It had been in the air for a while, but now the deal is official: Remco Evenepoel will leave Soudal Quick-Step for Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe after this season. The Belgian will therefore no longer race alongside Mikel Landa next year. The latter is disappointed by Evenepoel’s impending departure.
At the end of 2023, Landa moved from Bahrain Victorious to Soudal Quick-Step on Evenepoel’s recommendation. The experienced Spanish climber was mainly expected to play a key role supporting his teammate who is nearly eleven years younger. Landa fulfilled this role during the 2024 Tour de France, proving to be of great value to Evenepoel in his successful pursuit of a podium finish.
This successful partnership will soon come to an end. After seven seasons with Soudal Quick-Step, Evenepoel is moving on to a new challenge with Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, much to Landa's disappointment. “It makes me very sad,” he told the Spanish sports newspaper AS.
“I specifically joined Soudal Quick-Step to support Remco. I really enjoyed his company. We’ve both had a tough year (Landa was sidelined for months due to a serious crash in the Giro d’Italia; editor’s note), as Remco struggled with an injury during the winter. That held him back.”
“So this year we hardly saw each other,” Landa continued, who is currently racing in the Vuelta a España. “In short, we only shared one successful season. I wish Remco all the best and I’m sure he will have a strong season.”
