2023-09-30 13:23:01
The manager of the Soudal-Quickstep team spoke about this potential alliance.
Soudal-Quick Step team manager Patrick Lefevere confirmed on Saturday the existence of discussions about a merger between his Belgian team and the powerful Dutch team Jumbo-Visma, which would represent an earthquake in the world of cycling.
Discussions started a few months ago
While the Belgian media have been speculating for several days on the possibility of a union between the teams of Remco Evenepoel and Jonas Vingegaard, perhaps as early as next season, Lefevere mentions, in his weekly column for the Flemish daily Het Nieuswblad, “a letter of intent» between two of the largest structures in the world. A merger between Soudal and Jumbo-Visma would raise many questions about the fate of many riders under contract and the cohabitation between stars like Vingegaard, double winner of the Tour de France, Evenepoel, Wout Van Aert, Julian Alaphilippe, Sepp Kuss and Primoz Roglic. “There should be a lot more clarity by Monday», indicated Lefevere. He specifies that the first talks between Czech billionaire Zdenek Bakala, patron of his team, and Dutch businessman Robert van der Wallen, co-owner of Jumbo-Visma, took place before and during the 2023 Tour de France .
A decision linked to his withdrawal from the team
These discussions are the consequence of the upcoming withdrawal of Jumbo as a sponsor and the desire of Patrick Lefevere to step back after 30 years at the head of a cycling team. “I will be 69 in January, age plays a role. I would even say that I have had enough now“, he explains, assuring however “not wanting to let the team down». «With three parts – Soudal, Quick-Step and Visma – everyone can +proportionately+ find their place“, says the Belgian manager, surprised by the rumors of recent days reporting the arrival of Amazon in the partnership of the future team. “With Amazon as the fourth party, this would no longer work. As far as I know, there had been no talk of their arrival last week. This could be a game changer“. We should know more in the coming days.
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