Troubled squad Katusha-Alpecin will cease to exist in their current form next year, having been bought out by Israel Cycling Academy.
The Swiss-Russian team have been the subject of speculation regarding their future for several months. Currently home to riders including Alex Dowsett, Enrico Battaglin, Nils Politt, Harry Tanfield and Ilnur Zakarin, the team have now been swallowed up by Israel Cycling Academy, who will be taking over 11 existing rider contracts.
Founded in 2015 and based in Israel, the currently ProContinental squad have long expressed an intention to expand. In taking over from Katusha-Alpecin, and acquiring the WorldTour licence, those behind the Israeli project have found a speedy way to realise this ambition.
However, with 30 spaces available to riders on any single outfit, many current Katusha-Alpecin riders will likely be heading elsewhere.
Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad, is reporting that this includes British rider Alex Dowsett. Of the riders likey to head up the newly merged team, Nils Politt seems the most likely to take a leadership role for the Classics while Daniel Martin's recent move to the Israel Cycling Academy makes him the likely choice for stage races.