2027 Transfer Market: Who's Still Without a Team? From Roglič to Geoghegan Hart

The transfer market has been in full swing since August: dozens of riders have changed jerseys, just as many have extended their contracts with their current team. Many deals are finalized in the spring, others mature during the summer. But with the arrival of October, winter, and the new year, those without a contract for next season are starting to worry.

Last-minute deals are still possible, but rosters are filling up, and with some big names still on the market, many teams are preferring to hold onto some flexibility until the very last minute. For riders, this means finding themselves rethinking their futures. At the time of writing, over 120 WorldTour riders don't have an official contract for 2027, and hundreds more are without a deal at the ProTeam level. Some already know where they'll race but haven't been announced, others are evaluating offers, and still others are desperately seeking a place.

Primož Roglič

"Where will Roglič race in 2027?" is perhaps the biggest question in cycling right now. The Slovenian, true to form, is staying tight-lipped. We know he won't continue with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, but it's unclear whether he'll continue racing: he himself hinted that Il Lombardia might be his last race. Several media outlets have linked him with several teams, including Lotto-Intermarché and Tudor, and there's no shortage of teams interested in the multiple Grand Tour champion and current European time trial champion. At 36, however, nothing is official yet.

Fantasy cycling tip: Roglič is better off than many others, as he appears to have options, but his choice could trigger a chain reaction of many other negotiations. Keep a close eye on this contract before planning your 2027 strategies: his destination could impact the value of several teammates and rivals.

Tao Geoghegan Hart

The former Giro d'Italia winner hasn't been the same since his crash and serious injuries at the 2023 Giro. Despite Lidl-Trek's trust, with a three-year contract, he hasn't regained his Grand Tour level. Six years after wearing the pink jersey, it's unclear whether he'll be back in the peloton. During the season, there was talk of a quiet retirement, but more recently, speculation has circulated of a move to EF Education-EasyPost. Nothing is confirmed, and the string of withdrawals in recent months doesn't help: if he wants to continue, he'll likely have to accept at least a pay cut.

Lucinda Brand

Lucinda Brand has confirmed her departure from Lidl-Trek, choosing to stay with the Baloise Verzekeringen–Het Poetsbureau Lions cyclocross team, but she hinted that changes are to come on the road. It's highly likely that a contract for 2027 is already in place, but it hasn't been announced yet. With her experience and continued excellent performance, it's unlikely she'll struggle to secure a place: her silence could indicate she's looking beyond the WorldTour.

James Knox

After nine seasons in the WorldTour, James Knox may be at a crossroads: Picnic PostNL hasn't offered him a renewal after his one-year contract expired. He explained to Il Lombardia that he still has hope, but described a situation characterized by limited space for WorldTour teams, plenty of quality riders, a strong focus on points, and young riders arriving from the teams with guaranteed contracts. He's not a great winner, but he's a reliable mountain bike domestique: unfortunately, it's one of the most crowded categories on the market, and his road career risks coming to a halt.

Gaia Realini

Gaia Realini has agreed to part ways with Lidl-Trek a year early. There's talk of interest from other teams, but nothing is official. When a rider leaves early, there's often a better offer lined up, but that's not always the case: sometimes things don't work out, or the team wants to free up space. A talented climber with great potential, Realini seems destined to find a new home; it remains to be seen where.

Tom Van Asbroeck

The Belgian veteran, winner of classics like Binche-Chimay-Binche and a respected road captain, at 36 is among the more experienced riders struggling to secure a place. He told Het Nieuwsblad that he expected a renewal for 2027, but NSN had "an opportunity they couldn't pass up," and his place was vacated to make room for a new arrival. "I hope for the team that they made the right choice, but it leaves a bitter taste in my mouth. It's strange that I was good enough for selection for the Tour and for so many important races, and now suddenly there's no place for me anymore," he said.

Alexy Faure Prost

At the other extreme are those who have just begun their careers. This is the case of Frenchman Alexy Faure Prost, who joined Picnic PostNL this year and is already facing retirement at just 22 years old. His partner wrote in an Instagram post shared with him that there's only one step between being among the best in their category, courted by the biggest teams, and being forgotten despite being stronger than before. She emphasized that ending a career at 22 isn't normal and that behind the training data and contract money is always a person, not a robot. Newly pros are entitled to at least two years on their first contract, but after that, the future can become very uncertain: those who don't prove themselves at a young age risk never getting another chance.

Asbjørn Hellemose

With the chances of securing a contract dwindling, many riders are starting to share their stories on social media. Asbjørn Hellemose did just that over the weekend, confirming he will not continue with Jayco AlUla. The 27-year-old Dane wrote on Instagram after Il Lombardia that, given the current transfer market situation, he will most likely not continue as a WorldTour rider. He says he's proud of what he's achieved: four years in the WorldTour, a Grand Tour, a World Championship, and four Monuments. His story is far from unique: it's not the emotional farewell of someone who retires by choice, but the forced exit of someone who feels he still has much to give.

Other names without confirmed contracts

With well over 100 WorldTour riders unofficially signed for 2027 and many teams still with spots available, the market is far from closed. Here are some other options to keep an eye on:

Netcompany Ineos usually announces signings and renewals very late and has several riders whose contracts are expiring, including Tobias Foss, Axel Laurance, and Sam Watson. There are questions surrounding Lara Gillespie: the Irish sprinter was not confirmed at UAE Team L'Imad, despite being one of the few to challenge Lorena Wiebes this season. Given her talent, it's more likely she's evaluating offers rather than looking for a place. Stefan Bissegger's contract with Decathlon CMA CGM expires this year, and the Swiss has remained very tight-lipped about his future at the World Championships.

But be warned: not all unannounced names are in trouble. Connor Swift will remain with Netcompany Ineos. Chloe Dygert is expected to return to her American roots with Virginia's Blue Ridge-TWENTY28. Ben O'Connor is poised to return to Decathlon CMA CGM after two years with Jayco AlUla, with Laurens De Plus and Pavel Sivakov also headed to the French team. Danny van Poppel is said to have a contract to stay with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

Then there are riders without a confirmed place who are almost certainly struggling to survive: Human Powered Health and Uno-X Mobility are full for 2027, and athletes such as the Pikulik sisters, Kasia Ragusa, Ingvild Gåskjenn and Alberte Greve are currently without contracts.

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency