Jasper Philipsen is set to decide on his future after targeting Paris-Roubaix, with Alpecin-Deceuninck hoping to keep him.
The team has already secured Mathieu van der Poel's contract until 2028.
What happened?
Alpecin-Deceuninck's Philip Roodhooft expressed confidence in keeping Philipsen, despite interest from other teams.
Philipsen won Milan-San Remo and four sprint stages at the 2023 Tour de France.
Why it matters for Jasper Philipsen
A new contract would need to reflect Philipsen's success and potential, with a four-year deal and a significant salary.
The 2023 Tour de France saw Philipsen dominate sprints, often with Van der Poel's help.
What comes next?
Philipsen's decision will be made after Paris-Roubaix, with formal contracts only signable after August 1.
As of the 2023 season, Philipsen has proven himself as a Classic contender, following Tom Boonen's career path.
And Philipsen's value increased after winning Milan-San Remo.
But Alpecin-Deceuninck seems quietly confident in keeping both Van der Poel and Philipsen, despite the potential cost of around €10 million per season.
So the team's strategy could involve signing or developing a Grand Tour rider to widen their ambitions.
Philip Roodhooft told *Nieuwsblad* that discussions with Philipsen and his agent, Alex Carera, are ongoing.
The latest contract talks have Roodhooft feeling positive about the outcome.
Alpecin-Deceuninck enjoyed a successful 2023, with Van der Poel winning multiple races, including the World Championships in Glasgow.
The team's structure has helped both Van der Poel and Philipsen perform at their best.
Roodhooft considers Van der Poel's contract extension a significant victory for the team.
The deal also secures the future of the Team Ciclismo Mundial team structure, including the women's Fenix-Deceuninck WorldTour team and the cyclocross teams.
"For me, securing Mathieu's contract was even bigger than winning a monument," Roodhooft said.
The contract extension is seen as a symbol of the team's cycle with Van der Poel, which will continue until 2028.