The end of an era: Patrick Lefevere resigns as director of Soudal Quick-Step

The historic Patrick Lefevere will not be the director of Soudal-QuickStep in 2025. Surprisingly and after 20 years at the helm of a team he created in 2003, Lefevere will leave his position earlier than expected and Jurgen Fore will assume the role.

A historic farewell: Patrick Lefevere steps down as director of Soudal Quick-Step

About to turn 70 on January 6th, Patrick Lefevere had planned to continue leading Soudal-QuickStep until 2026 and it was decided that former Belgian cyclist Jurgen Fore would gradually take over the team during these years.

But all of this has suddenly accelerated. The team has issued a statement announcing that Lefevere will end his term on December 31, 2024, and starting on January 1, 2025 Jurgen Fore will assume the role of the historic Belgian director.

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This is how Lefevere bid farewell in the official statement:

"This moment changes my life, I leave a role to which I have dedicated a large part of my life. Cycling is a sport that still deeply excites me, and it has been a great honor to lead this beautiful team and create so many special memories."

"But I felt that it was the right time for this change. When I started working with Jurgen a year ago, I did so with the idea of facilitating the transition for when I left. I have seen how his relationships with our sponsors and partners, as well as with the internal stakeholders of the team, have grown over the past 12 months, and I know that with Jurgen taking on the role of CEO and with the support of the board, this team has a bright future."

"There are countless people I must thank, too many to mention individually, but of course there are my family, the talented riders of the team, our dedicated staff, our loyal sponsors, all supported by the generosity and support of our owner, Mr. Zdenek Bakala."

Meanwhile, Jurgen Fore, as the new CEO of Soudal Quick-Step, stated: "I am extremely proud to take on the role of CEO of this historic team. Patrick Lefevere has been a figure in professional cycling for whom we all feel great respect and admiration. He has built a solid foundation and stability that has seen this team grow for over two decades. I would like to personally thank him for the support he has given me in the last 12 months since I joined the team. I understand and feel how special this organization is, and I will do everything in my power to take care of it."

"Now I will try to lead this team, working to ensure its long-term future. I have been involved in cycling in various roles and as part of the team management, and I believe that by combining this with my business experience, it will allow me to build a structure that can take Soudal Quick-Step from strength to strength."

Patrick Lefevere founded Soudal Quick-Step in 2003, combining his sporting vision of cycling with the economic and business knowledge he acquired as an accountant. He built a memorable team that has achieved over 1000 victories, including 22 Monuments, 1 Grand Tour, and 124 stages in Grand Tours, 3 Olympic gold medals, 19 gold medals in World Championships, and 4 European Championships, among others.

From now on, Lefevere will be part of the new structure as an honorary member of the board.