Remco Evenepoel (Soudal QuickStep) is seen as such of an asset for the years ahead that Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe had a €10 million contract in place for him, according to media reports in Belgium.
The Olympic road race champion and world TT champion is staying at Belgian team, Soudal QuickStep, after a long drawn out saga behind the scenes that resulted in his salary being increased to €5 million per year, the same reports have claimed.
Het Laatste Nieuws, the Dutch language newspaper based in Antwerp, has said Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe had a contract "ready to go" for Evenepoel, that including €10 million per year. The package was to include three support personnel, including Klaas Lodewyck, a former pro rider and current management figure at Soudal-Quick Step.
However, HLN analyst Michel Wuyts said Soudal-QuickStep boss, Patrick Lefevere, set up "obstacles" to frustrate the departure from his team of the three personnel lined up to leave with Evenepoel. Lefevere also "glued Evenepoel on for the duration of his contract".
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The recruitment of a new performance manager, in Frederik Broché, who has just left the Belgian Cycling Federation where he worked for seven years as technical director.
"(Lefevere also) partly closed the financial gap with the decisive input of (Soudal QuickStep) chief operation officer Jurgen Foré," HLN's Wuyts also reported, citing high level sources within the Belgian team confirming Evenepoel's new higher salary was €5 million.
Other reports have suggested the €10 million on offer from Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe, quoted by HLN, was more likely for two years, pointing out Tadej Pogačar was the highest paid rider in the world, with an €8 million salary from UAE Team Emirates.
Either way, Lefevere has done well to hang on to his main asset - who has a contract until the end of 2026. The rest of the team's powers, especially its strength in depth in the classics, has waned as Evenepoel's ascent has gained pace.
