IN BRIEF
Soudal Quick-Step and Specialized will part ways at the end of 2026, after almost two decades of partnership, the team announced on 19 October. The next day, the team unveiled the successor: Merida will supply its bikes for four years from 2027, with an option beyond 2030. The team will keep Shimano Dura-Ace groupsets and pedals, and also welcomes Continental for tyres, Lazer for helmets, Sidi for shoes and Prologo for saddles. In 2027, the men’s team will be called Soudal Safety Jogger.
The team itself describes it as “one of professional cycling’s longest and most successful partnerships”. Soudal Quick-Step and Specialized will end their collaboration at the end of the 2026 season, after almost twenty years together, the Belgian team announced on 19 October. Velo mentions 18 years of collaboration and more than 800 victories for the “Wolfpack”.
Merida, four years and an option
On 20 October, the team unveiled its new technical partners for 2027. Leading the way is Merida, which will supply its bikes for the next four years, with an option to extend beyond 2030. The team names the Reacto aero bike and the Time-Warp, the Taiwanese brand’s time trial bike. Groupsets and pedals remain Shimano Dura-Ace.
Jurgen Foré, the team’s CEO, explains it this way in the press release:
“We have been working on this project for more than one year, because decisions around technical partners have a direct impact on the performance of our riders.”
Jurgen Foré, CEO of Soudal Quick-Step
Other brands are arriving alongside Merida, the team’s press release states: the Shimano Dura-Ace wheels will be fitted with Continental tyres, as Continental joins the team at the start of 2027, Belgian manufacturer Lazer becomes its helmet partner, Sidi will supply the shoes and Prologo the saddles. Velo specifies that the partner women’s team, AG Insurance-Soudal, will also switch from Specialized to Merida in 2027.
Soudal Quick-Step becomes Soudal Safety Jogger
The change of bike comes with a change of name. Announced in July by Safety Jogger, the new co-title sponsor, it will make the team Soudal Safety Jogger from 2027. Velo notes that Quick-Step is leaving the team’s title for the first time in 24 years; the flooring brand remains a partner until 2030, and its name will stay clearly visible on the kit, the Safety Jogger press release specifies.
Merida’s return to the peloton
Merida returns to the professional peloton after a last appearance in 2025 with Bahrain Victorious, Velo notes, pointing out that the Taiwanese manufacturer holds a significant stake in Specialized. In its “Thank you, Specialized” message, the team for its part hails “almost two decades” marked by victories in the Monument classics, the Grand Tours and the World Championships.
