Vincenzo Nibali set to make Trek-Segafredo switch in 2020
Sources say deals is done that will see Nibali leave Bahrain-Merida


The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Thank you for signing up to The Pick. You will receive a verification email shortly.
There was a problem. Please refresh the page and try again.
Italian Grand Tour star Vincenzo Nibali will leave Bahrain-Merida for Trek-Segafredo in 2020, sources confirmed to Cycling Weekly.
Nibali has won all three Grand Tours, including the Giro d'Italia twice and the 2014 Tour de France. Last year, in the colours of the Arab island state, he soloed to victory in Milan-San Remo.
>>> Giro d’Italia 2019 route: stage-by-stage analysis, elevation and maps
Sources explained the 34-year-old Sicilian will take his talents, as well as his close circle, to the US-registered team with the Italian coffee sponsor Segafredo.
Younger brother Antonio Nibali will switch teams to race with Trek-Segafredo, too. Also, his doctor Emilio Magni, trainer Paolo Slongo and masseur Michele Pallini will make the switch.
One source said the Trek-Segafredo/Nibali contract will be for two years and Nibali should earn around €3 million a year.
Astana tried to convince Nibali to return to their team, where he raced from 2013 to 2016. With the team, he won the Tour and the Giro twice.
Nibali instead heads to Trek-Segafredo, which hired Richie Porte at the beginning of 2019.
General manager Luca Guercilena and Segafredo boss Massimo Zanetti made a serious push for him this winter. The team courted him at the end of the 2016 season, before he moved from Astana to help Prince Nasser Bin Hamad Al Khalifa start Bahrain-Merida.
The prince and several major Bahraini companies back the WorldTour team. But changes are happening in 2019.
British motorsport giant McLaren joined as a 50 per cent partner. The team brought in Rohan Dennis and signed a deal with Sky coach Rod Ellingworth.
Basque rider Mikel Landa is rumoured to join Bahrain, leaving Movistar, for 2020.
The next two years could likely be Nibali's last. He won all three Grand Tours – the 2014 Tour de France, the Giro d'Italia in 2013 and 2016, and the 2010 Vuelta a España. His palmarès also includes victories in Il Lombardia and Milan-San Remo.
Next on Nibali's radar is the 2019 Giro d'Italia with Bahrain-Merida and supported by Trek-Segafredo, the 2020 Olympics and World Championships.
He is currently racing at the Tour of the Alps, but has not commented on his future plans. When last asked in February, Nibali said, "I don't want to talk about this now."
Trek-Segafredo's manager Luca Guercilena could not be reached for comment before this article was published.
Bahrain-Merida's manager Brent Copeland said: "We are waiting to hear back from him and his agent, we have had talks about renewing, but cannot confirm anything yet. We first must wait on Nibali to decide if we need to hire other GC rider."
Under UCI governing body rules, teams and riders cannot sign contracts before August 1 for the following year. However, often deals are made beforehand and confirmed later – which appears to be the case for Nibali.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
Gregor Brown is an experienced cycling journalist, based in Florence, Italy. He has covered races all over the world for over a decade - following the Giro, Tour de France, and every major race since 2006. His love of cycling began with freestyle and BMX, before the 1998 Tour de France led him to a deep appreciation of the road racing season.
-
-
'The hardest ride': Matt Downie beats Mark Beaumont's NC500 record by an hour
26-year-old completes 516 mile course in 27 hours 30 minutes dead to set new best time
By Adam Becket Published
-
5 Kickstarter products to help your commute
We take a look at some of the most backed products from the Kickstarter program and beyond
By Joe Baker Published
-
‘I couldn’t quite believe it’ - Charlie Quarterman on his rags to riches Giro d’Italia selection
The British rider spent a year at amateur level with Philippe Wagner Cycling before heading back to the top with Corratec
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
‘Giving up the Giro breaks my heart’ – Trek’s Giulio Ciccone forced out of home tour by Covid symptoms
Italian was relishing leading Trek’s challenge at Giro that starts in his home region
By Peter Cossins Published
-
Lizzie Deignan to return to racing at Flèche Wallonne, is a possibility for Liège–Bastogne–Liège
Trek-Segafredo finalise roster for Wednesday's Ardennes Classic, with Deignan returning for the first time since 2021
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Lizzie Deignan: 'It’s a shame someone can’t see the value of the Women’s Tour'
The Women’s Tour’s only double winner expresses her disappointment after the cancellation of the 2023 race
By Owen Rogers Published
-
Matej Mohorič considering using a dropper seatpost for Strade Bianche
The Bahrain Victorious star won Milan-San Remo in 2022 with the help of a dropper post
By Tom Thewlis Last updated
-
‘She said she wanted to cry’ - Elisa Longo Borghini lauds team-mate after dominant Jebel Hafeet win
The Italian duo rode clear of the peloton at the UAE Tour to take a memorable one-two
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Phil Bauhaus outsprints Caleb Ewan to win stage one of Tour Down Under
The German recovered from an earlier crash to beat Caleb Ewan and Michael Matthews in a bunch sprint
By Sophie Smith Published
-
Wright on Fire: Fred Wright on his breakthrough year, almost winning, and Primož Roglič
The young Bahrain-Victorious rider is one of the hottest properties in the peloton. All he needs now is a victory.
By Adam Becket Published