Evenepoel set to become cycling’s second highest earner with Red Bull deal
Remco Evenepoel has signed one of the richest contracts in cycling history with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, after his depart from Soudal-QuickStep, worth an estimated €8 million per year, making him the sport's second highest-paid rider behind Tadej Pogačar.
According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, the Belgian star's salary is worth a reported €8 million per year, with sources close to Velo confirmed that the salary reflects the market value of cycling's superstar performances. Whilst also, sources also confirmed to Velo, that Evenepoel's base salary is just shy of that €8 million, instead with a €6-7 million base along with heavily performance based bonuses, potentially pushing the three-year deal's total value beyond €20 million.
The 25-year-old's move represents a significant financial leap forward in professional cycling, where only UAE Emirates-XRG's Pogačar earns more, with an annual salary between €8-12 million on a contract extending through the 2029 season.
Evenepoel will join fellow top earner Primož Roglič at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. The Slovenian currently commands between €3.5-4 million per year, creating what will become one of cycling's most expensive rider rosters.
Evenepoel's move to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe will take effect in the 2026 season, giving the cycling world time to anticipate how this landmark deal might influence future contracts and team structures across the professional peloton.
The escalating salaries for cycling's elite highlight a growing wage gap within the peloton. While top stars now command multi-million euro deals, most WorldTour professionals earn between €250,000-400,000 annually, with many domestiques taking home less than €150,000, according to sources close to Velo.
This top-heavy wage structure reflects cycling's evolution as established winners and emerging talents increasingly secure unprecedented financial packages. The trend follows other major sports where star performers capture the bulk of available resources.
The top five salaries in cycling
| Rider | Salary |
|---|---|
| €8-12 million/year |
| €6-8 million/year |
| €4.5-5.5 million/year |
| €4-4.5 million/year |
| €4-4.5 million/year |
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