Juan Ayuso Joins Lidl-Trek for 2026 Cycling Season

Major Transfers in the Men’s and Women’s WorldTour

August marked a significant period for professional cycling as teams and riders began officially announcing their transfers. This month, the cycling world has seen a flurry of activity with several high-profile moves across both the men's and women's WorldTour pelotons.

One of the most notable transfers is Juan Ayuso joining Lidl-Trek for 2026 after leaving his previous team, UAE Team Emirates-XRG. The 23-year-old Spanish rider signed a five-year deal following creative differences with his former employer. Meanwhile, Tom Gloag has moved from Visma-Lease a Bike to Q36.5 Pro Cycling. The 24-year-old British rider will be joining a team that already includes Tom Pidcock and Fred Wright, marking a reunion of sorts.

Matthew Riccitello, the winner of the Vuelta a España's best young rider classification, has also made a move, joining Decathlon CMA CGM. The 23-year-old American has been with Israel-Premier Tech for the last three seasons and will now step up to the WorldTour level. His new team sees him as an excellent climber who can contribute significantly to their ambitions.

Alice Towers, a former British national champion, has joined EF Education-Oatly after three years with Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto. The 22-year-old aims to compete for wins in major races and hopes to achieve a stage win at a Grand Tour. Tiesj Benoot and Olav Kooij have also joined Decathlon CMA CGM, bringing experience and sprinting talent to the team.

Lauren Dickson, a standout domestic star, is set to join FDJ-SUEZ next year after starting her semi-professional career with Handsling Alba Development. The 25-year-old Scottish rider will take part in the Women's WorldTour, aiming to develop her skills and eventually race in Grand Tours.

Noah Hobbs, a 21-year-old British sprinter, has moved up to EF Education-EasyPost from the development team EF Education-Aevolo. His success at the Tour de l'Avenir has earned him recognition as one of the top U23 sprinters in the world.

Stefan Küng has left the WorldTour to join Tudor Pro Cycling, while Dorian Godon has signed with Ineos Grenadiers. Ricarda Bauernfeind, a former Tour de France Femmes stage winner, has joined Lidl-Trek from Canyon-SRAM zondacrypto. Chris Harper, Xandro Meurisse, and Fred Wright have all moved to Q36.5 Pro Cycling, strengthening the team's Classics squad.

Lewis Askey has left Groupama-FDJ for Israel-Premier Tech, seeking new motivation and opportunities. Anton Schiffer, a former triathlete, has joined Visma-Lease a Bike, bringing fresh energy to the team. Eddie Dunbar has departed Jayco AlUla for Q36.5 Pro Cycling, aiming to contribute to the team's climbing ambitions.

Charlotte Kool has made a mid-season transfer from Picnic PostNL to Fenix-Deceuninck, marking a rare but significant move. Soudal Quick-Step has signed Belgian duo Steff Cras and Fabio Van den Bossche, adding depth to their roster. Filippo Conca has joined Jayco AlUla, while Dylan van Baarle has signed with Soudal Quick-Step.

Remco Evenepoel has left Soudal Quick-Step to join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, marking one of the biggest moves of the summer. Dylan Groenewegen and Elmar Reinders have joined Unibet Tietema Rockets, looking to elevate the team's profile. Attila Valter has signed with Bahrain Victorious, adding to their stage racing capabilities.

Jasper Stuyven has joined Soudal Quick-Step after spending his entire professional career at Lidl-Trek. He brings experience and a strong record in the Classics. Several other teams have also made changes, including Alpecin-Deceuninck, Arkéa-B&B Hotels, and others, reflecting the dynamic nature of the WorldTour.

These transfers highlight the ever-evolving landscape of professional cycling, where teams are constantly reshaping their rosters to gain a competitive edge. With the start of the new season approaching, fans can look forward to seeing how these new lineups perform on the road.