XDS Astana continue to be one of the busiest teams on the transfer market, with Victor Langellotti reportedly close to joining the Kazakh outfit, while Diego Ulissi is expected to extend his career for at least another season.
Astana to sign Langellotti
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport journalist Ciro Scognamiglio, Langellotti is nearing a move from Netcompany INEOS to XDS Astana. The report adds that the transfer may not necessarily wait until the end of the season, with the possibility of the Monegasque rider joining Astana before 2027 still on the table.
Langellotti has steadily established himself as Monaco's leading rider over the past few seasons. After spending seven years with Burgos BH, the 30-year-old earned a WorldTour move to INEOS Grenadiers ahead of the 2025 season.
He quickly repaid that confidence by becoming the first Monegasque rider to win a WorldTour stage at the Tour de Pologne, adding another milestone to a career that had already seen him claim stage victories at the Volta a Portugal and the Presidential Tour of Türkiye.
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Ulissi to race on in 2027
Langellotti is not the only rider expected to reinforce Astana's project. Scognamiglio also reports that Diego Ulissi has reached an agreement to renew his contract, meaning the Italian veteran is set to continue racing in 2027.
Ulissi had previously said he would postpone any decision on his future until after the Giro d'Italia. However, the latest reports suggest the deal is now complete, with only an official announcement from XDS Astana still pending.
Since turning professional in 2010, Ulissi has amassed 49 career victories, including eight Giro d'Italia stage wins. Remarkably, he has won at least one race in every season of his professional career, although he is still searching for his first victory of 2026.
A versatile rider equally capable on punchy climbs and in hilly stage races, Ulissi has also claimed overall victories at the Giro di Sicilia, Tour of Slovenia, Tour of Austria and Tour of Luxembourg during his career, amongst others.
Ulissi wore the Maglia Rosa at the Giro d'Italia 2025
Quintero expected to join INEOS development programme
Elsewhere on the transfer market, Colombian youngster Juan Diego Quintero is reportedly close to joining the INEOS Grenadiers Racing Academy.
The talented rider has been without a team since Petrolike folded in June, but he now looks set to continue his development within the British team's academy structure, providing him with a pathway towards the WorldTour.
Quintero is regarded as one of Colombia's brightest young prospects. The 19-year-old climber stepped up to Continental level with GW Erco Shimano in 2025 before moving to Petrolike this season, where he produced several encouraging performances in Europe, including fourth at the prestigious Giro del Belvedere and eighth at the GP Palio del Recioto.
Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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