Soudal Quick-Step is preparing for a season of big changes: without Remco Evenepoel , the “Wolfpack” does not have a top rider in its squad for the Grand Tours and the Classics and will have to change their racing strategies, perhaps returning to enjoying their nature as a compact group, without a real star in the team.

Among the riders who could benefit from Remco's departure and have more space in the stage races is, without a doubt, Ilan Van Wilder , who won the bronze medal in the time trial at the 2025 World Championships in Kigali : "Being able to leave a rider like Pogacar behind me that day is really special. This gives me confidence for this season," Van Wilder told Sporza . "I think we'll have more freedom, yes. Not just me, but a lot of the team will have more space. Last year I often finished in the top ten in World Tour races. If I could make them top five, or even more, that would be even better."  

In 2026, Van Wilder will start his season at the UAE Tour , before continuing with the Tirreno-Adriatico , the Tour of the Basque Country , the Amstel Gold Race , the Flèche Wallonne , and Liège-Bastogne-Liège, before preparing for the Tour de France : “I’ll be doing these races in a role where I still have a lot of experience. Just because you’re the captain of a team doesn’t mean you have to talk about winning every race. You have to be realistic, and I am.”