Transfer Market - Movistar and Groupama renew two riders who impressed at the 2026 Giro d'Italia

The transfers market is bustling with activity at this point of the year, months before the official opening of the transfer season. At the Giro d'Italia many riders have discussed their future with different teams, whilst some have impressed and convinced their current teams that they are a worthy investment. That is the case with Einer Rubio and Johan Jacobs, who have both signed a contract renewal following the Corsa Rosa.

Jacobs is a member of Groupama - FDJ United, having joined in 2025 straight off a long stint at Movistar. The Swiss rider has fit in quite well and has taken up the role of an important and experienced face in the classics, whilst helping the team's sprinting ambitions and chasing breakaways when given opportunities of his own. The 29-year old was perhaps the team's most prominent figure at the recent Corsa Rosa, having joined several breakaways and being one of the most aggressive figures in a race where the French team largely missed out on top results.

"There's mutual trust. That's an important foundation for me, my development. I'm here to help the team, and the team helps me," Jacobs said in a post shared on social media by the team. "I like the idea of making my mark on the team, I don't want to be someone who just comes and goes; it's the right decision for me".

"My first two years have been quite different: My first two years have been quite different: First supporting Stefan [Küng], then mentoring the young members of our classics team. I want to help them with my knowledge of these races, I love this project of guiding this young core with such great potential. It's a long-term project, and one in which I feel completely at home".

Equally, Einer Rubio was also amongst the most aggressive at the Giro d'Italia. His relentless pursuit of a stage win was a notable sub-plot in the Italian Grand Tour; as he and Giulio Ciccone fell out of the overall classification in the first week and later on spent several days in the mountains attacking and looking to obtain an important stage win.

Ultimately, Visma's dominance came in the way, whilst Rubio was present in a whole six breakaways during the race. His dispute in the final week against Ciccone and Lidl-Trek was also one of the highlights of the last days of the race; with Rubio eventually losing a trip to the final podium in Rome as he let go Igor Arrieta on an attack ahead of the final climb to Piancavallo on stage 20.

Despite the rough outcome to the race, Movistar recognize the talent in the 28-year old and have reassured that the disappointment would not translate into a change of teams.

“I’m very happy to have renewed for a couple more years and to continue being part of the Movistar family," Rubio said. "I hope to keep growing and improving with them. I’m very grateful for their trust; it’s an honor to wear the M like a second skin. We’ll keep riding together towards the future,”