Lidl to gain substantial ownership in the Lidl-Trek professional cycling squad
In a significant move for the cycling world, the Lidl-Trek WorldTour cycling team is set to undergo a restructuring, with European supermarket giant Lidl poised to acquire a majority stake while Trek, the bike manufacturer that founded the team in 2014, will retain a significant ownership share.
The deal, which is expected to be finalized in the coming weeks, subject to approval by relevant cycling and regulatory authorities, aims to boost the team's resources and long-term development, enabling it to compete as one of the top teams internationally in both men's and women's cycling.
With Lidl set to become the majority stakeholder, the team's financial and operational involvement will increase significantly. Trek will remain a co-owner and technical partner, ensuring the team's roots remain firmly planted.
The restructuring allows Lidl-Trek to ramp up investment, with plans to develop a "state-of-the-art Performance Center" emphasizing athlete health, recovery, and performance analysis. This center will harness technologies such as AI, benefiting from Lidl's parent company Schwarz Group’s digital investments.
The team aspires to join the ranks of cycling’s “super teams” like UAE Team Emirates, Ineos Grenadiers, and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, seeking to attract top riders and staff through increased funding and long-term stability.
Since Lidl's involvement began, both men's and women's teams have improved notably, securing prestigious victories in 2025. The expanded ownership and resources are expected to solidify and extend this upward trajectory, including strengthening the women's squad with the addition of Niamh Fisher-Black, Riejanne Markus, and Emma Norsgaard.
Meanwhile, talks are ongoing regarding the merger between Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty, which, if successful, would give Lotto control of the prospective WorldTour licence available. The merger is reportedly due to both squads struggling to compete with the bigger budget teams.
On the race front, Lidl-Trek's men's squad has achieved success in the ongoing Tour de France, with Jonathan Milan winning two stages. Milan is also expected to win the points classification in Paris on Sunday for the Tour de France.
Despite the changes, the team's philosophy remains the same: to be the team fans want to root for, as they fight to be the best. The team rebranded both its men's and women's rosters in June 2023, after Lidl came on board.
As the deal moves closer to finalization, the future looks bright for Lidl-Trek, with both parties looking forward to a successful partnership that will propel the team to new heights in the world of cycling.
The significant restructuring in the Lidl-Trek WorldTour cycling team, with Lidl set to acquire a majority stake, will likely expand their business ventures beyond supermarkets into financing the sports world. With increased resources and a joint focus on athlete performance, the team aims to compete with top finance-backed "super teams" in the cycling industry.
