WorldTour Teams 2026: A Comprehensive Guide to the 18 Top-Tier Squads in the Men's Peloton
2025 is almost over, and the 2026 racing season is just around the corner. The excitement for the new season is palpable, with the top teams presenting their jersey designs and season goals. It's time to explore the new balance of power in the men's WorldTour peloton.
Tadej Pogačar and his UAE Team Emirates-XRG squad dominated in 2025, but Visma-Lease a Bike, Lidl-Trek, Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and Decathlon CMA CGM are stronger than ever. Could 2026 be a season of change?
Pogačar's chances of winning Paris-Roubaix or a record-equaling fifth Tour de France are intriguing. Remco Evenepoel's move to Red Bull, Olav Kooij's potential as a top sprinter with Decathlon, and Juan Ayuso's new role at Lidl-Trek are all worth watching.
Alpecin-Premier Tech
UCI World Ranking 2025: 9th
Key riders: Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen
Rider to watch: Tibor del Grosso
The Belgian team secured Premier Tech sponsorship in 2025, with Mathieu van der Poel and Jasper Philipsen remaining as team leaders. Van der Poel, at the peak of his career, will fight for victories in 2026.
Alpecin-Premier Tech lost Gianni Vermeersch, Fabio Van den Bossche, and Quinten Hermans, but Edward Planckaert stayed loyal. Tibor del Grosso's improvement and Francesco Busatto's confirmation of his under-23 talents are exciting prospects.
Bahrain Victorious
UCI World Ranking 2025: 10th
Key riders: Lenny Martinez, Antonio Tiberi
Rider to watch: Jakob Omrzel
Bahrain Victorious has a refreshed roster with Bianchi as a new bike sponsor. Lenny Martinez, Matej Mohorič, Pello Bilbao, and Antonio Tiberi are team leaders. Fred Wright moved to Pinarello-Q36.5, Jack Haig to Ineos, and Finlay Pickering to Jayco AlUla.
Attila Valter joins from Visma-Lease a Bike, and Alec Segaert from Lotto. The biggest signing is 19-year-old Slovenian talent Jakob Omrzel, who won the 2025 Giro d'Italia Next Gen and is considered the heir to Tadej Pogačar.
Decathlon CMA CGM Team
UCI World Ranking 2025: 7th
Key riders: Paul Seixas, Olav Kooij, Matthew Riccitello
Rider to watch: Léo Bisiaux
With CMA CGM joining as a title sponsor, the French team has a true super team budget and ambitions. Olav Kooij replaces Sam Bennett as lead sprinter, and the team has invested in a quality lead-out train.
EF Education-EasyPost
UCI World Ranking 2025: 12th
Key riders: Ben Healy, Neilson Powless, Luke Lamperti
Rider to watch: Mattia Agostinacchio
EF Education-EasyPost had a successful 2025 season with Ben Healy's Tour de France stage victory. The team has refreshed its roster, with Esteban Chaves and Rui Costa retired, and Mattia Agostinacchio stepping up.
Groupama-FDJ United
UCI World Ranking 2025: 18th
Key riders: Romain Grégoire, David Gaudu, Guillaume Martin-Guyonnet
Rider to watch: Maxime Decomble
Groupama-FDJ United has a new red and blue jersey but faces challenges with key losses and no major signings. Legendary team manager Marc Madiot is stepping down, and the team's hopes appear unchanged.
Ineos Grenadiers
UCI World Ranking 2025: 8th
Key riders: Josh Tarling, Filippo Ganna, Thymen Arensman
Rider to watch: Kévin Vauquelin
Ineos Grenadiers struggled in 2025 but aim to rebuild in 2026. Dave Brailsford and Geraint Thomas lead the team, with new sponsors TotalEnergies. Jack Haig and Michał Kwiatkowski's contract extensions are notable signings.
Lidl-Trek
UCI World Ranking 2025: 3rd
Key riders: Mads Pedersen, Juan Ayuso, Jonathan Milan
Rider to watch: Albert Philipsen
Lidl-Trek is going from strength to strength, with German-based supermarket chain ownership and new sponsors. Juan Ayuso's move from UAE is a significant addition, and the team is well-funded and ambitious.
