Alpecin-Premier Tech wastes no time on transfer market opening day with three major signings

Alpecin-Premier Tech may still be savouring its Tour de France campaign, but on the opening day of cycling’s transfer market, it became clear that the team had not been standing still behind the scenes in recent months. The Roodhooft brothers’ squad immediately announced three significant additions to its roster.

MARCA reported as early as May that the team was interested in Iván García Cortina, and the Spaniard is the first rider confirmed to be joining the Belgian WorldTeam. The 30-year-old has been a dependable presence throughout the spring Classics for many years, first with Bahrain Victorious and later with Movistar. He has signed a two-year contract.

“I am incredibly grateful for everything I have experienced during my six years with Movistar Team. Those memories will always stay with me, but the time has now come for a new challenge,” García Cortina said in the team’s press release.

“I did not want to end my career without trying to become part of one of the best teams in the world and competing at the highest level in the races I enjoy most: the spring Classics.”

The team has also strengthened its sprinting group with the arrival of Dutch rider Casper van Uden from Picnic PostNL and Estonia’s Madis Mihkels from EF Education-EasyPost. Van Uden, who is still only 25, won a stage of the Giro d’Italia last year, while the 23-year-old Mihkels claimed the bronze medal at the 2024 European Road Championships. Both riders have also signed two-year contracts.

“I am very excited to be joining this fantastic team. I believe it is the perfect environment for me to take the next step in my career and become a more consistent sprinter. The team has developed a genuine sprinting culture over the years, and I am certain that will help me continue progressing as a rider,” said Van Uden, who spent four and a half years with Picnic PostNL.

Mihkels is hoping to develop in several areas after spending two seasons apiece with EF Education-EasyPost and Intermarché-Wanty. “I decided to join Alpecin-Premier Tech because I believe this is the best place for me to take the next step in my career. I have dreamed for almost my entire life of racing for one of the strongest Classics and sprint teams in the world, and that dream has now come true. My goal is to win races myself while also helping the team achieve major successes.”