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"Lefevere no longer has overwhelming leaders for the spring" - Michel Wuyts concerned for Soudal - Quick-Step in 2025
CyclingFriday, 25 October 2024 at 12:00
Over recent years, Soudal - Quick-Step have made a concerted effort to switch aims from one-day / stage success, to putting together a stronger climbing block, built around supporting Remco Evenepoel's Grand Tour winning ambitions.
With the departure of long time servants such as Julian Alaphilippe and Kasper Asgreen this transfer window, the replacements such as Valentin Paret-Peintre and Max Schachmann again highlight the growing importance of having strong climbers amongst the Soudal - Quick-Step ranks for team boss Patrick Lefevere and co. Is this the correct tactic for the Belgian to opt for though? Not everyone is convinced.
In his column for HLN, Belgian pundit and cycling expert Michel Wuyts voices his concerns for the future of Soudal - Quick-Step. "Lefevere and Foré brought in seven newcomers, but lost Alaphilippe, Asgreen and Moscon," begins Wuyts' analysis. "The acquired lads do not reach the intrinsic quality of those three. Schachmann, Hayter, Paret-Peintre and Garofoli are expected to serve Evenepoel."
"The one-day types will mainly be reinforcements in width. Dries Van Gestel has a good Paris-Roubaix in his legs, the Dutchman Pascal Eenkhoorn can serve until the gate of finals and Andrea Raccagni, an Italian of 20, came third in the Kattekoers this year and previously fourth in the Grote Prijs Van Looy," continues the analyst. "You can't expect a huge step forward from such a neophyte. No, Lefevere no longer has overwhelming leaders for our spring segment. A new Boonen, a top Belgian, is not in sight. Even Lotto Dstny is a bit better off with De Lie, Berckmoes and Segaert."
So the question is, if Evenepoel isn't around, who does take the reigns for Soudal - Quick-Step? "European champion Tim Merlier, faster than Philipsen in '24, can certainly win Gent-Wevelgem. Yves Lampaert can be the leader for young foreign talent. Martin Svrcek, second in the World Championship for promises, and Luke Lamperti have substance and punch," Wuyts proposes. "The greatest talent is Paul Magnier. Eight victories and he is also only 20. I saw the Frenchman in the Tour of Britain with speaking ease over climbs and win impossible sprints. A great guy with appetite. Potential winner of the Tour, in three years. After many growing pains."
Nevertheless, they certainly aren't the force they once were in the Classics. "In 2025, the Lefevere boys will have to endure it passively when Van der Poel flies away in the Tour 60 kilometres from the finish. Unless, yes, unless Evenepoel changes his mind," Wuyts concludes.
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