Giro d'Italia transfer rumours fly as podium contender reportedly coveted by Lidl-Trek

Felix Gall is on course to secure a podium place for Decathlon CMA CGM in the Giro d'Italia. The Austrian is still fighting for that alongside Jai Hindley and Thymen Arensman. However, La Gazzetta now reports that this could easily be his final season at Decathlon CMA CGM. Lidl-Trek are said to be interested in the 28-year-old climber.

Gall has been regarded as an exceptional climber for years. He won a stage at the Tour de France in 2023 and has also finished in the top ten of a Grand Tour classification on three occasions. In 2025, the Austrian even finished fifth at the Tour. He is continuing that strong form for Decathlon CMA CGM at this Giro, where he has been the most impressive climber behind Jonas Vingegaard.

In every mountain stage won by Vingegaard at this Giro, Gall has finished second. With a contract that expires at the end of 2026, the Austrian is one of the most interesting names on the transfer market — and interest will only have grown during this Giro.

Ciro Scognamiglio, the well-known transfer journalist at the Italian La Gazzetta dello Sport, reports that Lidl-Trek are interested in the 28-year-old GC rider. The team recently added two GC leaders in Juan Ayuso and Derek Gee-West, but would like to add Gall to that roster too. With Giulio Ciccone and Mattias Skjelmose already at the team, however, places will be tight.

According to the Austrian press, Decathlon CMA CGM want to extend Gall's contract, but one of the sport's so-called super-teams — Visma, UAE, Lidl-Trek and INEOS — is looking to tempt him with a major contract. At Lidl-Trek, Gall would have the chance to be a dual leader at the Tour de France alongside Ayuso, whereas at Decathlon he would clearly be ranked behind the young Paul Seixas.

Lidl-Trek are in any case very active in the transfer market, with a rumour also emerging a few days ago about the possible arrival of sprinter Jordi Meeus. The German team have had a difficult year so far and appear determined to change that in the season ahead. The arrivals of world-class riders like Meeus and Gall would be a step in the right direction.