"Red Bull only needed Remco to be a powerhouse team": Joaquim Rodríguez has no doubt about the winner of the cycling transfer market

The transfer market ahead of the 2026 season has been one of the busiest in recent years. Team mergers, the disappearance of historic structures, and the arrival of new projects with ambitious budgets have triggered a domino effect that has shaken the pro peloton with contract buyouts in the mix. Remco Evenepoel's was the most important according to former pro Joaquim Rodríguez.

In this whirlwind of change, former pro Joaquim “Purito” Rodríguez breaks down the main moves in the first episode of the PURO CICLISMO podcast, a space where current affairs blend with the lived experience of someone who knows cycling from the inside. Understandably, he highlights above all the moves of Remco Evenepoel to Red Bull and Juan Ayuso to Lidl-Trek, with Cian Uijtdebroeks to Movistar Team also demanding mention.

Recorded in late December, in the middle of the off-season, the episode titled “Il Mercato” serves as an X-ray of an especially turbulent winter. From long-anticipated signings to unexpected deals, Purito goes name by name, team by team, offering his read on a market also shaped by the disappearance of structures like Arkea and by the Intermarché–Lotto merger, a context that, as he puts it, “has blown up the whole market.”

One transfer that dominates the conversation is Remco Evenepoel to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. For Purito, it was a move that had been telegraphed for a long time: “I think people knew a hundred years ago. Before Red Bull was even born, they knew.” Beyond how expected it was, he underlines the pressure that comes with the switch and the qualitative leap for the German team: “For me, it was a massive change. It’s been a brutal team, they picked up a Roglic who flies. That team, Bora, is stacked.” In his view, Evenepoel’s arrival was the missing piece to cement the team among the very best: “Red Bull were missing Remco to truly be a top team.”

In the same bracket of headline names is Juan Ayuso, another move that, according to 'Purito', had been brewing for some time. “It was also known he was going to leave, even though UAE said they wouldn’t let him go for anything.” He believes the move benefits all parties: “I think everyone wins there. It’s a triple, a win-win-win.” Purito highlights the planning behind the deal and feels the Alicante native’s new team nailed it: “Lidl signed him very well.”

Purito also highlights Decathlon’s sharp work in the market, with additions like Olav Kooij and Tiesj Benoot: “Decathlon have made two very cool signings.” On Benoot, he is emphatic: “He’s a top rider.” In the same vein, he mentions Richie Richeze and youngsters who impressed in Grand Tours, underlining the team’s financial muscle: “They have a lot of money, a huge amount, and they’re making very good signings.”

The analysis continues with other key moves, such as Cian Uijtdebroeks to Movistar Team. He admits the destination surprised him: “This is one that… I didn’t see for anyone. Yes, to Movistar. Brutal.” In this case, Purito reads it as a mutual need: “I think he needed Movistar.” He also stresses the rider profile and contract length as a calculated bet on the future: “A foreign rider who goes very well in a Grand Tour, very young. I think they signed him for quite a while. Four years.”

In the Movistar block, Purito also assesses the arrival of Roger Adrià. Without placing him in the media spotlight of other names, he values his performances and natural fit in the Spanish structure: “Very good rider, Spanish as well.” And he adds a thought about the team’s identity: “Movistar is doing what it should. A Spanish rider who’s strong should normally be pushed towards Movistar.”

In the classics and all-rounders bracket, names like Jasper Stuyven and Dylan Van Baarle appear, both heading to Soudal - Quick-Step. On Stuyven, Purito notes he is a “safe bet for those Classics” and sees the main challenge as carving out space: “What he’ll look for is finding his freedom.” On Van Baarle, the verdict is straightforward: “Also a very good rider.”

One signing that really catches Purito’s eye is Stefan Küng to Tudor. “I really like this one. A strong time trialist.... Watch Tudor, second division, but Swiss with Swiss that usually works. He’s also going to go very well.”

The focus swings back to Movistar with Juan Pedro López arriving from Lidl-Trek. Purito calls it a “heavy novelty,” especially given the rider’s trajectory: “He’s been a long time at Lidl Trek.” He admits he liked the idea of him staying, but understands the switch: “I want to see how he adapts to Movistar.” For him, the environment could ease the transition: “He’s a Spanish rider and will be surrounded by his people, his friends, and he’ll settle very well.”

In the same block, Purito pauses on Raúl García Pierna, another of the Spanish team’s signings. In fact, he’s one that excites him most: “He’s the one I like the most.” He highlights his character and room to grow: “He’s a brave rider who’ll get plenty of opportunities.” He also frames the move within the chaos sparked by Arkea’s disappearance: “Going from Arkea to Movistar, for both the rider and the team… Arkéa was already disappearing and something had to be done there.”

That backdrop of disappearances and mergers is, for Rodríguez, one of the keys to the 2026 market. “Between the Intermarché merger with Lotto and the disappearance of Arkéa… that’s 90 riders going into just one.” A situation that, he explains, puts pressure above all on riders with less profile: “A top rider will always find a spot. But for those who aren’t as good… it’s tough for many.”

Another project drawing attention is Unibet Rose Rockets, a team that, according to Purito, has a clear plan. “I’ve liked this team.” He especially values their strategic focus: “We have a budget, we need to be the best at something. We’re going to be the best sprint team.” In that sense, he highlights signings like Dylan Groenewegen and the addition of Marcel Kittel as a key figure in speed work: “They’ve signed Kittel, the legendary Kittel, as sprint coach.”

In the final stretch, Purito answers a few direct questions. For him, the team that has recruited best is clear: “Possibly Lidl Trek.” On the other side, the most weakened: “Israel, logically.”