Jumbo - QuickStep merger

[ManicJack]

.

Imo this is not a publicity stunt, I think he couldn't care less about his image. This is him caring about his staff and trying to find a solution for everyone.

I hope so. I have nothing against the guy. He has done a tremendous amount for the sport.

 

[Berniece]

Or being able to try and cover his ass by saying look I'm the nice guy, I tried.

He is almost 70, when can a guy exit and enjoy life?

 

[ManicJack]

He is almost 70, when can a guy exit and enjoy life?

In my world, whenever he wants to and if that time is now, good for him.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

He is almost 70, when can a guy exit and enjoy life?

He’s probably enjoying life more than most of us already

 

[CyclistAbi]

Nah, Patrick isn't retrying. He is moving on to sit at JV table. This legal stunt is not about caring for SOQ staff. It's a strategy on how to get Deceuninck out of existing contract obligations, without paying much for it. First pay up then Patrick can move on. Just like next employee needed to pay, to get Rogla.

 

[EddyMazzoleni]

It's a shame people are risking their job, but this merger is much more entertaining than this year GT racing.
So many plot twist

 

[Boehmand]

He is almost 70, when can a guy exit and enjoy life?

When your work is your hobby why would you quit?

What's he gonna do? - Watch daytime sitcoms and feed birds at the park?

 

[Samamba]

I think Lefevre (and the riders left) will be fine with that.

If they still can keep Merlier they will be competitive in a lot of races. Lamperti is a massive talent and can win smaller races. Hirt and Masnada can go to the Giro and not be useless. If Van Wilder stays (which I think could be possible after his interview) he can do well. Lecerf and Srvcek also.

And we might see Landa as QuickStep GT-leader?

My points is that they would literally loose half their budget. QS riders have not signed for a team with limited budget, a team where performance is probably *** because of it. Some riders will be fine with, others probably not at all (and they can't even legally leave now). They would literally be a bottom WT team with that budget, and with the difference that they're overpaying certain riders meaning they can't invest in other things.

So they absolutely have to find other sponsors immediately or this just looks completely impossible to me. I think it's a good thing for staff and a few riders that aren't able to find another team, but for the riders that actually have other good opportunities, this actually might not be the best thing for their career.

Anyways that's not the thing I'm most confused about, more about who will be leading that new QS. Bakalla can't have a stake in it if he's involved with Visma, neither can Lefevere.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Is being 68 even eligible for a pension in Belgium?

 

[staubsauger]

Bramati!?

 

[Berniece]

Nah, Patrick isn't retrying. He is moving on to sit at JV table. This legal stunt is not about caring for SOQ staff. It's a strategy on how to get Deceuninck out of existing contract obligations, without paying much for it. First pay up then Patrick can move on. Just like next employee needed to pay, to get Rogla.

He’s just in the board of the new team, that’s not a big role at all. That’s just giving advise when neededz

 

[ManicJack]

.

Anyways that's not the thing I'm most confused about, more about who will be leading that new QS. Bakalla can't have a stake in it if he's involved with Visma, neither can Lefevere.

Pat is either talking out of both sides of his mouth or everything being reported and speculated on is BS

 

[CyclistAbi]

He’s just in the board of the new team, that’s not a big role at all. That’s just giving advise when neededz

I am perfectly OK with teams merging and Patrick moving on and things like that. It's life. Still, existing contracts should be compensated and for all parties to agree. Before a sponsor, such as Deceuninck, to be allowed to move on. After all that happens, signing for Saint Patrick or any other team is left to individuals looking for a new job.

Bottom line, the merger should cost a couple of millions more, compared to going out cheap and selling some naive hope. It's not like money is the problem. There is more then enough money involved.

 

[Carrick-On-Seine]

My points is that they would literally loose half their budget. QS riders have not signed for a team with limited budget, a team where performance is probably *** because of it. Some riders will be fine with, others probably not at all (and they can't even legally leave now). They would literally be a bottom WT team with that budget, and with the difference that they're overpaying certain riders meaning they can't invest in other things.

