Get ready for what could be the most electrifying off-season in professional cycling history! As the 2025 season winds down, elite riders are finally catching their breath after grueling races, setting their sights on the 2026 Grand Tours. With routes for these prestigious events still under wraps—no official announcements yet—we're piecing together potential lineups based on rider statements, team dynamics, and strategic ambitions. Think of it like solving a complex puzzle where every piece is a star athlete, from Tadej Pogacar to Jonas Vingegaard and Remco Evenepoel. We'll dive into who's eyeing the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, or Vuelta a España, exploring confirmed plans and educated guesses that could shake up the cycling world. But here's where it gets controversial—rider choices might clash with team interests, sparking debates on ambition versus balance. Stick around, because the twists in these decisions could redefine dominance in the sport!
First off, let's talk about what's already set in stone. Cian Uijtdebroeks has officially joined Movistar Team, and his goals are crystal clear. He's locking in the Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España for next year, likely leading the Giro solo—a spot previously dominated by Einer Rubio. This shift probably means Rubio and Enric Mas will pivot to the Tour de France, with Mas potentially doubling up the Tour and Vuelta, just like he's done in recent seasons. Simple enough, right? But think about it: how these young talents are positioned could either launch careers or lead to internal team tensions.
Then there's Mattias Skjelmose, whose plans we caught wind of straight from CyclingUpToDate right before this year's Tour. He downplayed his overall classification ambitions there but insisted on full leadership support for the 2026 Giro d'Italia. Of course, Juan Ayuso's recent team switch might shake things up—could priorities change with such a rising star onboard? It's a classic case of evolving strategies, and this is the part most people miss: how new arrivals can disrupt carefully laid plans, forcing teams to adapt on the fly.
For the other big names, we're reading between the lines of their statements and the broader team setups, even with Grand Tour routes unannounced (the Tour's reveal is slated for October 23rd). By factoring in squad strengths and rider compatibilities, we can speculate on likely paths for cycling's heavyweights.
Starting with Tadej Pogacar and UAE Team Emirates - XRG: The Slovenian sensation, a Tour de France icon, is almost certainly sticking to just the Tour in 2026, gunning for a record-equaling fifth victory. He toyed with adding the Vuelta this year, but juggling Tour prep, the Spanish race, and late-season targets like the hilly World and European Championships plus Il Lombardia proved unsustainable. For beginners wondering why this matters, imagine training for a marathon, then sprinting a 5K right after—fatigue hits hard. Just look at how Jonas Vingegaard and João Almeida struggled post-Vuelta; Pogacar likely dodged the same by focusing. And with the Worlds in Montréal's challenging hills (where his peak form could make him unbeatable), plus sponsor commitments and personal drive, skipping the Tour isn't an option. Broader picture? It aligns perfectly with his spring wins, but not with Giro prep. Personally, I believe he could conquer the Giro—his 2024 Tour performance after the Giro was phenomenal, thanks to spot-on physical and mental prep. Yet without altitude training or ideal buildup, he'd face a fired-up Jonas Vingegaard. UAE's got a squad full of sharks, balancing ambitions is tricky. Juan Ayuso's exit changes the game, but with Isaac del Toro exploding onto the scene and João Almeida peaking, questions arise: Who leads where?
In my view, del Toro is 95% locked for the Giro with solid backing to chase the general classification win, as a solo leader this time. Why waste such talent as Pogacar's support at the Tour when he nearly took the Giro himself? Almeida, with more experience as Pogacar's wingman and friend, fits better there. Picture del Toro dominating the Giro, then gearing up for the Vuelta alongside Almeida, who could stick to his 2025 Tour-Vuelta plan. Almeida handles back-to-back Grand Tours well, making him perfect to aid Pogacar first, then pursue his own goals. Controversial take? Some might argue del Toro deserves the Tour spotlight, but prioritizing the Giro leverages his strengths without burning out—let's discuss: Do you agree with this allocation, or should UAE gamble on more shared leadership?
Over at Jonas Vingegaard and Team Visma | Lease a Bike, decisions loom large. The Dane, a five-time Tour podium finisher and two-time winner, faces a stronger-than-ever Pogacar—virtually unbeatable. He floated the idea of winning the Vuelta, then tackling the Giro in 2026, potentially claiming all three Grand Tours before Pogacar. Makes total sense: The Giro's mountainous route suits him, and a weaker field could yield a debut win. He'd pair it with the Tour, mimicking Pogacar's 2024 strategy—altitude camp between races, light spring for family time. If this unfolds—and I think it's highly probable—Visma can shuffle their specialists. Would Matteo Jorgenson tag along to the Giro? Probably not; he'd focus on spring classics, then Tour, maybe leading the Vuelta solo. His versatility shone this year, handling a packed calendar. Simon Yates and Sepp Kuss could follow Vingegaard: Yates defending his Giro title (he thrives there), Kuss aiding at the Tour. Yates managed Giro-Tour well in 2024. Success in the Giro eases Tour pressure, freeing Wout van Aert for spring and Tour after his Giro debut. But here's where it gets controversial: Is chasing all three Grand Tours too risky for Vingegaard, potentially leading to burnout, or is it the bold move that cements his legacy?
