A new Greek pro cycling team could launch in 2027 through a surprising partnership with Pidcock’s Pinarello-Q36.5 team

The international peloton could incorporate a new structure in 2027 with Greek license, Italian management, and the backing of a major energy company. The project aims to start in Continental category, but its plans are directed towards reaching ProTeam category and establishing a possible alliance with Tom Pidcock's Pinarello-Q36.5.

Greece is preparing a new cycling team for 2027 with aspirations to reach ProTeam

While some professional structures are facing economic difficulties, a project is taking shape in Greece that aims to carve out a niche in international cycling. The new formation is expected to debut in 2027, with a roster of young riders from different nationalities and a calendar that would include competitions across much of Europe.

The first details emerged through Alex Carera, representative of Tadej Pogačar, who during an intervention on the RadioCorsa program of Rai Sport revealed that Italians Marco Bellini and Kevin Colleoni would be at the helm of the new structure.

Carera wanted to highlight the experience and potential of both leaders, stating that the project is designed to grow progressively and become a relevant initiative within professional cycling.

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According to the agent, the choice of Italian leaders is not coincidental. The Greek promoters would have turned to professionals from Italy due to their accumulated experience in team management and sports preparation, two areas in which they believe Italian cycling continues to be a reference.

A Greek electric company could finance the project

The information provided by Carera has gained new details. According to the Italian media Bicisport, PPC, one of the major electric companies in Greece, would be behind the financing of the new team.

Although there is still no official announcement of the sponsorship, its possible participation would explain the aspirations of a structure that does not intend to remain indefinitely in the third division of cycling.

The intention would be to start in 2027 with a UCI Continental license and develop the organization to achieve, in the coming years, a place in the UCI ProTeam category, the second tier of professional cycling.

Bicisport also assures that the preparation work is quite advanced. Both the sports configuration and the material and calendar would be defined, awaiting the public announcement of the agreements.

Marco Bellini and Kevin Colleoni, two different profiles to lead the team

The responsibility of launching the project would primarily fall on Marco Bellini, who would assume the role of general director.

Bellini has a long history in team management and worked for years alongside Gianni Savio, one of the historical leaders of Italian cycling. More recently, he was linked to the Mexican project Petrolike, an experience that has allowed him to continue working with international structures.

Alongside him would be Kevin Colleoni, who would transition from competing in the WorldTour to serving as sports director.

Colleoni raced for five seasons in the top category, first with BikeExchange-Jayco and later with Intermarché-Wanty. After finishing his career as a rider at the end of 2025 and announcing his retirement in February 2026, he would now have the opportunity to start a new professional career from the team car.

Regarding the roster, Bicisport points to Filippo Agostinacchio, coming from Biesse-Carrera-Premac, as one of the cyclists who will be part of the structure. The rest of the team would consist of riders from different countries, with a significant presence of young Greeks.

Their calendar would also have an international character, with races across various European countries and significant activity in Italy.

Their relationship with Pinarello-Q36.5 could be the big surprise

Beyond the emergence of a new team, one of the most interesting aspects is its possible relationship with Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, the Swiss formation led by Tom Pidcock.

According to information from Bicisport, the Greek team could become in 2027 the development structure of Pinarello-Q36.5. The Swiss team closed its previous affiliate at the end of 2024, so this operation would allow it to regain its own path to train young talents and facilitate their transition to professional cycling.

The relationship would make sense from a sporting perspective. Pinarello-Q36.5 is significantly strengthening its roster for the upcoming season, with top-level additions such as Giulio Ciccone, Mauro Schmid, and Andrew August, among others.

The goal of the team led by Douglas Ryder is to continue growing and aim for a WorldTour license in 2029, coinciding with the end of the current UCI classification triennial cycle.

Additionally, Pinarello-Q36.5 finished 2026 in twelfth place in the world team ranking, ahead of several structures currently competing in the WorldTour. That result guarantees them access to all the top calendar events in 2027, although they maintain their ProTeam status.

Having a feeder team would be an important tool within that strategy. The Continental structure could serve to incorporate young riders, offer them a calendar adapted to their development, and prepare potential additions to the first team.

For the Greek project, on the other hand, the collaboration would mean having the sporting backing of a consolidated organization with experience in major international races from the outset.

For now, the alliance remains a possibility and neither of the two structures has officially confirmed it.