OFFICIAL: Q36.5 snap up two-time Vuelta stage winner in continued strengthening towards World Tour status

Few teams have been as ambitious in the transfer market over recent seasons as the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team. Bringing in notable talents such as Tom Pidcock, Milan Vader and more, their strengthening is only set to continue in 2026 with the arrival of a two-time Vuelta a Espana stage winner.

Signing a two-year contract with the team, Eddie Dunbar is set to make the switch from Team Jayco AlUla it has been officially revealed. “The Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team is obviously a team on the up which is a good sign. They are really competitive in races, take it on even if they don’t win and create a good racing atmosphere riding as one," says the Irishman in a press release on his new team's official website. "When Kurt Bogaerts (Pidcock's coach ed.) – who I know well from my time at INEOS – joined, my interest was sparked even more. I know how he works."

"I also spoke to Doug Ryder on how the team is going and what they expect. In Tom, they have a clear leader which is always good for any team, so it seems like a good moment now to join with my knowledge and experience,” Dunbar adds.

Whilst Dunbar is, as mentioned, a two-time Vuelta a Espana stage winner, the Irishman doesn't believe he's shown the best of himself in the sport's biggest stage races just yet.

“Grand Tours suit me well because I always get better towards the end. I absorb the workload of a three-week race well. There have been glimpses of what I can do but due to crashes and illness, I haven’t reached my full potential there yet," he explains. "That’s something for the next two years. The team has already done some big races, and I hope I will play my part in the future ones. Winning a race is never easy but when there is an opportunity, I am ready to take my chance.”

The aforementioned Bogaerts himself also shared a word on the new signing, clearly excited at renewing their working relationship. “Eddie is a very interesting rider I know well. He can climb, time trial and is punchy by nature. He has already shown great things in smaller stage races but also won two stages in the Vuelta and has ridden in support of team leaders often too. He is versatile and quite adapt to hard races. I am happy he will be with us.”