Asgreen out, familiar face Schachmann in: Lefevere on changes at Soudal-Quick Step

Shifts in the pack: things will look different at Soudal-Quick Step. Patrick Lefevere confirms the departure of Kasper Asgreen from the Belgian team. In contrast, there is a nearly certain return of Maximilian Schachmann, as well as the extension of several contracts.

In a conversation with British cycling journalist Daniel Benson, Lefevere reveals that Schachmann is almost certain to join Soudal-Quick Step's classics team. "He is likely coming to the team," Lefevere said. "I have a soft spot for him. He has had two tough years, was ill, but I remember him from the early years of his career. He is a good rider and a pleasant person." The German is a familiar face for Lefevere’s team. He signed with the team in 2017 and raced for them for two years.

In 2018, Schachmann achieved one of the biggest victories of his career: he won the seventeenth stage of the Giro d'Italia to Prato Nevoso. To ride more for his own chances, the all-rounder moved to what is now known as Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe, where he was an important part of the team for six years. There, he won Paris-Nice twice and three stages in the Tour of the Basque Country. In later years with the German team, Schachmann struggled with frequent injuries and eventually took a break due to chronic fatigue. This year, he made a strong comeback with a second place in the opening stage of the Giro d'Italia.

Read more below the photo.

Maximilian Schachmann

Asgreen leaves Soudal Quick-Step, Moscon and Pedersen sign on

Schachmann is thus likely to return to his old team, but Lefevere also confirmed Asgreen's departure. The Danish all-rounder will no longer represent the blue and white colors of the Belgian team after seven years of loyal service. It is not yet known where the former winner of the Tour of Flanders will race next year. Asgreen was one of the key riders in Lefevere's classics team, where he won the Tour of Flanders and also claimed a stage in the Tour de France.

Gianni Moscon and Casper Pedersen are joining the team. Lefevere confirmed their contract extensions, as well as the promotion of young talent Andrea Raccagni Noviero to the main roster. The 20-year-old Italian will work full-time at Soudal-Quick Step next year after a stagiaire role in the Tour of Slovakia. With the addition of Noviero, Schachmann, and the re-signing of Moscon and Pedersen, all eyes are firmly on the spring classics. Remco Evenepoel’s eyes are also set on the spring: he will start in Milan-San Remo and the Tour of Flanders next year.