"I think INEOS Grenadiers also plays a role in this" - Johan Bruyneel refuses to rule out late twist in the Visma-Soudal saga

The possible merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal - Quick-Step has been the number one topic of debate in the cycling world since the news first broke. Johan Bruyneel however knows a thing or two about cycling mergers and refuses to rule out a late twist in the saga.

"It says a lot about the uncertainty in professional cycling," assesses Bruyneel on his The Move podcast he regularly uses to air his views on modern-day races alongside Lance Armstrong. "I think INEOS Grenadiers also plays a role in this game. It is the backers of the three teams who are now working to solve a problem."

Bruyneel himself was involved in cycling's last big merger as the team now known as Lidl-Trek was formed. "Jim Ratcliffe (INEOS owner) sees this as a small operation. Patrick Lefevere has indicated to Soudal and Zdenek Bakala (Quick-Step owner) that his team will continue with or without Remco Evenepoel. This has started the ball rolling for a possible merger."

For Jumbo-Visma, Bruyneel feels the merger is more appealing than the rumoured Saudi interest. "They have an infinite budget, but they are only interested in a takeover and not in a sponsorship deal. I understand that Richard Plugge doesn't like that," he concludes. "It shouldn't be allowed, but I'm afraid it's a serious possibility. I started thinking about it and asked some questions and now I think it might just happen. Whether a merger will actually take place remains to be seen. In any case, it would be a huge surprise."