Stuyven approaching, departures in sight?
Belgian training could be very active on the transfer market. According to our colleagues from Het Laatste Nieuws, Jasper Stuyven is expected to arrive next year in Wolfpack. It would be an important change for the Louvanist who, since he was in the pros, has always remained faithful to his current team, Lidl-Trek. He had made his debut there in 2014 after being with the hopes within the American training Bontrager, the structure of Axel Merckx.
The arrival of the former winner of Milan-Sanremo but also of the Het Nieuwsblad circuit, a stage of the Tour of Spain or the Grand Prix of Wallonia would be a precious reinforcement in the close guard of Remco Evenepoel on the front of the Tour de France, when it comes to protecting the prodigy of Scheepdaal on the most nervous plain stages. But this arrival will also be used to strengthen the nucleus of Flander classics.
If it has long dominated the paved races of spring, Sudal Quick-Step has disappeared from the leading roles on this front in recent seasons, only saved by the prolific Tim Merlier on the events that sprinters can pass. With the arrival of Stuyven, she would have more weight in the Flemish mountains, while counting on her new rising value, the young Frenchman Paul Magnier. It is not certain that Yves Lampaert would still find room in this workforce (he could be at Visma | Lease a Bike) in which Jasper Stuyven could have more freedom than now, since he works a lot at Lidl-Trek for his friend Mads Pedersen or Jonathan Milan.
If nothing will be official before the date (according to the somewhat archaic regulations of the International cycling Union) of August 1, other names circulate at Soudal Quick-Step. Like Timmo Kielich or Edward Planckaert (currently at Alpecin-Deceuninck, the training of Mathieu Van der Poel who must find a new cospons for 2026).
The uncertainty concerning the future of Arkea – B&B Hotels will have an impact on the transfer market.
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The subject Remco Evenepoel also returns, as every year, when it comes to transfer window. The contract of the double Olympic champion will expire at the end of the 2026 season. Which means that there would be only one year of contract to be bought if an armada like ineos-grenadiers would like to recruit it next year.
Many movements expected at Team Visma | Lease A Bike
Among the other major axes of this transfer window which promises to be hot, there is the workforce of the Wout Van Aert team. Dylan Van Baarle, very unlucky in recent years, has been at the end of the contract and arouses a lot of interest from other teams. While the formidable Sprinter Olav Kooij could leave Team Visma | Lease A Bike to join Bahrain-Victorious or Décathlon-Ag2r. If he opts for French training, he could be joined by Tiesj Benoot. His Ghent teammate is also at the end of the contract and would have received, according to Wielerflits, an attractive offer from the Oliver Naese team.
Like Ilan Van Wilder. The current runner of Soudal Quick-Step was approached to occupy the role of Ben O’Connor (now party at Jayco) while waiting for the very promising Paul Seixas to progress on the front of the big stages in stages. The Swiss Stefan Kung is quoted at Tudor.
This transfer market will also depend a lot on the future of two teams, both French. Arkea-B&B Hotels, prey to a relegation in 2026 with the current fight for the renewal of World Tour licenses, is in danger, while persistent rumors evoke a merger between Direct Energie and ineos-grenadiers.
This promises many discussions, behind the scenes, in the coming weeks!
