"If not for his manager, he would have stayed": Quick-Step doctor brings forth reasons behind Remco Evenepoel's departure
Cycling
Remco Evenepoel's departure from Soudal - Quick-Step last winter, ending a seven seasons long partnership was the main story of the most recent transfer window. The Belgian superstar still had one more year on his contract with the team which gave him a platform to enter WorldTour back in 2019, however Evenepoel opted to break his contract early to join Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe instead.
"We had to say goodbye to him, and that hurt most people," Soudal - Quick-Step's team doctor Yvan Vanmol explains in the podcast Stamcafé Koers.
The reason wasn't ultimately that Evenepoel did not enjoy his time at Quick-Step, but rather those around him saw better opportunities for Evenepoel elsewhere. "But when you have someone in the team for so long, but those around him say it's better to go to another team, then the story ends. It was unsustainable."
"Remco himself really enjoyed being with us. If his manager hadn't constantly exerted that pressure, he would have stayed," Vanmol highlights. "That manager is his father, Patrick. What I find worst is that his father constantly portrayed our team as second-rate, while that is absolutely not the case."
Evenepoel's father burned down many bridges
Patrick Evenepoel's many remarks have caused bad blood. "That hurt a lot and led to a number of people within the team saying that it is good that Remco has left. But as a person, I have absolutely nothing bad to say about him. He is a grateful and polite person."
Remco Evenepoel is sometimes short-tempered
Despite how Remco sometimes portrays himself as short-tempered in races, especially when things dont quite go his way, in person he's quite different. "His reactions are sometimes those of a footballer. In the peloton, that isn't always appropriate. But the fact that he speaks his mind and expresses his ambitions is something I think is really great. You shouldn't be falsely modest. Especially not with the list of achievements he has."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Makes sense that training from home is a big asset or advantage but it's still remarkable that he can put in three quality majors and not pay some heavy price for the exertion. I wish he would have won that tour stage that his crash while leading allowed Carapaz the win. He's a darn good rider and teammate.flyer14-11-2026
- Sounds like we all agree with the over under exaggeration: "The German’s signing does not guarantee that Evenepoel will win the Tour in 2027. "flyer14-11-2026
- Seixas appears to be that good but if he isn't (an absolute rival to Pogacar) he would have plenty of company in rising stars that did not go on to fully meet the expectations of many. That Pogacar wasn't the greatest (as great) sooner can't be transposed onto another's development. It may be not that simple.flyer14-11-2026
- I agree that, for Evenepoel, the Euro championship is overshadowed by the slightly off Lombardia and Worlds. However, I disagree that "Ciccone also made a serious mistake at the European Championships" because I don't think he had a win in the bag although he could have won with a perfect bike throw. Guesswork about the finish is not evidence by me for some serious mistake. Sometimes you just barely lose - although Ciccone's sourpuss about it persona was serious.flyer14-11-2026
- I bet you photobombed the video since you are his shadow!frieders314-11-2026
- Skipping the 2027 TDF would be fine in my opinion, and if so, it further reveals that him racing it in 2026 was a good decision. Seixas speaks confident, almost cocky, these days (not meant to be a criticism) and I find it a tad humorous that people (rather commentators) continually chide and advise on how Decathlon should direct and manage Seixas when Paul seems to be calling all his shots since well before this year's TDF.flyer14-11-2026
- Well I just watched this and I thought it was great! If you’re a Pogi fan, like me, you’ll enjoy it. Even if you’re not necessarily a Pogi fan I still recommend it. There’s plenty of new stuff I didn’t know about and I’m a Pogi-maniac! Nice interviews with Pogi & Matteo Trentin too.Lozza14-11-2026
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- Who’s gifting grand tours at UAE? Defo not Pogi! Stage wins maybe.Lozza13-11-2026
- Sepp Kuss Vuelta 2023.Lozza13-11-2026
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