"A very strange situation" - Former Quick-Step rider Zdenek Stybar fears merger could hinder his chances of signing for a team in 2024

Zdenek Stybar's contract at Team Jayco AlUla expires at the end of the year but the Czech rider fears that his hopes of finding a new World Tour contract may be hindered by the potential merger between Jumbo-Visma and Stybar's former team, Soudal - Quick-Step.

"My contract is ending and it's going to be very difficult. This situation doesn't really help me. I would like to get another result and I will try to do that, so I will keep fighting. But it's difficult," worries the 37-year-old in conversation with In de Leiderstrui.

Around 20 riders are thought to be joining the unemployment list if the merger between Soudal - Quick-Step and Jumbo-Visma were to go ahead. For riders such as Stybar, this means there will be much more competition for available spots in different World Tour teams.

"Of course that is a very strange situation. It might be a shame for Quick Step, because what has been built up over the years might disappear," says Stybar. "But sometimes you can't stop such an evolution. There will certainly be a business model behind it, with people like Zdenek Bakala behind it."