Grading the latest WorldTour contract extensions 📝
Analysing a batch of new deals at UAE Team Emirates-XRG, Movistar, Alpecin and Soudal-QuickStep
Hi Subscribers,
Wednesday saw a flurry of contract extensions in the WorldTour, with Mikel Landa and Adam Yates among a gaggle of contract extensions at their respective teams.
Meanwhile, there are a couple of transfer rumours going around. The first is David Gaudu to Picnic. He might have been proposed at one point, but it’s not happening.
The second is Fred Wright moving from Bahrain Victorious, with Jayco AlUla in the mix. That rumour is far more credible, so keep an eye on that development.
Remember, all the latest transfer news, updates, and analysis are on the Transfer Index Page, and to coincide with the Giro d’Italia, there’s a special 20% sale on annual subscriptions. Just click on the link below to sign up.
Mikel Landa (Soudal Quick-Step) 🇪🇸
One-year contract extension
The one-year deal between Landa and Soudal Quick-Step makes sense for all parties involved. Soudal retain the services of a rider enjoying some of his best results in years, and in return, the 35-year-old has a comfortable seat at the table on one of the biggest teams in the world.
The length of the deal suggests that Landa is willing to take it one season at a time before eventually retiring, and Soudal have wisely realised that finding such an experienced rider, and one who is still competitive, is a challenging task. Most of the riders with Landa’s experience are either locked up on long-term deals or creaking through their final seasons.
Landa, meanwhile, is still ploughing along, picking up top tens in week-long races, and he heads to the Giro d’Italia on Friday with an outside chance of a podium place.
“I’m really happy to continue with the Wolfpack. I feel one of them and really at home here after one season and a half, and I’m looking forward to fighting for new goals. I already have many beautiful memories, from my first outing for the team, when I helped Remco win Algarve to finishing runner-up in Catalunya and then supporting Remco at the Tour de France, where he concluded on the podium after a great team effort,” Landa said.
“Looking ahead, I would like to be on the podium of the Giro d’Italia! That’s my dream and I will fight for it! It’s been three years since my previous Giro presence and I’m excited to be going there again. I have a love-hate relationship with the race, with many beautiful moments and also some difficult ones, but this doesn’t stop me from dreaming that I can do something nice there. After the Giro, I will then go with a lot of motivation to the Tour, hoping that my experience and effort can help Remco be again on the podium.”
Transfer Grade: A-
Adam Yates (UAE Team Emirates-XRG) 🇬🇧
Three-year contract extension
Mauro Gianetti doesn’t mess around when it comes to contract extensions, and that’s abundantly clear with Adam Yates being rewarded with a three-year deal that will likely take him until the end of his career. He’ll be 36 by the time his new terms expire, which clearly indicates UAE’s commitment and belief in the British rider.
Although Yates was technically on the market, few, if any, expected him to change teams. When I talked to him at the team training camp in December, it was evident that he wanted to remain on the squad and work for Tadej Pogačar. If Yates had any desire to move on, or even just test the waters on the transfer front, he would have waited until the end of the Giro d’Italia before putting pen to paper.
This new contract will mark his second three-year term with the team. By 2027 or 2028, Yates might not be the force he is today, but this is the richest team in the world flexing its considerable budget to retain a rider who has consistently performed for them. Furthermore, Yates fully understands and accepts that he is part of Pogačar’s team. For some riders, that can be tough to accept, so in that regard, UAE and Gianetti are wise to extend the deal.
“It’s a great feeling to extend my time with UAE Team Emirates-XRG,” Yates said.
“I’ve felt at home here from day one. The team environment, support staff, and ambition all align perfectly with where I want to be in my career. I’m excited for what the next few years will bring.”
Transfer Grade: B+
Liane Lippert (Movistar) 🇩🇪
Three-year contract extension
We spoke to Movistar team boss Sebastian Unzue in March, and he made it crystal clear that re-signing Lippert was his top priority on the transfer front. The German rider was arguably the best free agent heading into 2026, so Unzue had to act fast.