Newsflash: December 12th, Girmay Joins NSN, Pogačar Tests Roubaix and Roglič Targets the Vuelta

QUEBEC CITY, QUEBEC - SEPTEMBER 10: Biniam Girmay of Eritrea and Team Intermarche - Wanty during the training prior to the 14th Grand Prix Cycliste de Quebec & Montreal 2025 / #UCIWT / on September 10, 2025 in Quebec City, Quebec. (Photo by Szymon Gruchalski/Getty Images)

The WorldTour is being reshaped for 2026 as team mergers, promotions and big transfers redraw the peloton, Tadej Pogačar signals massive Classics ambitions with an early and gritty Paris Roubaix recon and Primož Roglič narrows his focus to a record fifth Vuelta a España as others eye the Tour.


The WorldTour is heading into a period of major change as teams prepare for the 2026 to 2028 cycle. Lotto and Intermarché Wanty have merged to form a new 30 rider Lotto Intermarché squad that retains some stars. The transfer market is highlighted by Biniam Girmay’s move to the newly formed NSN Cycling Team, a project now backed by former footballer Andrés Iniesta.

At the same time, Tadej Pogačar is already shaping the narrative for next season after a surprise 160 kilometre reconnaissance of the Paris Roubaix cobbles. His winter test of bike setups and tyre pressures on iconic sectors such as Camphin en Pévèle and the Carrefour de l’Arbre strengthens speculation that he will target not only the Tour de France but also monuments like Milan San Remo and Paris Roubaix.

Meanwhile, Primož Roglič has chosen clarity for 2026 by deciding not to chase the Tour and instead focus entirely on a record fifth Vuelta a España.


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