"We reached a full agreement" - Astana officially announce INEOS' Victor Langellotti in a surprising mid-season transfer
CyclingSaturday, 01 August 2026 at 12:20
Netcompany INEOS has lost a rider as the transfer period officially opened this Saturday. Victor Langellotti has departed the team year and a half after joining it, moving towards XDS Astana Team where he will be aiming to be part of the Vuelta a España's start in his home country of Monaco.
A full agreement with INEOS
“With the transfer window opening today, we had the opportunity to strengthen our roster, and Victor Langellotti fits perfectly into our plans for both the second half of this season and next year," team manager Alexandr Vinokourov said in a press release.
A deal made behind the scenes. Langellotti's contract was finishing at the end of 2026, however his departure from the British team was abrupt and official. From August 1, he is a rider for XDS Astana Team; not just from 2027 onwards.
"We reached a full agreement with both the rider and his team, Netcompany INEOS, making this mid-season transfer possible. There are still several busy months of racing ahead this season, so Victor will have the chance not only to settle into the team but also to fight for results straight away".
Most likely, calendar choices have had a major impact in the decision. After joining INEOS in 2025, the 31-year old impressed with a second place at the Tour of Norway; a stage win and fifth place at the Tour de Pologne and a presence at La Vuelta.
This year the performances haven't been as bright, and most likely the Vuelta a España was off the possibilities. The rider and team reached an agreement to make the transfer official as of today, so as to allow his potential participation in what should be the only 'home' Grand Tour start throughout his career.
"In just two days he will start the UCI WorldTour Tour de Pologne, where he performed very well last year. And we won’t hide the fact that we are also considering Victor for our Vuelta a España lineup”.
Victor Langellotti leading the 2025 Tour de Pologne
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Langellotti joins his dream team
“I’m incredibly excited to join XDS Astana Team and begin a new chapter in my career. A mid-season transfer is a huge opportunity for me, and I’m very grateful to the team for the trust they have placed in me," Langellotti added.
The classics specialist, a former domestique at INEOS, has spoken about how a move to Astana is more than just a transfer, but a dream come true as well.
"This move also has a special personal meaning. Back in 2009, when the Tour de France started in Monaco and young riders from local cycling schools accompanied the teams during the official presentation, I had the chance to walk alongside Astana, the team of my favorite rider at the time, Alberto Contador. Now, 17 years later, I’m becoming part of this team as a professional rider".
"It’s incredible how everything has come full circle. It is a great honor and a very special moment for me. XDS Astana Team has a rich and successful history, strong ambitions and a truly professional structure. I want to contribute to the team’s success, whether that means working for my teammates or taking my own opportunities when they come".
With two and a half months of season left there is still a lot Langellotti can still achieve; whilst his contract lasts until 2027 as it stands - in a team that provides plenty opportunities for the puncheurs.
"I’m convinced this is the right place for me to continue not only my career but also my development as a professional cyclist, and I’m highly motivated to repay the team’s confidence with hard work and strong results," he concluded.
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.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
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)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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