Soudal-QuickStep secures services of Jasper Stuyven, who leaves Lidl-Trek after 12 years, strengthening their Classics team.
In a significant move for the cycling world, Jasper Stuyven will be joining Yves Lampaert, Tim Merlier, and Paul Magnier at Soudal-QuickStep for the 2026 season. The Belgian rider is departing from Lidl-Trek after 12 years with the team.
Stuyven, a winner of Milan-San Remo, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad, and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, is excited about the fit between him and Soudal Quick-Step for the one-day races. He will be working with Tim Merlier in the sprints at Soudal-QuickStep.
Jurgen Foré praises Stuyven’s signing for Soudal-QuickStep, noting that it marks the beginning of the team bolstering their firepower for the Spring Classics. Stuyven will link up with Bert Van Lerberghe at Soudal-QuickStep, and more Classics specialists are expected to join the team.
Soudal-QuickStep aims to continue being among the protagonists in cobbled one-day races and Grand Tours. The team is initiating a Classics rebuild with Stuyven as the first confirmed signing, likely signaling other acquisitions oriented toward strengthening their classics roster. No explicit confirmed transfers beyond Stuyven have been announced for 2026 at this time.
Meanwhile, Attila Valter is moving to Bahrain Victorious from Visma-Lease a Bike. Valter, whose focus will continue to be in stage racing with Bahrain Victorious, has signed a three-year contract with the team until the end of 2028. Valter will play a key role in Bahrain Victorious's stage race and Grand Tour campaign.
Cyclingnews will cover all 2026 cycling transfers from the men’s and women’s pelotons. As of early August 2025, the only definite confirmed transfer noted is Stuyven’s move to Soudal-QuickStep. Transfers for other teams that specialize in Spring Classics or broader 2026 season changes remain to be publicly disclosed or confirmed.
Stuyven considers his move to Soudal-QuickStep as a return to a Belgian team. With Soudal-QuickStep wanting to help him win a stage in the Tour de France, Stuyven has Paris-Roubaix and a stage at the Tour de France as remaining goals in his career.
The cycling transfer period traditionally starts on August 1 and continues until the end of the season. As the dust settles on the 2025 season, the cycling world eagerly awaits the announcements of more transfer news in the coming months.
Road cycling is a sport that Jasper Stuyven will continue to excel in after joining Soudal-QuickStep for the 2026 season. With his focus on the one-day races, he seeks to contribute to the team's aspirations of being among the protagonists in cobbled one-day races and Grand Tours.
