Thanks to the dominance of the Banesto team in the 1990s and Team Sky/Ineos Grenadiers in the 2010s, Pinarello is synonymous with success; a Pinarello bike has been ridden to a Tour de France yellow jersey on fifteen occasions since 1988. And now alongside the Italian brand’s continued sponsorship of Ineos Grenadiers, Pinarello has come on board with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, which as of January 1, 2026, will go by the name Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
Fausto Pinarello, President of Cicli Pinarello was on stage at Rouleur Live on the day of the announcement, where he said: “We want to win with Ineos and we want to win with the Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.”
Pinarello has a rich Grand Tour history as shown by their jersey display at their Pinarello’s headquarters in Villorba, near Treviso, Italy (Image: Giacomo Frison)
It’s a milestone as Pinarello becomes a title sponsor of a cycling team for the first time in its 73-year history. From the outside the collaboration between Pinarello and Q36.5 seems a natural one, not only bringing together two Italian companies, but consolidating around one focal rider, Tom Pidcock.
‘The perfect reunion’ - Pidcock’s Pinarello return
The new partnership marks a return of Pidcock to Pinarello road bikes. The British star has won a hatful of prestigious off-road races on Pinarello bikes in recent years, including the Olympic and World Championship in cross country mountain bike titles and the cyclocross World Championships. Pinarello has worked closely with Pidcock since his early days, developing the Dogma XC and Crossista models that carried him to the top of off-road cycling.
Like his Q36.5 Pro Cycling teammates Pidcock rode on Scott bikes this season, which included his first ever Grand Tour podium when he finished third at the Vuelta a España in September. However, he was still racing on Pinarello’s off-road bikes in 2025, so next season when Pidcock once again rides on Pinarello on the road, it will mark a proud return to the brand across all disciplines.
Tom Pidcock at the Vuelta a España 2025 (Image: Zac Williams/SWpix.com)
“I’m really happy to be back on Pinarello full time. It genuinely feels like coming home. I’ve always loved riding their bikes, and over the years I’ve built such a strong relationship with the brand. It’s the perfect reunion,” said Tom Pidcock on Pinarello joining forces with Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team.
His previous stint on Pinarello road bikes included a memorable Tour stage win on Alpe d’Huez in 2022 and a major Classics win at the Amstel Gold Race in 2024. The British rider has been the centerpiece for Q36.5 this season, both commercially but also for performance, claiming five of the team’s 14 wins. For 2026, the team has bolstered its contingent significantly, signing riders like Eddie Dunbar, Fred Wright, Chris Harper, Tom Gloag, Quinten Hermans and Brent Van Moer.
Read more: How the Tom Pidcock effect has transformed Q36.5 into one of cycling’s most desirable teams
Douglas Ryder, General Manager of the Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team, said: “Having Pinarello as Title Sponsor is a huge honour. Their history, passion and technical excellence will elevate our riders, and our ambitions, for the coming seasons.”
Pidcock on the Pinarello Dogma GR (Image: Alex Whitehead/SWpix.com)
Read more: One for racing, one for long-distance: Pinarello launches Dogma GR and updates Grevil F gravel bikes
Italian ingenuity, style and ‘sky-high’ ambitions
The partnership goes beyond technical collaboration — it embodies Italian craftsmanship and innovation. Like the Ineos Grenadiers, Pinarello-Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team will race on the new Pinarello Dogma F and Bolide TT bikes, featuring exclusive designs and colourways that reflect the identity of both Pinarello and Q36.5.
Luigi Bergamo, CEO and head of product development, Q36.5, said: “As one of the co-founders, I am really proud to see this “little team” grow year after year as a result of all the dedication, effort, sacrifice and passion our riders and staff have demonstrated.
“2026 will be another very big step forward, with the young riders who’ve been with us from the beginning maturing into winners, a Grand Tour podium under our belt, great new riders joining the squad, and of course, finally, our friends at Pinarello joining the project and helping take it to another level.
“Our ambitions are sky-high.”
