I think Lefevere wants a merger – Brian Holm on Soudal-Visma talks.
I think Lefevere wants a merger – Brian Holm on Soudal-Visma talks
Former Soudal-QuickStep directeur sportif Brian Holm believes that team boss Patrick Lefevere wants the potential merger between the Belgian squad and Jumbo-Visma to happen. However, Holm doesn’t think it’s a good idea due to the negative implications it could have for the riders involved. Lefevere, who is approaching retirement at 68 years old, is expected to stay involved as a member of the new team’s Supervisory Board if the merger takes place. Talks between teams, including Ineos Grenadiers and Movistar, have been ongoing for some time.
Potential merger and Lefevere’s retirement
Holm believes that Lefevere wants the merger to happen because he wants to retire and have less to do. Lefevere has been managing cycling teams since the 1980s and is one of the most successful people in the sport’s history. However, Holm thinks the merger would have negative implications for the riders involved. Lefevere’s retirement and his potential role in the new team’s Supervisory Board are expected if the merger takes place.
Ongoing talks and other teams involved
Talks between teams have been ongoing for some time, and it’s not just Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-QuickStep involved. Ineos Grenadiers and Movistar have also been engaged in discussions. The details and outcome of these talks are still unknown, but it’s clear that teams are exploring the possibility of a merger. Lefevere has not commented on the merger, but he did try to calm the speculation down in a letter stating that there are no concrete projects and plans at this moment.
