Pinarello Q36.5 reportedly set to swoop in for two young prospects - Tom Pidcock's team add to Schmid and Bittner signings
CyclingTuesday, 11 August 2026 at 13:30
Pinarello Q36.5 are set to continue their active transfer market as latest reports point to them signing two young prospects as they're set to hand first professional contracts to the pair of Niels Driesen and Liam O'Brien.
Following the confirmation of marquee signings such as Mauro Schmid and Pavel Bittner for the 2027 season as well as outgoing names such as Sam Bennett, Damien Howson and David de la Cruz, their busy market activity is set to continue.
According to Wielerflits, Lotto Groupe - Wanty rider Driesen has opted to join the ProTeam after the 20-year-old impressed over the past 18 months. The 20-year-old had reportedly received an offer to step up to their Lotto-Intermarche structure.
He has represented the Lotto-Intermarche team on several occasions this season, including Tour of Oman and Vuelta a Burgos. He also took overall victory in the U23 Ronde de l'Isard in May.
Liam O'Brien
Climbing prospect Liam O'Brien set to sign
Lidl-Trek development rider O'Brien is also reported to be on the way to Pinarello. With a second and fourth place overall finish in the Ronde de l'Isard in 2025 and 2026 respectively, the Irish rider has a bright future.
The 21-year-old is in his third season with Lidl-Trek Future Racing and has represented the World Tour outfit at this year's AlUla Tour as well as Tour of the Alps and Gran Piemonte among other races. As well as showcasing strong climbing potential, O'Brien is also a talented time triallist.
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The team recently confirmed another significant move in the transfer market, signing Czech sprinter Pavel Bittner from Team Picnic PostNL on a two-year deal from the start of 2027.
Bittner brings Grand Tour success. He claimed his breakthrough victory on stage 5 of the 2024 Vuelta a Espana, beating Wout van Aert in a photo finish, and has since completed two editions of the Tour de France.
Although he has not won again since that Vuelta success, his 2026 results have kept him among the most promising young fast men in the peloton. Bittner finished second at Scheldeprijs, third at the Bredene Koksijde Classic and also reached the podium on the opening stage of the Volta ao Algarve.
Gavin QuinnCycling Journalist
Gavin Quinn is a cycling journalist and ultra-distance cyclist with a BA in Journalism from Dublin City University. Formerly the Press & Communications Officer for Cycling Ireland, Gavin has worked inside the national team at the World Championships and has reported for the Irish Mirror, Mirror UK, and The42.
His expertise is backed by elite-level access, having interviewed stars like Sam Bennett and Ben Healy, as well as immense personal endurance. In 2025, he completed a 12,000km solo cycle from Ireland to Vietnam, following a 4,600km tour across Europe. From the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix to the gradients of the Tourmalet, Gavin’s writing focuses on the "romance and brutality" of the sport. Having visited 50+ countries, he brings a global, cultural perspective to his coverage of the pro peloton for CyclingUpToDate.
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- did he watch Sunday's race? Demi blew her away. Kasia was never going to win this.mij11-08-2026
- this guy is a joke and an excuse waiting to happen.mij11-08-2026
- yawn brightest young prospects? he is 28 this year.mij11-08-2026
- Could Primo win a Grand Tour—the Giro or the Spanish version—without Pogi or Jonas on the start list? I think that’s the risk they’re taking: betting that he can. Could he have won this year’s Spanish Grand Tour if Pogi had stayed home and played house with his mate who just finished the Tour de France?wambo11-08-2026
- ive read alot of people online on reddit and other social media that these guys are essentially just visma pundits in 90% of their articles. So wouldnt bother much. I wouldnt watch women cycling its obvious not the same but to a minority vs the men cycling that likes it proabably and thats fine. Cannot compare the interest though, men cycling clears it easily. But yeah wouldnt bother ive read so many on reddit and other places say their just visma pundits more or less so no wonder they dont like to watch the men cycling in that sense honestly visma a disaster there now so it make sense.miguel11-08-2026
- JOKE OF THE YEAR: "I don't think it's too controversial to say that the women's Tour is much better view than the men's." .. LOL ... Oh yes my dear Rúben Silva and Kieran Wood, it is controversial. Just imagine, the mens race had the G.O.A.T. racing against everyone. The Goat's biggest rival was Jonas Vingegaard. It's well known that Pogi and Vinnie are the biggest rivals in the history of TdF. We had Remco, the former Belgian kid prodigy... we had Del Toro, the new Mexican star that will take over after Pogi leaves UAE... we had Seixas, the new French mega star, comparing him to young Pogi.... But like @paultryan2002 said, the women spend more time catfighting than racing. Ad acta!!! PS: Let's not forget Pogi's Alpe d'Huez record climbing achievement, passing his rivals like he had a motor-bike. I heard the Italians say: "Pantani turned over in his grave." ... Watching history in the making beats any race.PogiSloFans11-08-2026
- In 2024, before the third week in TdF, Jonas said: "Yes, we can still beat Pogačar. We didn't come here for second place. I'm riding my best numbers" In 2025, going into the last week of TdF, Jonas said: "Yes, I will fight to the end, it's not over yet. We've beaten Pogačar before, we can do it again." In 2026, while being down 4:35 minutes, Jonas kept saying: "We can still win. My legs are improving day by day." ... Well, Jonas was optimistic again and the poor boy crashed out. It was a shame, but we all know he had no chance against the Slovenian "alien." What's Jonas going to say before the WC in Montreal? "Although I don't race one day races... although Pogačar is the no.1 classics cyclist in the world and the previous back to back World Champion, I think I can still beat him." ... Common, let's get serious and stop joking around!!! Capish?PogiSloFans11-08-2026
- And what a crash, pinwheeling against a wall of snow like that.RidesHills11-08-2026
- Please tell me you are joking . It was like a UK 4th cat race . They do half the distance and they spend more time catfighting than racing. Sorry it was boring snoozefest.paultryan200211-08-2026
- agreed great guy. one of the funniest stories was when he beat MVDP in Liege and his Romain's son was in shock his Dad beat MVDP.mij11-08-2026
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