"It could actually have been fatal": Patrick Lefevere opens up after a life-threatening health scare
Cycling
Patrick Lefevere has spoken publicly for the first time about the serious health crisis that saw him hospitalised for 24 days last November. The 70-year-old Belgian, who stepped down as CEO of Soudal - Quick-Step at the end of 2024, revealed that doctors discovered a large liver abscess following a fall at home.
What happened to Lefevere?
“I came in with broken ribs after falling down the stairs, but they also diagnosed pneumonia,” Lefevere explained in an interview to HLN. Further examinations uncovered an abscess of 10 to 12 centimetres on his liver, from which doctors drained “about 400 cc, like a filled bottle of cola, of blood.”
The seriousness of the situation quickly became clear. “It could actually have been fatal when I read everything afterwards,” Lefevere said. “I also suffered blood poisoning twice. Such a septic attack is life-threatening.”
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Doctors were unable to determine how the abscess developed. “It was on my liver, but it had nothing to do with my liver,” Lefevere clarified. “They did a biopsy and it was perfectly healthy. They don’t know how the abscess got there. It was a bacterium, and it simply needed time to heal.”
The consequences of his extended stay in hospital were significant. Lefevere lost around 10 kilograms, is undergoing daily physiotherapy, and still struggles with mobility. “I’m not allowed to drink alcohol for six months because of the blood thinners and antibiotics,” he added.
He also confirmed that the episode was deliberately kept out of the public eye. “It stayed out of the media for a long time, exactly as I had asked. For that, my sincere thanks. You don’t gain anything by making it public.”
Looking ahead to a slower pace of life
Now recovering, Lefevere admits his retirement has not started as he had imagined. “First of all, I need rest. A trip now and then,” he said. “I’m allowed to fly, but I have to inject myself to reduce the risk of thrombosis. It will be life at a slower pace.”
Despite the setback, he remains optimistic about the future. “I’m looking forward to quietly becoming the old me again in 2026.”
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Félix SernaCycling Journalist
Félix Serna is a writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2025. He covers professional cycling across both the men’s and women’s calendars, with a focus on UCI rankings, race developments, and rider performance. His work includes interview-based reports, liveblogs, and tournament coverage designed to provide clear, accurate context throughout the season.
In his reporting, Félix regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical reference. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. He holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies.
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- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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