
Alpecin-Deceuninck will be doing what they do best at the Vuelta a Espana which is to chase stage wins, with a lineup that includes strong riders for most terrains, and Tim Merlier in the lead of it's sprint ambitions.
The Belgian just came off a third place at the European championships and will be the team's best option for a win, aswell as one of the big contenders for the bunch sprints. He will have a designated support crew, with Lionel Taminiaux and Oscar Riesebeek as his leadout men, and Jimmy Janssens likely as the rider who will be helping to control breakaways.
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The team however has riders for other terrains. Jay Vine has showed his climbing quality on multiple occasions and will be a strong option for the breakaways in the mountains. Whilst in the hilly stages the team will have a very strong duo in Tour de Wallonie winner Robert Stannard and classics specialist Gianni Vermeersch, who will have a wide array of stages to perform. Xandro Meurisse completes the squad, with ambitions for similar days,
Alpecin - Deceuninck for Vuelta a Espana: Tim Merlier, Jay Vine, Gianni Vermeersch, Lionel Taminiaux, Robert Stannard, Oscar Riesebeek, Xando Meurisse and Jimmy Janssens.
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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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- great analysis thanks! appreciate you posting this. I didn't realize CX had a different standard for deviation. this is even more egregious it seems.mij10-11-2026
- As he isn't currently with Red Bull, I guess if he want to race for one more year he needs to find a team. He's 37 so this will be his last year I would guess, unless he wants to race for almost nothing like Froome did.awp10-11-2026
- I think some are making much ado about nothing. Even though Jonas is getting older, before his crash in the Tour, he looked like a solid 2nd all the way home. No one can really climb with Tadej until this year, Eric Mas showed himself which I think was a one off year for him and Paul Seixas has been able to be pretty close to him. Whatever stage race Jonas enters as long as Tadej is not there he is a favorite to win.awp10-11-2026
- Giro or not Giro, he won't win the Tour!MajorPayne10-11-2026
- Very true.awp10-11-2026
- Ciccone had a very strong end of season. Consistently attacking and livening up races. Hope he makes that last leap in progress and starts notching some significant wins. Great rider to watch.Occam10-11-2026
- Me too!!!!!Occam10-11-2026
- they can sign any 100 of top riders today but Pogi will win over Remco any time at the TDF unless something goes wrongabstractengineer10-11-2026
- the time for a GC rider to retire is when they cannot win stages, or have a significant level drop like from winner/podium into top 5/10 consistently. Roglic is still competitive and Froome raced even though he became pack fodder.abstractengineer10-11-2026
- He should be in a different team. It was detrimental. For them it does not matter if he does not develop. He should have gone to a team where they need him to succeed.abstractengineer10-11-2026
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#LaVuelta22 ¡Hola! We are ready for 3280 @lavuelta kilometers with these 8️⃣! 🔵⚫⤵️
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