"Remco, faced with a possible merger, I don't think he would like to share a team" - Alberto Contador explains why Remco Evenepoel should leave if merger is completed

One of the seemingly endless amount of questions raised by the potential merger of Jumbo-Visma and Soudal - Quick-Step is the future of Remco Evenepoel. For Alberto Contador, the Belgian's choice is clear.

“There is a lot of talk about this possible merger between Jumbo and Soudal but, to this day, they are rumours," says the Spanish, former seven-time Grand Tour winner in conversation with Eurosport. “There are rumours as there have always been in cycling; since when I was professional I saw rumours that appeared in the media. I don't know what is true because it is difficult for me to imagine a merger between Jumbo and Soudal due to different factors: due to the time of year we are in, in which for all the riders and other personnel it would be delicate."

Up to 20 riders could be out of contract if the merger is concluded. One man who will have no trouble in securing himself a deal wherever he wants however, will be Remco Evenepoel. “It's hard for me to believe in that merger, especially keeping the best riders. Remco, faced with a possible merger, I don't think he would like to share a team with a rider who has just won the Tour de France [Jonas Vingegaard], a rider who is going to return to the Tour de France to win it, and in Remco's head is the power to go and compete and win the Tour de France in the future," says Contador.

"We have seen the departure of Primoz Roglic, who left [Jumbo-Visma] because he does not want to mortgage his interests, he wants to have freedom and why not go to the Tour as a team leader when he knows that with Jonas Vingegaard it would be complicated," he continues. "In the case of Remco, something similar would happen with the Tour de France. They are rumours, there is a lot left to confirm and give a more judgmental opinion."

One thing Contador is certain of however is the wide-reaching effects of a Visma-Soudal merger wouldn't be good for cycling. "It is clear that, if this merger were carried out, it would not be great news," he predicts. "It wouldn't be great news because we are talking about the fact that there are 70 families in Jumbo-Visma and there are 70 families in Soudal-Quick Step and there would be no place for everyone to find equipment and staff as well and even be able to find it in good condition so I don't think it would be too interesting."

"We have to talk about everything that, above all, for now are rumours. No team has commented on it and most rumours remain rumours. We'll see what the next few days have in store for us."