In Italy, it has been reported that Vincenzo Nibali may move to Ineos Grenadier in 2022 to mentor young Grand Tour riders in the final year of their careers. However, his agent quickly moved to deny the report, stating that no discussions with the British team had taken place. Nibali is scheduled to meet with Trek Segafredo management at the beginning of the year to discuss his future.

Nibali joined Trek-Segafredo this season and is under contract through 2021. He has won all three Grand Tours in his career, but was plagued by the blockade caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of racing compared to his younger rivals, finishing only seventh in this year's Giro d'Italia.

The 36-year-old Sicilian has often said he will retire at the end of 2021, but according to well-informed Italian TV journalist Beppe Conti, he could continue racing for one more season. Conti is known for his "petard" (firecracker) transfer reports. Some are true, some are not.

"It may not sound true, but my sources are very good and Nibali has a 2022 offer from Ineos. Apparently that offer is via Pinarello," Conti claimed on RAI Sport's weekly cycling show.

"Nibali began his racing career riding Pinarello with Fassa Bortolo, but he will finish his career with Pinarello and will be joined by team Grand Tour riders Egan Bernal, Tao Goegagan Hart, Richard Karapas, and Alexandre Vlasov (who will also join 2022 It is said that he will join Ineos) in a mentoring role.

"Now that Froome is gone from the team, we need a leader to guide the young players. I'm told that an important offer has been made. Everything is still up in the air, but let's see how Nibali reacts."

Nibali plans to retire in 2021, with the Tokyo Olympics as his major goal. However, the COVID-19 craze gave him time to think, and he suggested continuing the race in 2022.

He had signed a contract with Trek Segafredo, and his agent, Alex Carrera, quickly denied any talk of a move to Ineos for 2022, dismissing Conti's claims.

Ineos Grenadiers declined to comment to Cycling News.

"I have not spoken to Ineos. Vincenzo has a contract with Trek-Segafredo for 2021 and is very happy there," Carrera told Cycling News.

"Vincenzo still has to decide his future, but we always said we would meet with Trek-Segafredo team management in the New Year to talk about it. Only if we do not reach an agreement with them will we consider other options or other offers."

Trek Segafredo made few changes to the 2021 roster. Richie Porte has moved to Ineos Grenadiers, while Bauke Mollema has extended his contract until the end of 2022. Giulio Ciccone will remain as the team's other Grand Tour leader.

Nibali will celebrate his 36th birthday on November 14, but he rejected the idea that age would be a barrier in 2021.

"Whatever keyboard warriors write, they are not old enough to be brushed aside. What matters is your desire and the pleasure you get from riding a bike," he told La Gazzetta dello Sport.

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