Starting from the 2026 season, Bahrain - Victorious will race with a completely different bike brand than the one it had been riding for 9 years. After days of rumors, the World Tour team has made official a multi-year agreement with the legendary Bianchi.
The historic Italian firm, founded in 1885 and successor to Merida as Bahrain Victorious' bike supplier, is once again partnering with a WorldTour team to further extend a legacy marked by victories in some of cycling's most iconic events.
The union between the two parties aims to consolidate a model of continuous technical development, based on the direct exchange of information between the riders and Bianchi's Reparto Corse department. The goal is to adjust in real time the racing material in order to optimize it to the maximum and provide the team with the necessary tools to fight for the key UCI races.
As part of the agreement, Bahrain - Victorious riders will have the full range of Reparto Corse products at their disposal, including the Oltre, their flagship aerodynamic machine; the Specialissima, geared for lightness and versatility; the Aquila time trial bike; and the Impulso, designed for competitive gravel riding.
Bahrain and Bianchi statements
Baharain - Victorious CEO Milan Eržen explained in the official statement of the agreement that the connection between the two organizations was evident from the very beginning:
"When we first met with Bianchi to explore the possibility of collaboration, it was clear that we shared the same spirit and goals. We saw their ambition to build on their rich heritage and legacy, while looking to the future, working with us on advancements, development and a modern vision for high-performance cycling."
Eržen also highlighted Bianchi's historical dimension and joint potential: "We have great respect for Bianchi's career in the sport and are confident that together we will innovate, create new iconic moments and build the future on his remarkable legacy."
On behalf of the Italian brand, CEO Alberto Cavaggioni underlined the pride of partnering with Bahrain Victorious: "We are extremely proud to be the new partner of Team Bahrain Victorious, with whom we share values such as history, innovation and the desire to win."
Cavaggioni emphasized Bianchi's role throughout cycling history and his renewed ambition: "Bianchi has always been a protagonist in this exciting sport, and we are ready to write a new chapter in our future, with all the energy and passion of our team."
The executive also wanted to thank the institutional boost that has made this project possible: "I would like to thank Salvatore Grimaldi, president of Bianchi, for his trust and his continued investment in this new project."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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