Team Guide 2024
There are 18 UCI WorldTour pro cycling men’s teams – the top level of road cycling – who take part in all WorldTour races, including the Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d’Italia and Vuelta a España).
Here’s a quick overview of those teams as well as some top ranked ProTeams (second division), who rides for them as well as some notable transfers in the close season:
2023 UCI ranking: 1, Wins: 57
Originally an Italian team, the Emirati took over ownership in 2017 and have double Tour de France champion Tadej Pogačar on their books. The Slovenian is planning a first tilt at the Giro d’Italia in 2024 before another go at regaining his Tour title. They’ve seriously strengthened their climbing roster over the last few years and, as the number one ranked team of 2023, will no doubt continue to rack up wins at both one day and stage races.
Bikes: Colnago
In: Isaac Del Toro, Nils Politt, Pavel Sivakov
Out: Pascal Ackermann (Israel-Premier Tech), George Bennett (Israel-Premier Tech), Davide Formolo (Movistar Team), Matteo Trentin (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
Other selected riders: João Almeida, Juan Ayuso, Mikkel Bjerg, Marc Hirschi, Tadej Pogačar, Marc Soler, Jay Vine, Adam Yates
UAE Team Emirates (UAE)
Team Visma | Lease a Bike
2023 UCI ranking: 2; Wins: 69
The Dutch powerhouse became the first team to win all three Grand Tours in a calendar year in 2023, including a clean sweep of the podium at the Vuelta a España. Giro d’Italia winner, Primož Roglič has since moved to Bora-hansgrohe, but Jonas Vingegaard will be a strong favourite to complete a hat-trick of wins at the Tour de France. European software company Visma continue as joint title sponsors but, after the departure of supermarket chain Jumbo, will be partnered by Lease a Bike from 2024.
Bikes: Cervélo
In: Matteo Jorgenson, Ben Tulett, Cian Uijtdebroeks
Out: Rohan Dennis (retired), Tobias Foss (Ineos Grenadiers), Sam Oomen (Lidl-Trek), Primož Roglič (Bora-hansgrohe), Nathan Van Hooydonck (retired)
Other selected riders: Tiesj Benoot, Olav Kooij, Sepp Kuss, Christophe Laporte, Attila Valter, Wout van Aert, Dylan van Baarle, Jonas Vingegaard
Visma | Lease a Bike (Netherlands)
2023 UCI ranking: 3; Wins: 55
Home to Remco Evenepoel, the self-branded ‘Wolfpack’ have transitioned away from a classics-heavy roster towards a more Grand Tour focussed outfit in support of the Belgian superstar who this year will head to the Tour de France for the first time. For those that are interested, QuickStep are laminate flooring specialists and Soudal make adhesives, which seems a handy partnership.
Bikes: Specialized
In: Luke Lamperti, Mikel Landa, Gianni Moscon
Out: Andrea Bagioli (Lidl-Trek), Davide Ballerini (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Rémi Cavagna (Movistar Team), Fabio Jakobsen (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), Michael Morkøv (Astana Qazaqstan Team), Mauro Schmid (Team Jayco AlUla), Florian Sénéchal (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Ethan Vernon (Israel-Premier Tech)
Other selected riders: Julian Alaphilippe, Kasper Asgreen, Remco Evenepoel, Yves Lampaert, Tim Merlier, Ilan Van Wilder
Soudal Quick-Step (Belgium)
2023 UCI Ranking: 4; Wins: 36
The UK-based team are bankrolled by the billionaire founder of chemicals company Ineos, Sir Jim Ratcliffe, and are part of the Ineos sporting portfolio which now includes Manchester United FC. Ineos have lost a fair amount of talent in the close season and have been on a general downward trend over the last few years since their Grand Tour dominance as Team Sky, but in Carlos Rodríguez, Tom Pidcock, Geraint Thomas and a fit-again Egan Bernal have riders that can still threaten Grand Tour podiums.
