"Take this team to the very top of the sport" - Lidl-Trek conclude first team camp into ambitious 2026

Lidl-Trek have hosted their first team camp into 2026 already, one of the few World Tour teams to already put in the work over a month before its first training camp, and during it an important business deal has been concluded: Lidl has taken a majority share of the team's stake, although everything remains largely the same.

"Expanding the partnership between Trek and Lidl is the perfect way to cap off an incredible season on the road for Lidl-Trek," Trek Bike' vice president Roger Gierhart said in a press release. "Together, we have the resources, tools and expertise to take this team to the very top of the sport.”

The team has already thrived over the past few years with Mads Pedersen taking yet another step up in terms of performance, the successful signing of Jonathan Milan who's won the points classification at this year's Tour de France, the rise of Mattias Skjelmose as a GC rider and the development of several top talents.

Whilst not yet matching UAE Team Emirates - XRG, the team's UCI points and overall results were close to those of Team Visma | Lease a Bike throghout the year. And with the development of enormously talented and versatile riders such as Mathias Vacek, Albert Philipsen and Thibau Nys, the sky is the limit for the American structure. At the time being, the team still has space for two more riders, although they aren't necessarily going to be filled as the team often races non-World Tour events with riders from its hugely successful development team too - take for example under-23 time trial World Champion Jakob Söderqvist.

The team was at Lidl's headquarter in Bad Wimpfen from the 20th to 24th of October for a mass gathering including members of the elite, women's and under-23 team as well as all of its staff. A massive structure combining 160 members, all with the purpose of already beginning serious preparations for the upcoming season. 

With the likes of Juan Ayuso, Max Walscheid and Mattia Sobrero coming in, the team's level rises even further as it managed to maintain all of its current leaders. Thomas Rohregger, head of cycling at Lidl and former team member added: “The signing of this contract marks a monumental moment for Lidl-Trek. We approached this project with immense respect for the legacy that Lidl-Trek has built, and we are now formally and jointly committing to the next chapter".

"The partnership is based on the strategic goal of transferring Lidl’s organizational excellence to Lidl-Trek and combining the expertise of both co-owners to achieve our ambitious goals. The combined resources and expertise are intended to accelerate the team’s performance development in the coming seasons.”