Q36.5 loads up on WorldTour talent, Tom Pidcock rumors heat up

“], “filter”: { “nextExceptions”: “img, blockquote, div”, “nextContainsExceptions”: “img, blockquote, a.btn, a.o-button”} }”>

Q36.5 Pro Cycling is loading up on WorldTour talent for 2025, but is there room for Tom Pidcock?

The second-tier ProTeam confirmed the arrival of Milan Vader on Friday as its sixth new signing for 2025 just days after a possible Pidcock transfer rocked headlines.

Team officials did not give anything away about the UK superstar’s possible move, but Pidcock’s stunning “benching” ahead of Il Lombardia last week continues to churn rumors.

There’s been no official comment from Ineos Grenadiers officials since Pidcock was told he would not be racing the season-ending Italian monument.

Pidcock is under contract with the UK super team through 2027, but the latest rift is juicing rumors of a possible departure.

Possible suitors for the multi-discipline star include Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, Visma-Lease a Bike, and Q36.5.

A Pidcock arrival to Q36.5 would pour jet-fuel on its profile, open doors to grand tour invitations, and revive its chances of hitting the WorldTour.

Het Nieuwsblad reported overnight that Red Bull is also close to moving in as a partner with Tudor Cycling despite already being title sponsor at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, and could now be in the running to sign Pidcock.

Right now, no one is revealing any cards, at least not publicly.

Fresh WorldTour firepower to Q36.5

Vader’s arrival from Visma-Lease a Bike is the latest big-name signing for the team for the 2025 season.

A former mountain biker, Vader said his transfer will give him more room to race.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting more of my own chances,” Vader said Friday. “I have a solid explosive sprint and can do really well in shorter races with an uphill finish. I believe I will get more opportunities and more freedom to achieve what I really want — win races.”

Also coming across from WorldTour teams for 2025 include Sjoerd Bax (UAE Team Emirates), Emils Liepins (DSM-Firmenich PostNL), and Harm Vanhoucke (Lott Dstny).

Spain’s David González (Caja Rural-Seguros RGA) and Enekoitz Azparren (Euskaltel-Euskadi) also round out the team’s six signings so far for next season.

Some 15 riders are still under contract through 2025 or beyond, including Canada’s Nickolas Zukowsky.

American rider Joey Rosskopf, 35 already confirmed his retirement at the end of this season.

The team raced with 30 riders on its 2024 roster, and some of the riders remain without a confirmed status.

That means there’s still room for a Pidcock transfer if all the pieces were to fall into place.

High hopes for Vader in 2025

Vader’s arrival is a boon for Q36.5, which won five races across the 2024 season.

The team has high hopes for Vader, who suffered a horrific crash in the 2022 Itzulia Basque Country.

The Dutch rider won his first pro road races in 2023 with a stage win and the overall at the Tour of Guangxi, where he crashed out of this week.

Team boss Doug Ryder said Vader’s explosive power can add some real punch to the team’s ambitions.

“Milan has made remarkable strides since transitioning to road cycling,” Ryder said. “His explosive climbing skills will be a key asset to our team. Milan’s journey, especially his inspiring recovery from a serious crash two years ago, speaks to his resilience and determination.

“We believe he’s just at the start of an extraordinary road cycling career and we look forward to achieving great things together in the years ahead.”

With a few more races left in what’s the team’s second full season, Q36.5 looks to finish ranked 25th among all WorldTour and ProTeams at the end of 2024.

Teams like Uno-X Mobility and Tudor Pro Cycling are well ahead of the squad in the three-year rolling team rankings that will determine which organizers might see a bump into the WorldTour going into the 2026 season.

Some 18 teams will be awarded three-year WorldTour licenses at the end of 2025.