Astana are looking for yet another Italian classics rider - This time, Lidl-Trek will lose one of its own
Cycling
Lidl-Trek have a stacked team this year, however maintaining all of their talent is a hard task. Some riders look for more opportunities, and amongst them is Andrea Bagioli who is in contract year and is reportedly joining XDS Astana Team next year.
Bagioli turned pro in 2019 with Team Colpack, and joined the Quick-Step structure the following year. He had the best year of his career in 2023, winning the Drôme Classic and Gran Piemonte. Despite being a puncheur and classics specialist, his climbing abilities were proven at Il Lombardia where he finished second - winning a sprint including climbers such as Primoz Roglic, Carlos Rodríguez and the Yates brothers. Only Tadej Pogacar beat him in the Italian monument.
The following year he joined the German team, being given a leading role at times in the many hilly races. However in his two-and-a-half seasons, he hasn't been able to have a great impact in the team, failing to add any win to his palmarès.
In 2025 he finished sixth at Liège-Bastogne-Liège, but was unable to take other major results that would grand him a stronger position in the team. With the entry of Lidl and the signing of new leaders over the past few seasons, Bagioli is no longer in a strong position, and according to Ciro Scognamiglio of Gazzetta dello Sport, is likely to depart the team towards Astana.
Read also
Will Bagioli join Ciccone at Lidl-Trek's departure list?
Astana is a Kazakh team, however based in Italy and with several likeminded riders already present. The likes of Christian Scaroni, Diego Ulissi and Simone Velasco are only some of his compatriots, who share a similar skillset with specialty on the hilly days.
The team has found success in its formula of chasing UCI points, but has continued in 2026, providing its riders with varied calendars and frequent opportunities - both in smaller races where wins can be taken, and bigger races where the biggest competitors are present.
Lidl-Trek is also having the likes of Jakob Söderqvist, Edward Theuns and Simone Consonni in contract year, important men for the team's current and future ambitions in the flat races and cobbled classics.
Aside from them is Giulio Ciccone, who has recently been rumoured to be a potential signing for UAE Team Emirates - XRG. With Jacopo Mosca also ending his current contract, the team risk losing a great part of its Italian block.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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