Tour de France 2025. Evenepoel, Vauquelin, Décathlon... On the transfer market side, it's time for big moves
As August 1 approaches, the futures of many riders in the peloton are currently being decided. Some of the Tour de France's leading figures still don't know which jersey they'll be wearing in 2026.
Many moves are being announced between teams as the first official announcements are due to take place on August 1st . Photo Sipa/Pete Goding
It's during the Tour de France's rest days that contracts are discussed, negotiated, and finalized. This statement is no longer entirely true: a large proportion of cycling transfers are now finalized well in advance. We're talking weeks, months, or even years in advance. However, it's always during the Tour de France that the slightest rumor can spread like wildfire and take on phenomenal proportions: Remco Evenepoel can attest to this. As August 1st , the date of the first official announcements, approaches dangerously close, here's a look at the major moves expected or that are causing a stir in the cycling world.
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Evenepoel, the sea serpent of departure"2026 is a long way off." Remco Evenepoel chose to respond, but also to brush aside, the pressing questions about his possible departure from Soudal Quick-Step next year. During a press conference held this Tuesday in Toulouse, the Belgian was obviously asked about the persistent rumors sending him towards other horizons. "I can't comment on that because it's speculation, and everyone has to stay happy. A lot of things are happening, but that's been the case for years." The two-time Olympic champion is enigmatic, and also assures that "a lot of things [he reads] are not true."
The third-place finisher in the last Tour de France, still in a position to be the third man in this 2025 edition, is willingly sent to the German team RedBull-Bora-Hansgrohe in a few months. Why? Because the structure that the energy drink brand joined in 2024 is undoubtedly the only one capable of paying Evenepoel's transfer fee (which it did last winter with Maxim Van Gils), but also of remunerating the second highest-paid cyclist in the world (behind Tadej Pogacar ). Another argument: that of the bike. RedBull rides on Specialized, like Remco, who has a personal connection to the brand.
While Evenepoel's name has also been linked to the Ineos-Grenadiers team in recent years (also more discreetly to Lidl-Trek), it now seems unlikely that the British team will be able to secure his services. So, will he leave or not after racing his first six professional years with the same Soudal Quick-Step team? "Yes, a transfer is perhaps possible," commented Ralph Denk, manager of the main interested parties, in an internal podcast: "Remco has a contract with his current team. He must first discuss his possible departure with them. He must then find a solution."
At Decathlon, change is now
This is the team that will experience the most changes. While a new co-sponsor will replace AG2R and Decathlon has taken over the French team, which wants to eventually become a top 3 in the world (and is aiming for the Tour by 2030 with its nugget Paul Seixas ), a third of the current squad will change (and another 30% in the following transfer windows). Between non-renewals, wishes to leave and unsatisfactory offers, the Savoie-based team will have a completely different face in 2026.
With the goal of classics and sprints in 2026 (and a budget increasing by 10 million euros, reaching 40 million), the Dutchman Olav Kooij, the Belgian Tiesj Benoot (Visma) and the Dane Tobias Lund Andresen (PicNic) should be the main headliners, supported by many supporters (Cees Bol, Daan Hoole, Robbe Ghys). Other recruits are expected while only one youngster from the development team will move up to the next level (not the great promise Aubin Sparfel , who continues with the Continental).
Almost all of the riders whose contracts are ending this year are leaving: Bruno Armirail (Visma), Sam Benett, Clément Berthet, Geoffrey Bouchard, Benoît Cosnefroy , Dries de Bondt, French champion Dorian Godon (Ineos), Victor Lafay , Nans Peters, Bastien Tronchon (Groupama-FDJ) and Andrea Vendrame.
The future of Breton team Arkéa-B&B Hotels is up in the air. Emmanuel Hubert's team, already certain to lose its two current title sponsors at the end of the year, still hopes to find one—or more—new partners to start again next season. But faced with uncertainty, none of the 27 riders in the main team can rule out a departure. This is the case for Kévin Vauquelin , the new darling of the French since the Grand Départ in Lille. The Norman can rely on his excellent start to the season (victories in the Étoile de Bessèges, the Région Pays de la Loire Tour, 2nd place in the Flèche Wallonne, overall leader until the final stage of the Tour de Suisse, etc.) to attract interested parties. According to La Gazzetta dello Sport , the 23-year-old rider is close to joining Ineos-Grenadiers.
For Arnaud Démare (33 years old, 97 professional victories), on the other hand, the question of retirement is bound to arise. While the situation is a little less precarious at TotalEnergies, the main sponsor having assured that he will stay in 2026, Pierre Latour is uncertain about his desire to remain in the peloton. For Bryan Coquard (33 years old), whose contract with Cofidis is coming to an end, retirement also seems to be getting closer.
Regarding Julien Bernard (33 years old), who made no secret of his disappointment at not riding another Tour under the colors of Lidl-Trek, Le Bien Public recently explained that he "should remain loyal to his long-standing team." This suggests that an extension is on the agenda for the Burgundian, who has been a rider with the American team for ten years.
Among the big names, Roglic about to extend his contract?
For the peloton's leading lights, the summer could be relatively quiet. Juan Ayuso, once rumored to be at Movistar, is expected to remain with UAE despite missing the Giro d'Italia last May.
Uncertainty remains, however, for Primoz Roglic (35 years old). The Slovenian, who joined BORA – Hansgrohe – Red Bull in 2024 to avoid being overshadowed by Jonas Vingegaard at Visma, is already at the end of his contract. And, inevitably, a possible arrival of Remco Evenepoel would tend to bring back bad memories. According to journalist Daniel Benson, who is well-informed about the peloton's transfer window, the trend is, however, towards an extension for at least one more season.
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