There’s no white smoke just yet, but reports of Turner to Soudal seem legit. 📸 SWpix.
Hey Subscribers,
We start today’s newsletter with basically as much of a confirmation as possible with regards to reports coming out of Belgium that Ben Turner is set to leave Ineos Grenadiers for Soudal Quick-Step at the end of the season.
The ever-excellent Bram Vandecapelle from Het Laatste Nieuw had the scoop on the matter, and while the key parties have all refrained from making an official comment on the matter, sources have backed up Vandecapelle’s report.
It’s a bold move from Soudal Quick-Step, who have taken Ineos Grenadiers riders in the past, most notably Mark Cavendish and, most recently, Ethan Hayter, but never one of their cobbled Classics riders.
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The Belgian team are going through a transitional phase as they bolster the core of their cobbles team, having signed Jasper Stuyven and Dylan van Baarle over the winter. Both of those riders are over 30, and while they still provide value and results, as shown by Stuyven’s third place at Paris-Roubaix, there is still a gap between the veterans and the younger riders, such as Paul Magnier, who is just 22 and still finding his feet in the Classics.