Doug Ryder: Not everyone wants to be on the super teams 🇨🇭🦸♂️
Exclusive interview with the Q36.5 boss on how he improved the roster without jeopardising Tom Pidcock's leadership
The transfer market remains in full swing. Riders such as Vlasov, Molano, Girmay, and of course Gee and Ayuso may or certainly will change teams, but one of the early winners on the market is Q36.5 Pro Cycling.
Doug Ryder’s ProTeam has been focused and precise this year, signing Eddie Dunbar, Chris Harper, Fred Wright, Quinten Hermans, Xandro Meurisse, and Brent Van Moer, with Quinten Hermans also confirmed.
Thomas Gloag and at least one more rider remain to be announced, while the team has strengthened the roster through several key contract extensions.
Rory Townsend is yet to sign a new deal following his first WorldTour win, but overall, Ryder’s squad has delivered with several savvy signings that will undoubtedly strengthen the team in the coming years. They are in a better position for 2026 than they were at the start of 2025, and they have doubled down on providing cover for Tom Pidcock without threatening his leadership in any of the races he aims for.
At the start of the year, Ryder had 11 riders out of contract, so potentially 11 spots to fill, but he’s been targeted in his approach rather than making snap decisions or overextending the squad in one direction.
In the past, I’ve been critical of Ryder’s approach to the transfer market, pointing out the signings of riders past their peak, extending contracts for veterans who weren’t performing, and sometimes failing to provide cover behind his top leaders. This transfer window has been a complete turnaround. Of course, finances help, but from the outset, the team have certainly pinpointed additions that solve particular needs.
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“What do you want to be remembered as? What’s your legacy going to be and what do you want to tell your kids and grandkids about?” Ryder says after I ask him what he opens with when starting discussions with potential transfer targets.
“Do you want to be someone’s bottle boy or do you want to achieve significance and have the opportunity to stand tall and be great? If you want to do that, then do it with us,” he says.