Lotto Intermarché
UCI World Ranking 2025: 23rd
Key riders: Arnaud De Lie, Lennert Van Eetvelt
Rider to watch: Jarno Widar
Lotto Intermarché secured a WorldTour licence, merging with Uno-X Mobility. The team has a tight budget and a strong roster, with Arnaud De Lie and Jarno Widar standing out.
Movistar
UCI World Ranking 2025: 15th
Key riders: Enric Mas, Cian Uijtdebroeks
Rider to watch: Iván Romeo
Movistar is undergoing a quiet revolution with Sebastian Unzué taking over team management. The team has a largely Spanish roster, with Cian Uijtdebroeks and Juan Pedro López as new signings.
NSN Cycling Team
UCI World Ranking 2025: 14th
Key riders: Biniam Girmay, Stevie Williams
Rider to watch: Joe Blackmore
NSN Cycling has new owners and investors, and Biniam Girmay joins from Intermarché. The team is rebuilding after a troubled past, with a focus on sprint races and stage hunts.
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
UCI World Ranking 2025: 6th
Key riders: Remco Evenepoel, Primož Roglič, Florian Lipowitz
Rider to watch: Giulio Pellizzari
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe is set for its best season with Remco Evenepoel and Florian Lipowitz targeting the Tour de France. Primož Roglič and Giulio Pellizzari will lead in the Giro.
Soudal-QuickStep
UCI World Ranking 2025: 5th
Key riders: Paul Magnier, Tim Merlier
Rider to watch: Ethan Hayter
Soudal-QuickStep rebuilds post-Remco Evenepoel, focusing on sprints and Classics. New signings include Dylan van Baarle, Jasper Stuyven, and Fabio Van den Bossche.
Team Jayco AlUla
UCI World Ranking 2025: 16th
Key riders: Ben O'Connor, Michael Matthews, Luke Plapp
Rider to watch: Alessandro Covi
Team Jayco AlUla has a new roster with Pascal Ackermann, Alessandro Covi, and Finlay Pickering. Ben O'Connor and Michael Matthews lead the team in stage races and Classics.
Team Picnic PostNL
UCI World Ranking 2025: 17th
Key riders: Oscar Onley, Max Poole
Rider to watch: Mattia Gaffuri
Picnic PostNL will remain in the men's WorldTour, with a focus on scoring UCI points. The team has a one-year licence, and team manager Iwan Spekenbrink aims to secure WorldTour status in 2027 and 2028.
Visma-Lease a Bike
UCI World Ranking 2025: 2nd
Key riders: Jonas Vingegaard, Wout van Aert, Simon Yates
Rider to watch: Matthew Brennan
Visma-Lease a Bike has dominated in recent years but may have reached its peak. The team has lost Olav Kooij and Tiesj Benoot, and the roster may be tightening.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG
UCI World Ranking 2025: 1st
Key riders: Tadej Pogačar, Isaac del Toro, João Almeida
Rider to watch: Benoît Cosnefroy
UAE Team Emirates-XRG dominated in 2025 with Tadej Pogačar, Isaac del Toro, and João Almeida. The team's strength in depth and ambition will continue in 2026.
Uno-X Mobility
UCI World Ranking 2025: 11th
Key riders: Søren Wærenskjold, Magnus Cort
Rider to watch: Jonas Abrahamsen
Uno-X Mobility secured promotion to the 2026 WorldTour, with Søren Wærenskjold and Jonas Abrahamsen winning stages. The team is on the rise in Scandinavia.
XDS Astana
UCI World Ranking 2025: 4th
Key riders: Christian Scaroni, Diego Ulissi, Simone Velasco
Rider to watch: Alberto Bettiol
XDS Astana secured WorldTour status in 2025 with a Moneyball-style approach. The team has a largely unchanged roster, with a focus on points scoring and leadership from Alberto Bettiol.
