The best development team in professional cycling – according to the 2026 UCI ranking – is that of the Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe Rookies. No other Under 23 formation achieved comparable results in the past season, nor did it win as many races, securing among other things the general classification of the Giro Next Gen and the Tour de l'Avenir, two of the most prestigious stage races on the Under 23 calendar. The recognition for this success is the promotion of four riders to the WorldTour team: Sebastian Putz (Austria) and Italians Davide Donati, Lorenzo Finn and Alessio Magagnotti.

For the development squad, 2027 marks the beginning of a new era. Without the leaders from the past season, the third year in the team's brief history will be dedicated to preparing a new generation of talents for professional cycling.

Tim Meeusen, Development Director, explains: "Seeing four of our riders reach the WorldTour this winter is a great recognition for our project and concrete proof that our approach works. At the same time, the departures of Donati, Finn, Magagnotti and Putz mark a turning point for the Rookies. In 2026 we had well-defined profiles; in 2027 we're focusing on greater versatility, which will inevitably influence our tactical approach in racing as well. The objective, however, remains unchanged: to develop our talents and bring them to the WorldTour".

The core of the new squad is formed by seven riders who have already raced for the Rookies in 2026: Noah Lindholm Møller Andersen (Denmark), Gustave Blanc (France), Max Bock (Germany), Paul Fietzke (Germany), Anatol Friedl (Austria), as well as Michiel Mouris and Gijs Schoonvelde (both from the Netherlands).

They are joined by Julius Birkedal (Denmark), Karl Herzog (Germany), Enzo Hincapie (USA) and Georgs Tjumins (Latvia), coming from Grenke – Auto Eder, the youth team of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe. The new signings are Enrico Andrea Balliana (Italy, national champion in the junior category), Nicolas Ginter (Switzerland) and Owen Kings (Germany). The squad thus reflects the entire development pathway of Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe: from juniors, through the "Rookies", to the WorldTour.

THE ROSTER

Balliana, Enrico Andrea (Italy, 18 years old)
Birkedal, Julius (Denmark, 17)
Blanc, Gustave (France, 19)
Bock, Max (Germany, 21)
Fietzke, Paul (Germany, 20)
Friedl, Anatol (Austria, 19)
Ginter, Nicolas (Switzerland, 20)
Herzog, Karl (Germany, 18)
Hincapie, Enzo (USA, 18)
Kings, Owen (Germany, 18)
Lindholm Møller Andersen, Noah (Denmark, 19)
Mouris, Michiel (Netherlands, 19)
Schoonvelde, Gijs (Netherlands, 19)
Tjumins, Georgs (Latvia, 18)