August 1 is a big deal in the world of professional cycling. It is the day riders can officially announce that they are moving teams, unveil their new direction, and rumours can finally be put to bed.
Rather than announcing each transfer individually, we will collect together all the transfers in the men's and women's pelotons here, as and when they are officially revealed.
While the announcements can now be made, many deals will have been done in the weeks and months running up to August, hence the myriad of rumours that are given air. Some teams announce their new riders in one big splurge, while others strategically drip-feed the names throughout the rest of the year; the news does not necessarily need to be shared until December 31. However, riders and teams just have between August 1-15 if they want to announce mid-season moves.
There have been rumours running for months, but we've decided to collate all the confirmed deals into one page for you, as we did last year. We'll highlight some big moves, and put all the ins and outs at the bottom of this page.
Big moves
Anna Henderson signs for Lidl-Trek
Olympic time trial silver medallist Anna Henderson is following her teammate Riejanne Markus in moving from Visma-Lease a Bike to Lidl-Trek.
The British time trial champion will ride for her new squad from the beginning of 2025, and sees her join through 2027 on a three-year deal.
Her decision, she said in a statement, comes as she wishes to take on "new challenges" and "grow as a rider".
"Lidl-Trek presented an interesting environment with strong support, a clear vision for my future, and a team dynamic that aligned with my professional and personal goals," she said.
"Joining Lidl-Trek felt like the right step to continue developing my skills and contributing to a team that is focused on success. For a number of years I have admired the way the team race, more specifically their aggressive style of racing and really leaning on each other during the race."
Having missed the spring calendar this season through injury, Henderson said she is "keen to get back into these races and show myself".
"If I can help the team reach new heights while also growing as a rider, I’d consider the year a success," she said.
Riejanne Markus joins Lidl-Trek
It's time for change at Visma-Lease a Bike next season, as Pauline Ferrand-Prévot joins the Dutch squad, and Riejanne Markus makes way as a result. The 29-year-old is a solid GC rider and will offer new team Lidl-Trek a different option in stage races.
"I couldn’t be more excited to join Lidl-Trek," the Dutch time trial champion said. "For years, I’ve admired their pioneering role within women’s cycling, providing the same level of support as their men’s team; something that has inspired me deeply. I’ve always been drawn to well-organized teams, and Lidl-Trek is renowned for just that. Plus, the atmosphere among the riders and staff looks fantastic, and I can’t wait to be a part of it."
"Her qualities on the bike – climbing and time-trialling – will complement the rest of the team well, allowing us to chase success in a variety of situations," Luca Guercilena, Lidl-Trek's general manager, said. "Bringing her into Lidl-Trek will make us more competitive throughout the season, from the Classics to the Grand Tours."
Ethan Hayter signs for Soudal Quick-Step
Ethan Hayter, the current British national road champion, has signed a two-season contract with Soudal Quick-Step, starting from 2025.
The 25-year-old has spent the last five seasons with Ineos Grenadiers, with whom he has won stages at the Tour de Romandie, Itzulia Basque Country and the Tour de Pologne.
"I'm really pleased to be joining Soudal Quick-Step – one of the best teams in the peloton – next year. It's an exciting move and I'm grateful for the opportunity," Hayter said. "From the outside, it has always looked like a great team to be part of, and this new challenge is something that motivates me for next season. I'm already looking forward to meeting everyone there and getting things started."
Alongside his road career, Hayter is one of the most talented track riders. He has won four world titles, and recently earned his second silver medal at the Olympics.
"Ethan is a multi-discipline rider," said Soudal Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere. "[He is] somebody who is used to winning and who has caught our attention with his many qualities, which he has showcased in the WorldTour from a young age."
Julian Alaphilippe joins Tudor Pro Cycling
Two-time world champion Julian Alaphilippe has signed a three-year deal with Tudor Pro Cycling, a ProTeam team based in Switzerland and owned by Fabian Cancellara.
The Frenchman has had a turbulent relationship with his current team manager, Patrick Lefevere at Soudal Quick-Step, a team he has been with since he first turned pro in 2014.
Alaphilippe informed Lefevere in August that he planned to leave, and will join Tudor from the start of 2025. He will race the Lloyds Bank Tour of Britain Men with Soudal Quick-Step this September.
"After more than ten years with the same team, it was time for a change," the 32-year-old said in a statement. "I liked the Tudor Pro Cycling project from the beginning. I saw the team arrive and develop, and I also know a few of the riders and staff members. What better way to mark a turning point in my career than with a new and ambitious project?"
Cancellara said he is "super happy" to have Alaphilippe join the team. "He still has the fire needed to perform at the highest level and he will bring stability and experience to the team. He is a smart rider but also a good guy, with a good sense of humor, professionalism and a daring attitude."
