{"id":118769,"date":"2026-04-23T16:00:35","date_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:00:35","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/23\/remco-evenepoel-signs-rare-lifetime-deal-with-specialized\/"},"modified":"2026-04-23T16:00:35","modified_gmt":"2026-04-23T16:00:35","slug":"remco-evenepoel-signs-rare-lifetime-deal-with-specialized","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/04\/23\/remco-evenepoel-signs-rare-lifetime-deal-with-specialized\/","title":{"rendered":"Remco Evenepoel Signs Rare Lifetime Deal with Specialized"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"justify-start\">\n<nav class=\"align-left col-span-full mb-base\" data-pom-e2e-test-id=\"breadcrumbs\"\/>\n<p>Remco Evenepoel locks in Specialized for rest of his racing career, continuing a trend of lifetime contracts by top riders. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"border-border-light border-t py-base-tight\">\n<div class=\"flex h-4 justify-between\">\n<div class=\"flex gap-x-base-tight\">\n<div class=\"\"><button class=\"inline-flex shrink-0 items-center justify-center rounded-full hover:cursor-pointer bg-bg-surface hover:bg-bg-light focus:bg-bg-dark text-primary border border-solid border-border-light aria-pressed:bg-brand-primary aria-pressed:text-text-surface py-very-tight px-base-tight gap-tight font-semibold font-utility-2 opacity-50\" aria-label=\"Loading audio\" aria-pressed=\"false\" id=\"article-listen-button\" disabled=\"\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"18\" height=\"18\" viewbox=\"0 0 18 18\" fill=\"none\" class=\"\"><title>Listen to this article<\/title><path d=\"M12.5265 16.2C12.2326 16.2 12.0122 16.1265 11.7184 16.053C11.2775 15.9061 10.9102 15.6122 10.6898 15.2449C10.4694 14.8775 10.3959 14.4367 10.5428 13.9959L11.5714 10.3959C11.6449 10.1755 11.7184 9.95509 11.8653 9.80815C12.0122 9.66121 12.1592 9.51427 12.3796 9.36733C12.6 9.29386 12.8204 9.2204 13.0408 9.14693C13.2612 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4.51836 10.249 4.44489 10.249H4.37142C3.9306 10.3959 3.63672 10.6898 3.41631 11.0571C3.26938 11.351 3.19591 11.7184 3.26938 12.0857C3.34285 12.3061 3.34284 12.5265 3.41631 12.6735L3.71019 13.849ZM13.2612 10.3224C13.1877 10.3224 13.1877 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224C13.1143 10.3224 13.0408 10.3224 12.9673 10.3959C12.8939 10.4694 12.8204 10.4694 12.8204 10.4694C12.7469 10.5428 12.7469 10.6163 12.7469 10.6898L11.7184 14.2898C11.6449 14.4367 11.7184 14.5837 11.7918 14.7306C11.8653 14.8775 12.0122 14.951 12.0857 15.0245C12.3796 15.0979 12.5265 15.0979 12.7469 15.0979C12.9673 15.0979 13.1877 15.0245 13.3347 14.8775C13.5551 14.8041 13.702 14.6571 13.849 14.4367C13.9959 14.2898 14.0694 14.0694 14.1428 13.849L14.5102 12.6735C14.5837 12.5265 14.5837 12.3061 14.6571 12.1592C14.7306 11.7918 14.6571 11.4245 14.5102 11.1306C14.2898 10.7633 13.9959 10.4694 13.5551 10.3224H13.4816C13.3347 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224 13.2612 10.3224Z\" fill=\"currentColor\"\/><\/svg><span class=\"hidden sm:inline\">Listen<\/span><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div><\/p>\n<p class=\"fp-leadCaption py-tight text-left font-utility text-utility3-size leading-utility3-line-height text-secondary\">Evenepoel will race on Specialized for the remainder of his pro career. <!-- --> (Photo: Getty Images)<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div>\n<div class=\"article-body\">\n<p>Updated April 23, 2026 10:01AM<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/tag\/remco-evenepoel\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Remco Evenepoel<\/a> will race on <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/tag\/specialized\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Specialized<\/a> bikes for the remainder of his pro racing career after the Olympic and world champion signed a rare lifetime partnership with the California-based company.<\/p>\n<p>The deal \u2014 confirmed Thursday \u2014 cements a relationship that traces back from Evenepoel\u2019s junior days to his rise as a global superstar.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI\u2019ve worked with Specialized since the beginning of my career,\u201d Evenepoel said. \u201cThey\u2019ve been there through the wins, the setbacks, and everything in between. We have complete trust in each other, which is why this lifetime agreement feels like a natural step, for my racing career and beyond.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI still have many goals ahead, and knowing I will have support from Specialized throughout gives me confidence. We share the same work ethic, push each other to improve, and I\u2019m excited to see where this journey takes us.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel, 26, will now emerge as an even more public face for the U.S. brand as he tries to take on Tadej Poga\u010dar and <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/red-bull-gets-its-superstar-can-evenepoel-topple-the-tour-de-france-giants\/\" rel=\"noopener\">win the Tour de France<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>Specialized founder and CEO Mike Sinyard said the deal goes beyond marketing and results.