Soudal-QuickStep and Specialized set to end near-20-year partnership, according to report

Reports indicate that Soudal-QuickStep, Patrick Lefevere’s venerable Belgian squad, is poised to conclude its nearly two-decade-long partnership with bike manufacturer Specialized. The highly successful collaboration, which has delivered countless Grand Tour stages, Monuments, and World Championships, is rumoured to be ending after the 2026 season, with the team reportedly switching to Merida bikes from 2027 onwards. This marks a significant shift for one of cycling's most enduring and fruitful equipment relationships.

This potential split is more than just a change of paint scheme; it signifies the end of an era. Specialized has been integral to the ‘Wolfpack’ identity since 2007, providing the machinery behind riders like Tom Boonen, Julian Alaphilippe, and Remco Evenepoel. For Specialized, it means losing a prime UCI WorldTour platform, while for Soudal-QuickStep, it represents a substantial logistical and technical overhaul. The move also highlights the increasing fluidity in team-sponsor relationships, even those deeply entrenched, as commercial pressures and strategic alignments continue to evolve.

While the ink isn't dry, the prospect of Lefevere's squad on anything other than a Specialized Tarmac or Roubaix will undoubtedly feel alien to many. The cycling world rarely sees such long-standing marriages dissolve without significant underlying reasons.