In 2025, Duvel - Tsingtao accomplished the team goal to stay in the Pro Continental Tour for another season, while continuing to progress its youth development programme.

Coming into the previous season with a 40% domestic rider (e.g. Belgian / Chinese) roster target, Directeur Sportif Jean Wauters was delighted to exceed that goal and manage to set the team up for success in years ahead.

"Duvel and Tsingtao have been clear from the outset of this project that the development of the cycling programme in Belgium and China is the main priority. Last season, the team achieved safety in the PCT division with 52% of the roster made up of Belgian and Chinese riders.

We also gave professional debuts and a year's development to Uijtdebroeks, Poole and Ju, while continuing the development of Pollefliet.

2025 saw fewer victories than the previous year, but both stage wins were provided by Yikui Niu, one of the team's most-respected Chinese veterans. He has made his country very proud with his performances in the PCT division and we hope his mentorship continues to advance Chinese cycling.

The long-term development of this project remains the priority in 2026, while Duvel and Tsingtao also hope to see a slightly more competitive team in year 2 in the PCT."

Welcome to the 2026 Duvel - Tsingtao team HQ!

This is how Duvel - Tsingtao's 2026 renewals ended up.

We overspent in some areas and were brutal in other areas. We were almost entirely done in round 1 of renewals, with only 1 rider left to finalise after the initial attempt. For the second year in a row (after letting Dion Smith walk for free), the renewal moderator was deeply shocked by Duvel - Tsingtao team strategy in renewals.

Clearly, team management needs training from jph or others on how best to nickel and dime their riders.

The goners

First of all, we must thank the following for their efforts, who were all relatively easy cuts due to either declines, greed, or just not quite fitting into the new Duvel - Tsingtao roster composition:

- Joeri Stallaert, Emilien Viennet, Clement Venturini, Gianni Vermeersch, Quinten Hermans, and Gianluca Pollefliet.

The ones who made us work for their signatures

- Marcus Faglum Karlsson: Well deserved rise in salary after a good year in PCT. He'll be riding for the team again next season.

- Willi Willwohl: Again, a deserved rise after a good year in PCT without much support. He will be available, and might be an excellent option for a team not looking to spend much on a sprinter.

- Yikui Niu: We only had two stage wins all of last season Niu scored both of 'em. He's not going anywhere in his final year of his prime.

- Louis Blouwe: Did a job as a support rider. We're not convinced he's worth his wage, but perhaps others are, which is why he's listed as a 'maybe'.

- Zouzou Andriafenomananiaina: What a nice profile to have, but sadly he doesn't quite fit with our intended roster composition. He'll be on the block.

The team players

- Cian Uijtdebroeks: We thought his asking price was quite high when we first received his demands. Comparing him to some of his peers, we think he's probably earning £70k more than he should. We've been robbed! It's OK though, Cian is our golden boy and will face no repercussions.

- Max Poole: Another who we probably could've gotten a little lower. You will note he's on the block. We will be considering any variety of offers for this 6 potential attacking climber beast.

- Xianjing Lyu: A decent first stint in the PCT for Duvel - Tsingtao, team management believes he has what it takes to score decent points for the team, possibly with some extra 'motivation'. He'll be staying.

- Alberto Bettiol: Came in to do a job as a leader. Fulfilled that role ably. He can move on to new pastures, and likely has what it takes to do a solid leadership role in the CT for either a new team or development team that needs a veteran (33+) presence.

- Nicholas Dlamini: Highly sought after on the FA market the year prior, we managed a £15k wage cut, but will be fielding offers for the versatile man this coming transfer window.

- Mingrun Chen, Stan Dewulf, Cristian Perez, Stan van Tricht, Jinyang Ju: They stay.

@cunego - Blouwe is one of those odd ones that should be better. Maybe this year with his extra cash, he'll have a little less stress in his personal life and that'll bring out the best in him in the peloton. And re: the Cian/Poole overpay, "probably a little too cautious" is very kind. You can just say "you are a terrible negotiator."

@redordead - Wheeling and dealing is the only way we know to go. Be in touch if you see something you like (and you decide to sack up and not sit out this transfer window...)!

@SotD - Well thank you, that's very kind I do think we have some decent pieces, though not many PCT quality leaders. Thankfully as you say, we've got some interesting assets to move and some wages to be blown. Be in touch in transfers

@ember - We'll very much look forward to the talk Cheers mate, it's certainly a bit easier going into this transfer season with at least half a roster. Think we kept 4 of the riders we ended 2024 with in the 2025 season.

@TMM - Thanks mate, indeed we've got some pieces to hold onto and some interesting bits and bobs around the edges. Nobody quite of the Lagane-type aura, but then again we're a more understated team than your dynasty Perhaps we'll be in touch in transfers?

@bbllover, Abhi - Indeed an active window beckons, although Cian sticking around is the main priority. Now it's time to make sure the roster is fit to rise up the table slightly, while maintaining that youth development feel.