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRemco isn\u2019t just a champion. He embodies the spirit of why I started Specialized in the first place \u2013 hard work, integrity, resilience. With every ride, he pushes us, challenges us, and makes every bike we build better for every rider,\u201d Sinyard said in a <a target=\"_blank\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.specialized.com\/us\/en\" rel=\"noopener\">release<\/a>. \u201cThis isn\u2019t just a lifetime partnership. It\u2019s a belief without an end. Remco forever.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>Why it matters now<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_983866\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img alt=\"Belgium's Remco Evenepoel celebrates after crossing the finish line to win the men's cycling road race during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, on August 3, 2024. (Photo by Odd ANDERSEN \/ AFP) (Photo by ODD ANDERSEN\/AFP via Getty Images)\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-983866\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2164646652-720x480.jpg?width=750&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2164646652-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/GettyImages-2164646652-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Evenepoel won double gold on Specialized in Paris.<\/span> (Photo: ODD ANDERSEN\/AFP via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The deal comes as the <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/is-tadej-pogacars-record-50-million-dollar-deal-too-small-cycling-mega-salary-debate\/\" rel=\"noopener\">stakes intensify at the top of elite road racing<\/a> for riders, bike manufacturers, and teams alike.<\/p>\n<p>First, it confirms the rising star power of Evenepoel, a double Olympic champion and Belgium\u2019s first grand tour winner in decades.<\/p>\n<p>Specialized has long aligned itself with marquee riders. <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/tag\/peter-sagan\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Peter Sagan<\/a> raced on its bikes at the peak of his career and remains a brand ambassador.<\/p>\n<p>That Specialized has anointed Evenepoel now as its flagship rider underscores just how big he is.<\/p>\n<p>Second, brands link up with top-level stars not only for publicity and marketing, but also for direct feedback on design, performance, and data.<\/p>\n<p>Evenepoel is a famous tech nerd and <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/red-bull-tour-de-france-arms-race\/\" rel=\"noopener\">relishes digging deep<\/a> into the performance side of competition.<\/p>\n<p>That feedback loop will help both Specialized stay at the forefront of racing technology and give Evenepoel the best high-performance aerodynamic setup into the prime years of his career.<\/p>\n<p>Third, the deal guarantees that he will race on Specialized bikes for the remainder of his pro racing career.<\/p>\n<p>That means if he would leave Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe in the future, Specialized would remain central to any prospective deal.<\/p>\n<h2>How stars, bikes, and teams intersect<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_980851\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img alt=\"Evenepoel\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-980851\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268623676-720x480.jpg?width=750&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268623676-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2268623676-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Evenepoel has worked with Specialized since he was a junior. <\/span> (Photo: Szymon Gruchalski\/Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Top stars typically bring their bike brands with them when they change teams, along with a retinue of staffers, coaches, trainers, and even a few select teammates.<\/p>\n<p>The <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/red-bull-gets-its-superstar-can-evenepoel-topple-the-tour-de-france-giants\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Evenepoel mega transfer<\/a> \u2014 one of the <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/onley-contract-buyout-most-expensive-cycling-history\/\" rel=\"noopener\">biggest in cycling history<\/a> \u2014 was made less complicated because Specialized was already onboard at Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.<\/p>\n<p>Red Bull has been racing on Specialized since 2017 with the arrival of Sagan in what was a major coup for the then-second-tier squad. Before that, the team was on Argon 18 bikes.