One of the highest-profile transfers that has been spoken off for months is that of Mauro Schmid. This Saturday, the move to Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has been made official, with a reported salary of around €2 million and a place alongside Tom Pidcock.
Mauro Schmid joins Switzerland's top team
"Mauro is one of the most complete bike racers in professional cycling today," team CEO Doug Ryder said in a press release. "What has impressed us most is not only the results he has achieved this season, but the way he races—with intelligence, versatility and an unwavering desire to keep improving. Those qualities fit perfectly with the culture we are building at Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team".
This transfer does not come as a surprise neither is out of place. The 26-year old turned pro in 2021 with Ryder's then Team Qhubeka NextHash; and then moved away to Soudal - Quick-Step. He spent the past seasons at Team Jayco AlUla, where his consistency has raised and his best level was also in display quite often. With his contract up for grabs, Ryder was keen on bringing Schmid back to his team.
This time around, he is at the head of Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, financed Ivan Glasenberg - owner of the Pinarello bike brand - who had a major say in the signing of Tom Pidcock into the 2025 season. With the Briton reaching the best level of his career, plenty others were convinced that the second-division project was not only as professional as rival teams; but that moving away from the World Tour in no way meant sacrificing quality or opportunities of racing at the top level.
Schmid is a Swiss rider, and a big target for a Swiss-license Pinarello team. “As a Swiss rider joining a Swiss team, there is a natural connection that makes this signing particularly meaningful. We believe our environment, working hand in hand with partners will give Mauro every opportunity to continue developing, while his experience and feedback will help us continue pushing the boundaries of innovation. We're delighted to welcome him to the team."
Mauro Schmid after winning stage 13 at the 2026 Tour de France
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Aside from that, Schmid is a massive asset to a second-division team. That is because he is one of the riders who has scored the most UCI points this year - 9th, as of current day. The 2638 points he has scored so far this season are even above that of Tom Pidcock who is 10th and the potential that he has in scoring points can be key in bringing the team to World Tour level at the start of 2029.
The team already has already assured wildcards to all races they desire due to the points they are scoring, but a promotion looks certain if they keep their pace. Aside from Schmid, who had previously been rumoured to have been offered a salary of €2 million a season; Pinarello has been closely linked to several riders whilst recently even Primoz Roglic has been linked to the team.
"Doug gave me the opportunity to turn professional, so there was already a strong connection. But what really convinced me was seeing how much the team has evolved over the last two or three seasons," Schmid also pointed out. "Especially as a Swiss rider, becoming part of this project makes it even more special."
"What really makes this project different is how closely the team works with its partners. You're not simply receiving equipment—you have the opportunity to give feedback, contribute to development and help improve the products. Having brands so closely integrated into the team means you always have access to the very best equipment while also helping shape the next generation of products. That's something I'm genuinely excited about."
Schmid recently won stage 13 at the Tour de France, showcasing perfectly his ability to climb, his tactical knowhow and ability to sprint. Aside from that victory, he finished second on two occasions in the final week, in a large breakaway sprint behind Jasper Philipsen; and second behind Richard Carapaz in a summit finish, perfectly showing his versatility.
"Every season I've managed to take another step forward, but I still feel I haven't reached my full potential. I want to become an even more complete rider, improve my time trial and continue closing the gap in the biggest one-day races. I believe this environment gives me everything I need to keep progressing."
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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