Bicycle Racing News and Opinion,
Wednesday, October 14, 2026
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Current racing:
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Guangxi
- Oct 13 - 18: Tour of Holland
- Oct 14: Giro del Veneto
Upcoming racing:
- Oct 18: Chrono des Nations
- Oct 18: Veneto Classic
- Oct 18: Japan Cup road Race
Latest completed racing:
- Oct 11: Paris-Tours
- Oct 10: Il Lombardia
- Oct 8: Gran Piemonte
- Oct 3 - 7: Elite European Road Championships
- Oct 6: Tre Valli Varesine
- Oct 6: Binche-Chimay-Binche
- Oct 5: Coppa Bernocchi
- Sept 27 - Oct 4: Le Tour de Langkawi
- Oct 4: Coppa Agostoni
- Oct 3: Giro dell'Emilia
- Oct 3: Sparkassen Münsterland Giro
- September 20 - 27: World Road Championships
Here's the team's announcement:
Two-time TT world champion and Olympic gold medallist set to strengthen Lidl-Trek’s ambitions across the Classics, Grand Tours and time trials over the next three years
Lidl-Trek is delighted to announce the signing of Filippo Ganna, with the Italian powerhouse set to join the team for the 2027 season. Among the most accomplished riders of his generation, Ganna is one of the world’s leading time triallists and a formidable force across the biggest one-day races and Grand Tours.
The 30-year-old has twice been crowned World Time Trial Champion and excels in races against the clock. His palmarès on the road include eight stage victories in the Giro d’Italia, two at the Vuelta a España and five in Tirreno-Adriatico. With immense power and versatility, the Italian has played a key role in some of the biggest Classics too – he finished twice on the podium at Milano-Sanremo and in 2026 won a dramatic edition of Dwars door Vlaanderen, proving his ability to turn his time trialing prowess into success across all terrain.
Filippo Ganna finishes 2026 Tour de France stage 12. Sirotti photo
Away from the road, Ganna’s track pedigree is equally impressive. He was part of Italy’s Olympic gold-medal-winning Team Pursuit squad in Tokyo and has collected numerous World Championship titles in the discipline, plus he is the current men’s UCI Hour Record holder.
Speaking about his choice to join Lidl-Trek ahead of an ambitious 2027 season, Ganna commented:
“I am really looking forward to next year with such a big team like Lidl-Trek. I am super proud to join and I really can't wait for the first training camp and to start the season in the best way possible. After eight years with my current team, opening a new chapter is super nice and I feel great motivation for the season. I have big goals I hope to achieve with Lidl-Trek, particularly in the Classics – with the team we will have, nothing is out of reach. Of course, the Grand Tours remain an important objective, and I look forward to supporting the team whilst taking my own chances."
The Italian rider is already familiar with many of his future teammates, having ridden to success as part of the Italian national team with Jonathan Milan and Simone Consonni. Ganna is excited to work with his compatriots, as well as join up with Lidl-Trek’s other leaders.
“I know Simo and Jonny from riding together on the track. With Simo, it’s nice to be back together in the same team after many years. With Jonny, it will be great to work with him as he is a super nice guy. I also train with Matteo; he really motivates me when the days are really tough. Mads is number one for the team and I hope to be a good shoulder for him and also the other way round, I know he will be a good supporter for me.”
Ganna’s arrival adds another dimension to an already strong Lidl-Trek squad, bringing experience and proven success at the very highest level. With his ability to deliver in time trials, drive the pace on the toughest roads and compete for victories himself, Ganna is another asset in Lidl-Trek’s growing roster across a wide range of objectives.
Lidl-Trek CEO Andy Schleck commented:
“Filippo is an exceptional talent and a rider who has consistently proven himself at the very highest level of our sport. His achievements speak for themselves, but what really excites us is the range of opportunities he brings to the team. From time trials and the Classics to Grand Tours, there are very few riders in the peloton with his combination of power, experience and versatility.
“We believe Filippo still has a lot to achieve in his career, and we want to give him the environment and support to continue pushing his limits. He is a rider who can win some of the biggest races in the world, but also make a huge difference to the success of his teammates. We have a clear plan for the future, and Filippo is a key part of turning that plan into a reality. We’re really looking forward to seeing what we can achieve together.”
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We psoted the report from stage winner Paul Magnier's Team Soudal Quick-Step with the results.
Here's the report from second-place Sam Welsford's Team Netcompany INEOS:
Sam Welsford kicked off the Tour of Guangxi with a strong sprint effort to claim second place in Chongzuo.
