In a move that signals clear intent to reclaim their cobbled crown, Soudal – Quick-Step have announced the signing of Dylan van Baarle from Team Visma | Lease a Bike, with the Dutchman penning a three-year deal through to the end of 2027.It’s a signing that, on paper, marks a significant coup. Van Baarle is not just a proven Classics operator — he’s a monument winner, a former Dutch national champion, and a metronomic presence at the front of some of the sport’s most attritional one-day races. With victories at Paris-Roubaix (2022), Omloop Het Nieuwsblad (2023), and Dwars door Vlaanderen (2021), plus a silver medal at the 2021 World Championships in Leuven, Van Baarle’s pedigree is unquestionable.
But beyond the palmares, this transfer is emblematic of Soudal – Quick-Step’s broader ambition: to re-establish themselves as the dominant force in the Spring Classics, a title that’s slipped from their grasp in recent years.
A tactic that comes into more focus after the announcement of them losing their Grand Tour and GC leader Remco Evenepoel to Red Bull – BORA – hansgrohe earlier this week.
Rebuilding the Wolfpack
Once the undisputed kings of the cobbles under Patrick Lefevere’s stewardship, Quick-Step’s stranglehold on the Classics has loosened over recent years. While the team remains a perennial presence at the sharp end, they’ve been increasingly outgunned by the likes of Visma and UAE Team Emirates, both of whom have assembled powerful Classics squads in recent seasons.
The addition of Van Baarle — ironically, from Visma themselves — could prove to be both a statement of intent and a strategic reinforcement. At 33, he brings maturity, experience, and a proven ability to win in the biggest one-day races. He also offers tactical flexibility: a rider capable of going long, bridging moves, or riding defensively when needed.
“This is a dream come true,” Van Baarle said in the team’s official announcement. “I watched this team growing up, especially during the Tom Boonen days. I’m excited to be a part of the Wolfpack and want to get back to my best level for the Classics.”
Van Baarle took the biggest win of his career at Paris-Roubaix
Soudal – Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Fore was quick to underline the strategic value of the signing: “Dylan brings not just power and results, but experience. He’s the kind of rider who can make the difference in key race moments.”
His potential value extends beyond the Classics, too. A dependable lieutenant in Grand Tours, Van Baarle has helped deliver GC success for teammates and has the engine to seize stage wins in week-long races when the opportunity presents itself. That dual threat — Classics expertise plus stage race utility — makes him one of the most well-rounded riders in the modern peloton when fit and firing.
Whether it translates into wins remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Soudal – Quick-Step are not done with the Classics just yet.