Soudal-QuickStep’s iconic CEO, Patrick Lefevere, will retire at the end of 2024, marking the conclusion of a two-decade leadership at the Belgian cycling team. Originally slated to step down in 2025, Lefevere’s departure will occur a year earlier than expected, with Chief Operating Officer (COO) Jurgen Foré stepping up to succeed him.
Lefevere, who has been the driving force behind the team’s success for over 20 years, had announced in 2023 that Foré would transition gradually into the CEO role. However, the handover will now take place by the end of this year, with Lefevere continuing to serve as an honorary board member.
“For me, this is a life-changing moment,” Lefevere said in a press release. “Cycling has been my passion for decades, and leading this team has been a tremendous honor. It’s time for a change, and I believe Jurgen is the right person to carry the team into the future.”
Lefevere praised Foré’s work over the past year, highlighting his strong relationships with sponsors and stakeholders as key factors in the team’s continued success. Foré will take on the CEO role, joining shareholder Zdenek Bakala and legal counsel Auret Van Zyl on the executive board.
Bakala also expressed his gratitude to Lefevere for his unparalleled leadership. “Patrick’s dedication has been the foundation of our success, and he has built a culture that has allowed both our riders and staff to excel,” Bakala said. “This transition, though bittersweet, will secure the team’s long-term future.”
Lefevere’s legacy includes nearly 1,000 victories across various cycling disciplines, with standout achievements such as 19 world titles and 22 Monument victories. He has worked with legendary riders like Johan Museeuw, Paolo Bettini, Tom Boonen, Julian Alaphilippe, and Remco Evenepoel, leading the team to significant triumphs, including Evenepoel’s 2022 Vuelta a España win.
Foré, who has been with the team for over a year, now faces the task of steering Soudal-QuickStep through a new era. “I deeply respect Patrick and the stability he has created here,” Foré remarked. “I am committed to ensuring the team’s continued success by leveraging my experience in cycling and business.”
The transition comes amid strategic shifts within the team, as Soudal-QuickStep shifts focus toward supporting Evenepoel in his pursuit of the Tour de France. While the team has made several key signings for the 2025 season, it will lose some prominent riders, including Alaphilippe and 2021 Tour of Flanders winner Kasper Asgreen.
As Lefevere steps down, Soudal-QuickStep embarks on a new chapter, with Foré at the helm, as the team looks to maintain its legacy of excellence in professional cycling.
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