Patrick Lefevere to step down as CEO of Soudal Quick-Step cycling team
Patrick Lefevere will step down as CEO of the Belgian cycling team Soudal Quick-Step at the end of December. Current COO Jurgen Foré will take over his duties, the team announced on Tuesday evening.
Although Lefevere had indicated some time ago that he would step down at some point, his resignation still came as a surprise. He cited his age as the main reason for his departure.
"On 6 January I am turning 70. I have been in cycling for a long time and I have done enough for myself and the team," Lefevere said at a press conference on Wednesday. "The team has grown and become very big. Maybe even a bit too big for me."
"I have been in cycling for a long time and I have done enough for myself and the team"
Lefevere will not be leaving the team and cycling altogether. "I'm not going to stop everything, I want to make that clear," he said. "I'm going to stay active for a bit longer."
1,000 victories
After a brief career as a professional cyclist in the 1970s, Lefevere continued his work in the sport as a manager. After working for teams such as TVM, Lotto and Mapei, he joined Quick-Step in 2003, where he would enjoy his greatest successes.
Under Lefevere's leadership, Quick-Step claimed nearly 1,000 victories, including 22 "monument" races, one grand tour and 124 stage wins in a grand tour. He is widely regarded as one of the most successful managers in cycling history.
These are big shoes to fill for Foré, the team's COO. But Lefevere is confident in the team's future. "I know that with Jurgen as CEO and the support of the board, this team has a bright future ahead of it," he said.
#FlandersNewsService | © BELGA PHOTO JASPER JACOBS
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