Big moves are happening behind the scenes at Lidl-Trek, and this one could reshape the top end of the WorldTour. After months of negotiation and public hints, Lidl has officially acquired a majority stake in the UCI WorldTour squad, sealing the deal with long-time partner Trek Bicycle to form a deeper, more ambitious alliance aimed squarely at one goal: becoming the number one team in professional road cycling.
The agreement was signed on October 24, 2025, just as the team wrapped its annual fall camp — this time held at Lidl’s global headquarters in Bad Wimpfen, Germany. More than 160 team members, riders, and staff from the men’s, women’s, and development squads were in attendance, marking the first official step into the 2026 season under the new ownership structure.
A Deeper Partnership Built for Performance
Trek will retain a significant stake and continue as technical co-owner and equipment supplier. Still, Lidl now becomes the majority partner — bringing not just sponsorship muscle, but full organizational investment.
The partnership goes beyond branding. A portion of Lidl’s headquarters will now serve as Lidl-Trek’s new operational base, complete with plans for a dedicated logistics and performance center. The facility will anchor the team’s European operations and create an in-house “performance ecosystem” designed to attract and develop top-tier talent.
Thomas Rohregger, Lidl’s Head of Brand Partnerships and Cycling, called the move “a monumental moment for Lidl-Trek.” He added:
“We approached this project with immense respect for the legacy Lidl-Trek has built. Now, we’re formally committing to the next chapter — transferring Lidl’s organizational excellence into the team structure and combining our expertise with Trek’s to accelerate performance development.”
Trek’s Role: Technical Backbone, Shared Vision
Despite the new ownership balance, Trek Bicycle remains a key pillar of the operation — continuing to supply bikes, innovation, and technical direction. According to Roger Gierhart, Trek’s Vice President:
“Expanding the partnership between Trek and Lidl is the perfect way to cap off an incredible season. Together, we have the resources, tools, and expertise to take this team to the very top of the sport.”
This means fans can expect Trek’s latest race platforms, from the Madone SLR and Émonda to the Domane endurance setups, to stay central to the team’s arsenal, paired with the exact precision fit, data analysis, and cutting-edge component integration that’s helped Lidl-Trek become one of the most technically advanced programs in the peloton.
A Future-Focused Superstructure
The move secures Lidl-Trek’s long-term future — ensuring financial stability, talent retention, and access to the resources of the Schwarz Group, Lidl’s parent company. That includes the digital know-how of Schwarz Digits, which will bring new tools in data analysis, athlete performance tracking, and logistics management. As we all know from years of sponsor fallout and folding teams, security is king —and this deal seems to go beyond that.
The team’s Bad Wimpfen base will serve as both a training and innovation hub, with dedicated zones for testing equipment, sports science, and rider development, all built to push Lidl-Trek further up the WorldTour ladder.
Consistency and a Clear Goal
Even as ownership shifts, both partners insist the team’s culture remains unchanged. The Lidl-Trek identity — equal focus on men’s and women’s squads, fan accessibility, and emphasis on development — stays central.
With Lidl’s global infrastructure and Trek’s performance pedigree, the blueprint is in place. And if 2025’s performances were any indication, the team’s climb toward the sport’s summit will be imminent.
Lidl-Trek is no longer just a WorldTour team; they want to be THE team. This will not be an easy task, but LidL is shaping up to be a modern cycling powerhouse, built on development and a solid partnership with sponsors to drive toward winning.
