Belgian champion Herregodts set for new chapter after two seasons at UAE

Rune Herregodts is set to leave UAE Team Emirates-XRG for Movistar, according to Het Nieuwsblad, with the Belgian champion reportedly signing a three-year deal with the Spanish team.

The 28-year-old had been expected to join Lotto-Intermarché, with Wielerflits also confirming interest from Pinarello-Q36.5 and Cofidis. Movistar, however, entered the race and has apparently won the battle for the Belgian's signature.

The move comes after two seasons at UAE, where Herregodts has largely operated in support of the team's leaders, though he became Belgian champion back in June.

Speaking on the Domestique Hotseat podcast in July, Herregodts had indicated that he had expected to leave the team at the end of the season, and admitted he was keen to rediscover the freedom he enjoyed earlier in his career. 

“Normally, I will change teams,” Herregodts told Domestique.

During his two seasons at Intermarché-Wanty, in 2023 and 2024, Herregodts had more freedom and opportunities to lead the team. At UAE, those chances have been harder to come by in a squad packed with leaders. 

“I got to feel again how it is to have some freedom,” he said. “It gave me the hunger to have that freedom in some races and try to go for a result.”

Winning the Belgian road race title in June provided a perfect example of what Herregodts is capable of, and naturally has piqued the interest of Movistar, according to reports.

The 28-year-old would be one of several new arrivals at a changing Movistar. 

The team have already reportedly acquired young talents including Ecuadorian Matéo Ramírez, Danish sprinter Mads Landbo, Spanish climber Javier Cubillas from the academy, as well as Hugo De la Calle.

There is further reported interest in Iván Cobo, Diego Urriarte, Iuri Leitão and Movistar development rider Ibai Villate, while Dylan Groenewegen has also emerged as a target.

Meanwhile, Iván García Cortina and Lorenzo Milesi have already been confirmed to be departing to Alpecin-Premier Tech and Soudal Quick-Step respectively, while Nairo Quintana will bring his illustrious career to a close at the end of the current campaign.