As the 2026 cycling season kicks off, one thing is crystal clear: the transfer market has shaken up the sport in ways we haven’t seen in years. But here’s where it gets controversial—while some teams have soared to new heights, others have plummeted, leaving fans and analysts alike scratching their heads. At the top of the pile? INEOS Grenadiers, who’ve made waves with their bold signings. Meanwhile, powerhouses like Team Visma | Lease a Bike and UAE Team Emirates find themselves near the bottom, raising questions about their strategies for the season ahead.
The rankings, meticulously compiled by ProCyclingStats, are based on the points riders have scored this year, adjusted for the gains and losses each team has experienced through transfers. And this is the part most people miss—while it’s not a perfect measure, it offers a fascinating glimpse into which teams have strengthened their rosters compared to 2025.
INEOS Grenadiers leads the pack by a staggering margin. Their success didn’t come cheap, though. The British team reportedly shelled out millions to secure Oscar Onley, the Scottish climbing sensation, for the next three years. They also added Kévin Vauquelin, Dorian Godon, and Sam Welsford to their lineup. While they parted ways with Geraint Thomas and Caleb Ewan, neither rider delivered significant results in 2025, so the loss is hardly felt.
Next up are the teams backed by Red Bull and Lidl, both of which have made substantial investments to bolster their rosters. Red Bull’s signing of Remco Evenepoel is a game-changer. The Belgian star joins an already strong team, but his presence could be the key to dominating major events. Lidl-Trek, now a German team, has also made strategic moves, acquiring Grand Tour heavyweights Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee. With under-23 World Champion Jakob Söderqvist in the mix, they’re poised to make waves in both stage races and classics.
But here’s the real shocker—Team Visma and UAE Team Emirates are languishing near the bottom. Team Picnic PostNL takes the last spot, having signed eight riders without a single standout star. They’ve also lost key players like Oscar Onley and Tobias Lund Andresen, not to mention the retirement of Romain Bardet. It’s hard to see them competing at the top level this season.
UAE Team Emirates’ struggles are equally glaring. The departure of Juan Ayuso, who performed admirably despite his Giro d’Italia withdrawal, is a massive blow. Alessandro Covi and Rafal Majka are also gone, with Benoît Cosnefroy, Kevin Vermaerke, and Adrià Pericas stepping in to fill the void. But are they enough to keep the team competitive?
Team Visma | Lease a Bike faces its own challenges. Beyond the official tally, they’ve lost Fem van Empel and Simon Yates in quick succession. The exits of Olav Kooij, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Tiesj Benoot, and Dylan van Baarle have stripped the team of its versatility. While Davide Piganzoli and Bruno Armirail are promising signings, their impact in 2026 remains uncertain.
Here’s the burning question: Are teams like Visma and UAE underestimating the importance of roster depth, or is this a calculated risk? And what does this mean for the balance of power in cycling? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—this is one debate you won’t want to miss!
