Soudal Quick-Step have announced a change to its management structure, which will see Patrick Lefevere step down as its CEO on December 31st, 2024. Under the new arrangement, the current COO Jurgen Foré will step up to CEO and is to take charge of the running of the team on a day-to-day basis.
Foré joined the team in early 2024, having had a long career in business with his last position being as a partner with Deloitte. He steps-up to the role of CEO, fostering his relationships with the team and its sponsors and partners, that he has built up over the last 12 months while serving as COO. He will continue strengthening the sportive, commercial and operational processes of the team, working together with our riders, staff, sponsors and partners.
Foré will be working as part of an executive board, which will be made up of majority shareholder Zdenek Bakala and Auret Van Zyl, who has for a long time been the team’s legal counsel and brings a wealth of experience from within the cycling industry. Lefevere will also be part of the new structure as an honorary board member. The board’s focus will be on evolving the team’s strategy going forewords.
Patrick Lefevere founded Soudal Quick-Step in 2003, combining his insight of the sport of cycling with a knowledge of economics and business that he picked up as an accountant, to build what was to become the most successful team in professional cycling. Under Lefevere’s stewardship the team has reached almost 1000 victories, which includes 22 Monuments, 1 Grand Tour and 124 Grand Tour stages, 3 Olympic gold medals, 19 World Championship golds, and 4 European Championships, as well as countless other races.
More than just the eye-catching results, Lefevere fostered a family feel and loyalty base within the team, which is almost unique within a sport of such a transient nature. The team earned the moniker of ‘The Wolfpack’ as they are famed for its team spirit and willing to race as a collective, who were prepared to go in to battle for each other. The atmosphere within in the team is demonstrated when examining the team’s staff list, many of whom have been loyal to the team since the very early days of its existence.
Speaking of the changes, Soudal Quick-Step majority shareholder Mr Zdenek Bakala said: “I would like to start by thanking Patrick for his dedication and passion in making Soudal Quick-Step the team it is today. Patrick has often spoken of the hard work of his staff and the riders, but that is fostered by the figure head at the top and we should not underestimate the way Patrick has built a culture that allows those riders and staff to thrive.
However, we know that at some point all things change and we feel that this is the right time to make these structural changes to our team’s management, which have been made with the agreement of all parties. With this transition I demonstrate my commitment to the long-term future of the team and ensuring a bright future for Soudal Quick-Step.”
Outgoing CEO Patrick Lefevere said: “It is a life changing moment to leave a role that I have committed so much of my life to. Cycling is a sport that I am still deeply passionate about, and it has been a great honour to head up this beautiful team and make so many special memories.
But I felt that it was the right moment for this change. When I started to work with Jurgen one year ago, it was with a view to smoothing out the transition for when I would eventually leave. I have seen how his relationships with our sponsors and partners, as well as the team’s internal stakeholders has grown over the last 12 months, and I know that with Jurgen taking over as CEO and with the board’s backing, that this team has a bright future.
There are countless people that I need to thank, far too many to mention individually, but there are of course my family, the team’s talented riders, our dedicated staff, our loyal sponsors, all of which is backed by the generosity and support of our team owner Mr. Zdenek Bakala.”
New Soudal Quick-Step CEO Jurgen Foré said: “I am extremely proud to take over as CEO of this historic team. Patrick Lefevere has been a figurehead in professional cycling, who all have great respect and admiration for. He has been able to build a firm base and stability that has seen this team grow for over two decades. I would like to personally thank him for the support that he has given me over the past 12 months since I joined the team. I understand and feel how special this organisation is, and I will do everything in my power to take care of it.
I will now look to lead this team, working towards securing its long-term future. I have been involved in cycling in several roles and as part of the team’s management and I am confident that by combining this with my experience in business, it will allow me to build a structure that can take Soudal Quick-Step from strength to strength.”
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