Jumbo-Soudal merger "will not happen"

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6
Oct
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Belgian press: "Sponsor problems". Rebus on Evenepoel

The merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick Step, (or rather the former absorbing the latter) , will not happen. The news arriving from the Netherlands and published on Belgian sites is awaiting confirmation.

It seems that owner Patrick Lefevere and the team's majority shareholder, Zdenek Bakala, will continue to manage the Wolfpack together until 2025 but the latter has no intention of continuing with investments. Therefore any reinforcements to support the team around Remco Evenepoel would end very soon. With imaginable consequences in terms of the market for the former world champion.

There would therefore be no final agreement, despite the letter of intent on the merger signed a few weeks ago by both parties. The problem, according to the newspaper Sporza, would be linked to the sponsors: let's remember Amazon 's entry into Jumbo (a brand that will leave the team in 2024) Visma. However, the role of the e-commerce giant, which arrived thanks to Sepp Kuss' success at the Vuelta, is not yet clear.

Apparently also decisive was the reaction of some Soudal Quick Step riders who had not hidden their disappointment at the uncertainty and risks regarding their future.