The 35-year-old is at the end of a three-year term with Dimension Data, which he joined as a package deal with Mark Cavendish and Bernhard Eisel. Whether that band sticks together remains to be seen because all three are navigating challenges in an environment where the new sprint guard is gaining preference.
Renshaw is currently competing at a sinuous edition of the Tour of Britain where he hopes to seal plans for next season.
“The owner of the team, Douglas [Ryder], is going to be here for the end of the week so it will be good to catch-up with him. There is a lot happening and the team has been busy recruiting a lot of good riders, so they’re stepping up next year,” he said.
“There is always offers, there is always possibilities. At the moment there is still a couple of options so hopefully by the end of the week we know. I haven’t firmed anything up yet, it’s still talking now.”
Renshaw has defined himself as a lead-out specialist, most famously working for Cavendish, who has been diagnosed with Epstein-Barr virus and is also yet to announce a new contract.
“I just want to work for a good sprinter. You know, that’s what my job has been so I’m not suddenly going to start winning races in the end of my career,” he said.
“It’s about positioning a leader and trying to get the best results for a team. That’s where my value is. I’ve probably got more experience than anyone else in the peloton now. Obviously as you get older you don’t get faster, but I think my experience makes up for that loss.
“Generally, I’m still very worthwhile to a team so hopefully in the next week we know.”
Renshaw observed the transfer market has been busy. In the WorldTour a lot hinged on BMC Racing, which Richie Porte, Rohan Dennis and others exited amid fears of financial collapse that a merger with CCC has since stabilised. There’s also been movement at the Pro Continental level, notably at Aqua Blue Sport that withdrew from the Tour of Britain in a sudden cease of operations.
“There’s a lot happening. It doesn’t affect guys with specific roles. It’s more the guys who are generally the workhorses that are going to get shuffled down,” Renshaw said.
The Australian is still sporting a wound on his right knee from a heavy crash at the Hamburg Cyclassics two weeks ago. Dimension Data has been active at the Tour of Britain where teammate Nicholas Dlamini leads the mountain classification.
“Everything is going alright. The season is getting long and we’re at the back end now. There are not too many chances here in Britain for sprints really. It was the same at the Tour of Germany. It seems like all the stages now are just that little bit too hard for sprinters and really good for the puncheurs. The last few races have been like that, no big boulevard sprints which I’d like,” Renshaw said.
