Soudal-QuickStep Riders and management are veering between anxiety and hope in this week's Italian classic as they await news about the possibility of a new "B" team to save riders who could be left out of a possible merger with Jumbo-Visma.

It is estimated that if the merger goes ahead, 20 riders and dozens of team staff could be left without work. With less than three months before the start of the new season, the struggle to find a new employer will be brutally difficult.

Meanwhile, the winning machine, which has always been Soudal-QuickStep, continues to operate at full speed. Ilan Van Wilder had a stunning solo victory at Tre Valli Varesine on Tuesday, then provided a passionate defense for the current team. Andrea Baglioli then moved to the Riddle Trek after surpassing his fellow 3・man breakaway at the Grand Piedmont and winning the team's last victory. If Soudal-QuickStep is down, it's all guns on fire.

Rumors that team boss Patrick Lefevere is trying to create a new "B" team from what remains after the merger have both renewed expectations that a last-minute solution will be found, and fears that such expectations could be groundless.

"You notice that everyone has a question, but I will do my best to keep their mind on the race," longtime QuickStep Sports Director Davide Bramati told Het Laatste Nieuws on Thursday. "I've already had some "crazy" meetings: I say crazy things, I show stupid pictures, I'll keep the atmosphere as light as possible

"As a sports director, the mental side of the race is part of my job and I have to look at things from a rider's perspective. I don't know. I think they are acting very professionally."

Team doctor Steven Bex, in the same newspaper article as veteran Soudal-QuickStep rider Pieter Serry, agreed that the biggest problem at the moment is the degree of uncertainty, the only source from the media. But a potential game-changer for the new "B" team could even see the team return to its racing roots, Bex said.

"There are still many great riders on board. With them, we should be able to go back to our DNA for several years and win the tournament of the day.

"The biggest problem is uncertainty. If we are sure, good or bad, we can move on. After the victory in the Tre Valle Vresine, Ilan fully expressed what everyone in this group feels. This just hurts because we want to move forward together."

Vex had mentioned the long-standing prioritization of the classic QuickStep over other races, Lemco Evenepoel confirmed the trend, winning completely in 2022 even with success in the Vuelta a España where the team has a strong future on the grand Tour.

However, if the "B" team moves forward, especially as Evenepoel, can give a hint as to where to go in 2024, a new turn may be possible.

Regardless of the possible focus of the new team, in any case, the key factor at this point is that such a change will not be possible.

referring to the hypothetical creation of the "B" team, Serry told Het Nieuwsblad, "If that scenario is true, everyone will thank Patrick again."

"The team will continue to exist, the staff will be able to continue their work because it is also late in the season for them to look for another team.

On a dark day like this for many of Soudal-Quick's riders and staff, Serry said: "I'm not sure if it's going to happen again. But unless there's an official confirmation from Patrick, it's nothing more than that."