"I suggested waiting until 2025, but they wanted to do it very quickly" - Patrick Lefevere discusses failed merger with Jumbo-Visma

The news of a possible merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal - Quick-Step rocked the peloton this October. It seemed at a certain point very likely and would see two of the sport's best teams unite. It didn't end up happening however, Patrick Lefevere reveals some of the reasons behind that.

"It didn't make me happy, no. But it was especially painful for the riders and all the other people who work for the team," Lefevere said in an interview with La Dernière Heure. The move was said to be very harsh on the structure of the Quick-Step team, where only a few riders would find a spot. Most riders and staff would be left to look for different teams which would ultimately create an issue in the peloton. At some point it was discussed the creation of a new team to use the already existing team's structure, but it was ultimately not necessary as negotiations failed.

"All those people asked legitimate questions and I would have done everything I could not to disappoint them. But there is a majority shareholder and if he decides to sell, you can't do anything. When the bosses of the two teams met, I suggested waiting until 2025, but they wanted to do it very quickly," Lefevere said. In the end the merger did not come to be and the team re-focused in building it's 2024 season, whilst the Dutch team is set to become 'Visma - Lease a Bike' as it found a new title sponsor.

"Jumbo-Visma has taken a different route, but there may be other candidates. Who says the Saudis don't want to get involved? They are criticized, but I can see that they will organize the World Championships in 2034 (in football, ed.). I always say that money has no smell," he concluded, as the Middle Eastern nation is heavily investing into the sport and is looking for ways to get into the top ranks.