Quick-Step boss reveals what he looks for in new signings, and it reinforces INEOS sprinter rumours
CyclingTuesday, 11 August 2026 at 17:08
Soudal - Quick-Step were, in the past, major players in the transfer market. Whilst they still hold power, the team often has to settle for smaller signings and rider who carry potential of taking the next step. Team CEO Jurgen Foré has talked about the team's transfer policy, which reaffirms the chances of Ben Turner's signing from Netcompany INEOS.
Teutenberg and Milesi the team's first big signings for 2027
The team has brought in Ceriel Desal into the team's elite ranks into 2027 whilst it has already publicly announced two signings: Sprinter Tim Torn Teutenberg from Lidl-Trek; and Movistar rider Lorenzo Milesi who had a tremendous Giro d'Italia in support of his leaders.
“Lorenzo and Tim Torn are both very big talents. They won a lot in the youth categories and at the same time have already been able to build up some experience at WorldTour level," Foré said in words to Het Nieuwsblad.
Both World Tour riders are capable of performing at the highest level, and the Belgian team certainly has space for them in their respective terrains. The Belgian team, after the departure of Remco Evenepoel last winter, has refocused on the sprints and cobbled classics - like in the past.
Tim Merlier and Paul Magnier have dominated the sprints of the Giro d'Italia and Tour de France respectively. Whilst Dylan van Baarle's signing has brought little change, Jasper Stuyven was a podium finisher at Paris-Roubaix and a key leadout man for both Magnier and Merlier all throughout the season thus far.
The team is bringing in more quality riders to support the team's ambitions away from the mountains. “Tim Torn is someone who is quite fast. Not the Merlier or Magnier type, but someone who can handle a small hill. He can play a role in the lead-out for us and has the capabilities to win races himself in the future".
"Milesi is a bit more punchy and a good time trialist. He was U23 World Champion in that discipline. With those qualities, you can also win week-long stage races.”
Tim Torn Teutenberg is joining Soudal - Quick-Step in 2027
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What Quick-Step is looking for and why Ben Turner fits
The team is moving away from its mountain ambitions further, with Mikel Landa departing towards Euskaltel - Euskadi. Mauri Vansevenant and Max Schachmann are also heavily rumoured to be departing the team. To fill in the spaces, the Belgian outfit is looking for a specific type of rider.
Those are the types we were looking for: guys between 23 and 30 years old with growth potential. They will provide a good mix between the experienced guard and guys who are just starting out".
The rider that, aside from those who have been signed already, has been rumoured the most to be joining the team is Ben Turner of Netcompany INEOS. The British classics rider and sprinter has had a spectacular improvement once he began prioritizing sprints over the past two seasons and is a mix of rider that Quick-Step has had in the past with the likes of Tom Boonen and currently Magnier himself.
Teams and agencies each have their own policy when it comes to announcing transfers, with some being announced as early as the 1st of August; whilst some go as far as only making it public after the season is over. There is no certainty on whether a deal is already signed, but Foré's words refer to specific kind of riders in which the 27-year old Turner is a perfect fit.
"In doing so, we look at past training data, among other things. A young rider who is already training like a 30-year-old pro often doesn't have much margin for error. With Tim Torn and Lorenzo, we saw that there was still room for improvement. Make no mistake: other teams see that too. Consequently, such riders come with a price tag. It’s not like they were bargains," he assures.
Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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