OFFICIAL: Jasper Stuyven signs with Quick-Step as Belgian team attempts to get back to the top on cobbled classics

We have reached the month of August and in the world of cycling that means only one thing: Transfer season is open! In the first hours of the morning on the 1st new signings begin to be announced and Soudal - Quick-Step have quickly revealed a big signing for 2026 in Jasper Stuyven.

“Jasper is one of the best Belgian riders out there, and it makes us happy that he will ride for us starting from next year. He is cut out for the Classics, having an impressive palmares in these races, but his tremendous experience and quality will help us also in other races," team CEO Jurgen Foré said in a press release.

The team is currently under a lot of doubt over the future due to Remco Evenepoel's potential departure. If the Belgian leaves the team there could be a very big switch in terms of focus and this could potentially be a sign of that. Stuyven's signing is one meant to reinforce the team's cobbled classics block which has lost power over the years, but also meant to support the team's sprinters such as Tim Merlier and Paul Magnier.

For Foré, an obvious choice, also taking into consideration his nationality. "We are confident he will integrate easily in the team and will strengthen our squad for the cobbled one-day races that we all love so much and where we aim to continue being among the protagonists. We will also aim together at winning stages in Grand Tours, and help Jasper realizing his dream of winning a stage in the Tour de France". 

Whilst perhaps past his prime in terms of results the 33-year old, former Milano-Sanremo and Omloop Het Nieuwsblad winner, has ridden to a Top5 in both Tour of Flanders and Gent Wevelgem this spring and continues to perform at the very highest level despite the evolution of the new generation. Above all, he has become an absolutely key part of Lidl-Trek's support for Jonathan Milan as he became a leadout man for the Italian - and recently supported him to the Tour de France's green jersey.

“I’m happy at the thought that I will be a member of the Wolfpack. When I started cycling, this team was one of the first I got to know, and it will be nice to be part of a Belgian centric squad after so many years," Stuyven said. "I bring a lot of experience that I will try to pass on to the younger riders, but also for the lead-out trains. Soudal Quick-Step has always been present in the Classics, these races are in the DNA of the team, and that makes me confident for next year, as this team is a perfect fit for me and I’m also a right fit for them. I can’t wait to find my place in this squad. I know how motivated everyone here is for the one-day races and we’ll do our best to be on the top of our game for them.”

But Stuyven does not only come to the team to support other leaders, as he could well become the new spearhead of the cobbled classics. He's got top results at Sanremo, Flanders and Roubaix altogether and he believes that with his endurance and experience - alongside his rouleur specialty - the 'Hell of the North' could become his biggest goal. “I won a Monument and a couple of cobbled Classics in my career, but if there is one race that remains a goal, it is Paris-Roubaix. That, and winning a stage at the Tour de France". 

“I am looking forward to meeting everyone. I already know some people in the team: Yves [Lampaert], against whom I raced many times, so it will be nice to find him in the squad next year; there’s also Louis [Vervaeke], together with whom I used to rent houses in Italy or Spain when we turned pro and were at the beginning of our careers. Last but not least, there’s Bert [van Lerberghe], who is of my age and whom I met in a lot of races. So, there are plenty of reasons for me to be excited about this move and this new chapter in my career.”