Talk of the Visma-Soudal merger is 'a bit tiresome', says Julian Alaphilippe

Frenchman expresses his sadness at the potential end of Soudal Quick-Step ahead of the Coppa Bernocchi

11:40, Monday 2nd October 2023

George Poole

Junior Writer

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Julian Alaphilippe spoke to Cycling Pro Net ahead of the Italian one-day race

Speaking to Cycling Pro Net ahead of the Coppa Bernocchi, Soudal Quick-Step's Julian Alaphilippe expressed his sadness at the situation his team find themselves in, given the rumoured and likely merger between themselves and Jumbo-Visma.

“It is especially sad, because it is a team that has been at the heart of cycling for years," Alaphilippe commented. "It is a team with a great history. It's sad, but yes. It's not that far along yet. We are not going to cry and we are waiting for good news. We are all hoping.”

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Team boss Patrick Lefevere has promised more clarity on the situation in the coming days, but for now, Soudal Quick-Step riders are somewhat in the dark over what is going to happen.

Contrary to reports in the Spanish press, however, GCN understands that Quick-Step riders have not been told they can leave, and owing to the UCI rules, contracted riders cannot initiate talks with other teams until such communication has come from Quick-Step themselves.

Under contract with Soudal Quick-Step for another year, Alaphilippe made it clear how little the riders had been made aware of the situation at the current time.

“We don't know much. It's a bit complicated for everyone," the two-time world champion revealed. "We try to focus on the races and hope that the situation is resolved, that we get good news. Because it's a bit tiresome.”

Such is the lack of clarity with Quick-Step that their public communication is still baring no acknowledgement of the supposed merger with Jumbo-Visma - save for Levefere's .

At Coppa Bernocchi, Gil Gelders will line up alongside Alaphilippe as part of Soudal Quick-Step's WorldTour side for the first time, but despite the future for Quick-Step being far from certain, directeur sportif Davide Bramati still spoke of his optimism at seeing Gelders make the step up to the pro ranks with the team next year.

"We have many options for Monday and we are confident in our chances. We’re also happy to have Gil with us, to see him in action before he joins our team next year," Bramati stated.

The first half of this week should reveal more about the expected merger, but for now, Soudal Quick-Step's legion of stars are racing in an air of confusion at Italy's late-season Classics.

You can watch Alaphilippe and Soudal Quick-Step take on Coppa Bernocchi on GCN+, with live and ad-free coverage beginning from 12:50 BST on Monday (territory restrictions apply).