Captains of Cycling, the company that holds the license for the Lotto team, has confirmed that it has officially submitted an application to the UCI for registration for 2026 as a joint project with Intermarché Wanty.

Even before the October 15 deadline for submitting UCI registration applications, rumors of a possible merger were circulating.

"Captains of Cycling confirms that it has officially submitted the dossier for the joint Lotto-Intermarché project to the UCI, with the aim of returning to the WorldTour in 2026," reads a statement from the Lotto team.

Lotto lost its WorldTour spot three years ago in the last relegation round, but has worked hard to climb back up the rankings. Both Lotto and Intermarché Wanty are currently among the top eighteen teams, but budget and sponsorship issues are crucial for both: Lotto lost Dstny as its main sponsor last season, while Circus was forced to abandon Intermarché Wanty in 2024 due to Belgian gambling laws.

Under these circumstances, joining forces, combining sponsors and riders, has become a viable option. Many unknowns still remain, the main one being whether Intermarché star Biniam Girmay will ride alongside sprinter Arnaud De Lie in the new 2026 lineup.

"The UCI will now process the license application," Lotto's statement concludes. "In the near future, the team will share more details about the structure, development, and sporting ambitions of this project."