Stuyven joins Soudal Quick-Step after 12 years with Lidl-Trek: "Classics are in the DNA of the team"

Rumors had already been circulating about Stuyven's departure, and Jurgen Foré (CEO of Soudal Quick-Step) had already referred to the fast rider as an interesting rider. Now the transfer is official: Stuyven will ride for the Belgian team. “I’m happy at the thought that I will be a member of the Wolfpack,” he said on the team's website. “When I started cycling, this team was one of the first I got to know, and it will be nice to be part of a Belgian centric squad after so many years.”

Until his departure, Stuyven was the rider who had served the longest with one team. Now he will use his experience with the Belgian team: he will be useful in the lead-outs and will take on a mentoring role for the young riders. But he wants to shine in the classics himself. "Soudal Quick-Step is always at the front in the classics, and these races are in the DNA of the team. That gives me confidence for next year, because this team suits me perfectly."

At Lidl-Trek, he won Milan-Sanremo in 2021, and he also triumphed in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (in 2020) and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne (2016). But his hunger is not yet satisfied. “I won a Monument and a couple of cobbled Classics in my career, but if there is one race that remains a goal, it is Paris-Roubaix,” he explains. “That, and winning a stage at the Tour de France.”

CEO Foré sees Stuyven as a crucial addition to give Soudal Quick-Step's classics team a new boost. “Jasper is one of the best Belgian riders out there, and it makes us happy that he will ride for us starting from next year. He is cut out for the Classics, having an impressive palmares in these races, but his tremendous experience and quality will help us also in other races.”

Stuyven's versatility has served Lidl-Trek well in recent years, and that is also a very important aspect for his new team. “He will strengthen our squad for the cobbled one-day races that we all love so much and where we aim to continue being among the protagonists. We will also aim together at winning stages in Grand Tours, and help Jasper realizing his dream of winning a stage in the Tour de France,” concludes Foré.