Experience goes a long way in the peloton and it pays off for Dries Devenyns. The Soudal - Quick-Step rider is retiring from the sport at the end of this season, but from 2024 onwards he will continue to lead the team, only now in the car behind the riders.
“Dries has been an important part of the team in all these years, he is a person who carries that Wolfpack spirit and who we are proud to call a friend. We are delighted that he will continue with us as a sports director this time, as we enter our 22nd season," Patrick Lefevere announced in a press release. "It will be a new challenge for him, but he loves the sport, he is very passionate about it, and we are confident and excited as we begin this new adventure together."
The 40-year old was one of the backbones of the team throughout the past few years. Turning pro in 2007, he rode for the Belgian team from 2009 to 2013 and then returned in 2017 all the way until current days, where he ends his career on the bike. A very experienced rider, he has over the past years devoted himself as a domestique, most notably being Julian Alaphilippe's right-hand man during his golden years. The Belgian has 14 Grand Tours and 27 monuments worth of experience, alongside many years riding alongside the riders he will now guide. An ideal figure to lead the team through the hilly classics when it comes to it's tactics.
“I’m very happy and proud! This is a team I’ve always been part of, and to continue the story here… I couldn’t be happier. It wasn’t easy to stop my pro career, but I was fortunate to get this chance, which I grabbed with both hands, and I want to thank everyone here for their confidence," Devenyns said. The Belgian team anticipated this move, they were aware of the value Devenyns continues to have despite having past what was the strongest period of his career, and whilst he will no longer continue in the peloton, he finds a place of great importance within the team. He will also support the development team and occasionally be a DS for the younger riders coming up the ranks.
"My family is happy and supportive, and can’t wait to see me in this new role. I am looking forward to learning from the other sports directors and to being involved in the development team, which had an amazing season in 2023. There are a lot of talented young riders there. I want to help them discover their potential and make significant progress, so that they eventually make it to the World Tour squad," he continues. "I am excited to be part of both teams next season as I begin this new road and learn what it means to be a sports director."
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