Future of Remco Evenepoel will be a big topic next year when his current contract is running out. But the teams interested in the Belgian's services are already in search of every possible tool that could put them on the double Olympic champion's better side. One way is by building a support team that would fit Evenepoel's taste.
One such rider is currently on the market. Ilan Van Wilder is a man who can ride for his own result at WorldTour level, as much is evident from his 4th overall at UAE Tour and Tour de Romandie last year. But for a vast part of the season, he is bound to Remco Evenepoel as his most loyal lieutenant in the hardest mountain stages.
With such reputation, it's no wonder that top WT formations are competing for Van Wilder's services in upcoming years. Cycling journalist and transfers expert Daniel Benson informs that INEOS Grenadiers and Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale are in the pursuit of Van Wilder's attention while his current team Soudal - Quick-Step also expressed an interest to renew with the 24-year-old Belgian who has been with the team since late 2021.
Apparently, Van Wilder and the management of Wolfpack are on good terms and so the negotiations of renewal may proceed smoothly, if the offer sits right with the versatile climber. However the interest from these big teams clearly indicates both the caliber and potential of Van Wilder.
Whatever his decision, it will be a clear indicator of the direction his career, and that of Evenepoel, are about to take. Van Wilder could seek more opportunities to ride as a leader in a different team, while him leaving would suggest Soudal - Quick-Step without Patrick Lefevere may not have the pulls to convince its stars to continue with the project.
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🚨 Ineos Grenadiers and Decathlon are in the hunt to sign Ilan Van Wilder for 2026 - from what I understand.
— Dnlbenson (@dnlbenson) April 3, 2025
Staying at Soudal Quick-Step is also an option for the Belgian, with talks ongoing. 🇧🇪
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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- Thibau Nys does exactly what Iserbyt is calling for
Rafionain-Glas08-11-2026 - i did not see it. was the relegation justified or an overly hard decision? and don‘t cross riders deviate from straight lines all the time? bumping into each others when they cut corners, etc … why being more strict with the rules on the finish sprint?Ketterechts08-11-2026
- seems like we are advertising the website with pointless comments…Ketterechts08-11-2026
- So?Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- The UCI do have their favorites.
Front24208-11-2026 - On a positive note, you maybe notice turning this topic into a discussion has the benefit of eliminating certain participants who do not see how they can turn it back to their sole interest ;-)Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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- That may be but that was unknown to others and nothing says that’s the whole truth. Again, don’t try to misinterpret, it is a call and technically it is correct. Besides, even if there is a valid reason, that does not disqualify the ruling or punishment as far as the rules have been developed. I don’t think they’re as far as in football where for handball there is a distinction (in some ways and specific cases) between intentional or not. And football can be just as harsh and people live with it, eg the offside rule, also judged to within tiny fractions but often wrong or ignored. It’s the nature of every collective organisation and sometimes I wonder if our rebellion against it isn’t seated in the feelings we carry from the injustices we’ve felt personally, like being flashed driving 1km/h too fast when we are explained limits are just a security measure but we are absolutely certain not to have endangered anyone with our transgression. The problem is, nobody has better solutions and no 2 people have the same interpretation of where a limit should be.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
- Because for you deviated implies the other rider MUST have been made to fall and fail to finish ??? I don’t know if you ride a bike but next time someone carves you up or drives dangerously close, just hold back from those feelings of changing something, reporting or filming or even complaining. Everyone will just say, hey you’re still here undamaged, doesn’t seem like anyone did anything.Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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