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."
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- Well that was boring and predictable. Let's hope that the men's race is a little more exciting.
santiagobenites22-03-2025 - Exactly, my thought too. Ganna is multi-talented, but a great descender he is not. He was gapped and overtook on the descend by Pidcock last year.
KerisVroom22-03-2025 - You nailed it Mr S.Cyclingsbestfan22-03-2025
- Now everybody knows about it Mads! Compressed brocoli? I know it is supposed to be good for you, but is high on my list of least favourite vegetablesCyclingsbestfan22-03-2025
- Again Armstrong posts get so much more response than any other posts on this site, and it is you guys that are making it easy for them to post more about Armstrong. Just check over the last 6 months and you will see the response is over 10x over other posts. Stop complaining and do not post or hit the like button, you are playing right into there hands.
Senna196022-03-2025 - i realize that Tommy knows VOLUMES more about his craft than i do, and i realize he maybe wasn’t bothering to give the most highly thought out answers of all time here, BUT… if mathieu gets to the TOP of the poggio first, how exactly is it that GANNA gets to the BOTTOM ahead of him? maybe the “frame pump in the spokes” trick from Breaking Away? ganna isn’t exactly what you’d call a gifted descender, and i’ve noticed mvdp is a PRETTY DECENT bike handler at any speed, not too shabby at cornering and accelerating… I’m glad tom feels good, though. it’ll be a really fun race. (but if van der poel DOES get to the top first, it’s over.)OCexile21-03-2025
- Don't think patience is something Tadej understands, he'll go when he feels its right to goslappers6621-03-2025
- And the final answer is …….MAYBE!mobk21-03-2025
- Agreed. Am Slovenian but she's strange rider, either the terrain fully suits her and she can be a leader or she's completely useless riding at the backvappaxbipmv21-03-2025
- My thoughts as well. The constant insertion of Armstrong, Bruyneel and even Hincrapie into news stories tends to give it away.
ScottG21-03-2025