Soudal Quick-Step celebrates Lefevere and Merlier's contract extension, but also shares footage of an unhappy Evenepoel

The Belgian team announced that at a press meeting in Calpe, Spain, where the formation is conducting a training camp. Patrick Lefevere, stepping down as CEO, was celebrated at the beginning of the ceremony with a beautiful tribute to his cycling career. As a thank you, they gave him a unique bike, symbolizing his achievements as team boss. The number of victories, podium finishes, national titles, and monuments were displayed on the bike. "I think it's the first bike I got from the team," he joked.

Jurgen Foré, who takes over from Lefevere, then addressed the crowd. Leader Evenepoel will not compete in the Giro d'Italia, mainly because of his nasty crash earlier this winter. "Evenepoel is opting for a cautious build-up toward the Tour de France and the autumn races," he told me. During the tour of Italy, Mikel Landa will get the chance to take the lead on the team. The Spaniard was the faithful domestique of his Belgian leader last year but may now go for his own chances, as he did last Vuelta a España.

Landa will then travel with him to France to assist the world time trial champion. There, Evenepoel will have to share the team leader position with Merlier, but he will go full for the spring first. "Tim Merlier will focus on the classics. Maybe even more than he is, I am convinced he can win Gent-Wevelgem or Paris-Roubaix. The Tour de France is also on Merlier's schedule, who may also go to the Vuelta." To top it all off, the team revealed that the European champion has extended his contract until 2028.

Evenepoel, who is currently in Herentals for a check-up, addressed the audience via a video message. He expressed his gratitude for the team's support during his recovery, stating: "It's been a tough period; unfortunately, I can't do anything, not even some training." He then shared his program, "I hope to start in the Ardennes classics in mid-April. Besides that, we will see how it goes. I hope my preparation for the Tour de France will be the same as last year: lots of high altitude training, the Dauphiné and the Belgian Championships. Nothing crazy, nothing special. A small number of race days, but that is necessary to recover completely," Evenepoel said, clearly not completely happy.

The team also announced the selection for the Tour Down Under. In Australia, Pascal Eenkhoorn will make his debut for Soudal Quick-Step. "It will be my first time riding the Tour Down Under," he said. "I'm looking forward to it; it will be the first race with this team. The last two months have been a great experience. There's a lovely vibe, and I'm looking forward to racing with the Wolf Pack." He will be joined in Australia by Antoine Huby, James Knox, Junior Lecerf, Casper Pedersen, Andrea Raccagni, and Pieter Serry.