Get ready for an exciting cycling season! The 2026 season is here, and it's time to uncover which teams have made the biggest strides and which are lagging behind. The transfer market has been abuzz, and while it never officially closes, most of the action has already taken place. Let's dive into the teams that have improved significantly and those that might need a little more work.
ProCyclingStats has ranked the teams based on their riders' points this year, and the results are quite intriguing. While we should always approach these rankings with a pinch of salt, they showcase the teams that have strengthened their rosters compared to last season.
And the team that takes the top spot with a significant margin is none other than INEOS Grenadiers! This British team has made some impressive moves, reportedly shelling out millions to secure the services of Oscar Onley, a talented Scottish climber. But that's not all; they've also signed Kévin Vauquelin, Dorian Godon, and Sam Welsford, among others, while retaining their key leaders. Geraint Thomas and Caleb Ewan may have departed, but their impact on the team's performance in 2025 was minimal.
Following closely behind are two teams with substantial budgets but still trailing UAE and Visma. Red Bull and Lidl have made significant investments, resulting in some massive signings that have elevated their teams' overall strength.
Red Bull's acquisition of Remco Evenepoel is a game-changer. The Belgian star joins a strong team, but his presence could be the difference-maker in winning some of the biggest events on the calendar. And that's not the only talent they've added; several other skilled riders have joined the team this year. However, they've also said goodbye to Roger Adrià, Matteo Sobrero, and Sam Welsford, and let's not forget Oier Lazkano, who was suspended and subsequently released.
Lidl-Trek takes the third spot, having lost Jasper Stuyven and Daan Hoole but gaining two Grand Tour powerhouses in Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee. This now-German team has significantly boosted its chances in stage races and Grand Tours with its new leaders. Additionally, under-23 World Champion Jakob Söderqvist will provide a massive boost in both classics and time trials.
But what about the teams at the bottom of the list? Team Picnic PostNL finds itself at the very bottom, having signed eight riders but none of them being big-name stars. They've also lost Oscar Onley, Tobias Lund Andresen, and Kevin Vermaerke, and with the retirement of Romain Bardet, the team is facing an uphill battle to perform at the top level this year.
UAE Team Emirates - XRG is the second-worst-off team, and the reasons are clear. The departure of Juan Ayuso, who performed strongly despite withdrawing from the Giro d'Italia, leaves a significant gap. Additionally, Alessandro Covi and Rafal Majka have also left, while the signings of Benoît Cosnefroy, Kevin Vermaerke, and Adrià Pericas are not enough to fill the void.
Team Visma | Lease a Bike is in a tricky situation as well. In addition to the departure of Fem van Empel (on an undefined break from racing) and Simon Yates, the team has lost key riders like Olav Kooij, Cian Uijtdebroeks, Tiesj Benoot, and Dylan van Baarle. While they've made some quality signings, including Davide Piganzoli and Bruno Armirail, their performance in 2026 remains uncertain.
So, who are the winners and losers of the 2026 transfer season? Here's a breakdown:
Transfers Surplus 2026 Season:
| Team | Points Lost | Points Gained | Up/Down |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| INEOS Grenadiers | 306 | 4264 | ▲3958 |
| Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe | 1119 | 3206 | ▲2087 |
| Lidl - Trek | 1015 | 2890 | ▲1875 |
| Decathlon CMA CGM Team | 3429 | 4114 | ▲685 |
| Movistar Team | 838 | 1505 | ▲667 |
| XDS Astana Team | 891 | 1348 | ▲457 |
| Uno-X Mobility | 450 | 878 | ▲428 |
| Groupama - FDJ United | 1232 | 1623 | ▲391 |
| NSN Cycling Team | 1964 | 2296 | ▲332 |
| Lotto Intermarché | 1257 | 1550 | ▲293 |
| Team Jayco AlUla | 1534 | 1700 | ▲166 |
| EF Education - EasyPost | 443 | 535 | ▲92 |
| Bahrain - Victorious | 1358 | 979 | ▼379 |
| Alpecin-Premier Tech | 1434 | 783 | ▼651 |
| Soudal Quick-Step | 2683 | 1900 | ▼783 |
| Team Visma | Lease a Bike | 2989 | 2199 | ▼790 |
| UAE Team Emirates - XRG | 2152 | 611 | ▼1541 |
| Team Picnic PostNL | 3171 | 416 | ▼2755 |
And there you have it! The 2026 season is shaping up to be an exciting one, with some teams making significant improvements and others facing challenges. But here's where it gets controversial: do you think these rankings accurately reflect the teams' potential? And this is the part most people miss: what impact will these transfers have on the overall cycling landscape? Feel free to share your thoughts and predictions in the comments! Let's discuss and debate!
