Life moves pretty fast, it seems. Israel – Premier Tech is no more–well, sort of. It’s been rebranded as NSN cycling. What once was a team registered in Israel with a bunch of Canadians–is now about to based in Switzerland, with only a couple of Canucks left.
One of the Canucks who is absent on the roster (so far) is Osgoode. Ont.’s Derek Gee.
Lidl-Trek for 2026
Lidl-Trek left its media day with more questions than answers, and Gee’s name sat quietly at the centre of them. The Canadian champion, widely expected to land with the team once contractual matters are resolved, would arrive at a moment when leadership lines are already under strain.
Gee’s rise over the past two seasons has been anything but subtle. A proven engine for stage races, he offers durability, time-trial strength and the ability to animate long climbs — qualities Lidl-Trek values as it builds depth for three-week races. But adding Gee to a group that already includes Juan Ayuso and Dane Mattias Skjelmose risks creating overlap rather than clarity.
And Ayuso?
Ayuso’s arrival was designed to give Lidl-Trek a clear Grand Tour focal point. Skjelmose, however, has spent years earning his place as a protected rider, particularly in the Ardennes and stage races. Gee’s potential signing complicates that balance further. While he has indicated a willingness to work within team objectives, his performances suggest he will not remain a pure support rider for long.
For Lidl-Trek, the challenge is not talent — it is expectation management. For a rider like Gee, clarity matters — too many overlapping ambitions can stall momentum rather than build it. Gee’s presence could offer flexibility, allowing the team to hedge against form swings or illness, but it also forces tougher conversations behind closed doors.
The leaders on the cobbles is clear
Mads Pedersen remains untouched as the team’s classics cornerstone, anchoring the spring and green-jersey ambitions. Elsewhere, the roster feels transitional, caught between consolidation and expansion.
If Gee completes the move, Lidl-Trek gains another serious stage-race weapon. Whether that becomes a strength or a stress point will depend less on watts and more on structure — and on how quickly the team decides who gets to lead when the road tilts uphill.
Most importantly, it would be good for Gee to have a team for which he can race. For a rider like him, who has missed half a season, durability is key. Grand Tours and big races can only make him stronger. His last race was the national championships, which he won.