After Mauro Schmid, Pinarello Q36.5 looks to be on the path to sign new Belgian sprinting sensation

Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team are making big moves on the market. The Swiss team signed Tom Pidcock into the 2025 season, and after his tremendous results, it has triggered additional budget and trustworthiness for the second division team. Tom Crabbe of Team Flanders - Baloise is another rider on its radar, with strong chances that a deal has already been reached for 2027.

Crabbe is a 20-year old sprinter who turned pro with Team Flanders - Baloise in 2025, and this year has brought the team back to the spotlight. After a year and a half drought, the Belgian brought the team its first win at the 2026 Etoile de Bessèges - the first stage, which also brought along a leader's jersey. But this was not a lucky shot or a one-time off - Crabbe is the real deal.

Only weeks later, he took another win against World Tour competition at the Vuelta a Andalucia, revealing himself to be a strong sprinter but also one who can handle the explosive terrain. At the recent Tour of Turkey, he was the ruler of the sprints, winning no less than three stages and the points classification. These were the first two days of the race, and also the uphill finish into Ankara on the final day.

The team has so far achieved six wins up until May. The last time the team won more than this year was in 2015 - with a team that includes current World Tour pros such as Victor Campenaerts, Oliver Naesen, Edward Theuns, Bert van Lerberghe; as well as other big Belgian figures such as Tim Declercq, Amaury Capiot and Jonas Rickaert.

Crabbe is a massive talent and the World Tour teams wouldn't be naive to this. It was recently rumoured that Soudal - Quick-Step and Tudor Pro Cycling Team were interested in signing him. There was another team, which according to Het Laatste Nieuws, has now taken the lead: Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Pinarello has been recently connected with Swiss national champion, who might be signed on a salary of €2 million a season. The team is making big moves on the market, establishing itself amongst and above several World Tour teams.

The likes of Tom Pidcock, Eddie Dunbar, Tom Gloag, Chris Harper, Quinten Hermans, Fred Wright and Matteo Moschetti are already secure for the 2027 season, with the team having 14 riders under contract for the upcoming season. There are clear signs that the level may increase even further, as there is a pursuit of a World Tour license for upcoming years.