Despite Tim Merlier taking two stage victories for the Belgian squad in this year’s Tour, Soudal Quick-Step are not planning to rely solely on bunch finishes in 2026. Instead, Foré explained that the team intends to approach the race with greater tactical diversity.
“With Jasper Stuyven and Dylan van Baarle we have strong riders who could perform well in the transition stages, and Ilan Van Wilder, Mikel Landa, Junior Lecerf, Steff Cras and Valentin Paret-Peintre can hold their own in the mountains,” he said.
When asked if Soudal – Quick-Step could target the overall standings with their climbing contingent, amongst which Remco Evenepoel will not feature after his move to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe, Foré did not dismiss the idea. However, he reminded that results must also serve the team’s sponsors.”Why not? If you finish anonymously in eighth place, the sponsors don’t get much out of that. But it can also be done another way, like Junior did in the Vuelta: by racing attractively,” Foré explained, referring to William Junior Lecerf’s aggressive riding style at the Spanish Grand Tour, in which he finished in 11th place.While some French fans may be hoping to see rising star Paul Magnier at the 2026 Tour, Foré was cautious about fast-tracking the 21-year-old into cycling’s toughest race.
“It’s far too early to talk about that, but maybe it’s also too early to send Magnier to the Tour,” he cautioned. “Ok, he wins a lot, but we shouldn’t forget that he’s only 21. He rode two weeks of the Giro this year. To then immediately expose him to the Tour…”
Paul Magnier has impressed in the 2025 season, dominating the sprints and getting 19 wins, only behind Tadej Pogacar, who got 20. He couldn’t raise his arms at the Giro d’Italia, which was the first Grand Tour of his young career, although he finished three times inside the top 10.