The merger of the Lotto and Intermaché-Wanty organisations has led to sweeping changes for the latter's cyclo-cross team, with Bart Wellens being replaced as the squad's manager by Bart Verschueren. Now, Wellens will focus full time on his role as sports director the newly promoted WorldTour team on the road as of January 1, 2026.
"They left me no choice," Wellens told Het Nieuwsblad. "Initially, it was said the cyclo-cross team would continue until the end of the cyclo-cross season, but then the discussions accelerated, and it was decided to merge the cyclo-cross teams as well, effective January 1st. Which I understand. But then I also had to read that there was no longer a place for me."
