Paris-Roubaix winner Dylan van Baarle to join Soudal-Quickstep
The Belgian outfit continue to strengthen their Classics squad in the wake of the Remco Evenepoel’s departure.
Dylan van Baarle has become the third classics specialist to sign for Soudal-Quickstep, the Dutchman signing a two years deal lasting until the end of the 2027 season.
Van Baarle will join Edward Planckaert and Jasper Stuyven in strengthening the Belgian squad’s classics squad which has been somewhat neglected in recent seasons. Van Baarle brings real classics pedigree with him, the 33-year-old having win Paris-Roubaix in 2022, Dwars door Vlaanderen and Omlopp het Niewsblad. He also has GC win at the Tour of Britain among others.
“I’m incredibly excited to be joining Soudal-Quickstep, a team that I was watching on the TV when I was young, especially during Tom Boonen’s days,” Van Baarle said in a team press release.
“It’s a dream come true to become a member of the Wolfpack from next year. From the outside, it gives the impression of one, big family, and I’m glad I will be part of it. My goal is to be back at my best level for the Classics, and hopefully, we will fight for victories there. I also want to help the GC guys as much as possible in the Grand Tours, and why not, go for a stage win there or in the week-long races if there will be an opportunity.”
Van Baarle is by no means a one trick pony and has contributed to Tour de France GC successes for Egan Bernal when riding at Ineos in 2018 and for Jonas Vignegaard during his time at Visma | Lease a Bike.
In recent years Soudal-Quickstep have pivoted from their traditional focus on the classics, where they have historically experienced so much success, to supporting Remco Evenepoel’s grand tour GC ambitions. however, with Evenepoel leaving for Red bull-Bora-hansgrohe at the end of the season, it seems the team are returning to their roots.
“We are glad that Dylan will be a member of the Wolfpack in 2026 and 2027,” said the team’s CEO Jurgen Foré. “He is a very strong rider, as confirmed not just by his victories in the Classics or in the time trial, but also by his exceptionally solid rides in the Grand Tours. He will bring a lot of experience into the team, which we are convinced will make the difference in the key moments of a race and help us become stronger."
