Many cycling analysts do not see the merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step happening, while others reveal they would prefer it not to happen.
The news came as a shock to many cycling fans last night. Absolutely no one had any knowledge of it: a merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step. Even the Jumbo-Visma cyclists, as well as Soudal Quickstep’s biggest star, Remco Evenepoel, had no idea.
Some of the world’s top cycling analysts expressed their surprise and concerns via social media about the consequences of this merger. Below are some of their reactions.
Benji Naesen
The Belgian YouTuber, who was also a video analyst for Jumbo-Visma in the past, lists some practical problems and concludes that it is almost impossible to carry out. He states that the difficulty of keeping nearly 50 cyclists (or even firing them) would be the biggest obstacle to this merger.
Thijs Zonneveld
Thijs Zonneveld shares this opinion as well. The Dutchman questions what to do with 20 cyclists who would have nowhere to go. He also adds that it’s unlikely to happen before 2024.
Daniel Benson (GCN)
Daniel Benson from the Global Cycling Network reveals that he has spoken to several other WorldTour team bosses, and they believe the fusion will be really difficult before 2024, but they see it happening in 2025.
Mihai Simion
Romanian Mihai Simion (nearly 60,000 followers) makes it clear that, while it’s still a rumor, it’s a strong one. Like other analysts, he fears unemployment for a significant number of athletes from both teams. Simion also imagines that if a merger occurs, Roglic and Evenepoel may not race for the new team.