Failed mega-merger of Jumbo and Quick Step leaves both weakened

Both teams come out of a whirlwind fortnight with questions to answer

- Vern Pitt

It took just 11 days for the mega-merger of two of cycling’s super-powers, Jumbo-Visma and Soudal-Quick Step, to go from cycling’s biggest story to a footnote in the history books. The two teams will no longer combine, as had first been reported in the Belgian press on 24 September.

Come last Friday the deal, which reportedly had a helping hand from global tech company Amazon, collapsed.

Soudal-Quick Step, which had been set to get the rawer end of the deal, will continue much as it had before. Jumbo-Visma, however, are left without one of their star riders, as Primož Roglič confirmed last week he’ll be joining Bora-Hansgrohe for the 2024 season.

Bora boss Ralph Denk said: “It is, after the departure of Peter Sagan, the next milestone for us.