With just a few days to go before the World Tour teams begin their preparations, there are still many riders without contracts, and some of them are big names who will be released from next December 31st, unless an agreement is reached in the meantime.

The high-profile free agent who stands out most on this list is Richard Carapaz : the Ecuadorian had intended to renew his contract with EF Education (as he told AS during the Giro), but after three seasons with the American team, his future is uncertain. His agent, Giuseppe Acquadro, is considering offers and is reportedly considering a sensational return to Movistar .  

Carapaz could, therefore, return to the team where he launched himself into major cycling in 2017 and remained until 2019, winning the Giro d'Italia that very season .  

The Ecuadorian rider, born in 1993, gave his best at the Giro last season, finishing third, and could still be useful to many teams in both stage and one-day races.  

In 2025, Carapaz scored 1343 points in Fantacycling , finishing the season with a value of 22 fantamillions.  

Another key free agent is Biniam Girmay , who is affected by the situation at Intermarché Wanty. The option to stay after the merger with Lotto still exists, but Team Ineos is strongly interested in the Eritrean. A move from Israel, however, is unlikely, as they have also lost their sponsor, Premier Tech.  

Other experienced names include Michal Kwiatkowski, Matej Mohoric, and Fernando Gaviria, who is being eyed by Caja Rural. Also keep an eye on Sam Welsford , released from Red Bull-Bora and whose performances are strongest in the early part of the season, between the Tour Down Under and the UAE Tour. The Australian, in 2025, collected 508 points at Fantacycling, all concentrated in the very early part of the season.  

“LUXURY” RELEASED  

Richard Carapaz (Ecu), 32 years old

Michal Kwiatkowski (Pol), 35

Matej Mohoric (Esl), 31

Biniam Girmay (Eri), 25

Esteban Chaves (Col), 35

Fernando Gaviria (Col), 31

Hugh Carthy (GBr), 31

Jack Haig (Australia), 32

Ruben Guerreiro (Por), 31

Ben Swift (GBr), 38

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency