The departure of Remco Evenepoel is a significant loss for Soudal Quick-Step in many ways, but according to his former teammate Valentin Paret-Peintre, it also creates opportunities. "Remco's transfer can, in a way, work out well for the team," the young Frenchman told the Walloon newspaper La Dernière Heure.
With no fewer than 67 professional victories—including the Vuelta a España, three editions of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, and several World, European, and Olympic titles—Evenepoel has been the flagbearer of Soudal Quick-Step over the past seven seasons. However, the 25-year-old Belgian world-class rider will no longer be part of The Wolfpack next season, having signed for the highly ambitious Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe.
Soudal Quick-Step will now have to do without its Belgian figurehead, but according to Paret-Peintre, Evenepoel’s departure is certainly not only bad news. "His leaving will lead to a reshuffling within the team," he says. "Until this season, it was simply taken for granted that Remco was the team leader in the races he participated in."
"But now riders like Ilan Van Wilder, Mikel Landa, and I will have to take on more responsibility. So Remco’s transfer can also be good for the squad. What I mean by this is: there will be a fresh breeze through the team, allowing other riders the space to develop and grow. They can discover themselves in a different role," concludes the stage winner from the recent Tour de France.
Ilan Van Wilder also sees opportunities
Another key player within the Soudal Quick-Step team, Ilan Van Wilder, has already commented on the departure of his compatriot. The 25-year-old Van Wilder has been one of the main domestiques for Evenepoel in stage races over the past few years, but now that the team leader is moving to another squad, Van Wilder is moving up the pecking order.
Van Wilder and Evenepoel on the rest day during last year’s Tour – photo: Fotopersburo Cor Vos
"I feel happy on this team. Here I can continue to develop without stress. A process that could accelerate now that Remco is gone. Not bad, at this stage of my career, I think," he said in an interview with Het Laatste Nieuws. "Maybe it’s even necessary. And it’s time for something new."
"So far, I have combined working as a domestique for Remco with occasionally riding for my own results. From 2026 onwards, it will be different; I will be able to race for myself almost all year round. The intention is to keep growing in that role. [...] From now on, things will be more open. Some guys will blossom and exceed their own expectations. Hopefully, I’ll be one of them."
