Key domestique joins Evenepoel in Soudal Quick-Step exodus
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe have strengthened their squad with the experience of Mattia Cattaneo, a rider who also knows fellow new signing Remco Evenepoel well.
Red-Bull-BORA-hansgrohe have announced the signing of Mattia Cattaneo from Soudal-QuickStep for the 2026 season.
Cattaneo joins his current teammate Remco Evenepoel in making the switch to the German team for the coming season, and the Italian is set to be a key domestique for the Belgian as he has been in the colours of Soudal-QuickStep.
Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe have already announced the signings of Evenepoel, Gianni Vermeersch, as well as confirming the full-time step up to the professional ranks for Callum Thornley and Luke Tuckwell from the development team.
The 34-year-old has raced 14 Grand Tours, and has finished runner-up on stages at the Tour de France and his home Grand Tour, the Giro d’Italia. Cattaneo also finished 12th overall at the Tour in 2021, illustrating his climbing capabilities, which will be very useful once more for Evenepoel’s 2026 GC ambitions.
Cattaneo is a well-rounded rider who also thrives in the time trial discipline and in one-day classics, in addition to his strengths as a climbing domestique.
"With Mattia, we continue our strategy of pairing our young talents with experienced professionals," said Ralph Denk, team boss of Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, in an official statement. "Mattia brings race awareness and experience, along with the big engine that provides crucial power for the team from one-day races to the Grand Tours."
The Italian veteran expressed enthusiasm about his new challenge and opportunity to contribute to the team's ambitions.
"I'm very happy to be joining Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe and I'm really looking forward to meeting everyone and starting to race," Cattaneo said. "I'd like to thank the team for giving me this opportunity. I'll do my best to support the team leaders, and I'm convinced that my contribution can be valuable for the team."
Cattaneo will enter his 14th year as a professional in 2026, having previously raced for Lampre-Merida, Androni-Giocattoli, and for his current team, Soudal-QuickStep, for the past six seasons.
