Lemko Evenpoel has indicated, with a straight face but veiled, that he will remain with the Südal Quickstep team in 2025, despite interest from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe and reports regarding a deadline for a major transfer.

Red Bull-Bohra-Hansgrohe team manager Ralf Denk also dismissed the reports as “gossip” and did not deny that negotiations, a possible deal, or a deadline had been discussed.

Even though Evenpole is under contract to Sudar-Quickstep until the end of 2026, there are growing reports that Red Bull-Bohra-Hansgrohe has given the Belgian a deadline to decide on a move. With the entry of the Energy Drink brand, the team's ambitions have grown significantly, and Evenpoel would be ideal as a future Grand Tour leader.

Whatever the offer, Evenpoel will likely demand an annual salary of perhaps €4-5 million plus a fee to cover termination costs. Any deal would need to be agreed to by all parties and approved by the UCI.

Soudal Quick-Step team manager Patrick Lefebvre, who often clashes with Evenpoel's father, who acts as his agent, has warned that any contract would be expensive and legally complex.

The speculation and reports have intensified since Evenpoel's double gold medal win at the Tour and Paris Olympics. He returned to racing at the Tour of Britain, and the last question from the Flanders media at the race was about his future.

“I don't know anything about that,” Evenpoel told the Flanders media crowd, not revealing his feelings or reaction to the topic.

“A lot of things always come out, regardless of the truth. I don't know what that means. I myself don't see anything."

”I don't see anything.

When asked if he would still run on the Sourdal Quickstep in 2025, Evenpoel replied: 'Yes,' Evenpoel replied: 'Yes.'”

Red Bull-Bohra-Hansgrohe team manager Ralf Denk celebrated Primoš Roglic's Vuelta a España win in Madrid, but could not escape questions about Evenpoel.

Some reports suggested that Roglic could be part of a swap deal with Soudal-Quick Step. Last year he left Jumbo Visma as leader of the Tour de France. But then Red Bull acquired a majority stake in the team and Roglic was eliminated from the French Grand Tour, while Evenpoel proved his mettle in the Tour.

“I hear and read rumors every day in the Italian, English, and Belgian media, but I have nothing to say about it,” Denk told Het Laatste Nieuws in an interview in Madrid.

“They are gossip and I may not, cannot, and will not respond to them. No matter how annoying it is.”

After the Tour of Britain, Evenpoel returned to his home in Spain for final training before the World Championships in Zurich, Switzerland. He will miss this week's European Championships in Belgium to train more fully.

Evenpoel attempted an aggressive ride in the Tour of Britain, but lost time and worked for teammates Julien Alaphilippe and Paul Magnier.

“It was about getting fitter and getting back into it. I couldn't do more than that.

“We have to improve everything and get back on track. Going to a high altitude training camp is not an option.

“It's all about training on the back of a moped and a time trial bike.

“I have to train hard and be fresher for the time trial on September 22.