I have also read Remco wants to be on the same team his whole career. And that money is less important than that. With QS being based a Belgian team, I think he might be serious. And as he racks up wins and sponsors, his pay will increase even if his team pay is not what he is worth. Something like this:
QS paying him 1mil a year. His worth is 2mil. So here he is being paid below his "value" However, sponsors such as Spealized are making the difference up. If they pay him 1mil to ride their bike and raise it to 2mil due to results. His pay is then 3mil. Which makes up the gap. Now, I could be 100% wrong with that example. But, it could be a legitimate situation.