB InBev 2026 | FA Signings
|
| knockout |
Posted on 28-07-2026 07:02
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8629
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
|
I like the look of lecerf a lot! Super useful rider to have!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
| |
|
|
| SotD |
Posted on 28-07-2026 07:33
|
World Champion
Posts: 13044
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
|
Two very solid signings. Lecerf was high on my priority list aswell, so picking him up for 100K, when he immidiately drops to 50K after this season is a very good signing!
|
| |
|
|
| Nemolito |
Posted on 28-07-2026 07:34
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4170
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
|
Liking the new identity of the team. Lecerf is a great future dom (or more) and easy to max yourself, and Van Hemelen will also be a very useful asset in the De Lie train , congratulations on the first nice signings!
|
| |
|
|
| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 28-07-2026 08:46
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2486
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 400.00
|
These are some nice regional talents already! I have lost track of what you've been cooking in deals so far, but I'm curious to see how you ended there.
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 29-07-2026 15:54
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Thank you everyone! Very happy with both. Van Hemelen should be valuable "forever" with Fabian training, and eventhough Lecerf lacks a little sta, I still think he has potential as a GT breakaway scorer. At least that was the thinking behind the moves.
As it looks right now, though, they're the only two Belgians joining, so the rebuild will be a long one. Almost feels as if there's Belgian tax going on...   |
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 29-07-2026 16:08
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
During early days of transfer season, we weakened the team severly in the domestique department, also thinking sprints would be a big focus for us. It turned out we had to completely shift plans due to circumstanses, which also left Valter with very limited support. We quickly tried to do something about it, though, trying to bring in riders to carry bottles for him and protect him in the Ardennes and other hilly races.
With that background, we're very happy to present Kevin Geniets and Ben Healy as Aker - Ab InBev riders! We think both are perfect to fill roles in the team, especially around Valter, and they will surely get endless amount of those racedays this season. Both being south of 30 years old is also a bonus, especially as they both have the potential of getting renewed on the same wage as they have signed now, 50k.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | Age | Wage |  | Geniets | 74 | 70 | 73 | 75 | 68 | 72 | 74 | 71 | 64 | 62 | 69 | 75 | 69 | 71 | 73.96 | 29 | 50.000 |  | Healy | 68 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 71 | 76 | 71 | 69 | 51 | 60 | 66 | 72 | 65 | 66 | 72.73 | 26 | 50.000 |
|
| |
|
|
| Ad Bot |
Posted on 06-08-2026 21:51
|
Bot Agent
Posts: Countless
Joined: 23.11.09
|
|
| IP: None |
|
|
| SotD |
Posted on 29-07-2026 16:20
|
World Champion
Posts: 13044
Joined: 29-11-2006
PCM$: 2980.00
|
Both very nice doms, and as you say, they Can stay in the team “forever”.
|
| |
|
|
| knockout |
Posted on 29-07-2026 19:09
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8629
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
|
Not spectacular but just very solid domestiques signed for cheap. I approve!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
| |
|
|
| kandesbunzler26 |
Posted on 30-07-2026 20:12
|
Small Tour Specialist
Posts: 2486
Joined: 07-07-2013
PCM$: 400.00
|
knockout wrote:
Not spectacular but just very solid domestiques signed for cheap. I approve!
Exactly this.
|
| |
|
|
| Nemolito |
Posted on 31-07-2026 09:05
|
Grand Tour Specialist
Posts: 4170
Joined: 20-04-2020
PCM$: 425.00
|
Exactly that.
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 02-08-2026 20:16
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Sprinting Tapatío and DJ Arenberg
The Aker - Ab InBev headquarters have decided on something new this transfer season, as they'll try to present the new riders going by what kind of deal they joined the team in.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Cesar Macias | 73 | 56 | 60 | 63 | 58 | 68 | 73 | 67 | 60 | 74 | 74 | 65 | 68 | 64 | 71,6 | 3.27 | 23 | 70k | | Cesar Macias | 77 | 57 | 61 | 64 | 58 | 72 | 76 | 77 | 63 | 79 | 78 | 65 | 69 | 64 | 71,6 | 3.27 | 23 | 70k |
Off we go, with a surprising duo joining from McCormick Pro Cycling. The sprinting Tapatío, born and raised in Guadalajara, Cesar Macias looks to fit the team's future vision absolutely perfect. It's no secret the team is trying to set up for the day De Lie has finished his development and can be trained, and Cesar Macias has the potential of becoming his favourite leadout when Macias maxes himself.
With his future sprint stats, we won't hesitate giving him opportunities for himself too, as his abilities should be good enough to try to win big in the Pro Tour on his own too.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Nils Eekhoff | 75 | 60 | 64 | 68 | 75 | 76 | 77 | 67 | 75 | 70 | 71 | 67 | 64 | 76 | 74,4 | 4.100 | 28 | 80k |
Nils Eekhoff loves to be in charge of music on the bus towards the startline, and make no doubt, that goes in particular for Chrono d'Arenberg, where we hope to see him fight for a top 10. Other than that, he'll be given an important role for all cobbles races, as one of Anderberg's important domestiques. Hopefully his ability to suffer on the cobbles, combined with excelling the longer and more gruelling the race becomes, is able to shine through, together with Anderberg leading the line on the cobbles.