Bikes: Pinarello
In: Tobias Foss, Óscar Rodríguez
Out: Tao Geoghegan Hart (Lidl-Trek), Dani Martínez (Bora-hansgrohe), Luke Plapp (Team Jayco AlUla), Pavel Sivakov (UAE Team Emirates), Ben Tulett (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
Other selected riders: Thymen Arensman, Egan Bernal, Filippo Ganna, Tom Pidcock, Carlos Rodríguez, Geraint Thomas
INEOS Grenadiers (UK)
2023 UCI ranking: 5; Wins: 27
The US Trek team partnered with German supermarket chain Lidl in the middle of 2023 and have made some positive moves in the transfer market to bolster hopes of confirming their rise up the UCI rankings.
Bikes: Trek
In: Andrea Bagioli, Simone Consonni, Tim Declerq, Tao Geoghegan Hart, Patrick Konrad, Jonathan Milan, Sam Oomen, Carlos Verona
Out: Kenny Elissonde (Cofidis), Antonio Tiberi (Bahrain-Victorious)
Other selected riders: Giulio Ciccone, Juan Pedro López, Bauke Mollema, Thibau Nys, Mads Pedersen, Quinn Simmons, Mattias Skjelmose, Toms Skujiņš, Jasper Stuyven
Lidl-Trek (US)
2023 UCI ranking: 6; Wins 19
Three wins at the Tour de France in 2023 held extra poignancy coming just a few weeks after the tragic death of Gino Mäder at the Tour de Suisse. The Bahrain outfit are loaded with exciting riders who can animate races and will be stage hunting in the Grand Tours.
Bikes: Merida
In: Torstein Træen, Łukasz Wiśniowski
Out: Mikel Landa (Soudal-QuickStep), Jonathan Milan (Lidl-Trek)
Other selected riders: Phil Bauhaus, Pello Bilbao, Santiago Buitrago, Jack Haig, Matej Mohorič, Wout Poels, Fred Wright
Bahrain Victorious (Bahrain)
2023 UCI ranking: 7; Wins: 19
Français des Jeux, the French national lottery, own a majority of the shares and are title sponsors along with insurance firm Groupama. After Thibaut Pinot’s retirement and Arnaud Démare’s acrimonious departure there will be even more pressure on David Gaudu to deliver at the Tour de France in 2024.
Bikes: Wilier Triestina
In: Rémy Rochas, Matthew Walls
Out: Bruno Armirail (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Arnaud Démare (Arkéa-B&B Hotels), Thibaut Pinot (retired), Michael Storer (Tudor Pro Cycling Team)
Other selected riders: David Gaudu, Romain Grégoire, Stefan Küng, Valentin Madouas, Lenny Martinez, Laurence Pithie
Groupama–FDJ (France)
2023 UCI ranking: 8; Wins: 35
A hugely successful 2023 saw Dutch superstar Mathieu van der Poel take wins at Milan-Sanremo, Paris-Roubaix and the world road race championship whilst Jasper Philipsen won four stages and the green jersey at the Tour de France.
Bikes: Canyon
In: Lars Boven, Axel Laurance
Out: Dries De Bondt (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Jakub Marezco (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini), Stefano Oldani (Cofidis)
Other selected riders: Kaden Groves, Søren Kragh Andersen, Jasper Philipsen, Mathieu van der Poel
Alpecin-Deceuninck (Belgium)
2023 UCI ranking: 9; Wins: 21
Relegated to ProTeam ranks last season, this Belgian outfit goes all the way back to the 80s and have been supported pretty much throughout by Lotto, the Belgian lottery. Cloud technology firm Dstny are now on board as co-sponsors. A much-improved 2023 was largely down to sprinter Arnaud De Lie who delivered ten wins.
Bikes: Orbea
In: Henri Vandenabeele
Out: Caleb Ewan (Team Jayco AlUla), Harry Sweeny (EF Education-EasyPost)
Other selected riders: Victor Campenaerts, Thomas De Gendt, Arnaud De Lie, Andreas Kron, Lennart Van Eetvelt, Maxim Van Gils, Brent Van Moer
Lotto Dstny (Belgium)
2023 UCI Ranking: 10; Wins: 23
A disappointing 2023 for Bora-hansgrohe but the recruitment of Primož Roglič from Visma Lease a Bike could put them back in the frame to land one of the Grand Tours. Losing young Belgian sensation Cian Uijtebroeks the other way after a disputed contract agreement, however, is a blow. Main sponsors Bora make fancy cookers whilst Hansgrohe specialise in bathroom fittings.
