Schmid flies at Pinarello-Q36.5

Pinarello-Q36.5 has made a major move: Mauro Schmid, winner of the thirteenth stage of the 2026 Tour de France , will leave Jayco-AlUla to join the Swiss team starting next season.

The Swiss rider has signed a three-year contract that will keep him with the team until at least the end of 2029, a strong sign of the confidence the Biancoceleste management has placed in him.

Schmid has been a key player for the Australian team since his arrival in 2024 and is currently Jayco-AlUla's top UCI points scorer this season, with over 2,500 points to his name. In addition to his stage win at the Tour, the 1999-born rider triumphed at the Coppi e Bartali in March and finished second at both the Flèche Wallonne and the Tour Down Under: a strong calling card for those looking to build solid and versatile fantasy teams.

The twenty-six-year-old will join the Swiss team as one of its leaders, sharing the pressure and responsibilities with the team's star rider, Tom Pidcock . This promises to be a promising partnership, one that fantasy cycling coaches will have to monitor closely in stage races and classics.

Schmid explained that part of the appeal of the move was the connection with manager Doug Ryder, who had already brought him to the pro ranks with Qhubeka NextHash in 2021, as well as the opportunity to join an all-Swiss project.

"Doug gave me the opportunity to turn pro, so there was already a strong bond," Schmid said in a press release. "But what really convinced me was seeing how much the team has grown over the last two or three years. Especially being Swiss, joining this project makes everything even more special."

The rider has become one of the most versatile and well-rounded in the peloton, capable of playing his cards on a wide variety of terrain. In top form during his second Tour de France, he also scored two second-place finishes in stages 17 and 18, proving himself a valuable asset for those who field him in fantasy cycling on any type of route.

"Each season I've managed to take another step forward, but I feel like I haven't reached my full potential yet. I want to become an even more complete rider, improve my time trial, and continue closing the gap in the major classics," he added. "I believe this environment gives me everything I need to continue progressing."

Schmid's signing is Pinarello-Q36.5's first move ahead of the 2027 season. Meanwhile, Australian Damien Howson has already announced his retirement from the second-tier squad, announcing his retirement ahead of this Tour. About half of the team's contracts are expiring at the end of the year, so it's not out of the question that the roster could significantly change for next season: an aspect to keep an eye on for those managing their transfer strategies from a fantasy cycling perspective.

"Mauro is one of the most complete riders in professional cycling today. What impressed us most were not only his results this year, but the way he rides—with intelligence, versatility, and an unwavering desire to continually improve. These qualities are a perfect fit for the culture we're building at the Pinarello Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team," said team manager Doug Ryder.

"Being a Swiss rider joining a Swiss team, there's a natural connection that makes this signing particularly meaningful. We believe our environment, working closely with our partners, will give Mauro every opportunity to continue growing, while his experience and feedback will help us further push the boundaries of innovation. We're delighted to welcome him to the team."

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