Contract already signed with Quick-Step, but Planckaert just can’t leave van der Poel and stays with Alpecin-Deceuninck

Planckaert has been an undisputed force at Alpecin-Deceuninck since 2021. In the classics, he was a crucial player in Mathieu van der Poel's victories in Paris-Roubaix, and in the Grand Tours, he was one of the most important links in Jasper Philipsen's sprint train. This was also the case in this year's Vuelta a España, where the Belgian won three times. Planckaert himself finished third in the fourth stage.

The departure of the 30-year-old sprinter to Soudal Quick-Step was therefore a difficult one. But he had always had a dream of joining The Wolfpack. “I started cycling at the age of eight and dreamed of one day joining a team like Soudal Quick-Step,” he said earlier about the transfer. “I am pleased that this dream will finally come true next year.”

Two months ago, the transfer was a done deal, but suddenly Planckaert decided not to join Jurgen Foré's team after all: "He will remain with Alpecin-Deceuninck. “I did indeed plan to move to Soudal Quick-Step,” he told Het Laatste Nieuws. “As the season progressed and during the Vuelta, I felt where my place is and where I feel best.”

The Tour of Spain, where he was by far the best sprint domestique, proved to be the deciding factor. Philipsen and Van der Poel will therefore have another highly valued domestique next year. "I acted too impulsively and entered into talks with Jurgen. We came to a mutual agreement, and this is the outcome."