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At the beginning of this week, news caused a stir in the cycling world. The two top teams Jumbo-Visma (Ho) and Soudal-QuickStep (Bel) will negotiate a merger and will compete under the name Soudal-Visma in the future. This would lead to stars like Remco Evenepoel (23, Bel), Julian Alaphilippe (31, Fr), Jonas Vingegaard (26, Dä), Primoz Roglic (33, Sln), Sepp Kuss (29, USA) or Wout van Aert ( 29, Bel) would suddenly be teammates.
A project that is not necessarily received with enthusiasm. Former professional cyclist Philippe Gilbert (41, Bel) fears ‘catastrophic consequences’ for professional cycling, he writes on social media.
Team boss reports by letter
A Jumbo Visma rider who spoke anonymously to the Global Cycling Network speaks of a “shock”. He says that they have no more free places at Jumbo for next year. And wonders: “I don’t know why the two best teams should merge. What is the reason?”
Soudal QuickStep team boss Patrick Lefereve (68) addresses his cycling stars with a letter that is available to the ‘Global Cycling Network’. Contrary to rumors, there are “no concrete projects or plans,” he writes, promising that if that changes he will inform drivers.
“That won’t work, will it?”
The question is whether the above-mentioned top stars will actually drive in one team in the event of a merger. At least that is what a statement by Ineos driver Geraint Thomas (37, GB) about Evenepoel suggests. In his podcast ‘Watts Occuring’ he says: ‘Remco hates Jumbo and Jumbo hates Remco. That’s not going to work, is it?” Moreover, he should not get along with Roglic.
If Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-QuickStep join forces, there will be no merger, according to “radsport-news.com”. One team would take over from the other, the drivers of the connecting team would not be forced to go. This means that Evenepoel could leave the team if Soudal-Quickstep switches to Jumbo-Visma. However, such rumors also exist about Roglic. Several teams would be interested in him.
Where the future lies for the two drivers is as unclear as in which constellation the teams will drive. (beer)
Source : Blick
I’m Emma Jack, a news website author at 24 News Reporters. I have been in the industry for over five years and it has been an incredible journey so far. I specialize in sports reporting and am highly knowledgeable about the latest trends and developments in this field.
