The “Remco Era” is officially over. And honestly? That might be the best thing to happen to the team. Welcome to the Soudal Quick-Step 2026 Team Guide.
With Remco Evenepoel moving to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe (see our full guide here), the vacuum left behind has been filled by pure, unfiltered adrenaline. The “Wolfpack” is back to its roots: hunting stages, dominating the cobbles, and causing chaos.
For the Soudal Quick-Step 2026 season, the direction is clear. With General Manager Jurgen Foré now entering his second full season at the helm (having replaced Patrick Lefevere in 2025), the transition phase is over. He has re-assembled a squad of killers. They aren’t here to defend a Yellow Jersey; they are here to attack. With veterans like Mikel Landa and Jasper Stuyven joining forces with young French phenomenon Paul Magnier, this team is dangerous.
This guide analyzes the new “Classics Super-Squad,” the rivalry with Decathlon CMA CGM, and the S-Works tech powering the rebuild.
The “Wolfpack 2.0” Strategy: Chaos Over Control
For the last three years, the team was built to protect Remco. Now, the leash is off.
- The Classics: The signing of Dylan Van Baarle (Paris-Roubaix winner) and Jasper Stuyven transforms their spring roster. Paired with Yves Lampaert and Kasper Asgreen’s former engine room, they are aiming to reclaim the “King of the Cobbles” title.
- The Sprints: Tim Merlier remains one of the fastest men in the world. But watch out for Paul Magnier. The young Frenchman was sensational in 2025 and is ready to challenge for Green Jersey points.
- The GC: Mikel Landa enters his 16th season with “unfinished business” at the Giro d’Italia. He will co-lead with the talented Filippo Zana (signed from Jayco AlUla).
The French Rivalry: Soudal vs. Decathlon
I see a massive rivalry brewing for 2026. Soudal Quick-Step is the direct competitor to the new “Super Team” Decathlon CMA CGM (read our analysis here). Both are fighting for the same goal: UCI Points via Stage Wins and Classics.
- Decathlon has the budget and the Grand Tour depth.
- Soudal has the heritage and the “Classics” pedigree.
- The Verdict: It will be a season-long battle to see who bags the most WorldTour points.
Staff Update: The “Tractor” Becomes The Coach
A cool insider detail for 2026: Tim Declercq (“El Tractor”) has retired from racing and joined the team as a Coach. He follows in the footsteps of Niki Terpstra and Sep Vanmarcke, bringing decades of peloton IQ to the team car.
2026 Tech: The Specialized Advantage
No Soudal Quick-Step 2026 Team Guide would be complete without a look at the machinery. While the riders have changed, the equipment remains the gold standard. The team continues its long partnership with Specialized.
- Bike: Specialized S-Works Tarmac SL8 (The “One Bike to Rule Them All”).
- Groupset: Shimano Dura-Ace Di2 (12-speed) fitted with CeramicSpeed ceramic bearings
- Wheels: Roval Rapide CLX II (Tubeless).
- Tires: Specialized S-Works Turbo Cotton / Mondo.
- Computer: Garmin Edge 1050.
- Kit: Castelli.
- Helmet/Shoes: Specialized S-Works.
- Sunglasses: Oakley.
Transfers Breakdown
The door has revolved fast. The departure of Remco and Julian Alaphilippe (in 2025) cleared massive salary cap space, allowing for these strategic signings.
