Lidl-Trek and Visma | Lease a Bike both making big transfer moves the day before the Vuelta a España

Lidl-Trek has officially announced the first of many upcoming transfers. The German team has signed 27-year-old Jordan Jegat to a three-season contract. “A reinforcement for our general classification core,” says Lidl-Trek, which has landed Jegat, the number ten finisher in the past two editions of the Tour de France.

Jegat is officially the first incoming transfer for Lidl-Trek, although the team has already been linked to numerous transfer deals in recent weeks and months, including Jegat himself. In addition to promoting promising young rider Hector Alvarez from the development team, Jegat is, on paper, rider number 22 out of 30 for 2027. That means there are still eight spots open following his signing.

"I'm really excited and proud to be joining this team," said Jegat, who this year not only finished in the top ten of the Tour but also won the Classic Grand Besançon Doubs and placed fourth in the Tour of Turkey. He did so while riding for TotalEnergies, which posted a sweet message on X : “Take good care of him, thank you, Jordan.”

At Lidl-Trek, Jegat wants to take the next step in his development, on his way to reaching his “full potential.” He also hopes to win more races and help others when needed. Jegat credits Julien Bernard with sealing the deal. The Frenchman turns out to be a “great friend” of the new Lidl-Trek recruit. “He played an important role in this transfer.”

At Lidl-Trek, they’re convinced that we’re far from seeing the best of Jegat. “Jordan has shown a lot of quality and impressed us,” said CEO Andy Schleck. “He climbed very strongly for three weeks in a row and showed smart racing instincts. He has a mature and positive attitude and the right mindset for our team. We believe we can get even more out of him.”

In addition to Jegat’s permanent transfer, Friday was also the day that La Gazzetta dello Sport announced Davide Ballerini’s departure from XDS Astana. The 31-year-old Italian won a stage in this year’s Giro d’Italia and is therefore a sought-after rider on the transfer market.

Pinarello-Q36.5 and Jayco AlUla are said to be interested in Ballerini, who can be described as a very versatile rider—capable of performing as a sprinter, lead-out man, and classics specialist. That’s why a third team has also entered the fray: Visma | Lease a Bike.

Ballerini wouldn't be the first Italian to sign with Visma | Lease a Bike. The yellow-and-black team has had Edoardo Affini on its roster for years and signed both Davide Piganzoli and Filippo Fiorello last winter. Pietro Mattio also made the move up from the development team.