Remco Evenepoel will join Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe from next season after compensation was agreed with Soudal-Quickstep to release the Belgian from his contract.

The double Olympic gold medallist had been widely expected to leave after refusing to commit his future to the team during last month’s Tour de France.

Evenepoel quit the Tour whilst sitting third after losing significant time early on stage 14, later revealing that he was riding the race with a broken rib.

He is widely seen as one of the only riders in the peloton with the potential to challenge Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jonas Vingegaard (Team Visma Lease-A-Bike), and is currently considered the best flat time triallist in the world.

“Remco stands for ambition,” said CEO of Red Bull–Bora–Hansgrohe Ralph Denk. “He doesn’t just want to ride – he wants to shape cycling. He brings not only exceptional athletic talent, but also a remarkable mindset. His determination, professionalism, and relentless drive to succeed are truly inspiring.”

INEOS Grenadiers also held a strong interest in recruiting the 25-year-old, with the British team currently lacking a major general classification contender.

Evenepoel’s arrival will lead to an interesting dynamic at Red Bull next season. Whilst Evenepoel has been recruited as the de facto leader, 24-year-old Florian Lipowitz outperformed him en route to finishing third in the Tour, while five-time Grand Tour winner Primoz Roglic is also still under contract.

With three GC contenders, at least one will see their opportunities limited.

Red Bull’s chief of sports Rolf Aldag also left the team after the Tour, representing a significant shift in direction from the German squad. Soudal-Quickstep, meanwhile, are left with Mikel Landa as their GC contender, who is unlikely to seriously challenge for overall victories at Grand Tours, though they still retain one of the world’s best sprinters in Tim Merlier.

“Representatives of Remco informed the team’s management that he did not wish to discuss an extension of his current agreement, which expires at the end of 2026,” a Soudal-Quickstep statement said on Tuesday afternoon.

“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.”

(Photo: MARCO BERTORELLO/AFP via Getty Images)