Jasper Stuyven: "At Lidl-Trek they no longer saw me as a leader."

Soudal-Quick Step is one of the teams to be evaluated most carefully in 2026, given that Remco Evenepoel has left (towards Red Bull-Bora).

The Belgian team will most likely try to aim for one-day races, classics and stages, having in its squad two high-level sprinters like Merlier and Magnier and having hired an experienced man like Jasper Stuyve n.  

The Belgian, winner of Milan-Sanremo in 2021, has left Lidl-Trek and will have more room for personal initiatives: "It's not that I was tired of riding for Lidl-Trek, but when negotiations began with Soudal-Quick-Step, I felt it was time for a new team," Stuyven told Sporza. " At Lidl-Trek, they honestly told me that they no longer saw me as a leader for the cobbled classics . Of course, I didn't like hearing that. But the team understood that there could be many other teams capable of guaranteeing me the role of leader. This made the decision to leave easier, because I definitely think I still have my value in the spring classics."  

The idea is to try to revive the golden days of the Wolfpack. But everyone is pretty realistic: Tadej Pogačar and Mathieu van der Poel are so strong that they can quickly force a man-to-man situation. However, it gives you more confidence and motivation to know you can go to the Classics with a strong team. This way you don't have to respond to attacks alone and you can create a situation where you don't have to chase all day. How do you win a Classic against Pogačar and Van der Poel? I'd like to say I have an answer, but I don't. But I'll still be at the start of a Classic with the belief that I can win it."

Photo: Sprint Cycling Agency