The Belgian WorldTeam Soudal Quick-Step is set to unveil a new addition, marking the 27th rider for the upcoming cycling season. Team manager Patrick Lefevere revealed to Sporza that the squad had been, until recently, one rider short of the mandatory minimum required for a WorldTeam. Lefevere had been overwhelmed with potential leads in recent weeks, as talent managers had bombarded him with suggestions after discovering the shortfall.
At 68, Lefevere has now secured a deal to fill this 27th slot but has chosen to keep the identity of the rider under wraps for the moment, citing the need to respect whether the rider has already informed his current team of his departure. He confirmed the rider in question had reached the end of his contract with his previous team. It’s rumoured that a rider like Tobias Foss, often linked to Ineos Grenadiers this season, might be in the frame for the signing.
Team Transitions and New Faces
Soudal Quick-Step has been active in the transfer market, bidding farewell to several cyclists and welcoming new ones. Among those the team has said goodbye to are Andrea Bagioli, Davide Ballerini, Fabio Jakobsen, Florian Sénéchal, Mauro Schmid, Ethan Vernon, and Rémi Cavagna, all of whom are seeking fresh opportunities elsewhere.
Conversely, the team has introduced eight new riders for the season. These new signings include notable names such as Mikel Landa, along with Antoine Huby, Luke Lamperti, Ayco Bastiaens, William Junior Lecerf, Warre Vangheluwe, Gil Gelders, and Jordi Warlop. It’s noteworthy that the latter four are promotions from within the organisation, rising from the Soudal Quick-Step development squad.
The cycling world keenly observes these changes as Soudal Quick-Step shapes its team dynamics. With the final crucial addition, Lefevere seems poised to maintain the outfit’s competitiveness in the international peloton. The announcement of the 27th member is eagerly anticipated, not only for its confirmation but also for the strategic puzzle it completes for Soudal Quick-Step’s ambitions in the upcoming season.
