It is not yet certain whether Tim Declercq will continue at Soudal Quick-Step next season. The Belgian rouleur has not secured a new contract for 2024. Patrick Lefevere tells Het Laatste Nieuws that the talks will be resumed after the Tour.
"Tim is 34 and had a heart problem in the Algarve last year. After that he was a bit worse," said the team boss of Soudal Quick-Step. "He also had stomach problems. Tim is a good guy and I didn't say we won't keep him. It's still open. But at a certain point you have to be able to say: stop. We are now waiting for the Tour."
For Andrea Bagioli and Davide Ballerini, the adventure at Soudal Quick-Step seems to be over after this season. Both Italians have been riding for the Belgian team since 2020. "I didn't get some people to sign up, especially the Italians, because their pay is not in line with their performance," explains Lefevere.
Unlike Bagioli and Ballerini, their compatriot Mattia Cattaneo seems certain to renew. He is part of the grand tour team around Remco Evenepoel and has an expiring contract. "But that's just a matter of signing," said Lefevere.
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Lefevere also confirms the outgoing transfer of Fabio Jakobsen, who will sign a multi-year contract with Team dsm-firmenich. "That is the verdict for all teams that do not take a sprinter to a Grand Tour. It is no longer possible to go to the Tour with a leader and a sprinter. And we also have Merlier," he looks ahead.
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