Quick-Step fight off big-money move for U23 star Henrique Bravo as Foré draws hard line

Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jürgen Foré has responded to rumours linking Brazilian road and mountain bike talent Henrique Bravo with a move from the Belgian team’s development squad to Pinarello-Q36.5, emphasising that he is not for sale. 

It had been reported at the start of September that Bravo, who has raced with the Soudal Quick-Step Devo team since the start of 2025, has been of interest to Swiss ProTeam Pinarello-Q36.5 who made an offer to sign the Brazilian. 

This season, Bravo has won the GC at the Tour of Antalya in Turkey, the Oberösterreich Rundfahrt in Austria and the Giro Ciclistico della Valle d’Aosta-Mont Blanc in Italy. Additionally, Bravo secured Brazil’s best-ever results at the Giro d’Italia Next Gen and Tour de l’Avenir, finishing third and fifth respectively.

In an interview with Sporza, Foré discussed the speculation surrounding the 20-year-old, but made it pretty clear that he sees Bravo’s future in the colours of Soudal Quick-Step, with his current contract running through 2028.

"We will never agree to a transfer for Henrique. He is happy with us,” Foré told Sporza. "We discovered him and found him a home in Spain. We have invested a lot in him."

"He still has a two-year contract, and that contract is clear. As far as we are concerned, there is absolutely no room for discussion on the matter,” he added. 

The reports indicated that Pinarello had prepared a significant offer to sign the Brazilian in addition to giving the opportunity to join the professional ranks, while at Quick-Step, the plan is to remain in the development team for 2027. 

"Some teams think they can buy anything because they have plenty of money to spend. But in this sport, a contract still means something,” said Foré. 

Despite the plan for Bravo to remain in the development team for 2027, Foré explained that there has been a clear pathway built for the 20-year-old to progress towards the professional ranks.

"We can always make a spot available [in the WorldTour squad]," said Foré. "I spoke to him on the phone for half an hour just last Sunday. Besides, what difference would it make? Pinarello Q36.5 isn't a WorldTour team either."

"We’ve mapped out a program for the next two years and discussed it with him. That includes races like the Vuelta a Burgos, where he can ride as a protected leader."

Additionally, Foré believes that another season within the development ranks can help Bravo hone his craft and work on all aspects of his skill set, such as riding in the wind. 

"Henrique still has a few goals to tick off in the U23 ranks. For instance, he still needs to learn how to ride in crosswinds—that’s what cost him in the Tour de l'Avenir,” said Foré. 

"There are still areas for development, and a Grand Tour would be too soon. That’s not what the discussion is about. I think it’s simply a case of people waving their deep pockets around to turn his head."

With Mikel Landa, one of Quick-Step’s most decorated climbers, departing for Euskaltel-Euskadi in 2027, the Belgian team will no doubt have high hopes for the talented Brazilian in the years to come, but it is also clear that Foré does not want his development to be rushed.