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Soudal Quick-Step CEO, Jurgen Foré, has dismissed speculation and rumours surrounding the future of Remco Evenepoel by insisting that the Belgian rider has a contract until the end of next year, and that possible extension talks could take place after this summer’s Tour de France.

In an exclusive interview at the Giro d’Italia, the team boss talked about Soudal Quick-Step’s needs in the market, answered questions about Jasper Stuyven and Dylan van Baarle - both of whom have been strongly linked with the team - and doubled down on the contract situation involving Evenepoel.

Every season, every week of every season, Evenepoel is linked with a move away from Soudal Quick-Step. A move was close last year, with Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe reportedly giving the Belgian rider a deadline to accept terms, but the last few months have seen Ineos Grenadiers reemerge as the frontrunners to sign the former Vuelta a España winner. One report last week even stated that the Belgian had already signed a contract with Ineos for 2026 - a move that would contravene UCI rules, given that three-party agreements are required.

Behind the scenes, we have heard that Evenepoel will spend time after the Tour deciding on his next step, but he has a contract with Soudal Quick-Step until the end of 2026.

“I don’t think those decisions are made now, and I think you also need to consider that it’s a rider with a big contract,” Foré said when I informed him about the latest transfer speculation involving a move for 2026.

Foré stressed that his mind was entirely focused on racing and that, following a long injury lay-off for Evenepoel, the rider and his squad needed to concentrate on the months ahead and not be distracted by the press or rumours.

“We just paid him for five to six months to support him in his revalidation to bring him back. So as a team, you pay a big salary for a rider to help him come back, and we did that. We supported him in the best way possible, with all means. Now it’s time to focus on racing. When he’s in the team, it’s calm, it’s quiet, and he goes to altitude and to races, so he does everything that he needs to do. We do that as well, so for now the only thing that’s on my table is the contract, and the end date on that contract is the end of December, 2026,” Foré said.