The WorldTour & ProTeam Bikes category brings you detailed insights into the bikes used by the world’s best cycling teams. From frame sizes and rider setups to components and gear choices, this section covers how pro riders and teams prepare their machines for the biggest races. Whether it’s the Tour de France, Giro d’Italia, or one-day Monuments, explore the technology and details behind the peloton’s fastest bikes.
Forget what you knew about “AG2R.” That name is gone after 33 years.
Welcome to the era of Decathlon CMA CGM.
For the 2026 season, the French squad has undergone a total revolution. With Decathlon now stepping up as the Team Owner (not just a sponsor) and the arrival of logistics giant CMA CGM, the budget has skyrocketed. The goal is no longer just “winning a stage”. Management has explicitly targeted a Top 5 WorldTour Ranking.
Based historically in Chambéry (the heart of the Alps) but spiritually connected to Lille, the home of Decathlon and Van Rysel, the team is attacking on all fronts: Paris-Roubaix, The Classics, the Green Jersey, and the General Classification.
This guide breaks down the massive tech switch to SRAM, the signing of Olav Kooij, and why the young French sensation Paul Seixas is the rider everyone is watching.
Jayco AlUla 2026 Team is the only WorldTour team representing the Asia-Pacific region, flying the flag for Australia in a peloton dominated by European powerhouses.
Team Jayco AlUla enters 2026 with a refined look, a leaner roster, and a clear mission: Prove that they belong at the top table. After a turbulent off-season where financial guarantees threatened their license, team owner Gerry Ryan has once again secured the future of “GreenEDGE.”
Based in Denia, Spain (the Costa Blanca training mecca), but with its heart firmly in Adelaide, the team has successfully evolved from a “mates club” into a ruthless points-hunting machine.
In this guide, I break down the “Moneyball” transfer strategy, the stylish MAAP kit, and why Ben O’Connor is the key to their Grand Tour dreams.
If 2025 was the year of the “Israel-Premier Tech” identity crisis, 2026 is the dawn of the NSN Era. A glance at the finalized NSN Cycling Team 2026 bikes roster confirms that while the name sounds like a typo of the famous Messi-Suarez-Neymar trio, the stakes are incredibly high.
The team has undergone a complete structural reboot. Gone is the Israel branding and the Canadian “Premier Tech” money (which fled to Alpecin). In its place stands NSN (Never Say Never), the sports agency co-founded by FC Barcelona legend Andrés Iniesta, backed by the Swiss investment firm Stoneweg.
With a new Swiss license and a new HQ in Barcelona/Girona, the team has distanced itself from geopolitical noise to focus purely on racing. But the departure of their GC future and a messy legal battle suggest the road ahead won’t be smooth.
This preview breaks down the “Girmay Gamble,” the massive tech switch to SCOTT, and why the loss of Matthew Riccitello hurts more than the departure of Chris Froome.
Merida is out. The Oltre RC is in. One of the biggest tech transfer of the 2026 season is finally official. Team Bahrain Victorious will ride Bianchi for the foreseeable future, giving riders like Matej Mohorič and new signing Attila Valter access to some of the most aggressive aerodynamics in the peloton.
But this isn’t just a paint job update. The switch to Bianchi’s “Reparto Corse” division means a complete overhaul of the team’s equipment ecosystem, from the ultra-light Specialissima RC for the climbers to the controversial Oltre RC for the sprinters. With a roster shake-up that sees seasoned veterans leave and high-potential talent arrive, 2026 promises to be a pivotal year. Let’s dive into the full transfer list and the specific bike setups for the new season.
If 2025 was the year of the Duopoly (UAE vs. Visma), 2026 is the dawn of the MAG4. A glance at the finalized Lidl-Trek 2026 team bikes roster confirms that with Red Bull entering the game and Lidl-Trek finally flexing its financial muscle, the era of two-team dominance is over.
Lidl-Trek’s managers have made the biggest financial statement of the winter: paying a massive buyout to break Juan Ayuso out of his UAE Team Emirates contract and signing him through 2030. It is a “Galactico” move designed to buy a Tour de France contender overnight.
But money doesn’t buy harmony. Ayuso left UAE to escape the shadow of Pogačar, only to walk into a locker room where Mattias Skjelmose fresh off a career-best 2025 season has publicly stated he has no intention of being a domestique.
This preview breaks down the new “Civil War,” the technical adaptation from Colnago to Trek, and the rise of the underdog dark horses that make this team the most fascinating watch of 2026.
The Power Shift: Lidl Takes Control & A New HQ
Lidl-Trek Quinn Simmons and Mattias Skjelmose at Tour de France 2025 / Credit A.S.O./Charly López
If you viewed the Ayuso transfer as a simple signing, look deeper. In October 2025, Lidl officially acquired a majority stake in the team, concluding a deal that fundamentally alters the team’s DNA.
