Pro cycling transfer round up

With the August first deadline now gone, teams are busy filling their rosters for 2014 even as the current season is still going at full speed. Lotto-Belisol announced this week it signed Clássica San Sebastián winner, Tony Gallopin.

Lotto team manager, Marc Sergeant said the 25-year-old Frenchman's versatility would help fill gaps in his roster. He added that the deal, bringing him from RadioShack-Leopard after two years, also helps co-sponsor Belisol expand its business in France.

Immediately after the Tour de France, Lotto also extended the contracts of André Greipel and his sprint helpers Lars Bak, Jürgen Roelandts and Marcel Sieberg.

Trek will take over from RadioShack-Leopard in 2014 after buying the WorldTour licence from Luxembourg businessman Flavio Becca in June. The team may have lost Gallopin, but has already confirmed Fränk and Andy Schleck would continue to lead the team along with Fabian Cancellara.

There's change at Vacansoleil-DCM as Lieuwe Westra leaves for Alexandre Vinokourov's Astana team. Never one to shy away from controversy, Vinokourov also signed Franco Pellizotti who returned from a doping suspension in May 2012. The Movement for a Credible Cycling (MPCC) said as a member team, Astana must wait the full two years since Pellizotti's doping suspension ended.

Rumours also have Juan Antonio Flecha leaving Vacansoliel for Movistar and the Van Poppels, Boy and Danny, joining Trek. Italian Giacomo Nizzolo is said to be leaving Trek home team Cannondale who may register as a US team in 2014.

Mark Cavendish will have Alessandro Petacchi's and Mark Renshaw's help at Omega Pharma-Quick Step in 2014. The former returns from a brief retirement to start the Eneco Tour on August 11. Renshaw, who was Cavendish's final lead out man at Highroad, leaves Belkin as the Dutch team is set to put it's sprinting hopes behind Theo Bos.

Along with announcing Renshaw and Petacchi, Omega Pharma welcomed Rigoberto Urán on August 1. Uran was second at the Giro d'Italia this year with Team Sky after Wiggins dropped out and will boost Omega Pharma's GC credentials.

Sky has yet to make any big announcements besides renewing several major contracts. Earlier in the year, it welcomed neo-pro Nathan Earle for the 2014 season. Like Richie Porte, Earle comes from Tasmania.

Aussie team, Orica-GreenEDGE this morning announced Christian Meier extended his contact. Last month, Cameron Meyer and Michael Albasini did the same.

BMC Racing re-signed world champion, Philippe Gilbert but said good-bye to Sports Director John Lelangue. After several years, Lelangue left "for personal reasons." Allan Peiper has already stepped in, working as a sports director in the Tour of Poland last week.

Earlier this year, BMC Racing announced Erik Zabel's son, Rick will join in 2014. Rick Zabel won the Under 23 Tour of Flanders this year. Italian Champion Ivan Santaromita is rumoured to be leaving for Orica while BMC is said to have its eyes on Rui Costa, winner of two stages in this year's Tour.