Soudal Quick-Step continues to build its sprint train and classics core, signing two Belgians

The two new riders will compete for The Wolfpack from next year until the end of 2027. The 29-year-old Cras is transferring from TotalEnergies, the French pro-continental team for which the Flemish rider competed for three years. The climber won the first stage of the Vuelta Asturias this year, which was also his first professional victory. Cras has ridden eight Grand Tours in his career, including the most recent Tour de France, which he was unable to finish (he withdrew in stage 14).

Cras has already raced for WorldTour teams Katusha-Alpecin and Lotto-Soudal, and will do so again at Soudal Quick-Step. "I’m really glad that I will wear the jersey of this team over the next two seasons. My ambition is to help the squad achieve important victories and maybe win a couple of races myself if the opportunity arises. I like La Vuelta – I’m actually a big fan of this Grand Tour and of racing in Spain – but I also enjoy stage races and the Ardennes Classics, which I hope to ride next year."

Jurgen Foré, CEO of Soudal Quick-Step, said of the duo's arrival: "The many results Steff has achieved in stage races and on some of cycling’s hardest climbs speak volumes about his ability on tough terrain, and have helped him become an accomplished stage race rider. We believe we can offer him the perfect environment to progress further, and that we’ll see some great performances from him next season."

Van den Bossche also has years of experience at WorldTour level, having spent the last four years racing for Alpecin-Deceuninck, the team that has competed at the highest level for the past three years. The road and track rider has been a professional since 2020, when his career began at Topsport Vlaanderen-Baloise. His track record includes bronze in the omnium at the 2024 Olympics and a total of four medals at the World Championships. “I’m very excited, because I have always admired Soudal Quick-Step, ever since Tom Boonen and Iljo Keisse – who were my idols as a kid – raced for the team,” said the Flemish rider.

"I also have great memories of competing against Soudal Quick-Step in the peloton, so to now be part of it is something special. I hope to help the team in the Classics and as a member of the lead-out train, and I’m determined to play my part in securing as many wins as possible. At the same time, I want to keep improving both on the road and on the track, where I will continue chasing a World Championship gold medal and aim to return to the Olympics."

“Regarding Fabio, he is a young and very versatile rider who will strengthen our team in multiple areas. As he’s already said, he is eager to work hard and improve, and we are confident he will do so as part of our squad. We will also support him in pursuing his ambitions on the track, and we look forward to what we hope will be a very successful partnership.”