Cycling salaries 2026: Where does Red Bull newcomer Evenepoel fit in?

Belgian cycling star Remco Evenepoel has signed one of the most lucrative contracts in cycling history, catapulting him to a new salary level. His spectacular move to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe for the 2026 season is said to have earned him a new salary level, according to reports in the Italian sports newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport an annual salary of around eight million euros.

Although no details of the contract have been made public, sources told the cycling magazine Bike have confirmed that the salary estimate reflects the current market value for such a winning driver. According to the Bike-report that the basic salary may be set somewhat lower - in the region of six to seven million euros - and could be supplemented by performance bonuses and other payments in several stages. The total sum of the multi-year contract could therefore amount to more than 20 million euros over a period of three years.

>> Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe: the history of additions and departures since 2015

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>> Tadej Pogačar: This is how much the cycling star will earn in 2025

Tadej Pogačar remains at the top of the salary pyramid

The Bike-report has also produced a new ranking of the top earners in professional cycling. Tadej Pogačar remains the undisputed leader of the salary pyramid. According to insider sources, the four-time Tour de France winner and dominator of the cycling scene earns more than eight million euros a year. This is in line with our last report on the salaries of the top starswhich is based on figures from Cyclingnews based. Depending on the bonus structure, the Slovenian's salary at UAE Team Emirates - XRG could even be up to twelve million euros per season. His contract runs until 2030.

Evenepoel's new contract from 2026 puts him in second place in the salary rankings, ahead of Jonas Vingegaard. According to Team Visma | Lease a Bike, the Dane will be Bike-According to the report, they earn between 4.5 and 5.5 million euros per year. According to sources, the Dutch team operates a special model in which the top stars earn slightly less and the lower salary groups in the team earn slightly more in order to ensure financial cohesion within the team.

The "Big 6" dominate the salary table

In addition to Pogačar, Evenepoel and Vingegaard, the top salary bracket also includes the classics specialists Wout van Aert (Team Visma | Lease a Bike) and Mathieu van der Poel (Alpecin - Deceuninck) as well as Primož Roglič, who will also be on the payroll of Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe in 2026. These three exceptional riders are expected to earn four million euros a year or more.

According to industry sources, the Danish rider Mads Pedersen (Lidl - Trek), all-rounder Tom Pidcock (Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team) and the Ineos Grenadiers riders Egan Bernal and Carlos Rodríguez will follow in seventh to tenth place in the salary table. Each of these riders in the top 10 is expected to earn between two and three million euros a year.

Salaries of the top 10 earners in professional cycling in 2026 according to Velo

Further down the list are high-quality "super-helpers" such as Sepp Kuss, Simon Yates and João Almeida as well as established classics specialists and stars with well-paid contracts such as Geraint Thomas (who will end his career in 2025), Enric Mas and Jasper Philipsen. There are also up-and-coming professionals such as Isaac del Toro and Matteo Jorgenson as well as almost every team captain of a World Tour team. Riders in this category are expected to earn one to two million euros per year.

A high-level helper can earn almost a million euros per year, and a solid team captain or rider with a protected role can earn between 450,000 and 700,000 euros per season.

Salaries are rising, but the gap remains

Below this upper echelon of top earners, salaries can drop quite quickly. Although professionals today earn more than ever before, there is still a large pay gap between the top 25 and the rest of the peloton.

According to the report, the top earners distort any "average" or "median" calculation as they earn so much more than everyone else. While the top riders now earn superstar salaries, the average World Tour pro earns between €250,000 and €400,000, according to the report, and many helpers, even in top teams, take home less than €150,000.

Performance bonuses and the distribution of prize money can increase these figures. The minimum salary in the World Tour is now €42,000 per year, which ensures that even beginners can make a living.