Controversial Lotto CEO Heulot steps down after 3 years as merger with Intermarché-Wanty takes shape

The rumors intensified in July after Sporza reported that talks between Lotto and Intermarché-Wanty were at an advanced stage. “There is an agreement in principle,” Lotto said. The news spread quickly through the peloton, although riders could only speculate about what it would mean for their future in cycling.

The 25-year-old climber Henri Vandenabeele was already sure that it was over for him. “The fact is that there are 43 riders under contract, and that has to be reduced to 30. And when your contract expires, it becomes tough,” said the Belgian. Brent Van Moer (Q36.5) and Alec Segaert (Bahrain Victorious) are the only outgoing transfers so far, but a dozen Lotto riders are still on the verge of leaving.

At Intermarché-Wanty, there is uncertainty about the future of Roel van Sintmaartensdijk, Louis Meintjes, and Gijs Van Hoecke, among others, but Biniam Girmay could also leave the team. The Eritrean recently had dinner with his agent Alex Carera, who meaningfully wrote “his future is clear after today” under the Instagram post. Israel - Premier Tech seems to have the best prospects so far.

But in addition to the transfer mania among the riders, the staff members also have to fight it out to see who will stay with the merging teams. Soigneurs, team leaders, mechanics... But also team bosses. That decision seems to have been made, because Stéphane Heulot, CEO of the Lotto team, is saying goodbye. 2It has been three intense years that I look back on with great pride," Le Télégramme reports. "My departure was a well-considered decision. I want to devote myself to other projects."

This brings an end to a few eventful years under Heulot. The Belgian was not always portrayed positively in the media. For example, in 2024, there was a significant dispute regarding Jarno Widar, the talented player, who accused the team and its manager of disregarding his wishes. “I told the team two months ago that I was riding too many races, but they didn't listen to me and now we see where that leads,” he said after a collapse in the Tour de l'Avenir.

Widar, now 19, spoke openly about a possible departure from the team, but the issue was ultimately resolved. However, Heulot remained controversial and was identified as the person primarily responsible for the team's mediocre performance: until the Renewi Tour, the team had only managed to win three times. Thanks in part to Arnaud De Lie, who has won five times since then, they now have 11 wins to their name.