Transfers IN (The Cobbles & Climbing Boost)
| Rider | From Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| VAN BAARLE Dylan | Team Visma | Lease a Bike | Classics Leader (Roubaix) |
| STUYVEN Jasper | Lidl – Trek | Classics Leader (Flanders) |
| ZANA Filippo | Team Jayco AlUla | GC Co-Leader / Stage Hunter |
| DAINESE Alberto | Tudor Pro Cycling | Sprinter (Giro) |
| CRAS Steff | TotalEnergies | Climber / GC Top 10 |
| REX Laurenz | Intermarché – Wanty | Cobbles Engine |
| VAN DEN BOSSCHE Fabio | Alpecin – Deceuninck | Leadout |
| VERVENNE Jonathan | Development Team | Neo-Pro (TT) |
Transfers OUT (The Remco Exodus)
| Rider | Goes To |
|---|---|
| EVENEPOEL Remco | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe |
| CATTANEO Mattia | Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe |
| LAMPERTI Luke | EF Education – EasyPost |
| KNOX James | Team Picnic PostNL |
| ČERNÝ Josef | Kasper crypto4me |
| HUBY Antoine | Unknown |
| SERRY Pieter | Retirement |
| WARLOP Jordi | Retirement |
Complete Soudal Quick-Step 2026 Roster
| Rider Name | Nationality | Key Role (2026) |
|---|---|---|
| MERLIER Tim | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Top Sprinter |
| LANDA Mikel | 🇪🇸 Spain | GC Leader (Giro) |
| VAN BAARLE Dylan | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Classics Captain (Roubaix) |
| STUYVEN Jasper | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Classics Captain (Flanders) |
| MAGNIER Paul | 🇫🇷 France | Sprinter / Young Star |
| HAYTER Ethan | 🇬🇧 UK | Prologue / Puncher |
| ZANA Filippo | 🇮🇹 Italy | GC Co-Leader / Stages |
| LAMPAERT Yves | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Road Captain / TT |
| DAINESE Alberto | 🇮🇹 Italy | Sprinter |
| PARET-PEINTRE Valentin | 🇫🇷 France | Climber |
| CRAS Steff | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Climber |
| SCHACHMANN Maximilian | 🇩🇪 Germany | Puncher / Stages |
| VAN WILDER Ilan | 🇧🇪 Belgium | GC / Climber |
| BASTIAENS Ayco | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Domestique |
| EENKHOORN Pascal | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Breakaway / Support |
| GAROFOLI Gianmarco | 🇮🇹 Italy | Young Talent |
| GELDERS Gil | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Young Talent |
| LECERF Junior | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Climber |
| PEDERSEN Casper | 🇩🇰 Denmark | Leadout |
| RACCAGNI NOVIERO Andrea | 🇮🇹 Italy | Young Talent |
| REINDERINK Pepijn | 🇳🇱 Netherlands | Climber |
| REX Laurenz | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Classics Engine |
| SVRČEK Martin | 🇸🇰 Slovakia | Young Talent |
| VAN DEN BOSSCHE Fabio | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Track / Leadout |
| VAN GESTEL Dries | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Classics |
| VAN LERBERGHE Bert | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Leadout (The Tractor 2.0) |
| VANGHELUWE Warre | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Sprinter |
| VANSEVENANT Mauri | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Climber / Puncher |
| VERVAEKE Louis | 🇧🇪 Belgium | Climbing Support |
| VERVENNE Jonathan | 🇧🇪 Belgium | TT Specialist |
The Optimizer’s Verdict
To conclude this Soudal Quick-Step 2026 Team Guide, my verdict is simple: The departure of Remco Evenepoel is not the end of the team; it is a liberation.
The “vacuum” you see is actually breathing room. For the first time in three years, the team doesn’t have to burn its Classics roster to protect a GC leader on flat stages. They can go back to being the “Wolfpack”. Attacking in crosswinds, swarming the cobbles, and setting up Tim Merlier and Paul Magnier for sprints.
This team is now a direct threat to Decathlon CMA CGM (read the comparison here). While Decathlon chases the Tour de France podium, I expect Soudal to rack up 20+ stage wins and possibly a Monument.
The Wolfpack isn’t dead. It’s just hungry again.
But is the S-Works Tarmac SL8 still the king of the peloton? See how it stacks up against the new Van Rysel and Pinarello Dogma F in my complete WorldTour 2026 Team Bikes Master Guide.