Our roster for next year consists of 16 riders.
In just three years, the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team has amassed close to 60 victories and, more importantly, become a proven pathway to the World Tour, with seven riders stepping up to the senior squad. The most recent is Jonathan Vervenne, our top performer in 2025, who claimed four victories including a Giro Next Gen stage and the U23 European ITT title.
As one of the most successful development programmes in cycling, the Soudal Quick-Step Devo Team has created an environment built on trust, stability and high performance. Riders are supported closely by an experienced staff, and that investment has paid off: graduates of the programme are now making their mark at the highest level of the sport.
For 2026, the project takes an important step forward. The Devo team will move up to CP1 level, a significant investment that reflects Soudal Quick-Step’s commitment to developing the next generation. The team will also be more closely integrated with the men’s World Tour squad, creating a clearer shared pathway and giving riders more opportunities to learn, train and race alongside experienced professionals.
The 2026 setup is further strengthened by the arrival of Eliot Lietaer, who joins as sports director, and Tim Declercq, who begins his first coaching role after retiring at the end of the 2025 season. Declercq spent seven years in the colours of Soudal Quick-Step’s senior team, earning a reputation as one of the most selfless and respected domestiques of his era.
Dimitri Peyskens also comes on board, coaching the Devo squad alongside his continued work with our U19 riders, creating even more continuity through the pathway. One of the notable riders returning to the group is Stan Van Tricht, who re-joins the Devo team after gaining valuable World Tour experience. His leadership and maturity will be an important asset for the younger riders.
This week, the team will travel to Calpe for its first winter training camp. Sixteen riders from eight countries will make up the 2026 roster: Henrique Bravo, Said Cisneros, Matthijs De Clercq, Ceriel Desal, Hodei Muñoz, Luc Royer, Federico Savino, Joeri Schaper, Jasper Schoofs, Gauthier Servranckx, Viktor Soenens, Erazem Valjavec, Lars Vanden Heede, Matijs Van Strijthem, Stan Van Tricht and Marc Zafra.
Speaking ahead of the gathering, sports director Kevin Hulsmans is confident about what lies ahead: “This past season was a very solid one for our young riders. We saw strong development across the group and standout performances in major races. They also proved they can compete at pro level, taking impressive top-ten results while riding together with the World Tour team. Looking ahead to 2026, we’ve kept stability in the roster because we strongly believe in the potential of this group. With an extra year of maturity and a balanced squad, we hope to be competitive on all terrains. Our goal remains unchanged: to develop riders in a high-performance environment and help them make the step to the World Tour.”
Tim Declercq also added: “After seven unforgettable years with the senior team, starting my coaching career here feels like a natural step. This group has a great energy and a strong work ethic, and I’m excited to help them grow as riders and as people. I know from experience how valuable a clear development pathway can be, and I’m proud to contribute to a project that gives young cyclists real opportunities to progress within the organisation.”
They were joined by Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré, who expressed his pride in the programme’s evolution and added: “We are extremely proud of what the Devo team has achieved in such a short time. This programme gives talented young riders a real opportunity to grow, to learn and to see a clear path towards the World Tour. Elevating the team to CP1 level is a significant investment and underlines our belief in development and the future of our sport. The results, the professionalism and the spirit of this group show why this project is so important to our organisation, and we are excited to strengthen the pathway even further in 2026.”
Photo credit: ©Wout Beel