Ilan Van Wilder hits out at proposed Soudal Quick-Step and Jumbo-Visma merger - 'We don't agree with this s***'

Ilan Van Wilder won the Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday for his team Soudal Quick-Step, after soloing with an impressive 10km effort. However he quickly moved on from his success when talking to the media after his victory, explicitly rejecting the rumoured merger between his team and Belgian outfit Jumbo-Visma. "We don't agree with this s***", he told Eurosport.

Ilan Van Wilder hit out at the proposed merger between Soudal Quick-Step and Jumbo-Visma after winning the Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday.

The two teams are reportedly in discussions about a potential merger as early as next year.

Wilder rides for Soudal Quick-Step and the Belgian hinted that others in the outfit share his feelings.

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Jumbo-Visma would reportedly be the dominant partner in any combination of the teams, and after briefly discussing his victory in a post-race interview with Eurosport, he moved on to let his feelings be known.

“It’s [been] difficult weeks for us, so this victory is really for my team-mates and for our staff, to show that we don’t agree with all this s***,” he said.

With Jumbo-Visma head Richard Plugge set to retain control of the team, speculation mounts that Soudal Quick-Step would be hit hardest by any combination.

“We want to continue as Soudal Quick-Step,” Van Wilder continued. “We are strong enough and I hope it will be like this.”

'A feel-good win' - Van Wilder dominates to clinch Tre Valli Varesine win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Van Wilder dominated at Tre Valli Varesine with a determined solo drive which he likened to a time trial pace, and while he has a contract with his team until 2025, there are no guarantees that he or any other rider will be kept on at Soudal Quick-Step.

His team-mate Julian Alaphilippe has already said that the situation is “sad” as the team would have 30 spots to fill with riders, but there would be 50 riders in total to pick from between the two teams.

That means that some riders are bound to be released, while support staff could also meet the same fate.

Jumbo-Visma achieved an exceptional record of success this year, winning each of the Grand Tours, and dominating the top three spots in the Vuelta a Espana.

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