Pinarello reveals their '8' for La Vuelta - Former stage winner leads the way along Spanish and British stage hunters
CyclingWednesday, 19 August 2026 at 15:03
Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team are the penultimate team to have announced their lineup for the 2026 Vuelta a España. Without Tom Pidcock - who finished on the podium last year in Spain - the Swiss team takes on an interesting challenge with stage hunters for all terrains.
“It is a really tough Vuelta from the beginning. Even before the first rest day there are already several mountain stages, so I think quite early in the race we will have a clear picture of the riders fighting for the general classification," team director Alex Sans Vega said in a press release.
Eddie Dunbar, a two-time stage winner back in 2024, is the most notable name on the list. The Irishman hasn't found his best form this year but heads into a race where in the past he has found his legs. Whilst the GC is not the priority, the team may aim for it mainly with David de la Cruz as the Spaniard rode to 14th at the Giro d'Italia after a set of years where he hadn't been able to contest for one.
David de la Cruz a potential GC candidate
De la Cruz is joined by Marcel Camprubí and Xabier Mikel Azparren in the Spanish contingent - two riders who should be chasing breakaways and focus on the hilly terrain. The latter is the reigning Spanish national champion and recently finished 9th at the Clásica San Sebastián. David González concludes the Spanish block as the team's option for the sprints.
After winning the KOM classification at the recent Tour de Pologne, Italian Walter Calzoni proves his strong form and got himself a presence in his first ever Grand Tour. The lineup is completed by the former Visma duo of Milan Vader and Tom Gloag. Whilst the duo don't bring major Grand Tour experience from the Dutch team, they enhance Pinarello's ability to pursue victories in the breakaways.
“For us, the main goal is stage hunting. We want to win a stage, be visible and be part of the race on as many days as possible. There are obviously some mountain stages that will be more controlled by the GC riders, but outside those days there will be opportunities and we have to be ready to take them. As the race develops, particularly after the first rest day, I expect more possibilities to open up".
“That means reading the race well and choosing our moments. We have different riders who can be competitive from breakaways and on hard terrain, while David Gonzalez gives us an option when there is an opportunity for a sprint. We want to use the strengths of the whole roster and race aggressively.”
Pinarello - Q36.5 will have Eddie Dunbar, Tom Gloag and David de la Cruz in their Vuelta a España lineup
Read also
Pinarello - Q36-5 Pro Cycling Team for 2026 Vuelta a España:
| Riders |
| Marcel Camprubí |
| Walter Calzoni |
| David de la Cruz |
| Eddie Dunbar |
| Milan Vader |
| Tom Gloag |
| Xabier Mikel Azparren |
| David González |
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.
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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)...
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