The Australian was guided through a chaotic run-in well by his Netcompany INEOS team-mates, navigating himself onto the wheel of eventual winner Paul Magnier (Soudal Quick-Step).
Welsford was able to overcome Max Kanter (XDS Astana) at the line for second place, picking up bonus seconds at the end of a rapid first stage.
Paul Magnier beats Sam Welsford in Tour of Guangxi stage one. Team Netcompany INEOS photo
The day's strong three-man breakaway were reeled in with 8km to go, leading to a flurry of counter-attacks on the approach to the finish.
Kevin Vauquelin would finish safely in the bunch on the opening day, while AJ August was also able to finish on the same time after overcoming a late mechanical.
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Here's the Tour of Guangxi report from Team Picnic-PostNL:
The opening stage of Tour of Guangxi was a flat one, with just under 150 kilometers on the menu and a bunch sprint expected at the finish. A three-rider breakaway spent much of the day up the road, but the peloton kept the gap under control and brought the race back together inside the final 10 kilometers.
Team Picnic PostNL moved towards the front with the full team in the closing kilometers, positioning Frits Biesterbos well for the expected sprint. In a hectic finale, Magnier took the victory, while Biesterbos sprinted to 15th place.
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Here’s the team’s announcement:
Ethan Vernon, Krists Neilands, Pier-André Côté and Floris Van Tricht will race on with NSN Cycling Team in 2027 and beyond, as the four riders have all extended their time with the UCI WorldTeam.
Vernon, who wrote his name into the history books when he claimed the team’s first win in NSN colors at January’s Tour Down Under, and Neilands have signed through to 2029.
Côté, who last month represented Canada at a home World Championships, and Belgian rider Van Tricht will race for the team through to the end of 2028.
“Extending the contracts of these riders into 2027 and beyond will help us achieve our goals over the coming seasons,” explains General Manager Kjell Carlström. “We know that Ethan, Krists, Pier-André and Floris are all ambitious, talented and dependable riders, so we’re happy that they’ll be staying with us.
“Re-signing Ethan after his victories this season – especially at the Tour Down Under and Volta a Catalunya, our home race – was an easy decision. He only turned 26 in August, so we’re confident that he can continue to perform at a high level for years to come.
“Krists, Pier-André and Floris may not have had as much public attention as Ethan in 2026, but all three of them have played key roles in important wins and podium finishes for the team. Their knowledge of races from January through to October makes all three of them incredibly important for teammates and sports directors.”
Ethan Vernon wins 2026 Tour Down Under stage four. Sirotti photo
Ethan Vernon, NSN Cycling Team
British rider Vernon has re-signed with the team after a season in which he has won four races and recorded 13 other top-five results.
He says: “I’m really happy to be extending with the team. I feel at home here, and I’m excited to keep developing as a rider, working towards my goals and being part of the team’s continued growth and success over the next three years.”
Krists Neilands, NSN Cycling Team
Neilands, 32, will become our longest-serving rider in 2027, which marks the Latvian’s 11th season with the team. In July he rode and finished his sixth Tour de France, more than any other rider for NSN.
“I’m really happy to stay with NSN for another three years,” he says. “I have grown up with this team and I have always said that it feels like home for me, and that hasn’t changed.
“The goal is to win as many bike races as possible as a team. For me, it doesn’t matter if the winner is a teammate or myself, all that matters is that we are all getting to the start line with the same mindset and the same goal, and this is what the NSN Cycling Team is about.”
Côté’s and Van Tricht’s time as teammates dates back to 2024, when they were part of our Development squad. The pair have gone on to prove themselves as invaluable domestiques across one-day and stage races, while also delivering results when presented with leadership opportunities.
Pier-André Côté, NSN Cycling Team
“I’ve progressed a lot in the way I can support our leaders in key moments during hard races over the last 24 months, which makes me even more excited about the next two years with the team,” says 29-year-old Côté.
“We’re surrounded by great people off the bike, and we’ve got an amazing group of guys to race with. The team has given me the tools to progress a lot since I have joined, and I hope I can keep this trend going.”
Floris Van Tricht, NSN Cycling Team
Van Tricht, who recorded podium finishes in this year’s Ronde van Limburg and Muur Classic Geraardsbergen, says: “I’m really happy that I can stay in this team. I have good relationships with the riders and staff, and I think I’ve made some good steps with the team’s support.
“My results at the start of this season showed that when I am in good shape I can achieve some podiums, and I really want to get my first professional victory in 2027. I also hope I can play a role in helping my teammates win races, like when Corbin [Strong] won at Circuit Franco-Belge in June.”