Cycling: A field of riders without Soudal – Quick-Step is unimaginable for many fans. But it almost came to this point in 2024. However, a merger was still averted. Now the Belgian team is looking to the future – with a much younger squad.
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Soudal – Quick-Step races onto the podium 130 times
In recent years, Team Soudal-Quick-Step has consistently ranked among the most successful teams in road cycling. The "Wolfpack" continued its impressive run in 2023, racking up an impressive 58 victories and 72 additional podium finishes. Despite this success, persistent rumors circulated at the end of the season suggesting a potential merger. Among the teams mentioned were Jumbo-Visma and Ineos Grenadiers. Team principal Patrick Lefevere had been considering selling the team for some time, and businessman Zdenek Bakala was keen to invest in what was considered the world's best team. Ultimately, however, they decided to continue with Soudal-Quick-Step, a decision surely appreciated by cycling fans, as a peloton without Quick-Step is practically unthinkable. Superstar Remco Evenepoel had high hopes for 2023 but ultimately failed to meet his own expectations in the Grand Tours. He had to withdraw from the Giro d'Italia due to illness. At the Vuelta a España, he had a bad day where he lost a lot of time – but then won the King of the Mountains jersey and three stages. He also won the Liège–Bastogne–Liège Monument.
Many long-standing top performers are leaving Soudal – Quick-Step
This winter, Team Soudal-Quick-Step is undergoing a significant overhaul. A total of 12 riders are leaving the team, while 10 new riders are currently joining. Michael Mørkøv , a true legend, is departing. Since 2018, the once-best lead-out man in the world has ridden for Patrick Lefevere. Florian Sénéchal, Dries Devenyns, Rémi Cavagna, Tim Declercq, and Davide Ballerini are also leaving the team. All of them were integral members of the Wolfpack for many years and achieved numerous successes together. Quick-Step is also losing its top sprinter in Fabio Jakobsen , and one of the rising stars of the 2023 season, Andrea Bagioli . Swiss rider Mauro Schmid and German Jannik Steimle have also been transferred. The question is: How will Quick-Step compensate for these losses? Ultimately, the management has decided to focus entirely on developing young talent.
2024: Landa, Moscon & 6 promising talents
Besides sprinter Jakobsen, Quick-Step has let go of numerous riders whose strengths lie primarily in flat terrain. This is a clear indication that the Belgian team intends to invest more in Evenepoel in the future. With Mikel Landa, they have now added a strong climber to the Belgian's side. The Spaniard brings the necessary experience in Grand Tours to potentially play a decisive role in Evenepoel's second Grand Tour victory. Another notable new signing is Gianni Moscon. The Italian was considered a mega-talent years ago, nearly winning Paris-Roubaix. However, his career has since declined. In addition to accusations of racism, he hasn't delivered any good performances. If he can rediscover his former strength, he will be a real asset to the team – at least in terms of sporting ability. We can certainly look forward to seeing the numerous young new additions to the squad. American Luke Lamperti is a great sprinting talent, William Junior Lecerf is considered a puncher of the future, and Gil Gelders loves the grueling Northern Classics on cobblestones. The new young guns are rounded out by Frenchmen Antoine Huby and Paul Magnier, as well as Belgian Warre Vangheluwe. They are all between 19 and 22 years old. The future is certainly in good hands.