Visma to be denied major Classics transfer? - Tom Pidcock's Pinarello team reportedly set to swoop in for Giro stage winner from Dutch team's grasps
Cycling
Visma | Lease a Bike look set to miss out on a major 2027 transfer, with a classics specialist linked with a move to the Dutch squad now reportedly on the verge of signing with Pinarello-Q36.5.
Davide Ballerini, the winner of stage 6 of the Giro d'Italia in May, is now on the verge of signing with the ProTeam as they continue to bolster their line-up for next season. In what would be a blow to Richard Plugge's team, Ciro Scognamiglio of Gazzeta dello Sport reports that a deal is close.
The XDS Astana rider, who also won Omloop Het Nieuwsblad in 2021, was expected to be one of the hot properties in the transfer window and now looks set to join the likes of Mauro Schmid, Andrew August and Pavel Bittner as the team's big arrivals in an ambitious transfer window.
As well as those names, Belgium under-23 prospect Niels Driesen will turn professional with the team. Jan Castellon, Tom Crabbe, Liam O'Brien and Sebastian Berwick are among their other signings for 2027 and beyond.
Davide Ballerini
Ballerini set to join Pinarello in Visma blow
Visma's only new arrival for the 2027 season comes in the form of development team rider Matisse Van Kerckhove's promotion to WorldTour level. They did also sign Fabio Jakobsen with immediate effect in August in what's been a largely quiet transfer window so far.
Ballerini turned professional with Androni Giocattoli in 2017, and through one year with Astana in 2019, he joined Quick-Step where he enjoyed the best years of his career with the Belgium team - who operated as a Classics-driven team.
But by 2024, Ballerini was ready to re-join Astana whom he helped on the rise from bottom of WorldTour division to its current sixth spot.
Ballerini takes home first Giro stage win
In 2026, Ballerini struggled to find his success in cobbled Classics, but that didn't break his spirit. The 31-year-old Italian eventually got back on track with a stage win at Tour of Turkiye, just in time for Giro d'Italia.
Astana brought Matteo Malucelli as its designated leader for sprint finishes while Ballerini was tasked with lead-out work.
But on the sketchy finish of stage 6 to Napoli, a large crashed occured just behind Ballerini in the final U-turn, sending Ballerini and Stuyven up the road. And in a one-on-one duel on wet cobbles, Ballerini stood his ground to win his first stage at the home Grand Tour.
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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- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
- I'm picking .... .... Never mind 🫥flyer07-11-2026
- If Tiberi has a better and more consistent 2027 I somehow doubt it will be because of this victorious warning. Unless his preparation has been off, cycling isn't football.flyer07-11-2026
- Love this guy. He is such a pure racer.mij07-11-2026
- Fair enough. Everyone’s entitled to one and I respect yours! Nothing wrong with being a one week and GT guy if that’s his vibemij07-11-2026
- LOL...it's a predetermined finish ! N one is 'clashing' at these exhibition crits!frieders307-11-2026
- Surely the UCI and the race organisers have a responsibility to ensure the best medical care is available to riders when incidents like this happen. All very well pushing for global expansion but not so good if riders lives are put at risk because medical support is not up to scratch.Andy12306-11-2026
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