Ciccone and Pidcock could be teammates in 2027 as the Italian negotiates his exit from Lidl-Trek

The transfer market could leave one of the most unexpected moves ahead of 2027. Giulio Ciccone is close to leaving Lidl-Trek to join Pinarello-Q36.5, a particularly striking operation because the Italian recently renewed his contract with his current team until the end of 2029.

Ciccone could leave Trek with a contract until 2029

The information reported by La Gazzetta dello Sport indicates that Ciccone and Pinarello-Q36.5 are working on a three-season agreement, also until 2029. There are still details to be resolved before completing the operation, including necessarily the departure of a rider who has a valid contract with Lidl-Trek.

Ciccone is one of the current symbols of the team, having joined Trek-Segafredo in 2019 and since then has developed practically his entire career in the elite within the same structure.

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In these years, he has gone from being one of the most offensive climbers in the peloton to becoming a rider capable of competing in some of the major classics and taking on responsibilities in stage races. Among his most notable results are his stage wins in the Giro, the mountain classifications of the Giro and the Tour, third place in Il Lombardia 2024, second in Liège-Bastogne-Liège 2025, and the victory in the Clásica de San Sebastián that same year.

Additionally, he remains the last Italian cyclist to have worn the yellow jersey of the Tour de France, after leading the race for two days in 2019.

His performance also does not seem to have lost relevance. In 2026, he wore the maglia rosa of the Giro for one day and won the mountain classification. Just a few days ago, he finished second behind Remco Evenepoel in the GP of Quebec and later finished seventh in Montreal.

A contract that complicates the operation

The main obstacle is evident. Ciccone does not finish his contract this season. The Italian had recently improved and extended his link with Lidl-Trek until the end of 2029, so any early departure requires resolving that agreement.

La Gazzetta states that the intended destination is Pinarello-Q36.5 and that, once the pending details are completed, Ciccone would sign a three-season contract that would keep him in the Swiss team until the end of 2029.

The first reports about a possible departure had also indicated the interest of Tudor Pro Cycling. However, it is now Pinarello-Q36.5 that appears as the most advanced destination, to the point that the Italian press is already presenting the change as the expected scenario.

Ciccone and Pidcock, a high-level pair for Pinarello-Q36.5

The arrival of Ciccone at Pinarello-Q36.5 would be an important move for a structure that has quickly made a name for itself among the best teams in the world even though it still does not have a WorldTour license, we remember that it remains a Continental team. Together with Tom Pidcock, the team would add another rider capable of leading in mountainous routes, demanding classics, and certain stage races.

They would be different profiles, but Ciccone would bring experience in Grand Tours and proven performance when the race toughens, while Pidcock would continue to be one of the central pieces of the project.