It was already announced that Davide Ballerini would leave Soudal Quick-Step. The Italian is in the process of finalizing his transfer to Astana Qazaqstan Team, as reported by the Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport.
During the last Tour de France, the team manager, Patrick Lefevere, announced that he had no interest in renewing Ballerini’s contract. “I didn’t let many riders renew their contracts, especially the Italians, because their salaries are not proportional to their performance,” said the Soudal Quick-Step boss. Andrea Bagioli was also allowed to leave.
Ballerini has been racing for Soudal Quick-Step for four years. He achieved his biggest victory early in 2021 at the Belgian race Omloop Het Nieuwsblad. The sprinter has previously competed for Astana in 2019 and Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec in 2017 and 2018.