OFFICIAL: Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe swoop for 22-year-old Spanish breakthrough to strengthen Classics firepower

Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe have moved again to strengthen their one-day options for 2026, confirming the arrival of 22-year-old Haimar Etxeberria after a season that marked him out as one of Spain’s most exciting young all-rounders.

The WorldTour squad see the move as a long-term investment in a rider who has already shown he thrives in tough sprint finales and selective Classics-style terrain.

Etxeberria steps up to the WorldTour following a standout 2025 campaign in the Spanish development scene, punctuated by his breakthrough victory at the Vuelta a Castilla y Leon.

That result effectively placed him on the radar of the sport’s top teams. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe ultimately won the race for his signature, announcing the deal on Tuesday morning.

Team chief of sports Zak Dempster made clear that the squad view Etxeberria as far more than a depth signing.

“With Haimar, we are adding a rider who fits very well into our long-term vision,” Dempster said in the official announcement. “Of course, he is still in the early stages of his career, but his eagerness to learn and the talent that gives him real promise in one-day races and tougher sprint finals speak for themselves. We are confident he will find the ideal environment here to continue developing his potential.”

The move also represents a milestone moment for Etxeberria himself, who has rapidly climbed from junior and U23 success to earning a place in one of the WorldTour’s fastest-evolving projects.

“I’m very happy to join Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe,” he said. “From the first conversations, I felt a strong trust and a clear vision for how I can grow here. I’m motivated for this new chapter and excited to contribute to the project. It’s a team I’ve followed closely since the era of Peter Sagan. Being on a team alongside the best stars is a special feeling. I’m very grateful for the opportunity and for being able to make the step up to the WorldTour at 22 years old.”

With the signing, Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe continue a clear trend of reinforcing their punchy, resilient Classics and hilly one-day core — an area that increasingly complements their high-profile GC ambitions with Remco Evenepoel arriving for 2026.

Etxeberria, meanwhile, will enter his maiden WorldTour season with momentum, opportunity, and a structure that believes he’s ready for the next leap. For a rider whose rise in 2025 was sharp and assured, the ceiling now looks significantly higher.