Introduction
The Norwegian team Uno-X will join the World Tour, the top division of world cycling, in 2026. Meanwhile, the French team Cofidis will drop to the ProTeam level, based on their performance in recent races. The changes come after a three-year cycle to determine team rankings.
Uno-X’s Ascension
Uno-X, led by Thor Hushovd, will be among the 18 best teams globally once their license is validated by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI). The team, primarily composed of Norwegian and Danish riders, secured their promotion thanks to Sakarias Loland’s victory in the Veneto Classic and Soren Waeranskjold’s fifth-place finish in the Nations Time Trial.
- Uno-X will participate in all major races on the cycling calendar.
- Organizers have additional invitations to complete the peloton, including 5 spots for stage races.
Other Teams’ Moves
Israel Premier Tech, which will change its name in 2026 following recent pro-Palestinian protests, and Lotto will also join the World Tour.
France’s Team Changes
Previously, France was the only nation with four teams in the World Tour. However, they will now have only two teams (Decathlon CMA-GGM and Groupama-FDJ) in the top category for the 2026-2029 cycle. The Arkéa-B&B Hotels team will reportedly disband, and Cofidis will descend from World Tour to ProTeam.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Uno-X? Uno-X is a Norwegian cycling team primarily composed of Norwegian and Danish riders, led by Thor Hushovd.
- What is the World Tour? The World Tour is the top division of professional cycling, featuring the most prestigious races and teams.
- Why did Cofidis drop to ProTeam? Cofidis descended from the World Tour due to their performance in recent races and the anticipated disbandment of Arkéa-B&B Hotels.
- Which other teams are joining the World Tour? Israel Premier Tech and Lotto will also be part of the World Tour starting in 2026.
- How many teams will France have in the World Tour? France will have only two teams (Decathlon CMA-GGM and Groupama-FDJ) in the World Tour for the 2026-2029 cycle.
