ANALYSIS | Evenepoel, Ayuso... - Which signings are set to make the biggest impact in pro cycling ahead of 2026

+An outstanding year of cycling comes to a close, and we’re already excited about what awaits in the 2026 season, with Tadej Pogacar chasing a place alongside Anquetil, Merckx, Hinault and Indurain on 5 Tour de France wins, or matching Peter Sagan with 3 consecutive World titles. All eyes on whether Jonas Vingegaard can raise his level after two years below the Slovenian, and if Mathieu van der Poel can keep imposing himself at San Remo or Roubaix. But, above all, the thrill lies in the novelty: the changes driven by the transfer market.

So, on the last day of the year, we highlight what we consider the 5 standout moves of the season and the ones set to have the biggest impact next year: Remco Evenepoel to Red Bull, Juan Ayuso to Lidl-Trek, Oscar Onley and Kévin Vauquelin to INEOS, Biniam Girmay to Andrés Iniesta’s NSN, and Cian Uijtdebroeks to Movistar Team.

Remco Evenepoel, one of the leading figures of modern cycling and a double Olympic champion, will leave Soudal - Quick-Step at the end of 2025 to join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. After months of rumours, the transfer is confirmed as one of the most significant moves in almost the history of the sport, closing a key chapter in his career despite having a valid contract and signaling a clear shift in his sporting plan towards the Grand Tours, especially the Tour de France, which to date has looked out of reach with Pogacar and Vingegaard in command.

The Belgian’s arrival triggers a deep reshaping of the German team’s project, which already fields GC heavyweights like Florian Lipowitz, third at the last Tour, and former Grand Tour winners such as Jai Hindley and Primoz Roglic. His addition opens a new internal scenario for leadership and target allocation, while reinforcing the structure’s ambition for the Tour de France.

Juan Ayuso has signed a long-term deal with Lidl-Trek that ties him to the German outfit through 2030, sealing his early departure from UAE Team Emirates - XRG. The move follows a spell marked by internal tension and an ill-defined role at his former team, and confirms Lidl-Trek’s bet on one of the brightest young riders in the sport. Ayuso will be the Tour de France leader at one of the world’s best teams, something he would never have achieved at Tadej Pogacar’s UAE.

The friction that began at the 2024 Tour snowballed into a mutual agreement to terminate his contract prematurely. However, it is a move that is most likely beneficial to all of those involved, and UAE has found a worthy replacement in Isaac del Toro.

At his new team, Ayuso arrives ready to shoulder major responsibilities in stage-races and Grand Tours. The sports management trusts his abilities in both climbing and time trials and views his signing as a key piece of a medium and long-term project to boost the team’s overall competitiveness in the World Tour calendar.

INEOS Grenadiers have focused part of their market strategy on signing riders who can lift the team’s level in Grand Tour GCs after the decline and retirement of Geraint Thomas and Carlos Rodríguez’s lack of ability to improve on his 2023 Tour de France.

With Egan Bernal not able to contest the top races anymore for the win, they’ve gone big for Oscar Onley (buyout from Picnic) and Kévin Vauquelin (swooped from the now-defunct Arkéa - B&B Hotels). Both riders have stood out recently, most notably at the Tour de France, with fourth and seventh places respectively after both being in the podium of the Tour de Suisse as well.

These arrivals fit INEOS’ intent to renew their competitive core and expand tactical options in both Grand Tours and week-long races. The bet on climbers with proven level and room for growth answers the need to adapt to an increasingly demanding peloton and to regain prominence in general classifications.

Biniam Girmay will race for NSN Cycling Team in 2026, opening a new chapter after leaving an Intermarché - Wanty - in which he also had an existing contract, one that was rendered useless after the team's merger with Lotto.

The Eritrean arrives as one of the project’s reference points, backed by a palmarès that includes stage wins in the major Grand Tours and strong performances in both sprints and classics. He was unable to take a win in 2025, but continued to show a consistent level throughout the year; and with a stronger leadout, he may be able to return to his winning ways.

For NSN Cycling Team, his signing provides a sporting and media boost within a project still under construction after all that unfolded with the Israel-branded backdrop in 2025. The team is backing Girmay as leader for bunch finishes and one-day races, with the intention of establishing itself back to the top level of professional cycling and gaining visibility at the calendar’s biggest events.