New reinforcements for Evenepoel: "Belgian climber says no to INEOS and chooses Soudal Quick-Step"

In recent years, Evenepoel has mostly relied on fellow young Belgian Ilan Van Wilder. The Flemish rider has completed four grand tours, three of which were in support of the two-time Olympic champion. In 2024, Mikel Landa was brought in as a super-domestique, immediately proving his worth with a fifth-place finish at the Tour de France, just two spots behind his leader. But Valentin Paret-Peintre, a signing for 2025, has yet to make much of an impression, and beyond that, support in the high mountains remains thin around the “Bullet from Schepdaal.” Interest in Evenepoel’s services is always lingering, so Soudal Quick-Step must continue building its project.

In 2025, an important step may be taken. According to Daniel Benson, Steff Cras is expected to make the move to the Belgian team. The 29-year-old Belgian is currently in his third year with TotalEnergies, after previously spending five years at WorldTour level with Lotto Soudal and Katusha-Alpecin. The climber has already completed seven grand tours, with mixed results. However, in recent years he has found his form, as evidenced by an 11th place finish in the 2023 Vuelta a España and 16th place in last year’s Tour de France.

This year, he already showed his climbing legs in the Ruta del Sol, where he finished sixth overall. In addition, he secured his first professional victory in April: Cras beat Marc Soler in the opening stage of the Vuelta Asturias. In the second stage, fate struck and he had to withdraw after a crash. But the mountain goat has proven his abilities time and time again, and several top teams lined up for him. Although INEOS Grenadiers were rumored to be after his services, it appears that Soudal Quick-Step is winning the battle, according to Benson, he has already signed the contract.