This is no longer just a Trek factory team with a grocery sponsor; it is a German-backed super-project.
The New Fortress: In a symbolic move, the team held its October camp at the Lidl Germany headquarters in Bad Wimpfen, which will serve as the team’s new future home.
Infrastructure Overhaul: The new ownership structure includes the construction of a dedicated logistics centerand a state-of-the-art Performance Center. This directly rivals the “Service Course” dominance of Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE.
The Digital Weapon: Perhaps most interesting for tech nerds is the integration of Schwarz Digits (the digital arm of the Schwarz Group). This promises to bring enterprise-level data analytics to rider performance, potentially giving Lidl-Trek a “Moneyball” advantage in 2026.
The Takeaway: The “Galactico” signing of Ayuso wasn’t a gamble; it was the first purchase of a new owner flexing its financial muscle.
The Civil War: Ayuso vs. Skjelmose
The press conferences in January are going to be spicy. As soon as the Ayuso transfer was confirmed, Lidl-Trek’s homegrown leader Mattias Skjelmose made his position crystal clear: he will not be Ayuso’s lieutenant.
The Case for Skjelmose: The Dane had a terrific 2025. He silenced doubters by winning the Amstel Gold Race, outsprinting none other than Pogačar and Evenepoel. He added the Andorra MoraBanc Classica and a stage (plus White Jersey) at the Tour de Luxembourg.
The Case for Ayuso: Ayuso didn’t come here to share. While his relationship with UAE soured, his legs didn’t. At the 2025 World Championships in Kigali, Ayuso finished 8th in a brutal race, just behind his teammate Isaac Del Toro. More tellingly, at the European Continental Championships, Ayuso finished 6th, 40 seconds ahead of Skjelmose.
The Verdict: The road will decide. But Skjelmose’s 4th place at the Kigali Worlds (fighting for the podium with Ben Healy) proves he is ready for the biggest stage. Ayuso has the contract (2030), but Skjelmose has the momentum.
The Speed Division: Milan & Pedersen
While the climbers fight for hierarchy, Lidl-Trek boasts arguably the most fearsome sprint duo in the WorldTour.
Jonathan Milan (The Giant 1m94): The Italian powerhouse has redefined what is possible for a sprinter of his size. His sheer wattage output puts immense stress on the equipment. For 2026, keep an eye on his custom Bontrager RSL cockpit reinforced to handle his violent sprint style. He will likely run a 56T 1x chainring setup on flat stages to maximize chain retention and aerodynamics.
Mads Pedersen (The Classics King): The Dane is the spiritual leader of the team. He remains a pioneer of the 1x drivetrain (single chainring) concept in the Classics. Expect to see him utilizing SRAM’s Wireless Blips satellite shifters glued to the underside of his handlebars for shifting while rattling over the cobbles of Roubaix.
Hey Nerdy bike friend, subscribe if you are not already!
No spam. Just pure bike tech. Unsubscribe anytime.
The Adaptation Game: Colnago to Trek
Moving teams isn’t just about changing jerseys. When analyzing the Lidl-Trek 2026 team bikes roster, it becomes clear that Ayuso faces the steepest learning curve of his career as he re-learns how to ride.
2026 Tech Specifications
Beyond the frame, Ayuso and the team must dial in a completely new ecosystem of components. Here is the confirmed build sheet for the 2026 season:
Groupset:SRAM RED AXS (12-speed wireless). Ayuso will likely start with a 2x setup (54/41 or 52/39 chainrings). Are we going to see him embrace the 1×12 setup too?
Power Meter:SRAM RED AXS Power Meter integrated into the chainrings. This is a change from the Shimano/SRM cranks he used at UAE.
Cockpit:Bontrager RSL Aero. A one-piece carbon bar/stem. The ergonomics are vastly different from the Colnago CC.01 bar, featuring a different flare and drop shape.
Saddle:Bontrager Aeolus RSL. A short-nose saddle. Saddle comfort is critical for power transfer; if this doesn’t fit Ayuso’s anatomy, we might see unbranded saddles appearing in spy shots.
Tires:Pirelli P ZERO Race TLR. The team exclusively runs tubeless, typically in 28mm/30mm/32mm widths depending on the road surface. Note that Pirelli has just released a 35mm version. Likely to be on Paris-Roubaix 2026.
While the media focuses on the Civil War, four riders are quietly poised to steal the show.
Toms Skujins (The Underdog): The Latvian champion is the ultimate “Shadow.” In 2025, he quietly finished 5th at both the World and European Championships. He is consistent, lethal, and will likely capitalize while rivals watch Ayuso.
Giulio Ciccone: Despite being in his 30s, the Italian is aging like fine wine. He finished 6th at the Kigali Worlds, proving he can still mix it with the elite.
