Lidl-Trek strikes again: another powerhouse added to the 2026 squad as the Italian core grows stronger

“Lidl-Trek is pleased to announce that Italian all-rounder Matteo Sobrero will join the Team on a three-year deal, which will see him riding in the iconic red, blue, and yellow through 2028,” the German-American team said in a press release.

The fast rider, born in Alba, is currently in his sixth season at the highest level. He made his WorldTour debut in 2020 with NTT Pro Cycling, the predecessor of the current Q36.5. After a year with Astana, two years with Jayco, and then two years with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, Sobrero has now opted for a three-year adventure with Lidl-Trek.

His new team describes him as “a rider with a broad range of strengths, Sobrero combines his time-trialling power with climbing ability that makes him a dangerous contender in week-long stage races and a dependable teammate in the hilly classics. His versatility and selfless racing style make him a natural fit within Lidl-Trek’s team-oriented environment.”

“For sure, I’m really looking forward to joining Lidl-Trek because from the outside it really looks like there is a good atmosphere amongst the riders,” Sobrero said when announcing his transfer. “Everybody is fully committed to the team spirit, and that’s something I’ve been looking for.”

“I’m really excited to be teammates with a lot of strong Italian riders at Lidl-Trek.,” said the sprinter, referring to Andrea Bagioli, Giulio Ciccone, Simone Consonni, Jonathan Milan, and Jacopo Mosca. “It’s one of the best teams, and for the next three years I’m looking forward to developing further, aiming for some personal results, and helping our leaders achieve big victories.”

General manager Luca Guercilena explains the signing of his compatriot. “Matteo is a well-rounded rider who brings a lot of value to our structure. He has a great engine and can perform across many terrains — from time trials and stage races to the hilly classics."

"Beyond his physical qualities, Matteo also has the right mentality: team-focused, analytical, and ambitious. We believe that in our environment he can continue to grow and reach a very high level. We’re excited to welcome him on board.”

Sobrero is the fifth signing for Lidl-Trek for 2026. The team had already signed Juan Ayuso (UAE), Mathias Norsgaard (Movistar), and Max Walscheid (Jayco AlUla). At the same time, in the winter, it also transferred the strong Jakob Söderqvist from the development team. This means that the team now has 28 riders under contract for next year.

In terms of outgoing transfers, Daan Hoole (Decathlon), Alex Kirsch (Cofidis), Juan Pedro López (Movistar), and Jasper Stuyven (Soudal Quick-Step) have chosen to leave. Tim Declerq and Ryan Gibbons are retiring from cycling.