Lotto sees Segaert departure as warning sign ahead of Intermarché merger
Alec Segaert will leave Lotto this winter to join Bahrain Victorious, reuniting with his brother Loïc, who works as a performance coach with the team. The move, while not unexpected, is another setback for Lotto, a team that has seen several promising riders depart before reaching their peak. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, sporting manager Kurt Van de Wouwer said the situation underlines the financial pressures the team faces and comes against the backdrop of ongoing merger talks with Intermarché–Wanty.
For years, Lotto’s development pathway was a benchmark in Belgian cycling, producing a steady flow of young talent. But retaining those riders has become increasingly difficult. Sporting manager Kurt Van de Wouwer links the problem directly to budget constraints and the team’s ongoing merger talks with Intermarché–Wanty.
"Of course it’s a shame that Alec is leaving. It’s always disappointing when a rider with that much talent departs, but we know the reason: financially, we couldn’t match what other teams could offer," Van de Wouwer said to Het Nieuwsblad.
The planned merger between Lotto and Intermarché–Wanty, first revealed during the Tour de France, would unite the two Belgian teams looking for greater financial stability to strengthen their WorldTour ambitions. While Lotto marked their 40th anniversary in 2025 with a push for promotion to the top tier, Intermarché–Wanty are in the WorldTour but remain close to the relegation battle.
Both teams have already outlined the foundations of a potential partnership, though significant details remain unresolved. The financial boost from the deal is expected to be significant, something Van de Wouwer sees as essential to keeping riders during their prime years.
"There has never been uncertainty about the future of the team, only about the budgets we had to work with," he explained. "We had the Lotto budget for 2026, but something needed to be added. It’s no secret that we searched for a second sponsor, and that ultimately became Intermarché. If the merger had been completed earlier, it would have opened up opportunities for riders like Alec."
Segaert’s departure at just 22 follows the exits of other young prospects, including Maxim Van Gils to Red Bull–BORA and Florian Vermeersch to UAE Team Emirates. "We want them to perform at their peak with us for a few years first, and only then leave," Van de Wouwer said. "At some point they will move on when the big money comes, you can’t avoid that, but we want to reap the rewards first. I think Tim Wellens is the best example: he rode for us for ten years, from his development days to his prime."
The team sees the Intermarché partnership as key to avoiding more cases like Segaert’s – and to holding onto the next generation of talent long enough to see them win in Lotto colours.