Ineos Grenadiers sign Artem Schmidt, US U23 time trial champion
Ineos Grenadiers have continued their policy of signing promising young riders, bringing in American under-23 time trial champion Artem Schmidt. The 20-year-old follows other young riders like AJ August, Theodor Storm and Michael Leonard through the door.
Schmidt will join Ineos as a stagiaire after the Tour de l'Avenir, where he will race for the US national team.
"He’s an exciting young talent with a wide range of skills across time trialing, climbing and rolling terrain," Scott Drawer, the team's performance director, said. "He comes from a background and environment that’s familiar to us, and one which we know has a proven track record of providing excellent grounding for pro bike riders.
"Artem is the latest to join our promising group of young riders who all are part of our development programme and will collectively be key in helping us achieve the future goals that we’ve set ourselves."
Alberto Bettiol joins Astana Qazaqstan
Astana Qazaqstan have completed the mid-season signing of Alberto Bettiol from EF Education-EasyPost.
After agreeing to leave EF by mutual consent, the Italian national road champion has signed a three-year deal with his new team which will keep him racing for Astana until the end of 2027.
Bettiol's biggest win to date was the Tour of Flanders in 2019. The 30-year-old also won a stage of the Giro d'Italia in 2021 and Milano-Torino earlier this year.
Speaking after his move was completed, Bettiol said that the opportunity to work with Alexandr Vinokourov was too good to miss.
"I was impressed by the interest the team showed in me and by the attitude I saw from Alexandr Vinokurov. All of this convinced me that I am making the right choice by making this move even in the middle of the season," he said.
Vinokourov added that he saw Bettiol as the ideal reinforcement for Astana's growing Classics squad.
He said: "I am grateful to the management of EF Education-EasyPost for their open and friendly approach during the discussions and preparation for this mid-season transfer, and I am pleased that we found many common goals and prospects with Alberto for his future in our team. Together with other riders, Bettiol will form a strong group capable of competing for top positions in classic races of any level."
Julian Alaphilippe set to leave Soudal Quick-Step
After 11 years with Soudal Quick-Step, during which time he won two World Championships, stages of every Grand Tour and spent time in the yellow jersey at the 2019 Tour de France, Julian Alaphilippe is to leave the Belgian squad.
It will be weird to see the 32-year-old in a different cycling kit next year; he is currently rumoured to be joining Tudor, Fabian Cancellara's ProTeam.
Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, Soudal Quick-Step team boss Patrick Lefevere said: "Julian Alaphilippe called me himself this week to let me know he was leaving." Apparently the Frenchman went through sleepless nights as he mulled over his future.
One of his loudest critics in recent years has been Lefevere himself, who has not been happy with the return from his investment.
"I can't say more but I know a little more," Alaphilippe told French radio station RMC at the weekend. "My decision is made and I will communicate soon on it. Nothing is signed but, in my mind, it's done."
Max Schachmann returns to Soudal Quick-Step
After six years with Bora-Hansgrohe, Max Schachmann will return to Soudal Quick-Step. The two-time German champion won two editions of Paris-Nice during his time with the German outfit.
He started his WorldTour career with Soudal Quick-Step, during which time he won a stage of the Giro d'Italia, in 2018. He has now signed a two-year contract with the Belgian team.
"Max Schachmann is a very good and versatile rider who still has plenty to show in the sport, and we are confident he can do that as part of our squad. We have a lot of beautiful memories from his first pro years in the squad and we are really excited to see him in action again with the Soudal Quick-Step jersey on his shoulders, contributing to our collective success," team boss Patrick Lefevere said.
Pauline Ferrand-Prévot joins Visma-Lease a Bike
Visma-Lease a Bike have completed the signing of Pauline Ferrand-Prévot on a three year deal.
After a hugely successful period in mountain biking, in which she recently became Olympic champion, the Frenchwoman will return to the road from next year onwards.
"Last winter, I was thinking about my future after the Olympics," she said. "I had been chasing an Olympic medal in mountain biking for 12 years. I have now achieved that goal. I think it's time for a new challenge in cycling. Choosing Team Visma-Lease a Bike Women was an easy decision. The way the team works and its professional approach really appeal to me.
"Women's cycling has come a long way since I left the sport", she adds. I can't wait to get back into the peloton. With the support of the team, I am sure I can do great things again, so I am very motivated. I want to win The Tour de France Femmes."
As well as her Olympic title, Ferrand-Prévot has also won five mountain bike world titles in recent years.
