Quick-Step reveal partnership with Evenepoel's former junior team - "Together we can give them a platform"

More and more under-23 riders are winning some of the biggest races in the world, and juniors are jumping directly into the World Tour. That was the case of Remco Evenepoel in 2019, and the team in which he raced as a junior is linking up officially with Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team to collaborate in developing new talents.

The collaboration will begin in 2023 and will see Balen BC and Quick-Step scout and develop talents in the junior ranks, where they will then already have a pro team working in close proximity. The Belgian team has existed for many decades and has seen several pro riders emerge from it, including Evenepoel but also sprint classics legend Tom Boonen.

“We have had a great relationship with Balen BC and Jef over the years, without ever formalising it," team manager Patrick Lefevere said. "Their track record of consistently identifying and developing young and talented riders speaks for itself. We have been very fortunate that they have helped both Remco and Tom during their younger days, who then became two of our most famous riders. This partnership will hopefully lead to us uncovering some more of the best young riders around, and together we can give them a platform on which they can shine.”

With the constant inflow of new talented riders directly into the World Tour scene, the move comes as a step to stay ahead of he competition from the Belgian team.