Now, Remco Evenepoel and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe pose the ultimate riddle. The Belgian aims to conquer the Tour someday but also craves the Giro—on paper, the logical next step. In a team brimming with leaders, he'll get support, yet they must juggle Florian Lipowitz's rising star and Primoz Roglic's veteran clout. I can't predict Evenepoel's path definitively; he'll likely watch Vingegaard and Pogacar, opting for the Giro if neither goes, or the Tour if at least Vingegaard targets the Giro. He hungers for Grand Tour glory beyond seconds, though routes and his time-trial prowess will play big roles. Leaning toward spring focus plus Tour for team adaptation, leaving Lipowitz to lead the Giro. Lipowitz, third at this year's Tour, can't realistically top that in 2026—Giro solo leadership, with Giulio Pellizzari or Jai Hindley, suits him perfectly. Evenepoel tackles the Tour with Roglic as ally. Roglic, meanwhile, might support but faces a demotion in the hierarchy. He could target Tour de Suisse as his 'big' stage race exit, embracing a freer schedule. Thought-provoking question: Should Evenepoel prioritize the Giro for its 'natural fit,' or gamble on the Tour to avoid shadowboxing elite rivals? Weigh in below!
Tom Pidcock's schedule hinges on Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team's invitations. If they're in the Giro or Tour (likely Giro wildcard), he'd prep like for this year's Vuelta, maybe sacrificing spring races. But he's drawn to high-pressure events, and the Tour often fits his style better. I'd recommend Q36.5 bet on the Tour, backing Pidcock for a top-five GC with new signings elevating their game. This is the part most people miss: Invitation uncertainty adds drama, but Pidcock's motivation post-Vuelta success could drive him to new heights.
Juan Ayuso, now in a new squad, navigates team dynamics with Mads Pedersen and Jonathan Milan eyeing the Tour (Milan needing leadouts), and Mattias Skjelmose seeking Giro leadership. My plan: Skjelmose leads the Giro with strong support, Pedersen assists. For the Tour, Milan gets his sprint train, Pedersen chases stages, and Ayuso aims for GC. Ambitious? Yes, but Ayuso must prove himself. The Giro tempts him, but overriding Skjelmose harms team morale. So, Tour it is—controversially, some say Ayuso should challenge Skjelmose for the Giro to assert dominance early. What do you think?
Oscar Onley, fourth at this year's Tour, should switch to the Giro for a podium shot. Picnic PostNL lacks depth for pressured Grand Tours; Onley thrived amid UAE-Visma rivalries. At the Giro, he could excel without repeating a fourth-place Tour, which might weigh mentally. As Sirotti noted, he was the Tour's revelation—time for fresh challenges?
Bahrain - Victorious has no firm plans, so we're speculating. Their balanced squad (Lenny Martínez for Tour/Ardennes, Antonio Tiberi and Damiano Caruso for Giro, Santiago Buitrago versatile for top-10/stages anywhere, Pello Bilbao and Afonso Eulálio as hunters/leaders) means flexibility. Tiberi might benefit from a change, like the Tour. Intriguing, no?
Decathlon CMA CGM is expanding, with Paul Seixas as the wildcard. He won't race the Tour yet—intense French pressure could overwhelm. I'd skip both Grand Tours, focusing on Vuelta GC debut; it's less intense, aiding development. Felix Gall suits the Giro's mountains; Matthew Riccitello could do either. Olav Kooij at the Tour for sprints supports Riccitello or stages, while Gall leads Giro. Boldly put: Is pushing Seixas to the Giro too soon, risking burnout, or the right step for French cycling's future?
INEOS Grenadiers, like Bahrain, has depth but no standout. Thymen Arensman needs an easy start for GC; Egan Bernal, Carlos Rodríguez, Kévin Vauquelin (Tour-bound) offer options. Stage hunters like Ben Turner, Axel Laurance, and Filippo Ganna add spice—Ganna won't just domestique. Piecing this together is tough; controversies abound on who to prioritize.
Finally, Soudal - Quick-Step, minus Evenepoel, leans on Mikel Landa's 2024 peak. Despite his Giro crash, replicate the formula: Landa and Paul Magnier for Giro leadership, Tour focus on Tim Merlier's sprints and stage wins. Back to basics—smart, or too conservative? Share your take: Does this team need bolder moves to reclaim glory?
There you have it—a sneak peek into 2026's Grand Tour drama. From confirmed plans to speculative showdowns, these choices could flip the script on cycling supremacy. But what about you? Do you side with riders doubling up Grand Tours, or prefer focused campaigns? Should teams prioritize young talents over veterans? Drop your opinions in the comments—we love the debate!
