Q36.5 Pro Cycling and its quest to become a powerhouse of the peloton with Tom Pidcock saw a significant boost this week.
The Swiss squad signed Irish climber Eddie Dunbar and all-terrain attacker Fred Wright on two- and three-year deals respectively.
Dunbar and Wright are low-key yet potentially crucial investments for the increasingly ambitious second-division outfit.
The two have the experience and strength to harvest results crucial to UCI rankings and wildcard invites while also bolstering Q36.5’s commitment to push Pidcock toward cycling’s so-called “Big 6.”
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Dunbar brings GC support to Pidcock
Dunbar will be key for Pidcock and the Brit’s love-hate relationship with GC racing.
The disaster-prone Irishman has gone deep into grand tours and sensationally won two stages of the Vuelta a España last year with Jayco-AlUla.
Dunbar and Pidcock also spent two years together under the guidance of Q36.5 trainer Kurt Bogaerts when the trio was at Ineos Grenadiers.
“Q36.5 Pro Cycling is obviously a team on the up, which is a good sign,” Dunbar said in a Q36.5 press release. “They are really competitive in races, take it on even if they don’t win and create a good racing atmosphere riding as one.
“When Kurt joined, my interest was sparked even more. I know how he works. I also spoke to Doug Ryder on how the team is going and what they expect.”
Dunbar, 28, seems committed to pulling for Pidcock in the high mountains.
Pidcock was regularly isolated when he made his grand tour debut for Q36.5 this May at the Giro d’Italia.
“In Tom they have a clear leader which is always good for any team,” Dunbar said. “It seems like a good moment now to join with my knowledge and experience.”
Wright brings breakaway and cobblestone brawn
Wright will bring much-needed horsepower to Q36.5’s cobblestone division.
Pidcock has flirted with the northern classics in the past but this year left others to lead Q36.5 into what was an underwhelming early spring.
Wright, 26, hit top-20 finishes across the heaviest pavé in his career-long stay with Bahrain Victorious.
“It’s time for a new environment after six years,” Wright said Tuesday. “Q36.5 Pro Cycling feels like a good fit for me. I have known Tom [Pidcock] and Mark [Donovan] for a while. It feels the group they are building for the future is familiar already.
“I do want to win again and feel like a new environment with a fresh focus, new ideas, and new people will help me achieve that goal,” Wright said.
Pidcock, Dunbar, Wright lead Q36.5 long-term push toward WorldTour
Wright and Dunbar aren’t the biggest signings of the season.
But they’re a clear sign of intent for Q36.5 Pro Cycling as it moves forward with its Pidcock era and its longer term vision to reach the WorldTour.
The squad saw a huge staffing and rider overhaul with Pidcock’s arrival last year.
There’s ongoing chatter there will be further shake-up this winter. It’s reported Q36.5 will switch from Scott to Pinarello bikes to suit Pidcock’s long multi-discipline relationship with the Italian brand.
Pidcock now leads the 2025 version of Q36.5 into its final major objective of the year.
The 26-year-old is chasing his first top-10 grand tour finish at the Vuelta a España before he joins up with Team GB for the Kigali road worlds.
Q36.5 Pro Cycling hasn’t yet confirmed any other signings for 2026.