Patrick Lefevere has introduced that he’ll step down as CEO of the Soudal Fast-Step biking workforce on the finish of 2024. Lefevere’s departure marks the tip of an period. In 2003, after his profession as a rider and a DS with many high groups, he based Fast-Step – Davitamon, which has since grown into Soudal Fast-Step. Below his management, there have been a whole bunch of victories, together with 22 monuments, 124 stage victories in Grand Excursions, nineteen world titles, 4 European titles and in 2022, Remco Evenepoel added the primary total victory in a Grand Tour. What does the peloton assume?
Patrick Lefevere wasn’t a foul rider both
His retirement may have come as a shock to many, however the 69-year-old workforce boss had been occupied with it for a while. Lefevere spoke about his determination in a workforce press launch: “I felt that it was the proper time for this transformation.”
Lefevere with Eric McKenzie and the Capri Sonne workforce 1982 Tour de France
After greater than 20 years because the boss of the present Soudal Fast-Step, and earlier than that when he was a DS with Marc–Carlos–V.R.D.–Woningbouw, Capri Sonne–Koga Miyata, Lotto, TVM–Van Schilt, Domex–Weinmann, GB-MG Maglificio, Mapei–GB–Latexco, Domo–Farm Frites–Latexco and Fast-Step – Davitamon, Lefevere is stepping down. “It’s a life-changing second to depart a job that I’ve devoted a lot of my life to,” Lefevere said. “Biking is a sport that I’m nonetheless very keen about and it was an excellent honour to guide this excellent workforce and create so many particular reminiscences, however I felt it was the proper time for this transformation.” The function of CEO will now go to Jurgen Foré, who will take over as COO and right-hand man to Lefevere at first of 2024. “Once I began working with Jurgen a 12 months in the past, it was to make sure a clean transition for after I finally left. I’ve seen how his relationships with our sponsors and companions, in addition to with the workforce’s inside stakeholders, have grown during the last 12 months and I do know that with Jurgen as CEO and the help of the board, this workforce has a shiny future. There are numerous folks to thank, far too many to say individually, however after all there may be my household, the workforce’s proficient riders, our devoted employees, our loyal sponsors, and all of that is underpinned by the generosity and help of our workforce proprietor, Mr Zdenek Bakala.”
Omloop het Volk – Patrick Lefevere and Tom Boonen
Tom Boonen is Not Stunned by Lefevere’s Retirement
The information that Patrick Lefevere will probably be retiring as workforce supervisor of the Soudal Fast-Step workforce was not a shock to Tom Boonen. The 44-year-old former rider, who has a really shut relationship with Lefevere, noticed it coming. “Patrick informed me that he didn’t have a lot say within the workforce anymore,” Boonen informed Sporza.
Boonen and Lefevere
The careers of Boonen and Lefevere are inextricably linked. Boonen signed with Lefevere’s workforce greater than twenty years in the past, on the finish of 2002. Below Lefevere, Boonen grew right into a ‘King of the Classics’ rider and one of many high sprinters. ‘Tommeke’ received greater than 100 races, together with quite a few Classics, the World Championship and the inexperienced jersey within the Tour. “There’s a time for every little thing, proper? No, I’m not that shocked. Patrick informed me (throughout a dinner) that he didn’t have a lot say within the workforce anymore. He’s additionally turning 70. If he desires to take pleasure in life slightly, then the time has come. Actually final 12 months, with that merger and all of the bombs. They had been in a position to maintain lots inside, nevertheless it wasn’t nice. He received via that too, however I believe he’s had sufficient and that he’s given sufficient to the game. It’s time to relaxation a bit, if he feels prefer it. These are large footwear to fill, however I’ve the impression that the workforce is doing nicely.”
Peeters and Boonen
How does Boonen look again on the collaboration with Lefevere? “He was in a position to convey the proper folks collectively. The teammates he introduced collectively received alongside nicely collectively. He’s the daddy of the workforce, somebody who managed with a agency hand, however who additionally offered enough heat and conviviality. The environment was really family-like. I’m very grateful that I used to be in a position to journey there all these years. I used to be understood and revered there. I didn’t all the time agree with him, he didn’t agree with me. That’s regular in such an extended collaboration, however his approach of working was right. We all the time reached an settlement rapidly and we by no means needed to clear up a lot between ourselves. We had lots of respect for one another and that’s nonetheless the case.” Boonen admires the Lefevere’s administration. “Patrick is among the few individuals who have been on the high for therefore lengthy. What he has executed with a restricted price range… He doesn’t have a super-big sponsor behind him for whom the sky is the restrict. He has all the time discovered the cash and I’ve lots of admiration for that. He was answerable for eighty households and managed to get that price range yearly.”
