For years—if not decades—Soudal–Quick-Step were the dominant force in the cobbled classics. The Belgian team built its legacy on victories at home, producing legends of the spring and consistently fighting for wins at Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix, and other major one-day races.
However, in recent seasons, Quick-Step have struggled not only to win but even to compete for top results in cycling’s most prestigious classics. According to former team leader Yves Lampaert, the decline began in the early 2020s, as rival teams surged ahead with generational talents.
From Flanders Glory to Falling Behind
The turning point came shortly after Kasper Asgreen’s impressive victory at the 2021 Tour of Flanders, where he defeated Mathieu van der Poel in a dramatic sprint. While that win suggested continuity, it ultimately marked the end of Quick-Step’s dominance in the cobbled monuments.
“After that, we started to lag behind,” Lampaert explained on the Live Slow Ride Fast podcast. “Other teams made a big push and overruled us, especially Jumbo-Visma at that time. The super-talented Van der Poel was also dominating everywhere. We lacked such a talent in the team at that time.”
While Jumbo-Visma controlled many of the cobbled classics outside the monuments, Van der Poel consistently added monument victories year after year. Meanwhile, Quick-Step found themselves increasingly outmatched.
Pogacar, Van der Poel, Van Aert and Pedersen Raise the Bar
The challenge intensified further when Tadej Pogacar began targeting the classics, immediately becoming a dominant force at races like the Tour of Flanders. At the same time, Wout van Aert and Mads Pedersen continued to elevate their performances.
“We were at our wits’ end, a bit like a funeral silence,” Lampaert admitted. “‘How is this happening? What’s wrong?’ We’re simply up against phenomenal talents. Pogacar who dominates Flanders, and then you have Van der Poel and Van Aert. Pedersen is also hurting us—last year’s Gent-Wevelgem, for example, was phenomenal.”
According to Lampaert, the issue was not just individual form but a lack of comparable evolution within the team.
Shift in Team Strategy and Remco Evenepoel Focus
As Lampaert himself moved beyond his peak years in the classics, Quick-Step’s strategic priorities shifted. Significant investment was directed toward climbers and stage racers to support Remco Evenepoel, leaving the classics squad thinner than in the past.
“Collectively, we lacked strength,” Lampaert said. “In the past, it was a real battle to get into the classics squad. Now, the squad is clear in advance. Our Tour de France squad was broader than our squad for the classics.”
New Signings Bring Hope for a Classics Revival
Despite recent struggles, Quick-Step appear ready to turn the page in 2025. The signings of Dylan van Baarle and Jasper Stuyven—both monument winners—signal a renewed commitment to the spring classics.
“We’re definitely stronger in depth,” Lampaert noted. “Last year, we started Paris-Roubaix with four debutants. That would have been unthinkable in the past. With Van Baarle and Stuyven, and hopefully also Paul Magnier, we have riders for the finale again.”
Paul Magnier: The Next Tom Boonen?
Lampaert reserved special praise for Paul Magnier, one of the most exciting young riders in the peloton. The Frenchman combines sprinting speed with explosive power on short climbs—drawing comparisons to riders like Arnaud De Lie.
“As a second-year professional, he took nineteen victories. Only one rider did better, and that was Pogacar,” Lampaert said. “Of course, Pogacar’s wins were bigger, but you still have to do it at that age.”
Magnier’s potential has not gone unnoticed within the team.
“After the Omloop, I said I see him as a new Tom Boonen. He’s very athletic, powerful, and incredibly fast at the finish. In a head-to-head sprint, he and Tim Merlier might be the fastest riders in the peloton right now.”
With renewed depth, experienced classics winners, and emerging talent, Soudal–Quick-Step may finally be positioning themselves for a return to relevance in the cobbled classics after several difficult seasons.
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