CYCLING MARKET | Is INEOS going to be able to 'steal' Tour de France breakout star; Roglic stays with BORA

Over the past few days the cycling market has not moved as fast as in the previous week, but with the end of the Vuelta a Espana, a few more riders have shown strong performances that have earned them new contracts, whilst also gathering attention from rival teams.

Four high-levels have been confirmed this week with Movistar taking the big slice as they unveiled some of the work from their negotiations team over the past few months. The Spanish team has signed Roger Adrià from Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe, Raul García Pierna (Arkéa - B&B Hotels) and Juan Pedro López from Lidl-Trek.

These are also the first confirmed signings of the team, who continues to have many of its riders without a contract for next year, at least of what is publicly known. There have been heavy rumours that Juan Sebastián Molano will be signed from UAE whilst Fernando Gaviria is on his way out, whilst the likes of Nairo Quintana, Ruben Guerreiro, Nelson Oliveira and Will Barta are also not renewed as of yet. Gregor Mühlberger is highly likely to leave towards Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale.

In the women's peloton we also have the move of Sofia Bertizzolo from UAE Team ADQ to FDJ-Suez, which will provide the French team with another sprinter and leader to shed off pressure from Demi Vollering.

A few rumours that had been developing over the past few weeks seem to have had their closeure. Ciro Scognamiglio of Gazzetta dello Sport has argued that Primoz Roglic's departure from Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe is not on the table, and that simultaneously Biniam Girmay's transfer to Israel - Premier Tech has been confirmed by several sources, with only the announcement pending.

The big news of the week also comes from the Italian journalist who reports that INEOS Grenadiers is still seeking to sign Oscar Onley. This comes as no surprise, despite the Scottish climber being signed with Team Picnic PostNL until 2027. In the past, many of its leaders broke contract with the Dutch team, whilst the modern trend of contract breakings amongst big leaders make it even more plausible that a move could still happen this year.

Onley has not only been one of the breakthroughs, but one of the stars of the season, finishing on the Top5 of the Tour Down Under, UAE Tour, Tour de Suisse (where he beat João Almeida in a summit finish) and then a fourth place at the Tour de France, not only teasing but immediately confirming his potential as a Grand Tour contender and immediately with a top result at age 22. Recently, he has also finished fourth at the Tour of Britain and will be one of the contenders for a medal at the Kigali World Championships.

It is said that a transfer is still possible, but it's undeniable that there is interest, as was the case with Remco Evenepoel, although in that case there was also no public admission of the attempt to sign the Olympic Champion who eventually broke his contract to join Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe instead.

There have been lots of confirmations of leaders staying in their respective teams for next year, including Cofidis who have established a strong position for their future with the renewal of both Bryan Coquard and Benjamin Thomas. Fellow French team TotalEnergies also renewed into the 2026 season, confirming the team's stability into next year despite its title sponsor now partnering with INEOS Grenadiers.

EF Education-EasyPost have extended with Kasper Asgreen for one more year, Team Jayco AlUla extended with his compatriot Christopher Juul-Jensen, and lastly Caja Rural - Seguros RGA have secured their brightest talent in Spanish time-trial champion Abel Balderstone, who has had a breakthrough Vuelta a España and is set to finish in 13th place, with a Top10 on the Angliru to show for.

Daniel Benson reported that UAE Team Emirates - XRG is likely to renew with Julius Johansen into the 2026 season, whilst in a similar role, Julien Vermote will not be staying with Team Visma | Lease a Bike after a lackluster year.