Remco Evenepoel transfer saga reignites as Soudal-QuickStep insist on contract; potential Red Bull move nears

Jurgen Foré may have insisted Remco Evenepoel is “definitely riding with us for another year,” but the battle for the Belgian star’s signature continues to escalate behind the scenes at the Tour de France. What was once vague speculation now looks like a deal already well in motion, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe edging closer to completing the most significant transfer of the cycling summer.

Evenepoel remains under contract with Soudal-QuickStep through 2026, yet reports from multiple credible sources suggest negotiations to buy out his final year are up to 80% complete. Daniel Benson, Escape Collective, and Cycling Weekly all reported this week that Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are leading the chase, with Ineos Grenadiers still loosely in the picture.

Despite those persistent rumours, Foré has maintained the party line. Speaking to Vive le Vélo, he reaffirmed that Evenepoel will “honour” his deal. “So he’ll definitely be riding with us for another year,” he said. “But in the longer term, we are working on a future with and without Remco.” In other words, while 2025 may be locked in, 2026 is still an open question.

Privately, the team may already be preparing for life after Evenepoel.

Legal complexities and a €7 million buyout

If Evenepoel does walk away before his contract ends, the path is likely to run through the Belgian labour courts. Former team boss Patrick Lefevere, writing in Het Nieuwsblad, suggested a legal dispute over the buyout clause is possible.

“Perhaps all parties will reach an agreement later, perhaps we’re off to a legal battle in the labour court,” he wrote. “Or perhaps it’s a storm in a teacup and Remco will simply stay where he is.”

Evenepoel would reportedly need to pay a year’s salary – estimated at around €7 million – to break his deal early, though Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe are understood to be ready to foot the bill as part of a four-year mega-contract. The German team already has a precedent: in 2024 they bought Lennert Van Eetvelt out of his deal with Lotto Dstny.

The addition of Sven Vanthourenhout to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe’s staff from August 1 has added further weight to the story. The ex-Belgian national coach had a strong working relationship with Evenepoel, culminating in two Olympic gold medals in Paris last year. Flemish media report that talks between Vanthourenhout and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have already taken place, and he will assume a performance and team management role within weeks.

While Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe have yet to formally confirm his arrival, their denials have not convinced the Belgian press.

Photo Credit: Getty

‘It is what it is’ – Foré tries to deflect focus

Foré’s increasingly weary tone suggests that, regardless of the public stance, the private reality may be shifting. “It’s already been going on for a long time,” he told reporters at the Tour. “I give one answer now and I’m not going to respond to it anymore because it is what it is.”

The new team boss, who replaced Lefevere this year, reiterated that the team’s focus remains on racing. “We’re here in the Tour de France, there are times to talk about the future and when there is a time we will sit down and we will do that.”

Evenepoel, for his part, has been typically unflustered in front of the cameras. Speaking in Lille before the Grand Départ, he brushed off reports as “a bit of a surprise,” saying he remains unaffected by outside noise. “I think you probably start to know me a bit now and comments from outside and stressful situations do not have a big effect on me. I’m always pretty calm, whether it’s a positive or negative situation.”

He’s certainly not racing like someone distracted. The 24-year-old has already won the stage 7 time trial and currently lies third overall behind Tadej Pogačar and Ben Healy. The latter currently wears the white jersey as the best young rider, but Remco is expected to take that jersey back again on the stage to Hautacam.

Photo Credit: Getty

More moves behind the scenes?

There is more than just Evenepoel potentially moving. Several of his close circle are expected to join him, including Matteo Cattaneo, and performance staff linked to the Belgian’s training set-up. Gianni Moscon, formerly a teammate at Soudal-QuickStep, has already moved to Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe.

Soudal-QuickStep, however, are trying to remain bullish. Foré insisted that they belong in the same tier as UAE Team Emirates or Visma-Lease a Bike. “We fit in next to them,” he said. “But it’s always so turbulent. To build something, you could use some stability.”

That stability now seems elusive. If the reports are true, the next key milestone may arrive on August 1st, when Vanthourenhout formally joins Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. After that, a full announcement may not be far behind. By the time the Tour reaches Paris, Evenepoel’s 2026 colours may already be chosen – even if he remains in Soudal-QuickStep kit for another year.