Juliette Labous moves to FDJ-Suez
French champion Juliette Labous will move to FDJ-Suez for 2025, as part of a winter of upheaval at the French team. The 25-year-old, who has finished 2nd at the Giro d'Italia Women, fourth at the Vuelta España Femenina and fourth at the Tour de France Femmes, will stay with FDJ until at least 2027, after signing from dsm-firmenich PostNL.
Labous' move is the first Women's WorldTour transfer officially confirmed this year, but is not expected to be the last high-profile deal at the French squad. She will line up for dsm at the Tour, which begins on Monday.
"It is with immense pride and pleasure that we welcome Juliette into the FDJ-SUEZ family," Stephen Delcourt, the team's manager, said. "French champion and top-five in the last two Tours de France, Juliette is a remarkable athlete and, undeniably, one of the best climbers in the professional peloton.
"We are also honored by the confidence that Juliette places in our project and our vision. Her arrival is one more step towards the realization of our sporting ambitions."
Simon Carr joins Cofidis
After four years with EF Education-EasyPost, French-British rider Simon Carr will ride for Cofidis next season. The 25-year-old was born in Hereford but grew up in France, and has won stages of the Tour of the Alps amongst other achievements in his career to date. The climber says his dream is to ride the Tour de France.
"Simon Carr is solid, a rider capable of imposing himself on all terrains," Cedric Vasseur, Cofidis' manager, said. "He has already shown great things and we want to support him in his dream of shining on the roads of the Tour de France. Simon is strengthening a 2025 team that will present a new face and a new way of racing."
Simon Yates signs for Visma-Lease a Bike
Visma-Lease a Bike have completed the signing of Simon Yates from Jayco-AIUla for 2025.
Yates has signed a two-year deal with the Dutch super-team until the end of the 2026 season. The 31-year-old climber is a former winner of the Vuelta a España and has won stages in all three Grand Tours.
Yates best result at the Tour de France was fourth in 2023. He was regularly on the attack in the high mountains during this year's edition.
His move to Visma-Lease a Bike marks the first occasion he will ride for a new team after spending ten years with Jayco-AIUla since turning professional in 2014.
"This is a team I have admired for a long time and I couldn't pass up the opportunity to join," Yates said. "I’ve enjoyed much success in my career up to now and I look forward to continuing working hard and contributing to the success of the team.
"Despite the great time I have had with my current team, I felt it was time to change teams to keep improving myself and get the most out of myself. I look forward to meeting all my new teammates and staff and hit the ground running in 2025."
Bob Jungels joins Ineos Grenadiers
Ineos Grenadiers have signed Bob Jungels on a two-year contract.
A stage winner in the Tour de France, Jungels will leave his current team - Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe - at the end of the current campaign and ride for the Grenadiers from 2025.
Jungels is also a former stage winner at the Giro d'Italia and has taken victory at Liège–Bastogne–Liège.
Speaking about his new team, Jungels said: "I'm thrilled to be joining the Ineos Grenadiers. This is a team that I've always admired, and this opportunity has come along at the perfect time."
Ben O'Connor moves to Jayco AlUla
It seems fitting that the best Australians in cycling should be at Australia's WorldTour team, so Ben O'Connor to Jayco AlUla seems about right. The Australian has finished fourth overall at both the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France, taking stage wins at both. The 28-year-old has left Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale after four seasons with the French team, during which time he also became a fixture on Tour de France: Unchained.
It is expected that the O'Connor joining as a GC option means the end of Simon Yates at the squad.
"To be honest, it’s really an idea I’ve always loved; to race as an Aussie and win on an Aussie team," O'Connor in the press release from his new home after signing a two-year contract. "I’m at a point now where I need to deliver, so it’ll be even more special to do it with an Australian set-up. To have the opportunity to race with mates at the top level is rare, and I am just so keen to get stuck in."
Jhonatan Narváez swaps Ineos Grenadiers for UAE Team Emirates
One of the few riders to beat Tadej Pogačar this year, Jhonatan Narváez, is joining the Slovenian's team, UAE Team Emirates. It means a big name rider leaving Ineos Grenadiers, with the Ecuadorian signing a deal until 2028.
Narváez, the Ecuadorian champion, won stage one of this year's Giro d'Italia in Turin, and is a fast finisher, suited for lumpy stages or one-day Classics. He spent six years at Ineos, and his loss will be a blow for the British team.
Guillaume Martin moves from Cofidis to Groupama-FDJ
After a lengthy spell with Cofidis, Guillaume Martin will join French rival team Groupama-FDJ next year.
During his spell at Cofidis, Martin achieved a top-15 finish at the Tour de France on five occasions. He also won the mountains classification at the Vuelta a España and has two top ten finishes at both the Critérium du Dauphiné and Paris-Nice to his name.
