Building for Remco Evenepoel! Red Bull - BORA announce signing of one of Quick-Step's key mountain domestiques

Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe have continued their aggressive transfer campaign by adding another crucial piece to their new GC project: Mattia Cattaneo will join the team in 2026 after six seasons at Soudal - Quick-Step.

The 34-year-old Italian is best known as one of Remco Evenepoel’s most trusted mountain domestiques, and his arrival comes just weeks after the Belgian confirmed his own blockbuster move to the team. The signing underlines the team’s intent not only to build around their new leader but to recreate the environment that helped Evenepoel flourish in recent seasons.

Cattaneo has lined up at 14 Grand Tours, developing a reputation as a dependable climbing domestique and a reliable time trialist. His role alongside Evenepoel in both Grand Tours and week-long stage races has often been understated but essential – pacing long mountain ascents, setting tempo on transitional days, and providing tactical stability when races split.

“Mattia has the big engine that provides crucial power for the team – from one-day races to the Grand Tours,” said team boss Ralph Denk in a press release on the Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe website. “With Mattia, we continue our strategy of pairing our young talents with experienced professionals. He brings race awareness and experience, along with the ability to deliver for our leaders in decisive moments.”

For Evenepoel, having a familiar wheel to follow in the high mountains could be vital as he integrates into a new setup. While Red Bull – BORA already boast Grand Tour winners in Primoz Roglic and Jai Hindley, and emerging talents like Florian Lipowitz and Giulio Pellizzari, Cattaneo’s proven chemistry with their new star adds a layer of reassurance.

“I’m very happy to be joining Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe and I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone and starting to race,” Cattaneo himself said of the move. “I’d like to thank the team for giving me this opportunity. I’ll do my best to support the team leaders, and I’m convinced that my contribution can be valuable for the team.”

Those words echo the loyalty and selflessness that have defined his career. While never a prolific winner, Cattaneo’s reputation as a road captain and powerhouse helper has made him one of the peloton’s most respected domestiques.

With Red Bull’s financial backing and Evenepoel as the centrepiece, BORA’s transformation into a new era is gathering pace. Cattaneo’s signing is not about headlines but about architecture: ensuring the Belgian has the support structure required to really challenge for overall victory at the Tour de France.

Adding a rider who already knows Evenepoel’s racing rhythms could prove just as significant as the marquee transfer itself. For a leader whose success often depends on having the right teammates around him deep into the third week, bringing in one of his most trusted lieutenants looks a calculated and intelligent move.

Cattaneo’s transfer might not have the same star power as Evenepoel’s, but for those who understand how Grand Tours are won, it could be one of the most important pieces in Red Bull – BORA’s long-term puzzle.