2023-07-17 14:17:27
Published on July 17, 2023 at 4:17 p.m. Aurélie Sacchelli
Under contract until the end of 2026 with Soudal-Quick Step, Remco Evenepoel could leave the Belgian formation before the end, for both financial and sporting reasons, according to various media.
While this Monday marks the second day of rest on the Tour de France, it is not a rider from the Grande Boucle who agitates the small world of cycling. It is indeed Remco Evenepoel, currently in full preparation for his second half of the season, which will see him take part in the Clasica San Sebastian, the world championships, the Vuelta and the Tour of Lombardy, which is at the heart of all rumors. While he is under contract with Soudal-Quick Step until the end of the 2026 season, rumors send him to the side… of Ineos Grenadiers! The 23-year-old rider, reigning world champion and winner of the last Vuelta, would have both sporting and financial reasons to leave the Belgian team led by Patrick Lefevere, where he arrived in 2019. According to the Belgian daily The Latest New, always well-informed when it comes to cycling, Remco Evenepoel would not be very happy with the team he could have around him for the Tour de France 2024, since it is no secret that the Belgian prodigy will make his debut on the Grande Boucle next season. No climber worthy of the name, capable of accompanying him in the mountains, has a contract with Soudal-Quick Step, if we except Julian Alaphilippe, who cannot however be considered as a simple team member. Mikel Landa, at the end of his contract with Bahrain Victorious and fifth in the Tour de France stage on Sunday despite being transparent since leaving Bilbao, would however be on the shelves, according to The last hour.
Rumors of acquisition of Soudal-Quick Step by Ineos!
It is also at the financial level that the shoe pinches… Monday, the English-speaking podcast RadioCycling, who says he has collected several sources close to the Belgian rider, says that Remco Evenepoel would be unhappy with his current salary at Soudal-Quick Step (4 million euros, against 7 million for Pogacar at UAE Emirates, for example). If he wants to leave the Belgian team before the end of his lease, the world champion would have to pay around 10 million to buy out his contract according to the podcast, and Ineos Grenadiers, but also Israel Premier Tech, which benefit from large budgets, would be on pole to welcome it. The British formation, which will have “only” Tom Pidcock and Egan Bernal (if he regains his level before his fall) next season as leader for the Grand Tours, would be ready to break the bank. Rumors even point to a takeover of the Soudal-Quick Step team by the Ineos group! It would be quite a revolution in cycling, especially since Soudal and Quick Step have signed up until 2027. To be continued…
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