The “Remco Era” is officially over. And honestly? That might be the best thing to happen to the team. Welcome to the Soudal Quick-Step 2026 Team Guide.
With Remco Evenepoel moving to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe (see our full guide here), the vacuum left behind has been filled by pure, unfiltered adrenaline. The “Wolfpack” is back to its roots: hunting stages, dominating the cobbles, and causing chaos.
For the Soudal Quick-Step 2026 season, the direction is clear. With General Manager Jurgen Foré now entering his second full season at the helm (having replaced Patrick Lefevere in 2025), the transition phase is over. He has re-assembled a squad of killers. They aren’t here to defend a Yellow Jersey; they are here to attack. With veterans like Mikel Landa and Jasper Stuyven joining forces with young French phenomenon Paul Magnier, this team is dangerous.
This guide analyzes the new “Classics Super-Squad,” the rivalry with Decathlon CMA CGM, and the S-Works tech powering the rebuild.
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.
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.
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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.
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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.
Remco Evenepoel to Join BORA-Red Bull in 2026 is now official. The Belgian star’s transfer from Soudal-QuickStep marks one of the most significant moves in recent UCI WorldTour history and could reshape the Tour de France GC battle. Backed by Red Bull, the German-Austrian squad gains one of cycling’s top GC contenders..
Courtship Since 2022: Remco Evenepoel Transfer News
Both BORA–Red Bull and INEOS Grenadiers have pursued Evenepoel since his Vuelta a España 2022 victory. With Remco Evenepoel to Join BORA–Red Bull in 2026, the long-running speculation finally ends, and attention now turns to how he’ll adapt to his new team environment.
Big Salary, Bigger Ambitions : BORA–Red Bull Cycling Team 2026
4. A less-publicized but key move happened on July 30, 2025: Sven Vanthourenhout, former Belgian National Road Team selector and close friend of Evenepoel, replaced Rolf Aldag as BORA–Red Bull’s team director.
Equipment Outlook: Specialized Tarmac SL8 Pro Cycling
Evenepoel’s switch comes with minimal disruption in equipment. Both Soudal–QuickStep and BORA–Red Bull race on Specialized Tarmac SL8 bikes with Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 and Roval wheels.
Impact on Soudal–QuickStep 2026 Roster Changes
With Evenepoel’s departure, Soudal–QuickStep loses its marquee GC rider and is expected to focus on Spring Classics and Grand Tour stage wins.
Historic Parallels in Pro Cycling Transfers
Evenepoel’s move recalls landmark transfers like Peter Sagan to BORA or Chris Froome’s departure from Team Ineos, which shifted sponsor relationships and competitive ambitions.
Key Questions Ahead: Tour de France GC Contenders 2026
Primoz ROGLIC and Florian Lipowitz (RED BULL – BORA – HANSGROHE) A.S.O./Billy Ceusters
How will BORA–Red Bull balance leadership among Evenepoel, Roglič, and Lipowitz? Will Evenepoel target the Tour de France or split focus with the Giro/Vuelta?
Related Reads on DMCX.com
More coverage on 2026 WorldTour transfers, team bike setups, and rider profiles will be published soon on DMCX.com. Stay tuned for upcoming articles on BORA–Red Bull, Soudal–QuickStep, and other Tour de France GC contenders.
In this article, I break down Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s 2025 Cervélo R5 Bike size and full setup, component by component, with a special focus on her bike fit and sizing choices. For cycling enthusiasts, gearheads, and fans of Ferrand-Prévot’s multidiscipline dominance, here’s an inside look at what powered her to the yellow jersey.
When Pauline Ferrand-Prévot attacked on Stage 8 of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift, ascending the legendary Col de la Madeleine, she wasn’t just riding with power and panache – she was riding one of the most refined climbing machines in the UCI Women’s WorldTour: the Cervélo R5. But it wasn’t just any R5. This was a meticulously fitted 48 cm frame, customized for Pauline’s physique, riding style, and climbing objectives.
Ferrand-Prévot races for Team Visma | Lease a Bike, (Meet the 2025 Tour de France teams and their bikes) one of the premier teams in the UCI WorldTour Women’s circuit. With her Olympic MTB gold medal, World Championships across disciplines, and now a return to road racing, she brings an unmatched palmarès to the peloton.
A Compact Weapon: 48 cm Frame Size
Standing at approximately 165 cm tall, Pauline Ferrand-Prévot rides a 48 cm Cervélo R5 frame – the smallest size offered by Cervélo in this model. This compact geometry allows for agile handling and a lower center of gravity, both of which are essential on steep alpine climbs like the Col de la Madeleine.
What’s especially notable is that she is racing on a new iteration of the Cervélo R5 that has not yet been released on Cervélo’s website as of August 3rd, 2025. According to multiple reports, this model was developed in close collaboration with Team Visma | Lease a Bike and shares the same geometry as the latest Cervélo S5, aligning with the team’s request for performance parity across bike platforms.
The R5 frame is engineered for stiffness-to-weight optimization. It’s a pure climber’s bike that excels under the immense torque a rider like Pauline can produce. At this size, the bike remains feather-light while preserving responsiveness.
that excels under the immense torque a rider like Pauline can produce. At this size, the bike remains feather-light while preserving responsiveness.