Losing Martin is a disappointment to Cofidis, but they have moved quickly to replace him with the acquisition of Dylan Teuns from Israel-Premier Tech.
Men's WorldTour transfers
Astana Qazaqstan
In: Alberto Bettiol (EF Education-EasyPost), Wout Poels (Bahrain Victorious)
Out: Aleksey Lutsenko (Israel-Premier Tech)
Bahrain Victorious
In: Vlad Van Mechelen (dsm-firmenich PostNL Development), Daniel Skerl (CTF Victorious)
Out: Wout Poels (Astana Qazaqstan), Jasha Sütterlin (Jayco AlUla)
Cofidis
In: Dylan Teuns (Israel-Premier Tech), Simon Carrr (EF Education-EasyPost), Emmanuel Buchmann (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Alex Aranburu (Movistar)
Out: Axel Zingle (Visma-Lease a Bike), Guillaume Martin (Groupama-FDJ)
Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale
In: Rasmus Søjberg Pedersen, Noa Isidore, Oscar Chamberlain, Léo Bisiaux (all Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale Development)
Out: Ben O'Connor (Jayco AlUla)
EF Education-EasyPost
Out: Simon Carr (Cofidis), Alberto Bettiol (Astana Qazaqstan)
Groupama-FDJ
In: Guillaume Martin (Cofidis)
Out: Laurence Pithie (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Fabian Lienhard (Tudor), Sam Watson (Groupama-FDJ)
Ineos Grenadiers
In: Bob Jungels (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Victor Langellotti (Burgos BH), Artem Schmidt (Hagens Berman Jayco), Sam Watson (Groupama-FDJ)
Out: Jhonatan Narváez (UAE Team Emirates), Ethan Hayter (Soudal Quick-Step)
Intermarché-Wanty
In: Kamiel Bonneu (Team Flanders-Baloise)
Israel-Premier Tech
In: Aleksey Lutsenko (Israel-Premier Tech)
Out: Dylan Teuns (Cofidis)
Jayco AlUla
In: Ben O'Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale), Paul Double (Polti-Kometa), Koen Bouwman (Visma-Lease a Bike), Patrick Gamper (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe), Jasha Sütterlin (Bahrain Victorious)
Out: Simon Yates (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Lidl-Trek
In: Lennard Kämna (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
Movistar
Out: Alex Aranburu (Cofidis)
Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe
In: Giulio Pellizzari (VF Group–Bardiani–CSF–Faizanè), Laurence Pithie (Groupama FDJ), Finn Fisher-Black (UAE Team Emirates)
Out: Bob Jungels (Ineos Grenadiers), Patrick Gamper (Jayco AlUla), Lennard Kämna (Lidl-Trek), Marco Haller (Tudor Pro Cycling)
Soudal Quick-Step
In: Ethan Hayter (Ineos Grenadiers)
Out: Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor Pro Cycling)
UAE Team Emirates
In: Jhonatan Narváez (Ineos Grenadiers), Florian Vermeersch (Lotto Dstny)
Out: Marc Hirschi (Tudor), Finn Fisher-Black (Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe)
Visma-Lease a Bike
In: Axel Zingle (Cofidis), Simon Yates (Jayco-AIUla)
Out: Koen Bouwman (Jayco-AIUla)
Women's WorldTour transfers
AG Insurance-Soudal
In: Tess Moerman (DD Group-Multum Accountants-Foca Keukens)
Cofidis
In: Eugenia Bujak (UAE Team ADQ), Nadia Quagliotto (Labora Kutxa-Fundación Euskadi), Marion Borras (St Michel-Mavic-Auber93), Amalie Dideriksen (Uno-X Mobility)
dsm-firmenich PostNL
Out: Juliette Labous (FDJ-Suez)
FDJ-Suez
In: Juliette Labous (dsm-firmenich PostNL)
Human Powered Health
Out: Linda Zanetti (Uno-X Mobility)
Lidl-Trek
In: Riejanne Markus (Visma-Lease a Bike), Anna Henderson (Visma-Lease a Bike)
Liv AlUla Jayco
In: Amber van der Hulst (Liv AlUla Jayco Continental)
Out: Ingvild Gåskjenn (Uno-X Mobility)
Movistar
In: Carys Lloyd (Tofauti Everyone Active)
Uno-X Mobility
In: Linda Zanetti (Human Powered Health), Mia Gjertsen (Team Rytger-Carl Ras), Ingvild Gåskjenn (Liv AlUla Jayco)
Out: Amalie Dideriksen (Cofidis)
Visma-Lease a Bike
In: Pauline Ferrand-Prévot (Ineos Grenadiers)
Out: Riejanne Markus (Lidl-Trek), Anna Henderson (Lidl-Trek)
