Soudal Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere to step down at the end of the year with COO Jurgen Fore to take over
Published 10/12/2024 at 20:27 GMT
Jurgen Fore will take over as the Soudal Quick-Step CEO in the new year. The 54-year-old will replace legendary figure Patrick Lefevere, who has announced he will be standing down on December 31, over 20 years after founding the team back in 2003. Lefevere says it is the "right time" for him to move on, while Fore, who had been the team's COO, says he is "proud" to be taking on the position.
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Soudal Quick-Step have confirmed that CEO Patrick Lefevere will stand down at the end of the year.
The Belgian founded the team back in 2003.
Since then, they have registered nearly 1,000 race victories, including 19 World Championship titles, three Olympic gold medals and four European Championships.
They have also crossed the finish line first on 124 Grand Tour stages, winning one event.
But Lefevere, 69, has decided it is the right moment to move on.
"It is a life-changing moment to leave a role that I have committed so much of my life to," he told the Soudal Quick-Step website.
"Cycling is a sport that I am still deeply passionate about, and it has been a great honour to head up this beautiful team and make so many special memories."
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Lefevere, himself a former cyclist who won an individual stage at the 1978 Vuelta a Espana, will be replaced by Jurgen Fore, who was appointed COO earlier this year.
The 54-year-old, also from Belgium, has previously been a partner at Deloitte.
He will be working as part of the executive board, to which Lefevere has also been appointed as an honorary member.
"I felt that it was the right moment for this change," Lefevere continued. "When I started to work with Jurgen [Fore] one year ago, it was with a view to smoothing out the transition for when I would eventually leave.
"I have seen how his relationships with our sponsors and partners, as well as the team’s internal stakeholders, has grown over the last 12 months.
"I know that with Jurgen taking over as CEO and with the board’s backing, that this team has a bright future."
Two-time Olympic gold medal winner Remco Evenepoel is part of the Soudal Quick-Step roster.
Although he has recently undergone surgery, next season could still be an exciting one for the team.
Fore said: "I am extremely proud to take over as CEO of this historic team. Patrick Lefevere has been a figurehead in professional cycling, who all have great respect and admiration for.
"He has been able to build a firm base and stability that has seen this team grow for over two decades.
"I would like to personally thank him for the support that he has given me over the past 12 months since I joined the team.
"I understand and feel how special this organisation is, and I will do everything in my power to take care of it.
"I will now look to lead this team, working towards securing its long-term future.
"I have been involved in cycling in several roles and as part of the team’s management, and I am confident that by combining this with my experience in business, it will allow me to build a structure that can take Soudal Quick-Step from strength to strength."
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