Soudal - Quick-Step sign Max Schachmann: "A very good and versatile rider who still has plenty to show in the sport"

Soudal - Quick-Step will likely be signing Ethan Hayter, but they have confirmed another rider that has been rumoured already for around a month. After starting his career in the Belgian team, Max Schachmann makes a return after six years away.

“Max Schachmann is a very good and versatile rider who still has plenty to show in the sport, and we are confident he can do that as part of our squad," Patrick Lefevere said in a press release. "We have a lot of beautiful memories from his first pro years in the squad and we are really excited to see him in action again with the Soudal Quick-Step jersey on his shoulders, contributing to our collective success”.

The German was part of Quick-Step's development team Klein Constantia and turned pro in 2017. After two years he moved on to Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. Up until 2021 he won big within the World Tour; becoming a two-time winner of Paris-Nice and winning stages in races like Itzulia Basque Country, Volta a Catalunya and winning the German national championships twice - alongside a podium at Liège-Bastogne-Liège in 2019.

Since 2022 his performances were far from the previous Schachmann however. His only victory since was at the 2023 Sibiu Tour. This spring he showed his best level for the first time in years at Itzulia Basque Country but was unable to capitalize on it. He was ninth at the recent Olympic Games time-trial, a strong result that shows the 30-year old is still very capable of competing with the best.

“I am happy to get the opportunity to come back home and ride again for Soudal Quick-Step, the team I started my career with," the German added. "I know many of the people there, I have a lot of friends after all these years and I’m looking forward to returning and continuing to develop. I had two great years with the squad as I was beginning to learn the trade, and when presented with the opportunity to come back, I had a really good gut feeling that convinced me to make this move. I’m really excited about this and I can’t wait to start next season:"