Lefevere with Johan Museeuw and Wilfred Peeters
Johan Museeuw and Wilfred Peeters Reply to the Departure of Lefevere
The departure of Patrick Lefevere as CEO of Soudal Fast-Step marks the tip of an period. In 2003, Lefevere based Fast-Step – Davitamon, which grew into Soudal Fast-Step. Lefevere labored with Johan Museeuw and Wilfried Peeters for a very long time. Johan Museeuw joined Lefevere’s workforce in 1993 and rode for greater than ten seasons below his Belgian boss. The 1996 World champion achieved his biggest successes in these years, with victories within the Tour of Flanders (1993, 1995 and 1998) and Paris-Roubaix (1996 and 2000). Within the first years, Lefevere was nonetheless a DS for the Belgian workforce. “Later, his perform turned that of supervisor and he distanced himself considerably from his riders,” Museeuw defined to Belga. “That was not the case throughout my interval. We spent lots of time collectively and let’s be trustworthy, we made one another nice. Patrick’s departure is a little bit of an finish of an period. Lately, I typically talked to him about when he was going to let go. He has executed a lot and all that with that strain. After his sickness, he continued to work very exhausting. I suggested him to anticipate, however I additionally know that he’s or will probably be tough to interchange.”
Classics man – World champ Johan Museeuw
What’s Lefevere’s nice power in line with Museeuw? “He may encourage riders and created an ideal group environment,” mentioned the ‘Lion of Flanders.’ “That typified Patrick Lefevere as an individual. He was not all the time simple, however he did convey out the very best in somebody.”
Rider and DS Wilfred Peeters
Wilfried Peeters additionally has an extended historical past with Lefevere. First as a rider and for the previous twenty years as a sports activities director. The 60-year-old Peeters seems to be again on the lengthy collaboration with nice pleasure. “Patrick had already informed me some time in the past that he was going to step down as CEO of the biking workforce,” he informed Belga. “I didn’t consider it at first, however he saved confirming his determination. It should really feel unusual. He was by no means really my boss. He was a pal and a second father. I’ve been related to Patrick since 1993. We now have skilled unimaginable issues. A handshake from Patrick was price as a lot as a signed contract. A phrase was a phrase. I believed him blindly and discovered lots from Patrick. Additionally easy methods to cope with folks. He was my instance and I hope to proceed to move on what I discovered to the riders who’re with us for some time. I owe lots to Patrick.”
Mapei domination
Niki Terpstra Praises his Ex-Boss
Following the announcement that Patrick Lefevere is stepping down, Niki Terpstra, who received the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, additionally spoke with reward for his ex-boss. The 40-year-old Terpstra rode for ‘The Wolfpack’ between 2011 and 2018. One of the best days of his profession had been with Lefevere, however additionally they helped construct essentially the most profitable interval within the workforce’s historical past. One thing he’s clearly nonetheless grateful for.
Niki Terpstra
“Take pleasure in your retirement, boss,” Terpstra wrote on his Instagram. “It was an honour to be a part of your loved ones, The Wolfpack, the very best workforce on this planet! Although you may be crucial, exhausting and straight ahead at instances, it was all the time honest. We all the time felt protected since you stood up for us like an actual Don. I believe that was one of many explanation why the workforce had such a powerful bond. Us towards the remainder, supported by our chief.” Terpstra may be very grateful to Lefevere. “I’d prefer to thanks for giving me the good thing about doubt when together with me within the workforce, enable me to develop in my profession and had belief in my management of the pack in my peak. It’s was an unimaginable time!”
The way forward for Soudal Fast-Step is within the palms of Jurgen Foré
What Subsequent for the Soudal Fast-Step Crew?
Patrick Lefevere is in his closing days because the workforce supervisor of Soudal Fast-Step. Lefevere is handing over the baton to Jurgen Foré, who has been operational director of the workforce alongside Lefevere for the previous 12 months. As an honorary board member, Lefevere will stay concerned within the new administration. The day by day administration of Soudal Fast-Step will probably be within the palms of Foré from 2025. The 54-year-old Belgian, initially from Eeklo, will work along with main shareholder Zdenek Bakala and former authorized advisor Auret Van Zyl. From the sidelines, Lefevere will even stay concerned with ‘The Wolfpack’ in his function as honorary board member.
The workforce proprietor Zdenek Bakala
“I need to begin by thanking Patrick for his dedication and fervour in making Soudal Fast-Step the workforce it’s at the moment,” says workforce proprietor Zdenek Bakala in a workforce press launch. “Patrick has typically talked concerning the exhausting work of his staff and the riders, however that’s inspired by the figurehead on the high and we should always not underestimate how Patrick has constructed a tradition wherein these riders and staff can thrive. Nevertheless, we all know that in some unspecified time in the future every little thing adjustments and we really feel that that is the proper time to make these structural adjustments within the administration of our workforce. With this transition, I present my dedication to the long-term way forward for the workforce and to making sure a shiny future for Soudal Fast-Step.” Jurgen Foré entered the world of consultancy in his twenties and labored for a number of giant, multinational corporations. The Belgian is definitely no stranger to the biking world, having labored with Flanders Classics and Lotto-Dstny up to now. He additionally grew up in an actual biking household. His father Noël was among the best cyclists in Belgium within the Fifties and Nineteen Sixties, successful the Tour of Flanders, Paris-Roubaix and Gent-Wevelgem and different races.
