"Despite being contractually bound until 2026, the Intermarché-Wanty rider finds themselves in uncertainty about their future due to discussions surrounding a potential Lotto merger, leaving them on the wrong side of the debate."
Dion Smith, a seasoned cyclist who has raced for Intermarché-Wanty for five years, finds his future with the team uncertain due to a potential merger with Lotto. The merger, if confirmed, would bring about significant changes, including a reduction in the number of contracted riders from 38 to 30.
Smith, who is under contract for 2026, has worn the King of the Mountains jersey at the 2018 Tour, making him the first Kiwi to achieve this feat. This year, he has secured one win at the Volta NXT Classic.
The merger, if it goes ahead, could leave Smith without a team. However, development project teams could potentially be used to keep the large majority of contracted riders with the new project.
Lotto riders contracted for 2026 have reportedly received promises of their deals being offered, contrasting with Smith's experience at Intermarché-Wanty. The merger would bring a combined budget closer to that of top teams, but still not at the level of super teams such as UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and Lidl-Trek.
The sporting director potentially emerging from the fusion of the two Belgian teams is Kurt Van de Wouwer. Jean-Francois Bourlart is expected to be the CEO, with Aike Visbeek as performance manager.
Smith appreciates the hard work behind the scenes of the merger, but is frustrated that his future remains undecided. Biniam Girmay, a three-time Tour de France stage winner currently part of Intermarché-Wanty, seems to have a clearer future, with his agent Alex Carera indicating a recent development on Instagram.
Het Nieuwsblad's recent update suggests that the merged women's team would be boosted up to ProTeam level. Arnaud De Lie, who has recently improved Lotto's win count with a stage and overall victory at the Renewi Tour, could also be a key player in the new team.
Despite the uncertainty, Smith remains hopeful of a future on the merged team with Lotto. Smith, who is 32 years old and has eight Grand Tour and nine Monument appearances under his belt, is aware that the merger may be difficult due to the influx of young riders. He is keeping a positive outlook and is hopeful for a resolution soon.
