INEOS and EF struggling financially, Lidl-Trek with too much - Johan Bruyneel's conclusions from Ganna and Carapaz moves
Cycling
The past week has given way to some major moves in the cycling world. The likes of Filippo Ganna and Richard Carapaz have broken their contract, which has given way to more interesting information emerging regarding some of the World Tour teams.
On The Move podcast, Johan Bruyneel discussed the two main transfers in recent weeks, with Richard Carapaz ending his stay with EF Education-EasyPost prematurely to join NSN Cycling on a three-year deal, which he argues is valued at around €2.5 million euro a year.
"I knew this, I think, straight after the Tour almost. I had some inside scoop about this, but it's taken a while to be official," Bruyneel said to Spencer Martin. "I think for Carapaz, it's great. I think it's a three-year deal, which obviously at this point in his career is great. And on top of that, we all know that there are some financial problems at EF".
Carapaz won two stages at the KOM classification at the Tour de France; and then followed that up with a spectacular performance at La Vuelta which saw him finish close to the podium. His racing style also earned him many more fans over the past few months.
Richard Carapaz won on Alpe d'Huez at the 2026 Tour de France
Financial problems at EF Education-EasyPost?
The former Olympic Champion was still under contract with the American team, but budget struggles were seemingly the problem: "There's a budget cut, apparently".
"Carapaz still had a contract for next year, but he was told that he could stay on the team, but they were not going to be able to pay him what he signed for, which is not a great situation to try to get a letter. Specially Carapaz after the amazing Tour de France he's done, then the Vuelta, he's been very attractive".
Carapaz joins Santiago Buitrago and Lennert van Eetvelt as the Swiss team's new climbing block. "He's attractive for sponsors. I think for NSN, it also makes a lot of sense".
"Although I do think that in terms of super performances, podiums in Grand Tours, I think in this climate, it's going to be difficult. But he's definitely going to give them a lot of exposure, which is, I think, what this team needs".
Filippo Ganna's departure from Lidl-Trek
Filippo Ganna's signing with Lidl-Trek was also a major shock, with the Italian ending his year-long relationships with INEOS mid-contract, with little time to be able to replace him in any way.
"I think he signed his current contract in a period where INEOS was kind of throwing money around without too much sense," Bruyneel argued. "So he probably has a big contract. If he would stay at INEOS, that will not be the same amount because Ghana is still a very good rider, but he's not producing what we all thought that he was able to".
The Italian time trialist has had to face Remco Evenepoel, creating an obstacle that is virtually unbeatable in the discipline where Ganna used to thrive - and be the best in the world over the early 2020's.
He's signed a three-year deal with Lidl-Trek, joining the likes of Felix Gall and Jordi Meeus as yet another set of leaders moving in. "They've put together a strong team, Lidl-Trek, but I can't see any logic in it".
"They must have a checkbook with some blank checks just ready to write. I've been told that they are millions, millions over budget. And if I'm saying millions, it's not a few millions. So, it's in the eight digits. So, it's more than 10 million over budget," Bruyneel believes.
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But the main reason for this transfer might be INEOS' own financial problems. A team that is reported to have a budget of around €50 million, but has not performed at the same level as its peers.
"Apparently they're, they're counting their money now," Bruyneel said. "Also that's also the letting go of Filippo Ganna comes in handy in the budget. You know, don't have to pay that extra year on the contract. Probably get a pretty good buyout. So that's a plus just with that money, you can sign four or five riders".
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
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.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
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)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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