It always takes a moment to get used to the start of a new cycling season, the changed team names in the peloton. But what changes are on the horizon? WielerFlits lists all the updates.
Looking at the WorldTour, we currently see only one new title sponsor for 2026. The new sponsor we are referring to is CMA-CGM. This French company, specializing in overseas container transport, is stepping in at the current Decathlon AG2R. From 2026 onward, this WorldTour team will therefore be called Decathlon CMA-CGM. This is a partnership lasting "at least five years."
Another French team is also getting a new name, but this concerns a ProTeam: Unibet Tietema Rockets will continue as Unibet Rose Rockets from 2026. Co-founder Bas Tietema will therefore no longer act as the namesake of the Dutch-rooted formation next year. He makes way for the German bike brand ROSE Bikes, which is also the new bike supplier of the ProTeam. Last season, the Rockets still rode on Cannondale.
Lotto, Intermarché-Wanty, and Israel-Premier Tech
Due to the merger between Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty, we will see another major name change. The national lottery will remain the title sponsor of the combined team, and this also seems to apply to the supermarket chain Intermarché. What will happen with Wanty is still uncertain.
It is also unclear whether Premier Tech will be active as a (title) sponsor in professional cycling next year. In any case, the Canadian company, one of the world's largest manufacturers of packaging equipment, will no longer continue within the structure of the current Israel-Premier Tech. The company described the partnership as 'unsustainable' because the original reason for supporting the team has been 'overshadowed to a point where continuation is no longer possible'.
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
The decision follows a period of increasing controversy surrounding the team. Due to the ongoing war in Gaza, there were several protests last season against Israel-Premier Tech, especially at the Vuelta a España. It was already known that the team would continue under a new name and relinquish its Israeli identity. So the name ‘Israel’ will no longer appear in the pro peloton in 2026.
Alpecin-Deceuninck and Q36.5
Earlier this year, it became clear that Philip and Christoph Roodhooft need to find a new second title sponsor. Deceuninck has decided to scale back its sponsorship of the WorldTeam Alpecin-Deceuninck and Women’s WorldTeam Fenix-Deceuninck. The West Flanders company, which produces PVC windows and doors, will remain involved with the Roodhooft teams to a lesser extent, but no longer as a title sponsor.
We’re not done yet, as the Swiss brand Q36.5 seems set to be known from next year onward as Pinarello-Q36.5. The team led by Tom Pidcock submitted an application under that name for a WorldTour license for the coming three-year period.
That Pinarello would partner with Q36.5 is no surprise. Fausto Pinarello, chairman of the Italian bike brand, hinted at a collaboration earlier this month. “We are going to double down,” he said when announcing the contract extension between Pinarello and INEOS Grenadiers.
photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
The fact that Pinarello-Q36.5 has applied for a WorldTour license and submitted the proper documents does not yet mean the Swiss ProTeam will actually make the step up. On the UCI ranking, they are not among the top 18 teams, so it remains to wait for an additional WorldTour spot to become available.
