Patrick Lefevere takes time to reflect on 20 years leading Soudal - Quick-Step: "My adventure started in 1992 and didn't stop until last year"
Cycling
In early December, Patrick Lefevere officially stepped down
from his role after more than two decades at the helm of the Soudal -
Quick-Step team. Lefevere’s leadership, spanning over 20 years, shaped the team
into one of cycling’s most iconic outfits.
As the 2025 season begins without Lefevere in charge, the
former CEO of Soudal - Quick-Step reflected on his transition to a new chapter.
"The world keeps turning without me. I'm trying to adapt to the new
life," he told Sporza. "I can't pick out one moment from my
career. The most important thing is that I've managed to stay at the top for so
long."
"My adventure started in 1992 and didn't stop until
last year,” he added, highlighting his enduring presence in cycling.
Reflecting on his longevity, Lefevere said, "Maybe the
reason I've held on for so long is because I don't deteriorate quickly. I've
been in a few wars or fought them myself when necessary. They tried to tackle
me without the ball, but it didn't work."
Discussing the challenges he faced over the years, Lefevere
noted, "First of all, looking for sponsors every time and being
responsible for so many people. I myself have been quite ill. I overcame that
and I got back on my feet. My story is one of falling and getting back
up."
Under his leadership, Soudal - Quick-Step evolved from a
classics-focused team into a squad capable of competing in Grand Tours.
"There was always quality and quantity, but last year there was more
quality. Everyone said I would never be able to transform a classic team into a
tour team. We managed to do that somehow. Now we are told that we were a bit
pale in the Flemish races. That is never good," he grinned.
Lefevere also touched on the growing challenges in
professional cycling, particularly financial disparities. "Just start when
you have to compete against teams with a budget of 50 million, right?" he
remarked.
Despite his successes, Lefevere expressed some frustration
with the sport's globalisation and its missed opportunities. "I fought for
the globalization of racing 20 years ago. After a while you get a bit tired of
it. There are younger and more international sports that have passed us by. We
have not taken that step. Out of patriotism and self-interest. Organisers, or
the UCI, who look too much at themselves and do not think about the general
interest."
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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