Cycling: A revolution is announced, Alaphilippe will have to decide

It’s a real earthquake that could well hit the peloton in the coming weeks. The Dutch press has reported a merger between Jumbo-Visma and Soudal Quick-Step which could see the light of day in the summer of 2024. And if this were to materialize, Julian Alaphilippe would have to consider it to rule on his future.

The future of Julian Alaphilippe at the Soudal Quick-Step remains as uncertain as ever. After having enjoyed the glory days of the Belgian team, the double world champion has suffered the blow since his chaotic 2022 and it is difficult to see how he could continue the adventure. Especially since a very important factor could come into play in some time…

Cycling: Proof that Alaphilippe still has high ambitions! https://t.co/US3kMQmV8A pic.twitter.com/UtXvMitOiz

— le10sport (@le10sport) September 21, 2023

A Jumbo-Visma – Soudal Quick-Step merger?

The Dutch media specializing in cycling, CyclingFlits, has dropped a real bomb in recent hours. According to their information, a secret meeting was held in Geneva between Zdenek Bakalathe owner of the Soudal Quick-Stepand its counterparts in the Jumbo Visma to discuss a possible merger between the two teams. This meeting would have proven to be fruitful and the two parties would even have agreed to merge in mid-July. If the file were to materialize, it would reshuffle the cards for the future of many runners, including Julian Alaphilippe.

Bad news for Alaphilippe

The French runner can still hope to relaunch within the Belgian team despite the outbreak of Remco Evenepoel. But if the Soudal Quick-Step came to merge with the Jumbo Visma, it is difficult to see how the champion could stay. Already intractable without the phenomena of the Belgian team, the Dutch team could not offer the status of leader claimed by Julian Alaphilippe. And knowing the ambitions of the Frenchman, he could not be satisfied with the role of luxury teammate if he does not have the opportunity to play his card on the Classicsthe favorite terrain of Wout van Aertone of the many stars of the Jumbo Visma. In the event of a merger between the two teams, it therefore seems unlikely thatAlaphilippe extends his contract expiring at the end of 2024 with a team that could count Remco Evenepoel, Primoz Roglic, Jonas Vingegaard, Sepp Kuss or the recent European champion Christophe Laporte in its ranks. His future could once again be completely relaunched, although his boss is currently minimizing the information published by CyclingFlits. « If you want to follow WielerFlits, do so. Make of it what you will. No comments, sorry “, said Patrick Lefévère. To be continued…