After nearly two decades together, Specialized and Soudal Quick-Step have parted ways at the end of the 2026 season. From 2027, the Belgian team will race on Merida bicycles, opening a new chapter in its history.

The collaboration began in 2007, when Patrick Lefevere's team was called Quick Step-Innergetic. Since then, the team's name has changed several times — from Omega Pharma-Quick Step to Etixx, Deceuninck, and finally Soudal Quick-Step — but Specialized remained a constant presence.

On its bicycles came victories and great moments in cycling: from the successes of Tom Boonen to those of Philippe Gilbert, Niki Terpstra, and Kasper Asgreen, through to the achievements of Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel. A long season of triumphs that bound the American brand to the identity of one of the most recognizable formations in the peloton.

Now their paths diverge. The choice of Merida marks an important change for the Belgian team, which from 2027 will rely on a new supplier. For Specialized, it closes a partnership that spanned nearly twenty years of transformations, champions, and successes.

It won't be the only major news for the Belgian team: from next year, the official name will also change with the departure of a historic sponsor like Quick Step. The team's new name will be Soudal - Safety Jogger.