If you follow training camp photos–you’ve seen it. A rider, like, say, Remco Evenepoel, riding with his Red Bull Hansgrohe squad on a new team bike. But, with his Soudal Quick-Step kit. That’s because until Jan. 1, he’s still contracted to the Belgian team–which means he has to sport the kit. Teams have been generally forgiving with swapping out bikes since it can take time to get used to it.
Time trial training today for Remco Evenepoel. ⏱️
I understood the design for the road bike, but I expected so much more from the TT bike design, very dissapointed. 😞
Spotted by Mirko Fanke. pic.twitter.com/724I2BwdKm
— Lukáš Ronald Lukács (@lucasaganronald) December 17, 2025
Well, usually. Back in November of 2021, a video went viral of Sergio Higuita and Dani Martinez, clad in their respective EF Education-Nippo and Ineos Grenadiers kit, blasting by local cyclists in the Giro de Rigo, a gran fondo organized by Higuita’s teammate Rigoberto Uran.
Martinez was climbing on his team’s Pinarello bike, but Higuita wasn’t riding an EF Education First Cannondale. Instead, he was on the machine of his soon-to-be 2022 squad (then) Bora-Hansgrohe, a Specialized.
Watch how much faster a WorldTour rider is than a regular cyclist
Jonathan Vaughters’ EF team said that although riding a non-team bike toward the end of the year is understandable, it is not allowed at a large public event. And, quite controversially, The Colombian was promptly dismissed with two months remaining in his contract. After quite a bit of outcry on social media–including by Vaughters’ former DS on US Postal, Johan Bruyneel, the team announced they would reverse the decision, following Higuita’s apology.
But since then, there haven’t been any such incidents, but still. And, with some new regulations, it seems there may never be some again. According to Belgian outlet, Knack, the UCI is working on changing things. “We are working on it with the AIGCP and the CPA. The regulation change will definitely be happening, with contracts starting on Nov. 1,” the UCI’s Peter Van den Abeele, said. “The starting year is yet to be determined in consultation with all of our stakeholders.”
Make sense. If they can ride the new bikes, why not use the new kit too? Although it is always fun to see a motley crew of jerseys when there are several new transfers on a team