Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel will join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe next season after reaching an agreement with his current team, Soudal-Quickstep, to release him from his contract.
The 25-year-old Belgian was contracted with the team until the end of 2026. “Representatives of Remco informed the team’s management that he did not wish to discuss an extension of his current agreement,” the team said in a statement.
“After taking some time to consult with our sponsors and partners, the team’s ownership and management have decided that it is in the best interest of everyone to agree that Remco can move at the end of the current 2025 season.”
Evenepoel turned pro and signed with Soudal-Quickstep in 2019. He developed into one of the best riders of his generation during his seven seasons with the team, excelling in the time-trial discipline, where he is the two-time defending world champion. Evenepoel showed his abilities as a Grand Tour general classification contender by winning the 2022 Vuelta a España and finishing third at the 2024 Tour de France. He has also proven himself in one-day races, winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one of cycling’s five Monument races, twice.
Last summer, he became the first male cyclist to win the road race and time trial at a single Olympic Games.
“Remco stands for ambition. He doesn’t just want to ride—he wants to shape cycling,” said Ralph Denk, the CEO of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. “He brings not only exceptional athletic talent but also a remarkable mindset. His determination, professionalism, and relentless drive to succeed are truly inspiring.”
Evenepoel was one of the favorites for the third spot on this year’s Tour de France podium behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma Lease-A-Bike). However, Evenepoel’s preparation for the season was derailed in December when he crashed during a training ride. He returned to competition in April and won the stage five time-trial at this year’s Tour de France but abandoned the race on stage 14. Later, he revealed on social media that he had been riding with a broken rib.
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Evenepoel’s departure from Soudal-Quickstep has been one of the biggest transfer window rumors of the last several seasons, though Evenepoel denied any speculation that made its way to him. This year, the links between him and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe grew stronger after the Tour de France as sports director Rolf Aldag parted ways with the team and was replaced by former Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout.
“Evenepoel’s arrival marks more than just a milestone for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, it is a clear signal,” the team said. “With renewed confidence and bold ambition, the team is setting its course to become one of the most attractive forces on the international cycling stage in the years to come.”
Evenepoel’s move will undoubtedly strengthen the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad, though it could also create a power struggle among the team’s top riders. The team’s statement makes it clear that Evenepoel will be a centerpiece of the team’s long-term goals and one of its main leaders. But five-time Grand Tour winner Primoz Roglic is still under contract with the squad, as is former Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley and podium-finisher Dani MartÍnez.
The team is also home to 24-year-old Florian Lipowitz, one of the breakout stars of this year’s Tour de France. Lipowitz won the white jersey as the race’s young rider classification and finished third, delivering the first Tour de France podium-finish in team history.
With only three Grand Tours on the men’s WorldTour cycling calendar, at least one will see their general classification opportunities limited and may even be called on to work in service of one of the team’s other general classification leaders.
Meanwhile, though Soudal-Quickstep supported Evenepoel’s Grand Tour general classification bids, it is expected to return its focus to one-day classics next season. The team started the transfer season, which opened August 1, by signing Milan-San Remo winner Jasper Stuyven to a three-year contract. The team also retains Tim Merlier, one of the strongest sprinters in the current peloton and two-time stage winner at this year’s Tour de France.
SportsMoney, /sportsmoney, Business, /business, standard Olympic champion Remco Evenepoel will join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe next season after reaching an agreement with his current team, Soudal-Quickstep, to release him from his contract.
The 25-year-old Belgian was contracted with the team until the end of 2026. “Representatives of Remco informed the team’s management that he did not wish to discuss an extension of his current agreement,” the team said in a statement.
“After taking some time to consult with our sponsors and partners, the team’s ownership and management have decided that it is in the best interest of everyone to agree that Remco can move at the end of the current 2025 season.”
Evenepoel turned pro and signed with Soudal-Quickstep in 2019. He developed into one of the best riders of his generation during his seven seasons with the team, excelling in the time-trial discipline, where he is the two-time defending world champion. Evenepoel showed his abilities as a Grand Tour general classification contender by winning the 2022 Vuelta a España and finishing third at the 2024 Tour de France. He has also proven himself in one-day races, winning Liège-Bastogne-Liège, one of cycling’s five Monument races, twice.
Last summer, he became the first male cyclist to win the road race and time trial at a single Olympic Games.
“Remco stands for ambition. He doesn’t just want to ride—he wants to shape cycling,” said Ralph Denk, the CEO of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe. “He brings not only exceptional athletic talent but also a remarkable mindset. His determination, professionalism, and relentless drive to succeed are truly inspiring.”
Evenepoel was one of the favorites for the third spot on this year’s Tour de France podium behind Tadej Pogačar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma Lease-A-Bike). However, Evenepoel’s preparation for the season was derailed in December when he crashed during a training ride. He returned to competition in April and won the stage five time-trial at this year’s Tour de France but abandoned the race on stage 14. Later, he revealed on social media that he had been riding with a broken rib.
SAINT-PERAY, FRANCE – JUNE 10: (EDITOR’S NOTE: Alternate crop) Remco Evenepoel of Belgium and Team Soudal Quick-Step competes during the 77th Criterium du Dauphine 2025, Stage 4 a 17.4km individual time trial stage from Charmes-sur-Rhone to Saint-Peray / #UCIWT / on June 10, 2025 in Saint-Peray, France. (Photo by Dario Belingheri/Getty Images)Getty Images
Evenepoel’s departure from Soudal-Quickstep has been one of the biggest transfer window rumors of the last several seasons, though Evenepoel denied any speculation that made its way to him. This year, the links between him and Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe grew stronger after the Tour de France as sports director Rolf Aldag parted ways with the team and was replaced by former Belgian national coach Sven Vanthourenhout.
“Evenepoel’s arrival marks more than just a milestone for Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, it is a clear signal,” the team said. “With renewed confidence and bold ambition, the team is setting its course to become one of the most attractive forces on the international cycling stage in the years to come.”
Evenepoel’s move will undoubtedly strengthen the Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe squad, though it could also create a power struggle among the team’s top riders. The team’s statement makes it clear that Evenepoel will be a centerpiece of the team’s long-term goals and one of its main leaders. But five-time Grand Tour winner Primoz Roglic is still under contract with the squad, as is former Giro d’Italia winner Jai Hindley and podium-finisher Dani MartÍnez.
The team is also home to 24-year-old Florian Lipowitz, one of the breakout stars of this year’s Tour de France. Lipowitz won the white jersey as the race’s young rider classification and finished third, delivering the first Tour de France podium-finish in team history.
With only three Grand Tours on the men’s WorldTour cycling calendar, at least one will see their general classification opportunities limited and may even be called on to work in service of one of the team’s other general classification leaders.
Meanwhile, though Soudal-Quickstep supported Evenepoel’s Grand Tour general classification bids, it is expected to return its focus to one-day classics next season. The team started the transfer season, which opened August 1, by signing Milan-San Remo winner Jasper Stuyven to a three-year contract. The team also retains Tim Merlier, one of the strongest sprinters in the current peloton and two-time stage winner at this year’s Tour de France.
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