Ineos Grenadiers and Jumbo-Visma no longer in the running for Albert Philipsen

World and European junior champion Albert Philipsen will decide his WorldTour future next week with Lidl-Trek, Bora-Hansgrohe and UAE Team Emirates still in the hunt for the 17-year-old’s signature.

The up-and-coming star has been the centre of huge transfer speculation all summer with almost half the WorldTour teams chasing his signature.

Read more: 'I'm better at time trialling than road races,' says sought-after Albert Philipsen

There had been reports that a decision over his future had already been made and that he had signed with a team but his agent, Alex Carera, has told GCN that a decision will not be made until the rider returns from his current holiday in Egypt. 

“There are three teams in competition for him,” Carera told GCN.

“Ineos and Jumbo are a no now. It’s Bora, Trek and UAE. With Ineos, we must understand what happens after the Rod Ellingworth era. Next week I take a flight from Milan to Copenhagen, I meet the family of Albert and we make a decision.

Read more: Rod Ellingworth resigns from Ineos Grenadiers

"For sure, in 2024 he stays with his junior team Tscherning Cycling Academy. When he comes back from Egypt he’ll take the final decision for a three-year contract between 2025 and the end of 2027.”

Earlier this year Carera stressed that Philipsen’s future and motivation did not stem from a desire to make the most cash possible, but to make sure that his WorldTour team could provide the best environment possible.

“It’s not a question about money, it’s about the project because he’s a multi-disciplinary rider and there are some interesting teams who have given us details on their project but more time is needed. It’s about his future, so it’s really important what comes next after 2024.”