Race news
Lidl-Trek unveils 10-rider women's development squad for 2027 with WorldTour pathway
Lidl-Trek have launched a women’s development team for 2027, extending its Future Racing programme alongside the current men’s squad.
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Massimo Fulgenzi / Cor Vos
Lidl-Trek Future Racing Women will feature 10 riders from eight nations, including Chantal Pegolo and Matilde Rossignoli of Italy, alongside Austria’s Tabea Huys and Denmark’s Olympia Norris-Mortensen.
They are joined by Ane Zubeldia of Spain, Germany’s Messane Bräutigam, Britain’s Kate Richardson, Luxembourg’s Liv Wenzel and American duo Ella Sabo and Katherine Sarkisov.
The launch of a women’s development programme expands on the men’s programme, Lidl-Trek Future Racing, which featured under-23 road race and time trial European champion Héctor Álvarez and 2025 junior road race world champion Harry Hudson.
Existing UCI continental development teams in the women’s peloton in 2026 included AG Insurance Soudal Devo Team, Canyon//Sram Generation, Fenix Premier Tech Development, Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team and UAE Development Team L’IMAD. The latter will stop running from 2027 onwards.
Frank Schleck, Women’s Team Manager, expressed the commitment of the German team to the future of Lidl-Trek and the wider development of women’s cycling.
“Our aim is to give young riders the time, support and opportunities they need to develop,” Schleck said in a statement released by Lidl-Trek.
“The step up to the WorldTour is becoming more demanding, so we want to create a clear pathway where riders can learn, make mistakes and grow without the immediate pressure to deliver results.”
“Now is the right time because women's cycling is growing, and our investment needs to extend beyond the WorldTour team. We also have a responsibility to help develop the next generation.”
The newly formed squad recently joined the WorldTour side in Bad Wimpfen for an initial team gathering ahead of the 2027 season.
“Our first meeting in Bad Wimpfen was a really encouraging start. Bringing the development riders together with the WorldTour team helped build connections straight away,” Schleck said.
"There was a lot of energy and curiosity, and I want every rider to feel that she belongs here and has a future with us.”