<\/p>\n<p>The announcement also comes as Specialized is expected to <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-training\/specialized-leaving-quick-step\/\" rel=\"noopener\">cut its nearly two-decade-long ties with Soudal Quick-Step<\/a> at the end of this season. Merida is likely to join the Belgian outfit in its return to the WorldTour.<\/p>\n<p>Right now, Specialized looks to be concentrating on Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and women\u2019s teams SD Worx-Protime and FDJ Suez, which switched from Lapierre to Specialized when Dutch superstar Demi Vollering arrived in 2025.<\/p>\n<p>While financial terms remain undisclosed, the deal would be similar to the long-term partnership between Mathieu van der Poel and Canyon.<\/p>\n<h2>Sponsorship, not team deal<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_980315\" class=\"pom-image-wrap photo-alignnone\"><img alt=\"Evenepoel was center of attention ahead of stage 1 of Volta a Catalunya.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"720\" height=\"480\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"alignnone size-medium wp-image-980315\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2267960364-720x480.jpg?width=750&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 1x, https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2267960364-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/velo-cdn.outsideonline.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/GettyImages-2267960364-720x480.jpg?width=1920&amp;auto=webp&amp;quality=75&amp;fit=cover\"\/><figcaption class=\"pom-caption\"><span class=\"article__caption\">Evenepoel is always the center of attention wherever he goes.<\/span> (Photo: Nicol\u00e1s Carvalho Ochoa\/picture alliance via Getty Images)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>It\u2019s worth pointing out that this is a partnership deal, not a \u201clifetime\u201d contract with the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe WorldTour team.<\/p>\n<p>Team boss Ralph Denk has not revealed the terms of <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/cycling-contract-breakups-money-ego-yellow-jerseys\/\" rel=\"noopener\">Evenepoel\u2019s contract<\/a>, but sources say it runs through at least 2028.<\/p>\n<p>An estimated salary north of $6 million per season makes Evenepoel one of the <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/url?sa=t&amp;source=web&amp;rct=j&amp;opi=89978449&amp;url=https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/road\/road-racing\/14-million-how-tadej-pogacar-earns-cycling-biggest-paycheck\/&amp;ved=2ahUKEwj-t4KoioSUAxUgcKQEHSDMMTEQFnoECBsQAQ&amp;usg=AOvVaw2vRgZ0E6oU9CIcnAdZU3g4\" rel=\"noopener\">best paid cyclists in the peloton<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>A few pros have secured \u201clifetime\u201d contracts with their respective trade teams in what\u2019s an emerging trend in cycling.<\/p>\n<p>Wout Van Aert and Marianne Vos both penned deals with Visma-Lease a Bike, and Mads Pedersen also <a target=\"_self\" class=\"text-brand-primary underline hover:text-brand-primary\/85 break-words overflow-wrap-anywhere underline-offset-[3px]\" data-afl-p=\"0\" href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/mads-pedersen-signs-lifetime-contract-lidl-trek\/\" rel=\"noopener\">inked a \u201cforever\u201d contract with Lidl-Trek<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p>World No. 1 Poga\u010dar is on a longterm deal UAE Emirates-XRG through 2030 and he is expected to end his career with the team, essentially making his a lifetime contract as well.<\/p>\n<p>With Evenepoel and Specialized now formalizing their longtime commitment, the agreement positions them at the sharp end of cycling\u2019s ever-more-competitive arena, both in the peloton and in the marketplace.<\/p>\n<p><!-- --><\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/velo.outsideonline.com\/news\/evenepoel-specialized-lifetime-contract-bikes-partnership\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Remco Evenepoel locks in Specialized for rest of his racing career, continuing a trend of lifetime contracts by top riders. Listen to this articleListen Evenepoel will race on Specialized for the remainder of his pro career. (Photo: Getty Images) Updated April 23, 2026 10:01AM Remco Evenepoel will race on Specialized bikes for the remainder of [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":118770,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[4],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118769"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118769"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/118769\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/118770"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118769"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=118769"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/basketball.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=118769"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}