“I am not God. Otherwise the world would be a much better place” - Patrick Lefevere starts new life in retirement

Having been the creator of the team more than two decades ago, Patrick Lefevere stepped back from his duties at Soudal - Quick-Step towards the end of 2024. Never afraid to speak his mind, often controversial but unquestionably successful, Lefevere has cemented his place in cycling history.

Old-school in his methods, Lefevere has been the subject of increasingly vocal criticism over more recent years for his treatment of riders such as Sam Bennett and Julian Alaphilippe among others. In conversation with De Standaard Lefevere comments: “Maybe I will have a small backlash, I have already calculated that," he admits. "I am a fairly down-to-earth man, so I am not afraid of the future."

The fact that Lefevere has overcome his own challenges over the years means he's now keen to try and enjoy his life and his newfound freedom in retirement. "I know that a man's life is only 78 years on average. If I take the meter, I still have eight centimetres left," he says. "What I have survived, I have survived. First a pancreatic tumour. And then I was one of the first covid patients who have been so seriously ill. I realize that I will not be able to do that five times. Maybe not even three times. I am not God. Otherwise the world would look a lot better.”

So what of his plans for retirement? “I’m going for a walk. I’d like to play cards with friends somewhere, have dinner... But yes, that too shall pass. I have business friends who warned me about that: in the beginning everyone likes you, but after a year of retirement you’re not asked anywhere anymore. I’ve even taken that into account,” he previews. “Jurgen Fore (his Soudal - Quick-Step replacement ed.) asked me to come to the media day in Calpe on January 9. Actually, I didn’t want to. If I ever lay down my head, I want the project to continue after me. I’m no different than a businessman who sets up a factory and then leaves it. But I am proud, you know. When I see people in the support vehicle in half of all the cars who worked for me or raced for me: that’s the greatest compliment.”