@kb - I'm glad Akhmaevi has become a PT rider with you...he's a nice piece to have. And though Roosen was just a 'one and done' rider, it was good to see the surprise package of PCT being supported by Duvel - Tsingtao

@jandal - You know it's going to be a fun transfer season for us all, but it feels like this round of PCT action is going to be a bit more competitive than usual...with Heine, jt, TMM (with a new lease of life), Abhi and many other more-knowledgeable-than-me managers coming through the division, it might be a tricky season

As the transfer window is soon to be underway, team management figured it would be helpful to those teams starting to plan with their available budgets by providing some acceptable asking prices. All of the below riders are available for cash or swap offers, but cash prices are listed (except for Poole, who has such a wide range of values depending on the eye of the beholder, that it's not worth putting a price on him). We look forward to your outreach once the transfer season kicks off!

With the first week of transfers now in the books, team management is delighted to reveal a number of additions and departures to the Duvel - Tsingtao squad for 2026.

Team sponsor requirements continue to be set on domestic riders, still aiming for a 40% target of Chinese / Belgian riders. This was surpassed the past 2 years, but can team management accomplish that goal again this year?.



Quick analysis: The man, the myth, the promotion legend. Everywhere Benoot goes, success follows. We hope now that he is at Duvel - Tsingtao in his final year of prime, that trend continues. He will ride primarily hilly cobbled races but also mix it up in the standard hilly races. Now, everyone say it with me: BENOOOOOOOOT!

Previous team: MOL Cycling Team

Fee: €1,000,000 (a steal)



Quick analysis: Samuel Watson is the star youth prospect signed this season, replacing Max Poole as the Brit of the squad, but providing the team with a formidable classics rider in two seasons to go along with Cian Uijtderbroeks maturing at the same time. Watson will be a super fun rider to have on the roster with his attacking intent and resistance, meaning an attack is much more likely to stick. He will need training on the cobbled main stat, but when he is trained, we may have a monster.

Previous team: None



Quick analysis: After being promoted from PCT to PT last season with Hunter Valley Cycling, the team made a concerted effort to get slightly younger in its leadership profiles, bringing in Jules Hesters as a slightly more sturdy sprint leader. In addition to his excellent energy stats, Hesters can survive the easier cobbles meaning he'll be an additional scoring option in some less selective races...if he doesn't mess up Benoot! On a good wage, we're very pleased to have Hesters for the long-term.
Previous team: Hunter Valley Cycling

Fee: €440,000



Quick analysis: After the disbandment of his previous team, team management knew that Van Wilder would have a market as his skillset is perfect for supporting any team leaders over undulations of any kind. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much in the way of energy stats or a fighting instinct, so we envision him as a bit of a battering ram in the peloton to keep our hilly and climbing leaders safe from harm.

Previous team: Team Puma - SAP




Quick analysis: With Max Poole maxing out at the same time as Cian Uijtdebroeks, team management made the decision that the wages saved from Poole would be better spent elsewhere and secured a swap deal with PT-side Cedevita for Martin Papanov. Martin will be a very useful stage race domestique, supporting Marcus Faglum Karlsson and whoever follows afterwards, with youth still on his side. Adding to Mingrun Chen, Ilan Van Wilder and Yikui Niu, team management is pleased with the mountain support staff.

Previous team: Cedevita

Fee: Max Poole with €225,000 to Duvel - Tsingtao




Quick analysis: Rex has been brought in to finalise his development into a strong classics and breakaway domestique. He will be a useful dom this year already, but from next year will come into his own. We like what Laurenz offers the team and hopefully we will reduce his wage slightly from next year onwards (but shhh...don't tell him that!).

Previous team: None




Quick analysis: As a bargain purchase, we feel Barbier represents significant value for the Duvel - Tsingtao outfit this season, as his eligibility for C2 races gives the team a genuine scoring option it hasn't had in the past. While Pierre's stamina and lack of abilities over the hills means his efficacy will be somewhat limited to short sprint races, that's precisely where we hope he can stand out or at the very least, prove a key part of the train being built for Hesters.

Previous team: McCormick Pro Cycling

Fee: €75,000




Quick analysis: Joining from disbanded CT side, PolderStrijders, Nieuwenhuis should be fresh after a season of hardly racing. He will be the new roleur eating up the flats for the team, and putting its sprinters in a far better position than they've ever had (with some minor investment in sprinting compared to never before). Joris is also an excellent guy, so we've been told, so we hope he will be a good cultural fit despite being Dutch.

Previous team: PolderStrijders




Quick analysis: A support rider for the cobbles this season, De Witte has seen better days but will nonetheless be a useful rider for Duvel - Tsingtao. We are pleased to offer him what is likely to be his final ride in the MG peloton, and hope that he will enjoy his experience at home in the Belgian sunshine sucking down some cold ale on his days off.

Previous team: Minions