The impending merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step is taking shape. The Dutch team has already informed the International Cycling Union, UCI, about this. This was reported by the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws.
It’s the biggest secret in cycling that has unfolded in recent months. Since mid-July, Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step have been in discussions about merging the two teams by 2024. Richard Plugge (Jumbo-Visma) will become the team’s CEO. Merijn Zeeman (Jumbo-Visma) will become the head coach. Patrick Lefevere (Soudal Quick-Step) will be the Chairman of the Board of Directors for the team.
The latest development, according to Het Laatste Nieuws, is that Jumbo-Visma team boss Plugge has informed the UCI about the merger plan as early as 2024. The Dutchman has reportedly met with UCI President David Lappartient last week. A teleconference is also scheduled between Plugge, the UCI, and a representative from Soudal Quick-Step.
The content of these conversations is still unknown at this time. However, the UCI needs to grant permission to Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step for the merger to proceed. The international governing body operates with specific rules regarding the licensing of WorldTour teams.
In this case, teams must provide all necessary information and documents (bank guarantees, exact team name, headquarters name and address, paying agent, CEO, main sponsors, team managers, and riders) to the UCI by October 15th. Failure to do so may result in sanctions in the form of fines. However, the same regulations stipulate that this deadline can be extended in special circumstances.