Richard Carapaz to Join NSN Cycling for 2027 Season
The professional cyclist will depart EF Education-EasyPost as the team manages a 15 percent budget reduction.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Cycling
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Richard Carapaz will join NSN Cycling starting in the 2027 season after his departure from EF Education-EasyPost. The move follows budget constraints impacting the American team, which is currently managing a 15 percent reduction in its financial resources.
Why it matters
The team’s roster adjustment reflects broader financial challenges in professional cycling, including the withdrawal of title sponsorship from Oatly. These fiscal shifts necessitate a change in talent acquisition strategies for the team moving forward.
The team is undergoing a 15 percent budget reduction following the end of Oatly's title sponsorship, which directly influenced the decision to release high-salary riders. The total financial impact of these constraints remains under investigation.
The players
Richard Carapaz
A high-performance professional cyclist who secured nine race victories while riding for EF Education-EasyPost.
EF Education-EasyPost
An American professional cycling team currently navigating a 15 percent reduction in its operational budget.
Tao Geoghegan Hart
A professional cyclist who signed a one-year agreement to join the EF Education-EasyPost roster.
NSN Cycling
A professional cycling team set to acquire Richard Carapaz beginning in the 2027 season.
Oatly
A company that previously served as the title sponsor for the women's WorldTour squad before ending its partnership.
The details
To navigate the 15 percent budget cut, the team is restructuring its roster by prioritizing lower-cost riders over top-earners like Carapaz, who secured nine victories during his tenure. Recent signing Tao Geoghegan Hart joins on a one-year deal as part of this recalibration. The shift follows a competitive season for Carapaz, who earned a Giro d'Italia podium in 2025 and two stage wins at the 2026 Tour de France.
Timeline
2025: Carapaz finished on the Giro d'Italia podium.
2026: Carapaz secured two stage wins at the Tour de France.
2027: Carapaz joins the NSN Cycling squad.
Health Landscape
Professional cycling teams frequently adjust recruitment strategies based on fluctuating corporate sponsorship models. This transition follows the departure of title sponsor Oatly, setting a pattern for how teams manage limited resources in the current economic climate.
These shifts in athletic rosters highlight how professional cycling teams maintain sustainability amidst changing financial landscapes. Fans interested in the sport's health and competitive longevity may monitor roster updates as teams adapt their training and support structures to new budget realities.
The takeaway
Team roster stability often mirrors the underlying financial health of an organization. Followers of the sport should continue to track how major team budget adjustments influence recruitment and performance outcomes in future seasons.
Further reading
For more on the current state of the sport, visit Cycling.
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Should professional sports teams prioritize maintaining a stable budget over retaining their star athletes?
