Soudal Quick-Step's 24th Consecutive Tour de France: A Preview and Analysis
As the 2026 Tour de France approaches, Soudal Quick-Step is gearing up for its 24th consecutive start in the world's biggest and most prestigious race. This year, the team heads to Barcelona for the Grand Depart, where they will face a challenging and varied course. With a strong and versatile squad, Soudal Quick-Step is ready to take on the challenges of the Tour, but there are some notable absences and key questions to be answered.
One of the main attractions of the race is Alpe d'Huez, where Soudal Quick-Step has a strong presence with Tim Merlier, a triple stage winner at the Grande Boucle. Merlier, one of the best sprinters in the world, is aiming to add to his impressive palmares, which currently stands at 72 pro wins. However, the team is also missing Mikel Landa, who was fifth overall at the 2024 edition in his first year with Soudal Quick-Step. Landa's absence is a disappointment, but the team is confident in its remaining squad.
Soudal Quick-Step's sports director, Tom Steels, has outlined the team's goals for the race. Tim Merlier is targeting stage wins, and with the changes made to the points classification, he could also be in the mix for the green jersey. Valentin Paret-Peintre, who had a successful debut last year, is aiming to be a protagonist in the mountains, while Ilan Van Wilder will be the team's general classification contender. The team also has riders capable of breaking away, but their main focus will be on the sprint stages.
What makes this particularly fascinating is the team's ability to adapt to different terrains and the challenges of the Tour. Soudal Quick-Step has a strong squad with a mix of experienced and young riders, and their versatility will be key to their success. However, the team will need to navigate the many sprinters and summit finishes, as well as the time trial and individual time trial stages.
In my opinion, Soudal Quick-Step has a strong chance of success this year, but they will need to be strategic and adaptable. The team's ability to work together and support each other will be crucial, and their experience and versatility will be key to their success. With a strong squad and a challenging course, Soudal Quick-Step is ready to take on the Tour de France and make its 24th consecutive start a memorable one.
