Team Bahrain Victorious will race on Bianchi from 2026, ending a nine-season partnership with Merida and returning one of cycling’s most storied marques to the sharp end of the WorldTour.
Announced on 4 December, the multi-year deal secures Bianchi’s top-tier presence after the collapse of Arkéa–B&B Hotels, and hands Bahrain Victorious the full Reparto Corse race arsenal: Oltre aero bike, Specialissima all-rounder, Aquila time trial machine and Impulso gravel platform.
“When we first sat down with Bianchi to explore the possibility of a collaboration, it was immediately clear that we shared the same spirit and goals," said Team Bahrain Victorious Managing Director Milan Eržen. We saw their ambition to build on their rich heritage and legacy while looking ahead with us – working on advancements, development, and a modern vision for the future of performance cycling.”
Founded in 1885 and forever linked with its celeste paint, Bianchi gains a high-profile GC and Classics platform just weeks after losing its previous WorldTour partner to financial troubles. The project is built around a tight feedback loop between riders and Bianchi’s Reparto Corse engineers to drive mid-season updates rather than traditional model cycles.
Bianchi CEO Alberto Cavaggioni said, “We are extremely proud to become the new partner of Team Bahrain Victorious, with whom we share values such as heritage, innovation, and the drive to win.”
Merida has signalled that it will continue working on "exciting new WorldTour racing projects" so the 2026 peloton may see the Taiwanese brand return in a new form.
