Still on the transfer market? - Five surprising riders currently without a contract for the 2027 cycling season
Cycling
The transfer market has already offered some blockbuster moves, surprising twists and intriguing signings ahead of the 2027 season. However, despite perhaps most of the business already being done ahead of the new year, there are some surprising riders still without a confirmed contract.
Of course, Primoz Roglic is the highest-profile riders without a deal for 2027. His well-documented transfer saga has seen him heavily linked with Tudor Pro Cycling and Lotto-Intermarche while Visma | Lease a Bike have also emerged as a surprise potential destination.
But away from the headlines of the Slovenian's transfer saga, there's several strong riders whose future has not yet been sealed in fine print. While of course some deals have already been made in negotiations and are simply awaiting a press release, there are still riders seeking contracts in 2027.
We've taken a look at five riders who are still on the market - in theory at least. From a veteran lead-out and main sprinter to a one-time general classification star, here's five riders who are surprisingly still awaiting confirmation on their 2027 contracts.
Max Schachmann
Danny van Poppel
The former Dutch champion's 2027 status has not been confirmed. Despite his clear capabilities in sprints as both the chosen leader and a lead-out, the Red Bull man has not yet sealed his fate for next season.
The 33-year-old did struggle through various parts of the season, but still picked up top tens at the Tour Down Under and was impressively consistent at the ZLM Tour. Red Bull's Giovanni Aleotti is also an honourable mention among the team's possibly departing riders.
Max Schachmann
Once a Grand Tour leader, the 32-year-old German is out of contract with Soudal-QuickStep at the end of the year. Although he's not quite at the heights of his two Paris-Nice overall wins, just last season he was on the Itzulia Basque Country podium with a stage win.
He's shown flashes of good form throughout 2026, and if he is leaving the Belgian team, can offer plenty to potential suitors in need of climbing support or a secondary leader.
Axel Laurence
INEOS could contribute a handful of names to this list. Tobias Foss and Samuel Watson are also without a confirmed deal for 2027, but perhaps the most intriguing is Laurence. A versatile rider with a fast finish, the Frenchman is a valuable rider at WorldTour.
His UCI points potential alone makes him an attractive option for many teams, but INEOS still boast several unconfirmed places in their 2027 line-up to suggest that the former U23 world champion could stay with the British team.
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Koen Bouwman
It seems like just yesterday Bouwman was seting the Giro d'Italia alight with two stage wins and the KOM jersey, but the 32-year-old's Jayco AlUla deal expires this year. Formerly with Visma, the Dutch rider has plenty to offer.
Although he hasn't picked up a win the past two seasons, he has proven a versatile rider in Grand Tours for the Australian team - finishing just outside the top 20 in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a Espana this season while also being an ever-present breakaway threat.
Sam Oomen
With Lidl-Trek's squad officially full for the 2027 season, and Oomen without a deal, it's safe to say the experienced Dutchman should be on the move this winter. The former Visma man put himself in the shop window with a top ten at the Tour of Luxembourg.
An experienced classics and stage racer, Oomen is a solid option for teams in need of a climber who can also challenge for placings in the overall in one-week races. At 31, Oomen surely has plenty to give.
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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- Not sure what to do with these guys. Most of the articles here have random sentences and are chock full of "AI slop".Occam26-10-2026
- what does this mean? "whilst in 2014 he crashed ahead of the spring in Harrogate - a day for the sprinters. " love what you're trying to do, but this stuff is pretty unreadable sometimes.Occam26-10-2026
- It’s not as if he races every race! Also, the developing riders are unlikely to be in the team with him anyway.Lozza26-10-2026
- OK, stop all the BS below!!! Don't you guys have anything better to do than to get on Pogi's case (injury)? The only thing I read from your comments was: blah blah blah ... and BLAH !!! Y'all remember one thing: Next year... 2027 ... Pogi - Baby Hulk will "smash" everyone!!! Remco will have nonstop excuses... Jonas is going to once again say to Skjelmose : "I'm doing my best numbers ever but Pogačar just rides away. What else can I do???" ... Everyone else will fight for second place. Pogi doesn't give a sh** about what podcasters and different cycling sites are saying or "barfing up" senseless words of foolishness and ignorance about him. He will chew up everyone and spit him out. Ad acta!!!PogiSloFans26-10-2026
- Concussion is being recognised as having a life-long impact on many athletes, with effects on the brain and links to mental health and cognitive decline being investigated. It can't be dismissed as being in the past (and obviously isn't a joke, though I realise you didn't mean it that way).Hills3326-10-2026
- Arrieta I think has more potential than Frigo and Balderstone. Ramírez is one who can become a GC rider, Fabries is more of a diesel climber. He only really does well in MTTs. When you add Molano and Sivakov, it seems a transfer loss overall. However, comparing the transfer season of a stacked team like UAE to lower teams isn't fair anyway. Riders tend to diffuse outwards anyway
Rafionain-Glas26-10-2026 - There's quite a large range of time where van der Poel is less likely to race than not, possibly a month. The Worlds sit in that window. So it seems that its more likely than not that he'll not race.Rafionain-Glas26-10-2026
- Maybe ruben silva still dont get it but visma is broke they aint signing anyone. They desperately need tier one climberse but all they can buy is fabio jakobsen..Typing is on the wall there to say the least...:(miguel26-10-2026
- I didn't say Tadej should ride it. I'm stating HE wanted to ride it and as a matter of fact had to be talked out of it. The other accidents mentioned in this headline were so much worse.mij26-10-2026
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