Thibau Nys (The Future): The 2023 Cyclocross World Champion is transitioning beautifully. His stage wins in Norway, Poland, and his GC win at Tour de Hongrie 2024 prove he is a killer in one-week races.
Quinn Simmons (The Maverick): You can’t miss him. With his signature beard and aggressive racing style, Simmons has become a fan favorite, especially with the French public at the Tour de France. His “all-or-nothing” attacks make him the wildest card in the deck. He gives the team an X-factor that can disrupt any race script.
Lennard Kämna (The Sniper): Now entering his second season with the team, Kämna has fully integrated into the Trek structure. A massive tactical weapon, he remains one of the few active riders with stage wins in all three Grand Tours. He gives Lidl-Trek a “nuclear option” for mountain stages, a rider who can win from the breakaway without needing the full team’s support.
Albert Withen Philipsen (The Prodigy): The hype is real. After his neo-pro debut season in 2025, the young Dane, arguably one of the most exciting talent since Remco Evenepoel, is ready to step up. No longer just a rookie, 2026 will be about converting his immense power numbers into WorldTour results. Expect to see him testing the limits of the Madone Gen 8‘s aerodynamics in the Classics.
In one of the most brutal races in history, where only 30 riders finished out of 165 starters, Lidl-Trek was the last team standing. Six riders from the Lidl-Trek stable made it to the finish line, the highest number from any trade team in the world.
The Finishers: This wasn’t just survival; it was dominance. Having Skjelmose (4th), Skujins (5th), and Ciccone (6th) all in the top 10 is a statistic that even UAE Team Emirates couldn’t match.
The Pride of Africa: Special mention goes to Amanuel Ghebreigzabhier, who finished 30th. He was the only rider from the African continent to finish the race on home soil, a historic achievement powered by the Trek collective.
The Departures
To fund the “Galactico” era, sacrifices were made. Juan Pedro Lopez heads to Movistar, while veteran Jasper Stuyven moves to Soudal Quick-Step. The peloton also bids farewell to workhorses Tim Declercq and Ryan Gibbons, who retire from professional racing.
As an Amazon Associate, DMCX earns from qualifying purchases.
Complete Lidl-Trek 2026 Roster
Rider Name
Nationality
Key Role (2026)
AYUSO Juan
🇪🇸 Spain
GC Leader (Tour de France)
SKJELMOSE Mattias
🇩🇰 Denmark
GC Leader / Ardennes
PEDERSEN Mads
🇩🇰 Denmark
Classics Captain / Sprints
MILAN Jonathan
🇮🇹 Italy
Top Sprinter
GEOGHEGAN HART Tao
🇬🇧 UK
GC / Super-Domestique
CICCONE Giulio
🇮🇹 Italy
Climber / Stage Hunter
KÄMNA Lennard
🇩🇪 Germany
Stage Hunter / Breakaway King
SIMMONS Quinn
🇺🇸 USA
Classics / Breakaway
NYS Thibau
🇧🇪 Belgium
Puncher / Stage Hunter
SKUJIŅŠ Toms
🇱🇻 Latvia
Elite Support / Classics
KRAGH ANDERSEN Søren
🇩🇰 Denmark
Classics / Leadout
BAGIOLI Andrea
🇮🇹 Italy
Puncher
VERONA Carlos
🇪🇸 Spain
Mountain Support
KONRAD Patrick
🇦🇹 Austria
Climber Support
MOLLEMA Bauke
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Road Captain / Legend
GHEBREIGZABHIER Amanuel
🇪🇷 Eritrea
Climber
CONSONNI Simone
🇮🇹 Italy
Leadout Train
THEUNS Edward
🇧🇪 Belgium
Leadout / Classics
WALSCHEID Max
🇩🇪 Germany
Sprint Support / Engine
BERNARD Julien
🇫🇷 France
Road Captain / Breakaway
OOMEN Sam
🇳🇱 Netherlands
Climber Support
SOBRERO Matteo
🇮🇹 Italy
TT / All-rounder
VACEK Mathias
🇨🇿 Czechia
Young Talent / All-rounder
NORSGAARD Mathias
🇩🇰 Denmark
Rouleur / Engine
MOSCA Jacopo
🇮🇹 Italy
Domestique
VERGAERDE Otto
🇧🇪 Belgium
Domestique
WITHEN PHILIPSEN Albert
🇩🇰 Denmark
Neo-Pro Prodigy
SÖDERQVIST Jakob
🇸🇪 Sweden
Young Talent
TEUTENBERG Tim Torn
🇩🇪 Germany
Neo-Pro / Track Specialist
Lidl-Trek confirmed 2026 roster (29 Riders).
This 29-man roster is built to challenge the dominance of UAE and Visma. But do they have the fastest bikes? Compare the Trek Madone Gen 8 against the rest of the peloton in our WorldTour 2026 Team Bikes Master Guide.
