Picnic PostNL handed bad news about WorldTour-license, as transfer rumours increase: will Oscar Onley leave?

For Lotto–Intermarché, Wednesday 10 December was a day of celebration. The Belgian merger team finally received the green light from the UCI and secured the coveted WorldTour licence. But the international federation had less encouraging news for Picnic PostNL. The Dutch team is already under pressure - and transfer rumours surrounding Oscar Onley are growing stronger.

While Lotto–Intermarché has been granted a three-year licence, Picnic PostNL has not. The Dutch squad earned enough points to join the WorldTour, but its financial situation has forced the UCI to step in. The team of Iwan Spekenbrink has been granted only a single year at the highest level, for 2026.

In a press release, the UCI made clear that the team must significantly improve its financial structure to continue in 2027 and 2028. "The UCI Licence Commission has decided to limit the duration of the licence to one year and to set conditions related to the financial criterion that must be met in order to permit its extension to the 2027 and 2028 seasons."

It is no secret that the team does not possess the deepest pockets. "Budgets are exploding," Spekenbrink said last year. "Teams have to compete with countries in the Middle East where the possibilities seem endless. That’s the current reality of cycling. Fortunately, I’ve never seen a euro win a race - riders win races."

That the team does not have the best finances is no secret. 'The budgets are exploding,' Spekenbrink told me last year. 'As a team, you’re competing with countries in the Middle East where the financial resources seem limitless. That’s the current reality in the cycling world. Thankfully, I’ve never seen a euro win a race. Riders do."

Not a word of that is untrue, of course, but it highlights a painful reality. Oscar Onley was the breakout star of 2025 for Picnic PostNL, scoring about 3,000 of the team’s 8,500 UCI points. His fourth place at the Tour de France was the obvious highlight, and the 23-year-old Scot has naturally drawn attention from bigger teams. According to reports, INEOS Grenadiers see him as a potential new leader.

Not a word lied, of course, but that is precisely where a sore spot lies. Oscar Onley was the big star of 2025 for Picnic PostNL, where he racked up 3,000 of the 8,500 UCI points. His fourth place in the Tour de France was the highlight, of course, but the 23-year-old Scot logically rode his way into the spotlight of bigger teams. INEOS Grenadiers is reportedly eager for a new leader.

Both Derek Gee and Onley have reportedly been targeted by Dave Brailsford’s team. But rumours around the Scottish climber intensified this week: Picnic PostNL arrived in Calpe on Tuesday for training camp - and Onley was not there. According to transfer specialist Daniel Benson, Onley will remain at home for two more days before flying to Spain.

The British journalist claims Onley is currently in discussions with INEOS, which explains why he has not yet joined the camp. “We understand that Team Picnic PostNL have told Onley that he can recover from jet lag at home after a recent trip to Australia, and that there are ongoing conversations about his future.” To be continued...