"Remco's heart still lies with Quick-Step" - World champion's father confirms there's no longer bad blood after 2026 departure
Cycling
The departure of Remco Evenepoel from Soudal - Quick-Step to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe after seven years of collaboration have left some bitter emotions, but it was perhaps to the best for both parties. Evenepoel finally gets the deserved level of support at the German team backed by Austrian beverage giant, and his former team can better reallocate their slightly more limited resources.
And even though the parting was a little more explosive, Remco keeps his former team in high esteem, his father Patrick Evenepoel reveals in an interview for Humo: "Remco's heart still lies with Quick-Step," he insists.
What does that mean for the future? Could be nothing. Could also mean that Evenepoel, after few years pass and perhaps star fades a little, he will consider a return to the Belgian formation before any other...
A bond still exists
And father Evenepoel continues to outline that there's no longer any bad blood between Evenepoel and Soudal - Quick-Step. In a sense, it was simply a turn of events which was necessary for the still-young rider to fully realize his potential.
"It is no coincidence that they were the first to congratulate him in the Tour. But sometimes you need a different environment to improve," Evenepoel senior maintains that a switch was necessary.
In his statement, however, Patrick Evenepoel maintains a careful stance on what in particular is better about Remco's new team. "I am not saying that work is being done more professionally at Red Bull, it is just different. In any case: we cannot say that it hasn't helped," he states.
New coach, new magic
A significant change occurred in May, when Tim Heemskerk joined Evenepoel's team as the new trainer. A key factor in the current success story, culminating in second place at the Tour de France.
"There was an immediate connection between Tim and Remco," said Patrick. "After Liège-Bastogne-Liège, we sat down with the team – Zak Dempster, Klaas Lodewyck, Tim, Remco, and I. Their message was clear: we are stopping now and starting over in this way. Remco just had to answer yes or no. He was immediately on board with the idea."
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Heemskerk joined Red Bull after years of work at Visma | Lease a Bike. This also raised the question of whether he brought certain knowledge from his previous work environment with him. Evenepoel senior laughs about it.
"If Guardiola becomes manager of Anderlecht tomorrow, he will also bring the secrets of Manchester City with him," he says, drawing an analogy with the football team Remco used to play for in youth categories before he made the switch to road cycling.
Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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- Wout was good, and he was good on Sunday trying to drag Remco back, but I watched the olympics. Remco seemed exception on a course perfect for him, and MVDP was a step behind.mij30-09-2026
- Why would Del Toro help pull back McNulty just to be out sprinted by Matthews, VDP, Simmons... He fired his bullets on his terrain and couldn't get away. Only way he was going to have a chance is in a 2 or 3 up sprintbreckvelo30-09-2026
- Hey Lance, Go away in a reproductive manner!Lobz7730-09-2026
- Context matters. From the way Onley blew up, it was clear that he knew he was struggling and probably told Pidcock that. Simmons finished 4th. Of course, Pidcock could have and should've taken the gamble
Rafionain-Glas30-09-2026 - Great story. Surprises me though that Sagan’s amazing career hasn’t produced more of a legacy of young Slovak talent.Lozza30-09-2026
- Del Toro did a LOT of work in that group, riding on the front and pulling it along. By the time McNulty attacked I should think he was mostly cooked!Lozza30-09-2026
- I don’t entirely agree with this @RidesHills. Whilst I can entertain what you’re arguing, writing off IDT’s inability to follow Pidcock purely as IDT being "gassed" ignores the complex tactical chess match happening on the road. IDT’s body language, in the final kms, showed plenty of hesitation, tactical marking, and looking around. With the addition of the WC pitting teammates against each other, there were several moments that indicated his behaviour was a calculated refusal to destroy McNulty’s, and by that extension, UAE’s chances of maintaining their hold on the rainbow stripes. We know IDT had the ability to win that race, I stand by the belief that he chose not to chase after his team mate. Whilst I was frustrated watching it… I can respect it.anonymouscyclist30-09-2026
- I guess the president is very happy to see one American win in Canada. Leave the president and politicians aside the sports. Was a great victory from a very smart move in the right moment. Quick Step won a lot of classics like this. Having numbers. Del Toro also played some part. Going to blame him? Thats a great friend. Also don't forget McNulty last time in Montreal. He was there with Pogacar. When big guns control each other others can win. Well done McNulty.
PAULO30-09-2026 - Not sure why you are hating on Americans but looking at cycling there are many more Europeans that cheated in cycling than Americans. Looking at the TdF's that Armstrong won, the top 5 -10 in all those doped and weren't Americans.GB30-09-2026
- if you get to within just 10 seconds and can't close the gap that's on you Tom and Mike. both of these losers wanted del Toro to help them which of course wouldn't be cross border collusion, it's only collusion if it's perceived that he's helping someone else besides them. sour grapes all around. bunch of pussies in the UK and Australia. bring a better team next time.whkman30-09-2026
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