Tom Pidcock's Pinarello on the verge of securing two more riders - Amongst them, a re-emerging former World Tour climber

The transfer market is moving before the start of the 2026 Tour de France, and one of the first deals to surface directly affects Caja Rural-Seguros RGA. The Spanish team has worked well with some of its riders and brought out the best from Sebastien Berwick, but the Australian is set to depart towards Pinarello - Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.

Journalist Daniel Benson’s report lands on the very eve of the Tour de France, a race both riders approached on the back of strong early-season form, albeit with very different outcomes when it came to Caja Rural’s final selection.

In Sebastian Berwick’s case, the Australian does make the eight-man roster chosen by Caja Rural-Seguros RGA for the Tour de France. The 26-year old was at NSN Cycling Team earlier in his career but stepped down from World Tour a few years ago.

He moved to Caja Rural in 2024 and this year he has re-emerged amongst the best. He was the winner of the Tour of Turkey and was recently also a Top5 finisher at the Tour of Slovenia - making him a viable wildcard to win a stage during the ongoing Tour.

The second rider is Jan Castellon, whose current situation is different. Despite an equally notable start to the year, he did not make the cut for the Grande Boucle. His best result cited so far was 11th overall at the highly-contested Tour Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, a performance that was not enough to secure selection.

For Q36.5, backed by Pinarello, adding Berwick and Castellon is a major move in the transfer market. The team secures two of Caja Rural-Seguros RGA’s standout riders, strengthening its roster with a view to 2027.

After the signing of Chris Harper and Eddie Dunbar last winter from Jayco, the Swiss team seems to have dealt a blow to another rival team, whilst improving their own capacity in the mountains. This is part of a larger trend of transfers, in the backdrop of an increase in budget.

The deal also reads less positively for the Spanish side. Losing both riders means parting with two pillars on which Caja Rural-Seguros RGA aimed to build its sporting project for 2026–2028. There is still the entire 2026 season to race, and Berwick will tackle the Tour de France with the team, but their future already seems set.

Previously, the Swiss team has already been heavily connected with Tom Crabbe, Tommaso Dati and Pavel Bitnner - all young and versatile sprinters that will improve the team's depth across a multi-faced calendar.

Equally, the team was rumoured to have put an offer for a €13-million salary deal with Paul Seixas for upcoming years.