The news of Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step working on a merger before 2024 has also reached their cyclists. Before the start of the Franco-Belgian Circuit, Yves Lampaert told the Belgian newspaper Het Nieuwsblad that it hasn’t changed the atmosphere within the Belgian team. “We will wait and do our best, as always,” said Lampaert.
“In any case, I am confident and not worried. If you have a contract like mine, everything will be fine. There are certainly doubts, but we will patiently wait,” says the West Flemish Belgian, who receives all the news about the merger. According to our information, it’s only a matter of time until the spectacular merger is finalized.
“Some messages are also contradictory. We read that it would be before 2024, other newspapers say it’s not possible. So, it’s still a financial matter.”
Lampaert also talked with Wout van Aert, the leader of Jumbo-Visma, with whom he recently competed in the European Championships. “I saw that you had a lot of fun with me in the room. But a merger so immediately seems very drastic,” Lampaert said with a wink. “We laughed a lot about it,” Lampaert concluded, indicating that this merger should indeed be confirmed soon.