Aker - Ab InBev
ember |
| |
|
|
| seancoll |
Posted on 02-08-2026 20:42
|
Protected Rider
Posts: 1028
Joined: 20-12-2022
PCM$: 500.00
|
Two great riders from McCormick - Eekhoff is a workhorse and was killer for them last year although I know he'll need to domestique for most of the season. Either way, still two great folks to have supporting your leaders and Macias will become a great rider as you note. Already more than useful enough for early leadout duties.
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 03-08-2026 09:46
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Hope you’re right on both! Especially Macias should have big value for us in the future considering the role he’s supposed to get. Should really be a keeper for many, many years. Also feels like it’s super difficult to go wrong with Eekhoff. He should get plenty of race days, both on the cobbles and elsewhere. |
| |
|
|
| Ulrich Ulriksen |
Posted on 04-08-2026 02:46
|
Directeur Sportif
Posts: 4306
Joined: 02-11-2010
PCM$: 300.00
|
Nice welcome to our duo. Hated to lose Eekhoff as he is useful on many terrains but felt we had other riders to cover his duties. Good to see Macias get a long term home.
Man Game: McCormick Pro Cycling |
| |
|
|
| knockout |
Posted on 04-08-2026 11:37
|
Grand Tour Champion
Posts: 8629
Joined: 21-12-2010
PCM$: 500.00
|
Two brilliant signings! Both with a very usable profile!
A Big Thank You To All MG Reporters! |
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 05-08-2026 23:52
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Thank you, both. Really rate them, especially in the longterm planning of the team. Thank you, UU, for letting me sign both! |
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 06-08-2026 00:03
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
It's with great pride we're welcoming back Domen Novak! The Slovenian will lead the line in the high mountains for us. Last season he did well for IESE, but we first and foremost remember him as our rider in the 2024 season, where he among other results, had a very cool Vuelta, winning the KoM classification and fighting for top 10 placings on several stages. We hope to see the same attacking Domen in 2026, as he knows very well we have faith in him.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | Age | Wage |  | Domen Novak | 68 | 80 | 79 | 77 | 66 | 74 | 76 | 77 | 61 | 66 | 76 | 73 | 75 | 64 | 77,56 | 31 | 320k |
Last season we really struggled in the high mountains as a team. We had a very courageous Williams doing his utmost to defend our jersey, and he did so in a brilliant way, but attacking and aggressive racing in the mountains in the Grand Tours has been a trademark for Aker in many, many years. With Novak and the next rider lined up, we hope to continue in that way.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | OVR | Age | Wage |  | Giovanni Carboni | 70 | 79 | 78 | 76 | 69 | 73 | 73 | 73 | 62 | 67 | 69 | 61 | 72 | 69 | 76,45 | 31 | 170k |
Carboni is another rider that could suit the bill of an attacking rider. However, admittedly he can be more of a hit and miss guy compared to Novak. We hope he grabs the opportunities with both hands in his Grand Tours and elsewhere. If so, we're confident he'll show our jersey in a great way up in the mountains.
Last season he scored 408 points for Gazelle, and we'll be the first to admit we hope for more if we're going to stay clear of relegation. More on that topic and other signings at a later stage...
Aker - AB InBev
ember |
| |
|
|
| redordead |
Posted on 06-08-2026 14:06
|
Team Leader
Posts: 5853
Joined: 18-10-2017
PCM$: 200.00
|
Lots of quality added for seemingly not a high cost. There is obviously a rebuild going on to construct the next title challenging team, but I don't see you struggling at all in the meantime.
"I am a cyclist, I may not be the best, but that is what I strive to be. I may never get there, but I will never quit trying." - Tadej Pogačar
|
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 06-08-2026 15:19
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Very happy to have both indeed. At least it gives us options for Grand Tours, and also likely a helping hand for Valter in a race like Balkans.
For your overall thoughts on the team, I must admit I disagree quite strongly. Having the team at an own tab in the DB, and to be honest, it doesn't look good at all Think we should be among the favourites to relegate, eventhough there are several teams this season that might look content with relegation. That gives us a fighting hope, I think! |
| |
|
|
| ember |
Posted on 06-08-2026 20:13
|
Team Leader
Posts: 7370
Joined: 27-03-2008
PCM$: 900.00
|
Late Party Amongst the FAs
Well. Two days ago, on the 4th of August, the team realized there was an opportunity willing to gamble most of our resources on, both riders and money. Much more on that in a later post. Thus, sales and a whole lot of things happened, and we had a surprise return to the FA market.
