Roglic and a group of breakaway specialists - Creating a Grand Tour team with riders out of contract for 2027
Cycling
The 2027 cycling transfer market still holds opportunities that could change the fortunes of more than one team. Among the riders without a confirmed destination are proven names, top-level specialists and young talents with room to develop. Together, they could form a competitive squad without relying on the major signings still available on the market.
The idea is clear: build a balanced team with ambitions for a Grand Tour, combining high ambitions with the realities of a true professional team, in which egos and calendar have to be balanced, and its leaders require suport. It is not simply about assembling big names, but finding complementary riders who can work as a team rather than a collection of individuals.
The contract situations of several riders on the list could still change. Some are negotiating their futures, others are waiting for moves within their current teams, and several riders remain uncertain about where they will end up. It is also possible that some names within the list have contracts for 2027 already, but have not been announced by their respective teams.
Within the 53 World Tour names, it became possible to build a structured team based around the ambitions of a major leader for a three-week race; a sprinter and a fitting leadout train; and a set of stage hunters for different terrains.
Primoz Roglic, the Grand Tour leader
Few signings would have the impact of Primoz Roglic. The Slovenian has won the Vuelta a España four times, the Giro d’Italia once and Olympic gold in the time trial. His palmarès also includes victories at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and much more. His ability in the mountains, against the clock and in explosive finishes would make him the ideal team leader.
Primoz Roglic's future remains uncertain as of early November
With the four-time Vuelta a España winner as their reference point, the team would have an immediate contender for the Grand Tours. His recent performances at the 2026 Vuelta a España, alongside his European time trial title, assure the veteran is still within reach of major victories.
His future remains open, however, and it is still unclear whether he will continue his career.
Jefferson Alexander Cepeda, Roglic's right-hand man in the mountains
The Ecuadorian rider from EF Education-EasyPost would be an interesting addition to strengthen the climbing squad. Raised on Ecuador’s high-mountain roads, Cepeda has shown he can compete on demanding courses and contend for overall classifications. His palmarès includes victory at the 2024 Tour de l'Ain, where he also won a stage, as well as the 2021 Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc and the 2021 Ecuadorian Championships. He also finished third in a stage of the 2023 Giro d'Italia.
At 28, he has ridden eight Grand Tours and knows the demands of the World Tour calendar. In the team we are building, he would be an important climbing domestique for Roglic, while his stage-race results would also give him opportunities to lead at lower-level events. His ability to tackle long climbs and maintain consistency in the mountains would make him a valuable addition to a squad with ambitions in the overall classification.
Paul Penhoët, the lead sprinter
The Groupama - FDJ's future is still uncertain at this point, and the reality is that he is one of the best, if not the best sprinter still in the market. The 24-year old ha proven on many occasions to be a very fast man, suited to racing in the Grand Tours but also in the classics - he was fourth at the recent ADAC Cyclassics.
Penhoët has raced the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia over the past few seasons as a head sprinter in the French team, and would fit in the role with ease.
Florian Sénéchal, a leadout man and road captain
The Frenchman would bring experience as a road captain but also a leadout. At his prime, the Frenchman was a menace as part of the Quick-Step cobbled classics block, and was Fabio Jakobsen's personal leadout man. In this team, he would be the ideal leadout man for Paul Penhoët, as a compatriot and experienced face to guide him through the chaos.
His 2022 French national title and stage win at the 2021 Vuelta a España underline his ability to seize opportunities. He is a powerful, fast rider accustomed to competing at the highest level.
Enzo Paleni, a breakaway specialist
Enzo Paleni would be the reserve, bringing the ability to perform across different terrain and add depth to the squad. He is a rider with a keen eye for breakaways, and has an engine like few others in the peloton. At the 2025 Giro d'Italia he came close to a major stage win in Napoli; whilst he has often been a threat to the peloton on unexpected sprint stages.
Not only could he guide Paul Penhoët in the sprints, but also aid Primoz Roglic on the chaotic flat days. On days with more freedom, he could seek a surprise on the flat breakaway days, as well as be a tactical card in the hilly stages.
Maximilian Schachmann, an all-round winner
Max Schachmann has long been part of the world's best, even if in recent years the German has struggled to keep up with the ever-increasing pace of the peloton on the climbs.
Nevertheless, the German rider is a stage winner at the Giro d'Italia, a monument podium finisher, a two-time Paris-Nice champion, and much more. His versatility is notable, as he could aim for breakaway wins on both hilly and mountainous days; help the team during team time trials quite a lot; but also do domestique work as required.
Samuel Watson, the pure puncheur who can surprise
The Netcompany INEOS rider and former British champion is a pure puncheur. Whilst this type of rider is now not often at the forefront in the World Tour stage-races, the 2027 Tour de France showcases how puncheurs may still have several opportunities at the highest level.
He is a specialist in the short explosive efforts, whether they are prologues (he has won at the Tour Down Under this year and the 2025 Tour de Romandie); or the punchy uphill finishes - he has won at the national championships and more under such circumstances. A leader for such days, and a rider who can win from a breakaway, using his climbing ability but also impressive sprint.
Read also
Rémy Rochas, the stage hunter for the mountains
Whilst Rémy Rochas has no wins to his name as a professional rider to this day, his potential as an out-of-contract rider. He has, on multiple occasions, been close to a career-changing triumph. In 2023, he was second at the World Tour-level Tour of Guangxi, whilst he has often been an aggressive figure in search of breakaway wins.
Rochas, part of Groupama - FDJ, would get freedom to chase breakaway wins on the mountainous and explosive hilly days, but would also be a key part of the team's mountain block.
| Rider | Age | Team in 2026 |
| Primoz Roglic | 37 years old | Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe |
| Florian Sénéchal | 33 years old | Alpecin - Premier Tech |
| Maximilian Schachmann | 32 years old | Soudal Quick-Step |
| Rémy Rochas | 30 years old | Groupama - FDJ |
| Jefferson Alexander Cepeda | 28 years old | EF Education-EasyPost EF |
| Samuel Watson | 25 years old | Netcompany INEOS |
| Paul Penhoët | 24 years old | Groupama - FDJ |
| Enzo Paleni | 24 years old | Groupama-FDJ United |
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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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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