Red Bull eyeing another Visma raid? Former European champion reportedly lined up for reunion with Tratnik and Van Dijke brothers
CyclingTuesday, 31 March 2026 at 11:15
Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe could be set to continue an emerging trend in the transfer market, with another rider from Team Visma | Lease a Bike reportedly under consideration ahead of the 2027 season.
After already bringing in Jan Tratnik and the Van Dijke brothers in recent years, the Red Bull-backed squad appear to be looking once again towards their rivals as they shape their Classics group.
According to Het Laatste Nieuws, Christophe Laporte is among the names being discussed, with the Frenchman set to be out of contract at the end of the current campaign. The former European champion has established himself as one of the most consistent performers in the Northern Classics in recent seasons, combining endurance on cobbles with the ability to finish from reduced groups.
That level has been visible again in 2026. Laporte took a stage victory at the Vuelta a Andalucia earlier in the season and most recently finished third at In Flanders Fields, underlining his continued presence at the front of major one-day races.
De Lie interest opens alternative route
Laporte’s name has surfaced in the context of Red Bull’s wider transfer plans. Arnaud De Lie remains a key target on the market, with interest also coming from Soudal - Quick-Step. However, Het Laatste Nieuws reports that the Belgian has salary demands of around two million euros per season, a figure that could influence how teams approach a potential deal.
In that scenario, Laporte represents a different option. He has shown in recent seasons that he can compete for results in the Classics while also bringing experience to a team environment. A move would also see him reunite with riders such as Tratnik and the Van Dijke brothers, who have already made the switch from Team Visma | Lease a Bike.
Christophe Laporte punches the air as he wins stage 1 of the 2026 Vuelta a Andalucia
Any transfer is not straightforward. The report also indicates that Laporte has interest from multiple teams, including his current one, meaning an extension with Team Visma | Lease a Bike remains possible.
With several situations still developing, Red Bull’s final decision may depend on how the market around De Lie evolves. For now, Laporte’s name remains one to watch as part of a broader set of moves ahead of 2027.
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- In english it can be Pogachar. "Č" in slovenian is the same as "CH" (like Churchill or chicken) in english.Mou-Cro-HR31-03-2026
- It's a competitive race, not a friendly. Naesen should have relayed the information. He asked the question and it was van der Poel's choice to say that they wanted to sprint - he didn't need to. If Decathlon-CMA CGM had known, they may have committed to the chase more (without the knowledge, they were more focused on the podium). Because the van Aert and van der Poel were caught with only 900 m to go, and Segaert with 700 m to go, it made for a very chaotic finale. And in a chaotic final like that, the more experienced Jasper Philipsen excels. The younger Tobias Lund Andresen would have liked it more if the final was calmer - when the leadout is done well, he's had very big successes, such as beating Brennan, Philipsen and Milan. But the leadouts had already started before the catch was made, so it was a complex final. Lund Andresen does not lack the speed and I think he'd have won if Naesen had relayed the information. This is an example of the top riders' intimidation of the subconscious of lower riders. In a race decided by such fine margins, petty honour like this has no place. It is petty honour, not true honour, because van der Poel would not be able to criticise Naesen (imagine if he did - Mou would go after him)
Rafionain-Glas31-03-2026 - Death, taxes & Wout 2nd. Nothing will change.averagecyclist31-03-2026
- I wouldn't be surprised if both take place. If they do, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe would have, in their cobbled classics block: Jordi Meeus Christophe Laporte Maxim van Gils Arnaud de Lie Arne Marit Gianni Vermeersch Tim van Dijke Danny van Poppel Lawrence Pithie Finn Fisher-Black Gianni Moscon Jan Tratnik Mick van Dijke Haimar Etxeberria That's a seriously strong team. They'd lack a top notch rider but they'd have 4 or 5 at the next level down, and the collective to make something happen. And if they do, it'd be proof that the aliens can be beaten if you invest in itRafionain-Glas31-03-2026
- 6:36 with 7 summit finishes verses 2 summit finishes with 1:30? Add the fact that at the Tour Lipowitz was often more focused on dropping Onley rather than trying to follow Pogačar and Vingegaard (if he had, on numerous stages, pulled very hard after being dropped, with Onley in the wheel, it would not have been as effective as a few explosive attacks to drop him)? And the fact that Lipowitz is (obviously) on a steeper curve of improvement? Lipowitz is seen as a podium threat at the Tour. So is Ayuso. So is Seixas. So is del Toro. In that regard, they are all the same.Rafionain-Glas31-03-2026
- On that day, Ineos-Grenadiers (soon to be NetApp-Totalenergies) came very close to drawing level with UAE Team Emirates XRG in terms of total wins this year, but alas, they still have 14 while UAE have 17. Had Dorian Godon won the final stage of Catalunya, and Axel Laurance won the final stage of Coppi e Bartali and hence the GC, they'd have matched them.Rafionain-Glas31-03-2026
- Each rider/team is using tactics that best helps them win, Remco included, nuff said.awp31-03-2026
- counterpoint - it was a GREAT win by Jonas, but again who did he beat? Last year he took 7 minutes out of Lipo in the tour, and Jonas could ride away from everyone with ease, other than Tadej. No Paul Seixas. Remco is a joke to put into the conversation. Almeida is a shell of himself. No Del Toro or Ayuso. so unless he does this against Tadej, it isn't impressive to me. he was doing it against all of these riders last year too.mij31-03-2026
- Jasper has always wanted to win this race. I think the intention of the team and MVDP from the start was to get out front to take pressure of Jasper. a measured effort to allow for a close within the KM, thus preventing other attacks. brilliant move by MVDP's team. Mathieu himself said he was tired, but also taking a measured approach. had it been a monument, he would have dug deeper. but he had his win last week, time to give one to Jasper. Then there is this "According to Zonneveld . . ." they write this so authoritatively, but it is just he opinion of a talking head. it is no different than our speculation.mij31-03-2026
- I think the point is that Tadej's career isn't done. If he were to quit now, he would be missing a monument and missing a GT. objectively that puts him behind Merckx.mij31-03-2026
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