"Budget-wise, we can no longer compete with the UAE and Red Bulls of this world" - Lefevere on Evenepoel's transfer

No more Patrick Lefevere and from 2026 no more Remco Evenepoel either. The Soudal - Quick-Step we knew from recent years will inevitably change. What will the coming seasons bring is not yet written in the stars, but some of the Belgian team's long-time supporters will be pleased to see what appears to be a return to roots with attention shifting more towards spring Classics again after years of hunting GC success with Evenepoel.

"I can't pretend nothing happened with Remco this week, of course, but I repeat: contractually, I can't say much about it," Lefevere wrote in his Het Nieuwsblad column, further explaining the silence from hi side: "When I sold my shares in the team, I also signed a non-disclosure agreement, which means I'm not allowed to work for another team for a certain period, but also that what happens within the team must remain confidential."

That doesn't mean Lefevere cannot share his own opinion on the matter: "In short: no hard feelings. That's life. The guy is 25 years old, and if he can earn a few million more somewhere, he should. As far as I'm concerned, he's not staying. Budget-wise, we can no longer compete with the UAE and Red Bulls of this world."

"The news didn't surprise me. It's like a relationship: when it's over, it's over. You just feel it. Would this have happened with me still leading the team? It would be very arrogant to say no. This was already happening when I was still in charge."

Supporters of Soudal - Quick-Step have particular difficulties swallowing that Evenepoel made statements in the past to never leave the team. But now he did. "Remco said a few times that he would never leave us. People remember that, but I forgive him; you say something like that in an emotional moment," Lefevere is understanding.

What will become of the team after Remco ? We should see a return to the beloved Wolfpack, something that is already reflected in high-profile recruitments of Jasper Stuyven and Dylan van Baarle. "Jurgen (Foré, the new CEO, ed.) is convinced we can get back to what we used to be. And that includes the Grand Tours," he concludes.