"I want to keep developing as a GC rider": Young Spanish climber confirmed to team up with Tom Pidcock from 2027 onwards
CyclingMonday, 31 August 2026 at 14:49
Pinarello - Q36-5 Pro Cycling Team are stocking up their ranks for the 2027 season and this Monday afternoon, another of its new signings has been announced. That is Spaniard Jan Castellón, joining from Caja Rural - Seguros RGA to bolster the team's climber ranks once more.
“Jan has developed consistently over the past few seasons and is already showing that he can compete for strong results in demanding stage races," team manager Doug Ryder said in an issued press released.
The move was already expected, having previously been rumoured. Castellón makes the move to the Swiss team right after his teammate and fellow climber Sebastien Berwick. Both riders will form part of the developing block that will also include Tom Pidcock, Andrew August, Eddie Dunbar and Chris Harpe for the mountainous terrain - at the very least.
A developing climber joins Tom Pidcock at Pinarello
Castellón is not as much of a big name as Berwick, a former World Tour rider, but has been developing steadily in the ProTeam ranks. The 23-year old is a product of the Spanish team's development ranks, and last year finished in the Top10 of the Tour de Hongrie, Tour of Slovenia and La Route d'Occitanie in quick succession.
This year, his level has gone up a notch, with Castellón riding to 11th place at the Tour Auvergne-Rhône Alpes, which featured plenty Tour de France contenders. Despite this, he was not selected for the team's maiden Tour de France participation.
“What we particularly like is his racing instinct. He wants to attack, be involved and discover where his limits are. At 23, there is still plenty of room for development, and we believe our Team environment can give him the tools and support to take that next step".
“We are bringing together riders from different countries, backgrounds and cycling cultures, while giving each of them access to the innovation and individual performance development that define this Team. Jan fits that philosophy extremely well.”
Jan Castellon during the 2026 Tour Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Jan Castellon wants to become a serious GC contender
Castellon joins reigning national champion Marcel Camprubi as the second confirmed Spaniard in the team's ranks for the upcoming season, with the team now having eight confirmed signings. Castellón sits amongst big names such as Mauro Schmid, Tom Crabbe and Netcompany INEOS rider Andrew August.
“I feel this is the right moment to take another step in my career. Over the last two seasons I have seen that I can perform consistently in professional stage races and fight for general classifications," the Caja Rural rider added.
“I like to race aggressively. I want people to see a rider who attacks, who is always trying to win and who takes his opportunities. That mentality fits very well with Race Sharp".
Whilst the Swiss team remains in the sport's second division, a promotion is likely within the coming years as the team is performing above several World Tour-level teams. Besides, its constant performances allow it to have guaranteed wildcards for all races they so desire, and so opportunities will grow for the Spaniard, who wants to become a stronger contender for the overall classification battles.
“I want to keep developing as a GC rider, but also improve in one-day races. Looking further ahead, making my Grand Tour debut is another step I would really like to take.”
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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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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- strange timing of this comment by lefevere or whoever published it right after pogis crashout ...Ketterechts31-08-2026
- if I don’t know someone personally, how can I not use their professional career as the primary guiding point for my thoughts about them. especially when their career is center stage for all of us to see.mij31-08-2026
- This one was really pure luck. With Jonas at the Tour, some blame can be put onto Visma, especially Campenaerts, who was leading, for taking the corner so aggressively. Especially when corners are not "suited" to Vingegaard
Rafionain-Glas31-08-2026 - I don’t think one can just jump on a bike with that short of notice and win. Pidcock has ridden and won world cup races every single year. he has kept up with the sport far better than MVDP.mij31-08-2026
- agreed.mij31-08-2026
- MVDP has barely battled Pidcock. He used to battle nino schurter, a bit.mij31-08-2026
- he isn’t a loser on his road bike or cross bike, but I think by his own standards he would call himself a loser on the mountain bike. he races to win, not get in the 30’s. if you want to play the participation trophy game I’ll give him a gold star for showing up, but I won’t call him a winner on the mountain bike. I can’t, because he isn’t winning. and in competition and championships that are your goal, if you don’t win, you lose.mij31-08-2026
- yes, I would have said the same thing. and I love MVDP. he is one of my faves. I’ve seen him win mountain bike races - his win against Nino Schurter was amazing - in 2019. but those were different times and different courses. the sport has changed so much since then, the bikes have changed considerably. for example MVDP was a very late adopter to the dropper post, likely because he had not kept up with the technical nature of the courses and riding styles. no dropper almost means no win on these new courses - new since 2019. so I was very pleasantly surprised he did so well, but I would argue last week was the exception, not the norm, to what his results would be. and it was the week before a world championship. for everyone the goal was this weekend. most riders saw it as a final tune up not their current goal. I think he could be a winner again on the mtb, but it would take more dedication to the discipline. good for him for trying though.mij31-08-2026
- excellent point.mij31-08-2026
- it isn’t arrogant to try. read what I said. I applaud his attempt. I think it is arrogant and disrespectful to the sport to think you can jump right in with 2 weeks of riding and win. The amount of work the other riders put in is ridiculous. And taking a podium the week before a world championship is far different. everyone ups their game for the WC.mij31-08-2026
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