It all meant we signed no less than 5 Free Agents in the final 12 hours or so of the transfer season, + 1 Free Agent on the 4th of August, starting a rebuild far bigger than we ever visualized before or even in the middle of the transfer season. All 6 riders have room to develop. Without further ado:
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Ricardo Delgado Gonzales | 65 | 72 | 71 | 70 | 58 | 71 | 68 | 65 | 60 | 67 | 72 | 71 | 66 | 62 | 3.35 | 25 | 95k | | Ricardo Delgado Gonzales | 67 | 77 | 76 | 72 | 59 | 75 | 72 | 68 | 60 | 68 | 75 | 73 | 68 | 62 | 4.100 | 27 | 95k |
The Cuban Ricardo Delgado Gonzales was supposed to be our final signing of the season. That's why we acted decisive, raising his contract offer compared to what he had previously been offered, and he immediately accepted.
We're excited to have him as a future climber in our team. We think he has the package to develop into a very solid domestique at both PT and PCT level, and there should also be a chance of seeing him try his own luck here or there. At least we think he develops into that kind of rider.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Mads Andersen | 70 | 60 | 62 | 68 | 65 | 69 | 70 | 64 | 69 | 68 | 68 | 72 | 69 | 69 | 3.30 | 26 | 50k | | Mads Andersen | 74 | 60 | 65 | 72 | 65 | 74 | 73 | 66 | 74 | 70 | 71 | 78 | 71 | 69 | 3.30 | 28 | 50k |
Our 2nd Free Agent signing in this rather late push, was Mads Andersen. The Dane represents a rider type we have learnt to love. Give him any cobbled classic, and Andersen knows it's race time! Signing at a minimum wage is also encouraging, showing his commitment and belief in our project.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Gabriel Francisco Rojas | 65 | 71 | 70 | 69 | 61 | 68 | 67 | 75 | 59 | 63 | 68 | 76 | 66 | 57 | 3.50 | 26 | 50k | | Gabriel Francisco Rojas | 70 | 76 | 73 | 70 | 62 | 72 | 71 | 77 | 61 | 63 | 70 | 81 | 72 | 57 | 3.50 | 28 | 50k |
Seeing how other business unfolded for us, it was clear we were looking for future domestiques for the high mountains and week long stage races and Grand Tours. We think we found a bargain in Rojas.
The Costa Rican speaks the same language as our hopefully future clear leader for those races, which makes him very comfortable in the team. A sign for what is to come, you say? At least we're very happy to announce both Rojas and Delgado Gonzales as native Spanish speakers and future climbing domestiques in our team.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Edvin Lovidius | 62 | 61 | 65 | 69 | 54 | 71 | 71 | 63 | 56 | 66 | 70 | 66 | 67 | 55 | 1.67 | 24 | 50k | | Edvin Lovidius | 70 | 62 | 66 | 70 | 54 | 78 | 76 | 72 | 61 | 75 | 77 | 66 | 68 | 55 | 1.67 | 28 | 50k |
Back to Scandinavia! Lovidius we think is a very clever pick up, as we like to think for ourselves we kind of tricked the market valuation for him. At least we hope so! Our thought process is that most managers might have seen him as a puncheur.
We see him as a future sprinter in a free role, and we think his future set of ability, combining sprint, acc, hill and a fantastic stamina, can see him surprise a few people on the rare, long, demanding flattish breakaway stages in a Grand Tour or shorter stage races. He also comes with the benefit that we'll be able to level him up ourselves, maximizing his race days in our PTHC races.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Hamza Amari | 69 | 54 | 56 | 58 | 59 | 63 | 69 | 65 | 63 | 69 | 70 | 59 | 59 | 65 | 1.68 | 24 | 70k | | Hamza Amari | 77 | 55 | 57 | 59 | 59 | 70 | 74 | 77 | 68 | 78 | 77 | 59 | 60 | 65 | 1.68 | 28 | 70k |
Amari is the other level 1 rider we brought in. Similar to Lovidius, it will take us 4 seasons to max him out, but we think it will be well worth the wait. Look at that leadout rider!
Surely De Lie is licking his lips, seeing both Macias and Amari as future options in our team regarding building a train for him. Amari will hopefully excel in that role in the Pro Tour or Pro Continental Tour, as with the high level in pro cycling these days, we struggle to see him get opportunities to ride for results himself on the very highest level.
| Nat. | Name | FL | MO | MM | HI | TT | ST | RS | RC | CB | SP | AC | FG | DH | PR | XP | Age | Wage |  | Tim Rex | 70 | 68 | 68 | 67 | 63 | 69 | 68 | 64 | 66 | 66 | 69 | 70 | 68 | 61 | 1.0 | 22 | 50k | | Tim Rex | 75 | 76 | 73 | 70 | 65 | 76 | 73 | 70 | 67 | 66 | 70 | 75 | 73 | 63 | 1.0 | 26 | 50k |
And a Belgian! It's with great pride we present you Tim Rex, another rider from our new main sponsor's backyard. Rex' future should be bright within Aker - AB InBev, as we'll be patient and nurse him through his developing years, to have him as a vital key in our build and plans for mountainous terrain. And with that flat stat, do you ever see him tire as a domestique for the stage races?
Aker - AB InBev
ember |
| |
|
