The duel between the two elite formations in Belgium is not new. For more than 20 years, they are fighting each the most beautiful classic spring, Milan San Remo Liege Bastogne Liege through the cobbled classics prestigious, not forgetting the Tour of Lombardy, pushed in autumn. Peter Van Petegem was Andrei Tchmil chez Lotto Adecco, Paolo Bettini and Johan Museeuw Mapei Quick Step in the early 2000, the foundation for anthology opposition has shaped the history of the races of the most legendary day. The biggest names will be passed in Lotto, with classics specialists such as Van Petegem, Tchmil, Van Avermaet ou Gilbert, but sprinters like Robbie McEwen or André Greipel. On the side of Quick Step also, the arguments are strong. Museeuw, Bettini, Boonen, Devolder, Terpstra ou encore Kwiatkowski, without forgetting Freire, Cancellara or Petacchi. If the benefit of the charts back probably to the formation of Patrick Lefevere (Quick Step), who has repeatedly won all monuments, but also stages major tours galore, its rival will not unworthy during these years, also winning victories over 5 major events calendar. But this year could change the situation.
2020, Lotto Soudal takes power ?
The question is legitimate. Indeed, if the superiority of Deceuninck did not leave room for any ambiguity in recent years, the season 2020 may well be fought more. To understand this, it should look into the winter transfer window, rather successful for Patrick Lefevere, with the signing of Sam Bennett particular, which gives it a certain success on the major tours. The workforce also has major advantages over conventional, in the image of Julian Alaphilippe, Bob Jungels, Yves Lampaert, Zdenek Stybar ou encore Remco Evenepoel. An armada that would scare most teams World Tour… But not his eternal rival Belgian. Indeed, if the transfer window Deceuninck may seem attractive, that of Lotto Soudal is simply copy. The key element of this lies in recruiting the signatures of Philippe Gilbert and John Degenkolb. These two recruits choices allow the team to consider very high performance, especially on classic, which remain the main objective of the team. The strength of this division has an impressive density and particularly valuable individual strengths. We can cite, of course, Philippe Gilbert et John Degenkolb, winners of numerous monuments, but we must also look into the riders who will surround them throughout the year. Tim Wellens, whose references are no introduction, be a key element in the device, but the presence of Sander Armée, Jelle Wallays, Jasper De Buyst or Tosh Van Der Sande could prove decisive in these trials, but also on the major tours, where Caleb Ewan could exploit its potential to target stage wins. Clear, the size of the Lotto Soudal could allow it to compete with the Deceuninck, Why not long-term reverse the trend, on the pavement or even sprints, which seems to become a specialty within the team
