EF Education-Aevolo's 2026 Squad: A Young, Climbing-Focused Lineup
The EF Education-Aevolo team is gearing up for an exciting 2026 season, introducing a roster packed with fresh talent and a clear focus on climbing prowess. But here's the twist: six of the 14 riders are freshmen, bringing a youthful energy to the US development squad's 10th Continental season.
Among the notable new signings are 18-year-old Peyton Burckel from Louisiana and Robert Capello from Asti, Italy. They are joined by an international cohort of U23 riders, including Colombian Juan Felipe Rodriguez, British rider Tomos Pattison, and the US duo of Nathan Cusack (Vermont) and Jack Makohon (Texas).
Returning to the team are three American riders: Alfredo Bueno, Gavin Hlady, and Noah Streif. The remaining roster spots are filled by European talents: Dane Magnus Carstensen, Briton Joshua Golliker, Linus Larsson (Sweden), Miguel Ángel Marín (Colombia), and Belgian Jenthe Verstraete.
Team manager Creed is particularly enthusiastic about Burckel, whom he discovered at a track camp. Despite a challenging 2025 season due to an early collarbone injury, Creed believes Burckel's talent and speed make him a perfect fit for EF Education-Aevolo. "He's talented and ready," Creed affirmed.
Creed also highlighted the team's climbing strength for the upcoming season, specifically mentioning Juan Felipe as a standout climber with immense potential. "We've got a climbing-heavy squad, and Juan Felipe is a real asset," he noted.
The 2026 season will see the addition of three 20-year-old newcomers: Makohon, Pattison, and Cusack. Makohon, a climber, joins from Team Skyline, where he excelled in European races, winning the KOM title at the 2024 Turul Romaniei. Pattison, a British all-rounder, brings his time trial skills and junior success, including a win at the junior Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Cusack had a stellar 2025 season with Kelly Benefits Cycling Team, dominating the Tucson Bicycle Classic and USA Cycling Collegiate criterium championship before securing his first European road race win in Spain.
As the team's calendar for 2026 takes shape, Creed faces the challenge of balancing US and European races. He aims to include iconic US races like the Tour of the Gila, Maryland Cycling Classic, and the revived Philadelphia Cycling Classic p/b AmeriGas. However, scheduling conflicts, such as the Tour de Bretagne Cycliste in France, which overlaps with the Tour of the Gila, present a strategic dilemma.
"I'd love to showcase our team at home, but it's a tricky puzzle to solve," Creed admitted. The final racing schedule is yet to be confirmed, leaving fans eager to see how the team will navigate this exciting yet complex season.
EF Education-Aevolo 2026 Roster:
- Alfredo Bueno* (USA)
- Peyton Burckel* (USA)
- Robert Capello* (ITA)
- Magnus Carstensen (DEN)
- Joshua Golliker (GBR)
- Gavin Hlady (USA)
- Linus Larsson (SWE)
- Jack Makohon* (USA)
- Miguel Ángel Marín (COL)
- Tomos Pattison* (GBR)
- Juan Felipe Rodriguez* (COL)
- Noah Streif (USA)
- Jenthe Verstraete (BEL)
And now, a word from our sports correspondent, Jackie, who brings a wealth of experience to the table. With over 30 years in professional sports, she's covered news, marketing, and PR, and even founded her own sports marketing agency, Peloton Sports. Jackie has worked with prestigious cycling events and organizations, and her love for cycling extends to climbing l'Alpe d'Huez and exploring gravel roads in Georgia and Provence. Her diverse background adds a unique perspective to our coverage, offering a blend of expertise and passion that keeps our readers engaged and informed.
