Lidl, Europe's largest food retailer, and Trek, an American bicycle manufacturer, are in advanced negotiations regarding a change in the ownership structure of the UCI WorldTour Team Lidl-Trek.

Lidl intends to acquire a majority stake, with Trek maintaining a significant ownership portion of the team they originally founded. Subject to approval from all competent authorities, the transaction is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks.

Since Lidl joined in 2023, the male and female Lidl-Trek teams have been continuously strengthening. The ambitions of both companies have been set high from the first day of Trek's collaboration with Lidl. After two years, the future co-owners intend to raise the bar even further.

The complementary partnership - Trek's legacy as a trusted global bicycle production name, associated with both innovation and performance, and Lidl's emerging role as a recognized sports supporter using food as a vehicle to communicate better living - has already won the hearts and minds of cycling enthusiasts worldwide. This goal is achieved through consistent commitment to winning with passion, and through a culture that openly engages fans, both in person and through their growing online and social communities.

With a long-term commitment from both partners, Lidl-Trek will invest in the future and in doing so improve resources available for current cyclists and staff, while further consolidating Lidl-Trek as a magnet for the best cyclists, emerging talents, and most qualified personnel. The investment has been allocated for a cutting-edge Performance Center focused on athlete health, recovery, and performance analysis to improve decision-making as an aid to performance enhancement and also putting individual athlete needs at the forefront. The future co-owners will undoubtedly benefit from the significant investment that Lidl's parent company, The Schwarz Group, has made in artificial intelligence and digital sovereignty through its digital center Digits.

Roger Gierhart, Vice President of Trek Bicycle, stated: "Since Trek acquired the WorldTour license and created the team 12 years ago, we knew we would be in this sport for the long term. Historically, we've been in the lower budget tier of teams and have made a reputation for delivering results above our weight class. Whether winning monuments and Grand Tour stages or capturing iconic jerseys, the team has been a success story that has brought great joy to everyone at Trek, as well as fans at home worldwide. With Lidl, we've found a partner with whom we share a vision for the future, and with their support, we can aim for the top of this sport and write even more success in our history".

This imminent reorganization shifts Lidl from contracted sponsor to co-owner, providing resources to recruit, retain, and develop the best riders in a stable, long-term environment. After this latest engagement, Trek will remain faithful to the team, continuing as co-owner and technical partner. Lidl-Trek will continue to race with the same values it has always demonstrated: great team culture and spirit, self-sacrifice, a unique attitude for all, and fun during races. Fans can expect Lidl-Trek to remain the team they know and love.

Thomas Rohregger, Vice President of Brand Partnerships and Head of Cycling at Lidl, stated: "We initiated discussions with Trek regarding joint ownership of this fantastic team with immense respect and enthusiasm. For us, Lidl-Trek represents a powerful platform to reach the pinnacle of international men's and women's road cycling and, most importantly, to play a key role in promoting healthy nutrition and active lifestyles for fans worldwide. We are grateful for the trust placed in us by Trek to take this next step together. We care about the legacy Trek has created for this team, which we have improved together, and with the talented Lidl-Trek team of cyclists and staff, we will continue to strengthen the team in terms of performance and culture with the goal of becoming the best team in the world".

Luca Guercilena, General Manager of Lidl-Trek, stated: "Trek started this ambitious project in 2014, laying the foundations for the Team we have today, and we are extremely proud of everything we have achieved since then. Now, with Lidl planning to join Trek in co-ownership and discussions proceeding constructively, the future looks even brighter. But our philosophy will remain the same: to be the team fans want to cheer for while we strive to be the best. Of course, such an ambitious goal is possible only with the unwavering trust and support of exceptional companies like Lidl and Trek, who share our vision for the future. Our experience in cultivating talent speaks for itself, and with our development team now well-established, we are excited about what's to come."