Crank Length: Optimized for 48 cm Performance
Pauline uses 165 mm crank arms – a length that’s not only shorter than the more traditional 170 or 172.5 mm cranks, but also the standard specification for Cervélo’s 48 cm frame size. This isn’t a coincidence – it’s a result of meticulous fit optimization that aligns with Cervélo’s own sizing philosophy.
Across the Women’s WorldTour peloton, 165 mm has become the norm for riders on smaller frames. This crank length supports:
A more aero and compact pedal stroke
Better hip clearance
Quicker cadence and efficient power transfer, especially during climbs
For Ferrand-Prévot, it also reflects her MTB and cyclocross heritage, where high cadence and fast leg speed are crucial. On the R5, it complements her body geometry and riding style perfectly, ensuring biomechanical efficiency throughout the toughest stages.
Pauline rides with a Cervélo one-piece integrated handlebar and stem, a design update from the previous Vision cockpit seen on earlier R5 models. Her cockpit setup includes a 360 mm handlebar width and a 90 mm stem length, both matched to her compact 48 cm frame.
This bar-and-stem combo offers a fully integrated front-end with hidden cabling for a clean, aerodynamic profile. The narrow width improves frontal efficiency, while the 90 mm stem keeps her position responsive yet stable on tight mountain switchbacks. It’s a setup tailored for climbing, with comfort and control dialed in for aggressive uphill efforts and confident descending.
Full Bike Setup: 2025 Cervélo R5 Team Visma | Lease a Bike Edition
Frame: Cervélo R5, 48 cm
Fork: Cervélo
Headset: FSA
Axles: Cervélo
Handlebar & Stem: Cervélo integrated one-piece cockpit (360 mm width / 90 mm stem)
Bottom Bracket: SRAM DUB Ceramic, BBright
Crankset: SRAM Red AXS 2X with Quarq Power Meter, 165 mm crank arms
Chain: SRAM Red, 12-speed (waxed with Silca Super Secret Chain Wax)
This setup isn’t just about grams and gears. Every detail is optimized for performance. The Reserve 34/37 wheels, for instance, are specifically chosen for climbing stages: the shallow 34 mm front provides stability and reduced weight, while the 37 mm rear balances stiffness with lightweight climbing efficiency.
Meanwhile, Vittoria Corsa Pro TLR 29 mm tires give her grip and confidence on descents while reducing rolling resistance on the climbs. Paired with SRAM Red hydraulic disc brakes and ceramic bearings, she’s able to push the limit on technical sections with maximum control.
Pauline’s cockpit and drivetrain choices reflect her cross-discipline experience. A responsive, short-reach cockpit and tight gearing range allow for quick reactions, whether that’s a seated surge on a 10% gradient or managing a switchback descent.
And let’s not forget her SRAM Red chain is waxed with Silca Super Secret Chain Wax, ensuring optimal drivetrain efficiency and cleanliness in the mountains.
What She Wears on the Bike
Pauline races in full Team Visma | Lease a Bike official AGU kit, including the custom-fitted jersey and bib shorts (cuissard).
Shoes: Nimbl, white edition
Socks: DeFeet EVO Jet
Gloves: Gripgrab
Sunglasses: Oakley
Helmet: Giro
These choices combine comfort, ventilation, and performance. The Nimbl shoes are known for their stiffness and lightweight construction essential for climbing. The DeFeet socks and Gripgrab gloves reflect the Visma team attention to both function and fine details.
Off the bike, Pauline is often spotted wearing Nike apparel, as both the men’s and women’s Team Visma | Lease a Bike squads are sponsored by Nike for all casual and off-bike clothing. While Nike has not issued a global press release, the partnership is confirmed by the team and appears to be managed through Nike Netherlands or the brand’s EMEA regional division. The collaboration focuses specifically on lifestyle and travel apparel, not racewear, aligning the team’s off-bike presence with Nike’s brand identity. It blends casual athletic style with the professionalism you’d expect from a multi-discipline world champion.
Stage 8: The Queen Stage of the 2025 Tour de France Femmes
The Col de la Madeleine is one of cycling’s most revered climbs. On Stage 8, Ferrand-Prévot attacked with roughly 7 km to go and distanced all her GC rivals including Vollering and Niewiadoma. Her Cervélo R5, fitted to perfection, was the silent partner in this attack, translating every watt into forward motion.
In her post-stage interview, she credited her team and her “amazing machine” for the performance. Watching her dance on the pedals, body steady, cadence high. It’s easy to see how much of a role her bike fit and setup played in the triumph.
Final Thoughts: Why Bike Fit Still Rules the Game
At the pro level, marginal gains make massive differences. Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s setup is the result of years of data, testing, and refinement. While her power, tactics, and resilience won her the stage, the precision of her bike setup made it possible.
The 48 cm frame, 165 mm cranks, and 360 mm handlebar width might seem like small numbers. But in the high mountains of the Tour de France Femmes, they added up to something huge: a yellow jersey.
Whether you’re a racer or weekend warrior, there’s a lot to learn from this. Fit before flash. Balance before bling. And always ride a machine that fits you like a second skin. As proven by Pauline Ferrand-Prévot’s 2025 Cervélo R5 Bike Size, the right fit is the ultimate performance upgrade.
