Igor Arrieta Has Signed With Lidl-Trek
The 23-year-old cyclist signed a three-year contract after departing UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Updated on Sept. 21, 2026 in Cycling
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Lidl-Trek has secured Igor Arrieta on a three-year deal as the team rounds out its roster for the upcoming season. Arrieta joins the squad after a notable tenure with UAE Team Emirates-XRG.
Why it matters
The signing adds a rising talent to Lidl-Trek who recently demonstrated his climbing and tactical prowess by winning a stage at the 2026 Giro d'Italia. Securing Arrieta allows the team to strengthen its competitive options for grand tours.
Igor Arrieta finished 19th overall in the 2026 Giro d'Italia and took 3rd place at the AlUla Tour. He currently holds 29 riders under contract for 2027, leaving only one spot remaining on the squad's 30-rider limit.
The players
Igor Arrieta
He is a 23-year-old professional cyclist known for his climbing abilities and stage racing potential.
Lidl-Trek
This is a professional cycling team competing at the top tier of the sport.
UAE Team Emirates-XRG
This is the world-tour cycling team that previously employed Igor Arrieta.
The details
Arrieta solidified his reputation during the 2026 Giro d'Italia, where he famously overtook Afonso Eulálio in the final meters of stage 5 in Potenza to secure the win. The move to Lidl-Trek marks a significant change for the 23-year-old following his three-year stint with his previous team.
Timeline
Igor Arrieta competed in the Giro d'Italia during May 2026.
The rider will compete for Lidl-Trek throughout the 2027 season.
Season Trajectory
By reaching 29 riders, Lidl-Trek is nearing the maximum roster size allowed under the UCI WorldTeam 30-rider roster limit. This strategic positioning indicates a finalized approach to their 2027 stage racing ambitions.
With the addition of Arrieta, Lidl-Trek fills almost their entire available roster capacity. This leaves the team with only one spot open to fill for the 2027 competitive season.
The takeaway
The move highlights how rapidly rising young cyclists are being snapped up by major WorldTeams to anchor their future rosters. Fans should watch for how Arrieta adapts to his new team's tactical structure in 2027.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in professional Cycling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Cyclingnews.
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