Pinarello-Q36.5 Big Deal: Bittner Signs Two-Year Deal

Cycling's transfer market continues to shake things up, and this time it's one of the most interesting sprinters in the peloton. Pinarello-Q36.5 has officially signed Czech sprinter Pavel Bittner , born in 2003, who will join the Swiss team on a two-year contract starting in the 2027 season.

This is yet another transfer coup for ProTeam, which just a few weeks ago had already secured Mauro Schmid from AlUla-Jayco on a three-year deal. For Picnic-PostNL, however, this is a huge loss: Bittner had grown under their wing, becoming one of the brightest prospects in the world of sprint racing.

The numbers speak for themselves: Bittner has been one of the Dutch team's best-performing riders this season, with six top-10 finishes, including a second place at the Scheldeprijs, a third at the Bredene Koksijde Classic, and a fifth place in a stage of the Tour de France. It's no coincidence that he's the team's most prolific UCI points scorer, with 580 points to his name. For those who play fantasy cycling, these numbers are a powerful sign of consistency and consistency, qualities often more valuable than a single resounding victory.

"In recent years, I've become a more complete rider. I've learned to stay calmer in decisive moments, and I know there's still another step to take. My ambition is to become a consistent winner, fight for victories in the biggest races, and continue to improve every year," Bittner said in a statement released by the team on Monday.

The sprinter also explained the reasons behind his decision to change jerseys: "From the outside, I could already see how much this team had grown in recent years. Every conversation confirmed the same feeling: it's an ambitious project, but also an environment where people truly enjoy racing together. That family atmosphere means a lot to me, because I believe you perform at your best when you feel comfortable in the environment you're working in."

At the professional level, Bittner has always ridden with Picnic-PostNL, starting with the development team in 2021 as a teenager, before moving up to the WorldTour when the team was still called Team DSM. His most notable achievement remains a stage win at the 2024 Vuelta a España, when he sprinted to victory in Seville on stage five, before finishing second on stage 17, a rolling stage that showcased his growing versatility even on more challenging terrain.

"At just 23 years old, he has already made two Tour de France appearances, won a Grand Tour stage, and has continued to show remarkable progression this season. We believe his best years are yet to come," commented Doug Ryder , team principal of Pinarello-Q36.5.

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