Pinarello Q36.5 name Tour de France team to support Tom Pidcock: 'Next step in the team’s development'
CyclingWednesday, 01 July 2026 at 15:33
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 GoogleBetter late than never. As the last of the 23 teams, Pinarello-Q36.5 announced its line-up for the 2026 Tour de France on Wednesday afternoon. The team is led by Tom Pidcock and will be making its debut a the Tour de France,. “Eight riders, one mission: to make history in the Tour de France,” reads the announcement.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article summary:
- Tom Pidcock will lead the Swiss-based team, with ambitions for the GC
- Fred Wright, Quinten Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, Brent Van Moer, Xabier Mikel Azparren and Australian Chris Harper make up the rest of the team
- The Tour de France is a major milestone for the team: "The Tour de France was a clear goal for this project from day one," said team manager Douglas Ryder
So let’s start with Pidcock, whose arrival on the team kicked off the rapid development the squad has undergone. The team was founded less than three years ago and is now already making its debut in the Tour de France. “Participating in the Tour de France is an important milestone—not so much as a final destination, but as the next step in a long journey driven by performance, innovation, and the ambition to compete at the very highest level of the sport.”
With Pidcock, the team has a rider who already knows what it’s like to win the Tour. "The team has assembled a versatile roster around him that can perform on any terrain, with proven Grand Tour experience and riders who can support the leader, attack breakaways, and compete for stage wins throughout the three weeks," according to Pinarello-Q36.5.
So who are they? First of all, Fred Wright, who just last week became the British road champion. There’s also room for three Belgians: Quinten Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, and Brent Van Moer. Spaniard Xabier Mikel Azparren and Australian Chris Harper round out the lineup. A very offensive lineup, indeed!
Read also
Read more below the photo!
Ryder sees his team's participation in the Tour de France as an important step
That’s also what team manager Douglas Ryder concluded. “We’re bringing a group that combines experience, versatility, and the right mindset. Our approach is simple: we race proactively, look for opportunities every day, and make sure we’re in the mix throughout all three weeks.”
"The Tour de France has been a clear goal for this project from day one," Ryder continued. "The fact that we’re now at the starting line is an important step, but even more important is that it reflects the consistency of the work that has gone into building this team. This milestone goes far beyond the selection of the eight riders."
As the team manager knows: “This is the result of years of dedication from the staff, the trust within the organization, and the support of our partners Q36.5, Pinarello, UBS, and many others who have contributed to an environment where performance can flourish. It’s important that we’re here, but for us, this isn’t the end goal. It’s the next step in the team’s development.”
Pinarello Q36.5 team - 2026 Tour de France
Read also
David Bavin-HobbsChief Editor
David has been working in the sports & cycling industry for 16 years. Covering racing, business and technology, he has worked in communications for cycling companies, teams, and as a journalist. His proudest achievement is winning the first bike race he ever entered. He hasn't won a race since.
IDL-productions
Brandon McNulty could be the winning difference for Pogačar at the 2026 Tour de France: 'I'm back in shape'
Like father, like son: Ben Wiggins takes his first national time-trial crown
National Championships week: Here's the full schedule and big names chasing jerseys before the Tour
2026 Tour de Suisse – Men's Result | Pogačar head and shoulders above the competition
How to watch cycling on TV: Time trial day at the Tour de Suisse
Latest Cycling News
2026 Tour de France stage 1 team time trial favourites | Cycling's very own World Cup kicks off in Barcelona
Departing Lidl-Trek team manager Luca Guercilena has a new job: 'Great evolution for the sport of cycling'
Mathieu van der Poel on the possibility that he might retire from cycling in 2.5 years: 'A great age'
2026 Tour de France start list | All teams have been announced, here are their leaders and ambitions
Ben Healy on the realities of racing in the Pogčar era: 'As big a legend as Lance used to be'
Popular Cycling News
Paret-Peintre has 2 clear Tour de France ambitions after Evenepoel's exit: 'quite favourable for me'
Many doctors' notes were submitted to the Belgian Cycling Federation, including from one Mr R Evenepoel
Tour de France 2026 GC favourites | Here are Tadej Pogačar's main rivals. 3 & 4 may shock you!
Tour de France Route 2026 | Pogačar and Vingegaard know their teams; here's what they face
2026 Tour de France start list | All teams have been announced, here are their leaders and ambitions
Latest Comments
- - Molto carichi! Team giovane ma con tanta grinta. Ryder’s proactive racing mantra could surprise the big squads.pedalpowe2901-07-2026
- - Una pregunta: when they say “perform on any terrain,” does that mean they’re aiming for GC with Pidcock or mostly stage hunting? Not sure how many pure climbers they’ve got for the high-mountain summit finishes.breakawaybikerd01-07-2026
- - That Belgian core is tidy. Meurisse and Van Moer in breaks, Hermans for punchy finishes—proper nuisance for the peloton. If they keep Pidcock out of the wind on the flat transitions, week three could be spicy.michael5401-07-2026
- - Did Pidcock actually “win the Tour”? I thought he’s a stage winner and Olympic/World champ in other disciplines, but not a TdF GC winner. Maybe I missed something?cyclechamp4501-07-2026
- - Love this roster. Wright coming in with the British champ jersey is a statement, and Harper/Hermans give Pidcock options on mixed terrain. If they really race offensively, stage wins are on the table.velodromevirtuoso101-07-2026
- - Vamos Healy! Ojalá gane una etapa, se lo merece por la garra que pone.breakawaybikerd01-07-2026
- - Quick one: will heat training two weeks out risk dulling the legs? Thought you needed a taper window after heat block.samanthak01-07-2026
- - Grand quote from Ben. He’s right—his aggression makes flat-ish classics-style Tour days brilliant telly. If he times the move post–penultimate climb, he’s golden.patriciaw01-07-2026
- - Comparing Pogi to Lance is a bit much, no? Different eras, different context. Dominance is real though. Still, I’d rather the article dug deeper into which specific stages suit Healy instead of teasing.davidm01-07-2026
- - EF’s got a sneaky strong squad for stage hunting this year—Healy, Bettiol, Carapaz can all flip a race. If Pogačar eases on certain transition days, watch out. Up the pinks!velodromevirtuoso101-07-2026
Loading