Mathieu van der Poel loses another key classics domestique as Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe make another big signing

Alpecin-Deceuninck have their three leaders and upcoming talent Tibor del Grosso secured for 2026 but the truth is the Belgian team is losing classics specialists left and right. Today another big blow to the team has been confirmed, as Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe has signed Mathieu van der Poel's right-hand man Gianni Vermeersch.

“With Gianni, we want to close the gaps that became apparent last spring,” team manager Ralph Denk said in a press release. “Our roster certainly has a lot of Classics quality. But we often lacked routine, depth, and punch to shape the finale with our talents. We are convinced that Gianni can make exactly this difference.”

This is the fifth rider confirmed to leave Alpecin this winter after Xandro Meurisse and Quinten Hermans (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team); Edward Planckaert and Fabio van den Bossche (Soudal - Quick-Step). The departure of Timo Kielich to Team Visma | Lease a Bike is also likely, stripping down the Belgian team from it's depth in the one-day races significantly.

The loss of Vermeersch can be specially difficult for Mathieu van der Poel who has depended on the 32-year old to guide him through the classics and have the numbers to battle teams such as UAE, Lidl-Trek and Visma. Vermeersh has - besides his extensive cyclocross and gravel palmarès - victories in races such as the Antwerp Port Epic and Dwars door het Hageland; and despite having always been a pure domestique for the Dutchman, has Top10 results at both the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix over the past few years. In fact he was sixth in the 2024 edition despite only being the team's third option.

The has gotten a new batch of budget after the entry of Red Bull and the massive contract buyouts of Primoz Roglic and Remco Evenepoel are only the headliners of this new 'super team'. Last winter the team signed many classics specialists but wasn't able to bring the desired results this spring. Vermeersch may, depending on the circumstances, have a leading role in several big events throughout the spring. He will team up also with the likes of Oier Lazkano, Laurence Pithie, Jan Tratnik, Maxim van Gils and the van Dijke twins throughout the cobbled and Ardennes classics certainly.

“I’m really looking forward to this new chapter in my career. After many years in the same environment, a whole new world is opening up for me," Vermeersch said. "It’s an honor to join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, and I’m excited to share my Classics experience with the younger riders.”