The thrill of a blockbuster team merger in professional cycling can sometimes overshadow the devastating personal toll it takes on the athletes involved—imagine pouring your heart and soul into a sport, only to find yourself suddenly sidelined without a ride. That's the harsh reality facing several riders in the wake of the Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty union, where dreams are clashing with tough business decisions.
This week, the long-awaited merger between these two storied Belgian pro cycling outfits was officially greenlit, touted as a fresh era for the sport on the global stage. Yet, beneath the headlines of unity and ambition, there's a poignant human side that's impossible to ignore. For beginners dipping their toes into cycling's world, think of a merger like this as two companies joining forces to cut costs and boost competitiveness—except here, the 'employees' are elite athletes whose careers hang in the balance.
The blending of Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty, a saga that dragged on for months, has resulted in a streamlined roster of 30 riders for the newly minted Lotto-Intermarché squad. This drawn-out negotiation period left many cyclists scrambling desperately for spots on other teams ahead of the 2026 season or contemplating an early exit from the peloton altogether. Some ended up high and dry, with no clear path forward.
And this is the part most people miss: even as the merger promises stability for the core group, it's left a trail of uncertainty for others. According to ProCyclingStats (PCS)—a go-to online database tracking rider transfers, results, and team rosters—two riders from Lotto and seven from Intermarché remain uncontracted for the upcoming season. From Lotto, we're talking Jarne Van De Paar and Logan Currie; over from Intermarché, it's Dion Smith, Louis Barré, Gijs Van Hoecke, Kobe Goossens, Kamiel Bonneu, Kevin Colleoni, and Gerben Kuypers. Keep in mind, this isn't set in stone—some might have quietly secured deals elsewhere, just not with the new Lotto-Intermarché entity, though nothing's been publicly verified yet. In the fast-paced world of pro cycling, where contracts can shift like the wind during a sprint finish, these lists are more like snapshots than final verdicts.
Adding to the shake-up, another six pros from both original teams have hung up their wheels in retirement, calling time on their racing careers. On top of that, all 10 riders from Intermarché's now-defunct Wanty-Nippo-ReUz development team—essentially a feeder squad for up-and-coming talent—are still teamless for next year, with no announcements on their futures.
Take 26-year-old Tom Paquot, for instance, who's been grinding it out with Intermarché's top-tier WorldTour squad over the past three years. In a candid chat with RTBF, he opened up about bowing out of the sport, labeling himself a 'collateral victim' of the merger. 'The moment those initial whispers hit in July, I started reaching out to potential teams,' he shared. 'But things got messy fast with the downfall of Arkéa-B&B Hotels and the Wagner Bazin-WB collapse, flooding the market with even more riders looking for spots. As time ticked by, my options just kept shrinking.' Paquot's story highlights a broader issue in cycling: when big teams consolidate, the ripple effects can push promising talents to the sidelines, forcing them to pivot to coaching, mechanics roles, or even entirely new careers outside the sport.
Paquot isn't riding this wave alone. Fellow Lotto cyclist Jonas Gregaard, at just 27, also chose to step away, penning a reflective piece on his decision. 'Retiring wasn't a light choice—it's weighed heavy on me—but deep down, I know it's the best move for my well-being,' he wrote. 'This sport asks for your all, body and mind, and right now, it's time to prioritize my own recovery and recharge.' Gregaard's words echo a growing trend among young pros, where the relentless grind—from endless training miles to mental health battles—leads to early exits, as seen in cases like other recent retirees from teams such as Ineos Grenadiers.
But here's where it gets controversial: is this merger truly a 'super-team' in the making, as some fans hype it up, or just a desperate bid for survival in a cutthroat sport where smaller squads struggle to keep up? Looking ahead, the rebooted Lotto-Intermarché will compete in the men's WorldTour—the pinnacle of professional road racing, featuring the biggest events like the Tour de France—while their women's counterpart operates as a ProTeam, battling in high-level but slightly below-elite races.
Jean-François Bourlart, stepping up as the general manager for this revamped project, struck an optimistic tone this week: 'With the coming together of two iconic Belgian cycling legacies, we're turning the page to an exciting new phase in the international scene. Over the past months, our team has poured immense effort into crafting a robust foundation, drawing from the strengths of both the Lotto Cycling Project and Intermarché-Wanty. We're thrilled that the UCI—the sport's governing body—has backed us with a three-year license to bring this vision to life.'
While Bourlart paints a picture of progress, one can't help but wonder: at what cost to the riders left behind? Does the pursuit of a stronger team justify the job losses and forced retirements, or is there a better way to protect the human element in such deals? What do you think—should cycling's regulators step in to safeguard athletes during mergers like this? Drop your thoughts in the comments below; I'd love to hear if you're cheering for the new super-squad or feeling for the 'collateral victims' caught in the mix.