Evenepoel and Jurgen Foré
“I’m extremely proud to take over as CEO of this historic workforce,” Foré, the brand new CEO mentioned. “Patrick has been a figurehead in skilled biking, for whom everybody has lots of respect and admiration. He has been in a position to construct a stable basis and stability that has seen this workforce develop for over 20 years. I want to personally thank him for the help he has given me during the last 12 months since I joined the workforce. I perceive and really feel how particular this organisation is and I’ll do every little thing I can to make sure it. I’ll now lead this workforce and work to safe its long-term future. I’ve been concerned in biking in varied roles and as a part of the workforce’s administration and I’m assured that by combining this with my expertise within the enterprise world, it can allow me to construct a construction that may take Soudal Fast-Step from power to power.”
Is Remco Evenepoel in the way forward for Soudal Fast-Step
What does the Future Maintain for Retiring Patrick Lefevere?
After a whole bunch of victories, Patrick Lefevere will step down as workforce supervisor of Soudal Fast-Step on 31 December 2024. After greater than twenty years, Lefevere will hand over the baton to Jurgen Foré. This marks the tip of an period. Why now? “I will probably be 70 in January after which I’ll have an extended story behind me. I really feel it’s time to cease,” he informed Het Nieuwsblad. “I’ve executed sufficient, for myself and the workforce. After 45 years in biking, it’s okay. Zdenek Bakala and I made this determination collectively a couple of weeks in the past. This had been simmering for some time, we didn’t rush into issues.” Lefevere consciously selected to announce his departure earlier than the 2025 season. “The 12 months is over. I didn’t need to go away in the course of the season. The workforce has expanded and turn into too large for me alone. Aside from a couple of folks, nobody knew about my departure. What is going to I miss the least? I hated flying. The seek for sponsors was additionally not simple. Generally we solely had certainty for one 12 months, that isn’t the case now.”
Retirement awaits Patrick Lefevere
Does Lefevere know what he’ll do when he’s now not workforce supervisor? “I fought for this workforce and I definitely don’t need to see it disappear. Everybody is aware of that I can typically present pit-bull behaviour when my workforce is touched. So far as my well being is worried, I ought to really stay a bit more healthy. However that is simply my way of life. Now I do plan to decelerate a bit, however I’ll undoubtedly keep energetic. I’m not the individual I used to be ten years in the past. With the ladies, the workforce would have turn into too large for me.”
We received’t see this once more
Patrick Lefevere Will Proceed to Write his Column
Patrick Lefevere might now not be the workforce boss of Soudal Fast-Step, however his, typically forthright, opinion will nonetheless be heard as he’ll proceed to jot down his column for Het Nieuwsblad, which could be learn weekly within the newspaper from the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad onwards. “And they’re getting even higher,” Lefevere informed the Flemish newspaper. Lately, the columns have been controversial a number of instances, particularly once they had been about his workforce chief Remco Evenepoel or the autumn out with Julian Alaphilippe and the newest developments in biking. Evenepoel himself may snort at Lefevere’s column, which he reads commonly. “Sure, each Saturday. At all times an thrilling second. I hope each time that it’s not about me,” he mentioned on the Flandrien awards gala.
Remco all the time reads Lefevere’s column
Lefevere lately wrote of his displeasure with the supervisor of the Purple Bull-BORA-hansgrohe workforce. Lefevere wrote that he was not proud of Ralph Denk’s makes an attempt to purchase Evenepoel away. “Have you learnt my pal Ralph Denk? He has executed the identical factor twice: he provides a contract with very excessive bonuses, which isn’t executed with riders below contract. He had already executed that 4 years in the past and now once more. Final week I heard that he additionally visited Tom Pidcock. Denk, I don’t like him.”
It should all the time be attention-grabbing to listen to the views of Lefevere and now he doesn’t have to fret about saying the unsuitable factor… if he ever did?
Crew media day in Calpe
On a private observe, I met Patrick Lefevere on many events. The Belgian was good associates with the late Paul Sherwen, my outdated workforce boss. So, at many races in Belgium and the highest races within the UK, we might meet up with Patrick. He was then a DS with the Domex–Weinmann workforce, Mathieu van der Poel’s father, Adrie was one in all his riders. I additionally bear in mind being at De Ronde within the 90s, I had parked up at a street junction early within the race to see the peloton move. Patrick had additionally stopped there in a Mapei automotive, after our hellos he mentioned, ‘meet who I’ve within the automotive’, it was Felice Gimondi. Now as a PEZ-man, I’ve solely missed one Fast-Step workforce media day (covid 12 months) since 2003. Patrick Lefevere – At all times pleasant, however all the time skilled.
Patrick Lefevere – The tip of an period
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