So they absolutely have to find other sponsors immediately or this just looks completely impossible to me. I think it's a good thing for staff and a few riders that aren't able to find another team, but for the riders that actually have other good opportunities, this actually might not be the best thing for their career.

Anyways that's not the thing I'm most confused about, more about who will be leading that new QS. Bakalla can't have a stake in it if he's involved with Visma, neither can Lefevere.

Wouldn't Soudal-Visma have to buy out Team Remco's contracts and if Ala moves too that's a bit of extra cash.

 

[joseph89]

Wouldn't Soudal-Visma have to buy out Team Remco's contracts and if Ala moves too that's a bit of extra cash.

Basically bakala will transfer his 80% stake over to lefevere in exchange for remco & 5 riders , soudal and specialized.

Lefevere won't take up his board seat until a later date.

 

[hrotha]

Wait, there are Patrick Lefevere fans in the forum now? This is like the Paris bedbug situation all over again

 

[theyoungest]

so it was really a matter of Soudal wanting away from Lefevere, spurred by Remco?

I don't think Soudal really care one way or the other. It's Bakala who's done with Lefevere.

Wouldn't Soudal-Visma have to buy out Team Remco's contracts and if Ala moves too that's a bit of extra cash.

Bakala owns 80% of that team. I'm just guessing he's not going to manoeuvre himself into such a situation that he loses his share and then still has to buy out the rider he really wants.

 

[Wyndbrook]

He’s just in the board of the new team, that’s not a big role at all. That’s just giving advise when neededz

Probably Its likely to become a nothing role, can't see Plugge wanting any advice from Patrick or anybody for that matter except his legal team.

 

[Unchained]

Wait, there are Patrick Lefevere fans in the forum now? This is like the Paris bedbug situation all over again

Laughing pretty hard and bike racing is becoming the new foundation or art gallery circuit for mega corporations and the ultra rich..Patrick will just posture himself to be the experienced bicycle bookkeeper for some super rich sponsor and earmark some salary and expenses money and stay status quo..should be interesting to see how much skin he will have in the game..
* side story* in NYC when there was a bedbug discovery.. The victim would take the infected mattress or pieces of upholstered furniture out on the curb. And often using spray paint or bold marker to write " bedbugs!!! " I would walk or ride by on my bike and without fail, someone would be trying to take the infected things thinking that they could somehow clean it and use it..and the cycle continues.. I will watch Paris to see how they do.. It's a real war against those critters..

 

[houtdffan]

Basically bakala will transfer his 80% stake over to lefevere in exchange for remco & 5 riders , soudal and specialized.

Lefevere won't take up his board seat until a later date.

cannot sell a rider contract like that

Remco is a free agent or he rides for QS next year

 

[IndianCyclist]

Before a sponsor, such as Deceuninck, to be allowed to move on.

Deceuninck??? they already moved on in at the end of 2021

 

[joseph89]

cannot sell a rider contract like that

Remco is a free agent or he rides for QS next year

Did anyone mention anything about selling a rider contract?

Not true

 

[Lequack]

Patrick Lefevere is working on a 'shelter team' for victims of takeover

Welke renners? En waarom is het voor Lefevere een erezaak? De belangrijkste vragen over mogelijke ‘opvangploeg’

Patrick Lefevere maakt, bij de gratie van Zdenek Bakala, werk van een ‘opvangteam’ voor renners en personeel die straks niet terecht kunnen in de nieuwe Visma-structuur. Een positieve oplossing voor dát deel van de ploeg wenkt dus. Maar er ligt nog een pak werk op de plank.

www.hln.be

They should call themselves The Expendables.

 

[jmdirt]

First, the merger/takeover hasn't happened yet.

BUT, if the merger/takeover does happen I hope that PL can salvage something to keep the crew going. I don't really care if his motivation is himself or the others because the end result is the same, people keep their jobs.

 

[Izzyeviel]

we're going to end up with Soudal-Visma & Quickstep-Alpha-Jumbo at this rate.