Bikes: Specialized
In: Dani Martínez, Primož Roglič, Matteo Sobrero, Sam Welsford
Out: Sam Bennett (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Patrick Konrad (Lidl-Trek), Nils Politt (UAE Team Emirates), Ide Schelling (Astana Qazaqstan), Cian Uijtdebroeks (Team Visma | Lease a Bike)
Other selected riders: Nico Denz, Sergio Higuita, Jai Hindley, Lennard Kämna, Max Schachmann, Aleksandr Vlasov
BORA–hansgrohe (Germany)
2023 UCI ranking: 11; Wins 26
US-based team who ride in bright pink, now owned by the international education company EF Education and co-sponsored by shipping logistics company, EasyPost.
Bikes: Cannondale
In: Rui Costa, Harry Sweeny, Michael Valgren
Out: Magnus Cort (Uno-X Mobility), Mark Padun (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini)
Other selected riders: Alberto Bettiol, Stefan Bissegger, Simon Carr, Richard Carapaz, Hugh Carthy, Esteban Chaves, Ben Healy, Neilson Powless, Rigoberto Urán, Marijn van den Berg
EF Education–Easypost (US)
2023 UCI ranking: 12; Wins: 16
Under various guises, this Spanish team has been going for over 40 years and been sponsored by the mobile phone company Movistar since 2011. Famous in recent years for a very candid behind the scenes Netflix documentary series, ‘El Día Menos Pensado’ (English title: ‘The Least Expected Day’).
Bikes: Canyon
In: Rémi Cavagna, Davide Cimolai, Davide Formolo, Nairo Quintana, Javier Romo, Pelayo Sánchez
Out: Matteo Jorgenson (Team Visma | Lease a Bike), Óscar Rodríguez (Ineos Grenadiers), Carlos Verona (Lidl-Trek)
Other selected riders: Alex Aranburu, Iván García Cortina, Fernando Gaviria, Ruben Guerreiro, Oier Lazkano, Enric Mas, Einer Rubio, Iván Sosa
Movistar Team (Spain)
2023 UCI ranking: 13: Wins: 17
The Australian outfit co-sponsored by Saudi Arabia heritage partner AlUla and US trailer firm Jayco have bolstered their squad with sprinter Caleb Ewan rejoining the team six years after leaving for Lotto Soudal, as well as Australian road race champion Luke Plapp.
Bikes: Giant
In: Caleb Ewan, Luke Plapp, Mauro Schmid, Max Walscheid
Out: Matteo Sobrero (Bora-hansgrohe), Zdeněk Štybar (retired)
Other selected riders: Lawson Craddock, Eddie Dunbar, Luke Durbridge, Dylan Groenewegen, Lucas Hamilton, Chris Harper, Michael Matthews, Simon Yates, Filippo Zana
Team Jayco AlUla (Australia)
2023 UCI ranking: 14; Wins: 20
This Belgian team moved up to WorldTeam level in 2021 and enjoyed immediate success with stage wins at the Giro d’Italia and the Vuelta a España – a feat they repeated in 2022. However, there was a bit of a slowdown in results last season which saw them drop down the UCI rankings. They’re co-sponsored by French supermarket chain Intermarché and Belgian engineering firm Wanty.
Bikes: Cube
In: Vito Braet, Francesco Busatto
Out: Niccolò Bonifazio (Team Corratec-Vini Fantini), Rui Costa (EF Education-EasyPost),
Other selected riders: Biniam Girmay, Louis Meintjes, Hugo Page, Laurenz Rex, Lorenzo Rota, Rein Taaramäe, Gerben Thijssen, Taco van der Hoorn, Georg Zimmermann
Intermarché-Wanty(Belgium)
2023 UCI ranking: 15; Wins: 14
Cofidis broke their 15-year drought for a stage win at the Tour de France with both Victor Lafay and Ion Izagirre getting their hands in the air in the 2023 edition. The money-lending company have been ever-present sponsors of this French team for over 20 years.
