Pidcock and Merlier to start in AlUla Tour, European Champion sets sights on 'important classic'
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GoogleTom Pidcock's transfer from INEOS Grenadiers to Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team has been labeled the cycling soap opera of the year. With this high-profile move, the Swiss team led by Doug Ryder secured one of the biggest names in the sport. Wherever Pidcock races, he’ll be the leader, and his first outing with the team is set for the AIUla Tour in Saudi Arabia, as reported by Cycling Weekly. Tim Merlier is also at the start in Saudi Arabia, and another 'important classic,' the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, a prestigious one-day cycling race in Belgium, is also on the program.
ADVERTISEMENT
While his final race schedule is still being finalized, according to the British cycling site, his debut has been confirmed. Instead of the familiar Volta ao Algarve, Pidcock will start his season in the big sandbox. For the 25-year-old Brit, who has never begun a season outside Europe and has rarely raced on the road beyond its borders, this marks a significant shift. But it seems one change has brought about another. With his new team, Pidcock dives straight into a season opener in an exotic location fueled by oil dollars.
Text continues below photo.
Pidcock and his team were praising the new environment
The AIUla Tour, won last year by Simon Yates, will run from January 28 to February 1. Though the official stage details are still under wraps, the last two years of the race have shown that the course usually favors punchy climbers, as past winners include Maxim van Gils and Adam Yates' British twin brother, Simon.
Joining Pidcock at Q36.5 are his brother Joseph, his coach Kurt Bogaerts (now Head of Technical Performance), and soigneur Xenia De Roose. Bogaerts expressed optimism: "The first impressions of Q36.5 were immediately positive. It’s special to continue working with Tom. Xenia and I have been part of his career since 2018, and we have achieved great results together. I’m excited to keep that journey going in this new team."
Pidcock himself was also enthusiastic at his presentation: "2025 is about to get lit! This isn’t just a change of jersey; it’s the start of something special. The chance to work with a team that’s growing, with incredible partners and brands, is something that motivates me. I can’t wait to see what we’ll achieve together."
Text continues below photo.
Merlier wins the sprint from Ewan
Merlier makes season debut again at AlUla Tour and also races in UAE Tour
In addition to Pidcock, the organization (ASO) can also count on Tim Merlier's presence in Saudi Arabia. The European road champion will thus make his season debut in the Middle East. Merlier also debuted in the AlUla Tour in 2024 and Oman in 2023. The five-day race was a great success for him last year, with victories in two stages.
After his successes in the AlUla Tour, Tim Merlier traveled to the UAE Tour last year, another thing that has not changed. Last year, the Soudal Quick-Step rider won three stages. This year, too, the Belgian has big ambitions in the United Arab Emirates, building on his past successes.
"I'm aiming for another strong start to the season, and I don't think that's a secret. It would be nice to win more stages again in AlUla and UAE. At the same time, having this special jersey on my shoulders will be unique. Still, I won't feel any pressure, as I've already won dressed in it since my victory at the European Championships last September," Merlier said in the press release.
Text continues below X-message.
On Thursday, it was announced that 32-year-old Tim Merlier and his lead-out Bert Van Lerberghe will remain with the Belgian team until 2028. Merlier is keen on this continuity, which could be crucial to achieving many victories.
'From the Middle East, I will return home and focus on my first race there, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. It's an important classic that on paper could end up in a bunch sprint, so it would be nice if this were the case again, as I'd very much like to be in the fight for victory," said Merlier, who will compete in Kuurne for the first time in the Soudal Quick-Step outfit.
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Cyclocross legend Lars van der Haar had a tough time after retiring from cyclocross: 'It was over pretty quickly'
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Latest Cycling News
Quinn Simmons and Brandon McNulty clearly enjoy the off-season at Kevin Vermaerke's wedding
Schreiber's European cyclocross title dispute could end up in court, just like the 1988 World Championships
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Extensive evidence of use of N-word, homophobia, and Asian-hate by track cyclist Matthew Richardson revealed
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Pidcock's turbocharged vacation leads to struggles on the bike: 'No wonder people think cycling is hard'
Mads Pedersen weighs in on Lucinda Brand and Marie Schreiber's European Cyclocross Championship clash
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Latest Comments
- One Lombardia doesn’t tell us how Seixas will handle a full Grand Tour. I’d rather see him develop steadily than have every result turned into a Pogačar comparison.samanthak12-11-2026
- Pogacar is 30 already? I thought he was younger. If he keeps winning like this, how long can he realistically ride at the top?jeremya12-11-2026
- Interesting that Thomas made the comparison while speaking to Rowe, given Decathlon’s hopes of keeping Seixas and the reports linking INEOS with him. Praise, or a subtle message to a potential signing?gearguru3312-11-2026
- Seixas winning Il Lombardia at this age is a huge statement. The Pogačar comparisons are inevitable, but Thomas is right to leave room for both of them to keep improving—Pog is still setting the bar.robert6512-11-2026
- A fascinating career, but the article leans heavily on his side of the story. Were the three disqualifications all for the same equipment rule, or were there different issues each time?michael5412-11-2026
- I’m still not sure how the handlebar rules work. If another rider can rest their wrists on the bars, why was Van Schip disqualified for his position?jennifer1912-11-2026
- The UCI really needs clearer, consistently enforced rules on bike setups and riding positions. If Van Schip was being told different things from race to race, no wonder he got fed up.patriciaw12-11-2026
- Two world track titles and three pro wins is a serious career, whatever the controversies. Shame he felt the sport stopped listening to him. Hope Rotterdam gives him the send-off he deserves.tourdeforce912-11-2026
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