Bikes: Look
In: Kenny Elissonde, Ben Hermans, Stefano Oldani
Out: Simone Consonni (Lidl-Trek), Victor Lafay (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team), Rémy Rochas (Groupama-FDJ), Max Walscheid (Team Jayco-AlUla)
Other selected riders: Bryan Coquard, Simon Geschke, Jesús Herrada, Ion Izagirre, Guillaume Martin, Anthony Perez, Benjamin Thomas
Cofidis (France)
2023 UCI ranking: 16; Wins 12
Derek Gee’s incredible performances at the Giro d’Italia where he did everything bar win a stage and fellow Canadian Michael Woods’ win on the Puy de Dôme in the Tour de France were the highlight of 2023. A few fast man additions for 2024 could see them in the mix again for Grand Tour stage honours.
Bikes: Factor
In: Pascal Ackermann, George Bennett, Hugo Hofstetter, Jake Stewart, Ethan Vernon
Out: Daryl Impey (retired), Giacomo Nizzolo (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Domenico Pozzovivo (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizane), Sep Vanmarcke (retired)
Other selected riders: Simon Clarke, Marco Frigo, Chris Froome, Jakob Fuglsang, Krists Neilands, Nick Schultz, Corbin Strong, Dylan Teuns, Stephen Williams, Michael Woods
Israel Premier Tech (Israel)
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL
2023 UCI ranking: 17; Wins: 11
Another name tweak for this now-Dutch registered team with health and nutrition firm DSM-Firmenich joined by postal company PostNL. A poor 2023 was somewhat redeemed by a couple of stage wins at the Vuelta a España, however, the signing of sprinter Fabio Jakobsen from Soudal-QuickStep ought to guarantee a bigger win count in 2024.
Bikes: Scott
In: Warren Barguil. Fabio Jakobsen, Timo Roosen
Out: Alberto Dainese (Tudor Pro Cycling), Andreas Leknessund (Uno-X Mobility), Sam Welsford (Bora-hansgrohe)
Other selected riders: Romain Bardet, Chris Hamilon, Gijs Leemreize, Oscar Onley
Team dsm-firmenich PostNL (Netherlands)
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team
2023 UCI ranking: 18; Wins: 9
A French which team goes back 30 years in various guises but they had a poor 2023 with just nine victories. However, it’s all change in 2024 with sporting goods retail giant Decathlon coming in as co-main sponsor and after some canny transfers, early season results have been promising.
Bikes: Van Rysel
In: Bruno Armirail, Sam Bennett, Edvald Boasson Hagen, Dries De Bondt, Victor Lafay
Out: Michael Schär (retired), Greg Van Avermaet (retired)
Other selected riders: Geoffrey Bouchard, Benoît Cosnefroy, Felix Gall, Paul Lapiera, Ben O’Connor, Aurélien Paret-Peintre, Andrea Vendrame
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Team (France)
Arkéa B&B Hotels
2023 UCI Ranking: 19; Wins: 10
Promoted to WorldTour level in 2023 and with a new co-sponsor for 2024 in B&B Hotels, this French team will be looking to improve on their 10 wins from last season.
Bikes: Bianchi
In: Miles Scotson, Florian Sénéchal
Out: Warren Barguil (Team dsm-firmenich PostNL), Hugo Hofestetter (Isreal-Premer Tech)
Other selected riders: Clément Champoussin, Arnaud Démare, Luca Mozzato, Kévin Vauquelin
Arkéa B&B Hotels (France)
2023 UCI ranking: 20; Wins: 16
This Kazakh team is now fully funded and sponsored by state-owned companies and ride in the distinctive turquoise of the national flag. Their highlight of 2023 was no doubt Mark Cavendish’s win in Rome on the final stage of the Giro d’Italia. Cav is back in 2024 and reunited with wingman Michael Mørkøv for one last chance of breaking Eddie Merckx’s Tour de France stage win record.
Bikes: Wilier Triestina
In: Davide Ballerini, Lorenzo Fortunato, Max Kanter, Michael Mørkøv, Ide Schelling
Out: David de la Cruz (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team), Joe Dombrowski (retired), Fabio Felline (Lidl-Trek), Gianni Moscon (Soudal-QuickStep), Javier Romo (Movistar Team), Luis León Sánchez (retired)
Other selected riders: Cees Bol, Mark Cavendish, Alexey Lutsenko, Vadim Pronskiy, Harold Tejada, Simone Velasco
Astana Qazaqstan Team (Kazakhstan)
