The Patrick Lefevere Depreciation Thread

[Tim Cahill]

Patrick Lefevere Statement | Soudal Quick-Step Pro Cycling Team

A message from our team's CEO.

www.soudal-quickstepteam.com

A message from our team's CEO.

On Thursday March 14th 2024, I was informed that the UCI Ethics Commission decided that 2 statements I made were in violation with the UCI ethical code. The commission refers to 2 statements I made: one in an article dd. July 3th, 2021 in ‘Het Nieuwsblad’, and one in a TV-interview dd. March 8th, 2023 in ‘De Afspraak’.

With this statement, I want to make clear that I accept the decision of the UCI Ethics Commission.

I acknowledge that the sentences referred to can be perceived in a doubtful way. It was never my intention to harm anyone, and therefore I apologize. I apologize explicitly to the UCI, the UCI Ethics Commission and to all persons concerned or who have perceived these statements in a harmful way.

The way our teams work, should also offer proof that it was never my intention to offend or harm anybody: today we employ 74 riders and 106 full time staff members, both men and women, in a diverse and inclusive work-environment with no distinction in terms of origin, gender or background. In this way, we will continue our journey.

Patrick Lefevere

 

[scribers]

Is this Alaphilippe/ Lefevre long separation and divorce the nuttiest cycling soap opera ever?

 

[Lequack]

He's got some more criticism to dish around

The Belgian was not very complimentary about Jan Hirt and Fausto Masnada. “Fausto did not give us much satisfaction, that had to do with injuries but also with his stubborn behaviour in the race,” he said in his column in Het Nieuwsblad. “In 2021 he ignored Bramati’s instructions and raced for Pogacar,” he cited as an example.
In the same text, Lefevere commented that Asgreen had accepted a salary reduction because what he was receiving was a lot compared to his performances, but then there was no agreement and the classicist will leave

Lefevere carga contra dos gregarios que se van del equipo - Ciclismo Internacional

Si hay alguien que alimenta a la prensa es Patrick Lefevere, que declara constantemente sin...

ciclismointernacional.com

 

[Logic-is-your-friend]

He's got some more criticism to dish around

The Belgian was not very complimentary about Jan Hirt and Fausto Masnada. “Fausto did not give us much satisfaction, that had to do with injuries but also with his stubborn behaviour in the race,” he said in his column in Het Nieuwsblad. “In 2021 he ignored Bramati’s instructions and raced for Pogacar,” he cited as an example.
In the same text, Lefevere commented that Asgreen had accepted a salary reduction because what he was receiving was a lot compared to his performances, but then there was no agreement and the classicist will leave

Lefevere carga contra dos gregarios que se van del equipo - Ciclismo Internacional

Si hay alguien que alimenta a la prensa es Patrick Lefevere, que declara constantemente sin...

ciclismointernacional.com

The criticism towards Masnada was that he "cooperated" with Pogacar, while he was told not to. Not only was it dumb, it was also against direct instructions of his DS.

His criticism towards Hirt was that the team wanted him to stay, Hirt also wanted to stay, but his manager told him not to and he listened to his manager.

 

[Ilmaestro99]

Ok he crossed a line for me this time

 

[veganrob]

Lefevere has become a caricature of a bad team owner. Hope Remco leaves

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

So a lot of the talk about the 'merger' last year was about Lefevre being ready to retire. 12 months later, has the thought of spending more time at home lost its appeal? Did he decide that gardening, boules and looking after the grandchildren is not what he wants after all?

Does he have a designated successor?

 

[Berniece]

Lefevere has become a caricature of a bad team owner. Hope Remco leaves

What did he do this time?

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

Does he have a designated successor?

Jürgen Fore was appointed COO at the start of the season and is the likely successor.

I find the aura around Lefevre very interesting. People normally complains that owner of sport teams often are not transparent at all, and when it comes to Lefevre he’s being very transparent and every time people react negatively, even the times there isn’t any controversial things being said. Fascinating.

 

[rghysens]

Lefevere has become a caricature of a bad team owner. Hope Remco leaves

Lefevere isn´t a team owner. That´s Bakala (for 80% of the shares). Lefevere just has to manage the whole thing, while being confronted with a reduced budget, some riders with a big salary compared to how they performed the last 2 years and increasing demands of the star of the team.

 

[shadowrider]

Ok he crossed a line for me this time

Why ? Have you read the entire article ? I don't think so. Lefevere was very pragmatic and respectful.

 

[shadowrider]

Jürgen Fore was appointed COO at the start of the season and is the likely successor.

I find the aura around Lefevre very interesting. People normally complains that owner of sport teams often are not transparent at all, and when it comes to Lefevre he’s being very transparent and every time people react negatively, even the times there isn’t any controversial things being said. Fascinating.

Indeed. Classical hate and troll attitude by frustrated third-rate Trappist drinking cycling tourists.

 

[Berniece]

Why ? Have you read the entire article ? I don't think so. Lefevere was very pragmatic and respectful.

It was a joke, because he slightly said something bad about Masnada

 

[veganrob]

What did he do this time?

He loves to create controversy. It makes no sense to talk trash about his own riders. they won't want to ride for him.

 

[Berniece]

He loves to create controversy. It makes no sense to talk trash about his own riders. they won't want to ride for him.

So what was so controversial about what he said now?

 

[Netserk]

People normally complains that owner of sport teams often are not transparent at all

They do?

I don't think I ever hear of such complaints.

 

[Eddy Evenepoel]

They do?

I don't think I ever hear of such complaints.

In a couple of sports I follow close, for example English and Norwegian football and national teams in XC-skiing, this happens on a regular basis.

 

[peterfin]

He loves to create controversy. It makes no sense to talk trash about his own riders. they won't want to ride for him.

He is outspoken but he doesn't talk trash. There are obviously many that want to ride for him. There are even guys that come back (Cavendish, Schachmann ...).

 

[Lequack]

Well, he's done it now. Quit the job.

Egads! Patrick Lefevere is stepping down from Soudal Quick-Step - Canadian Cycling Magazine

The founder and CEO of one of the longest-running professional teams is stepping down Egads! Patrick Lefevere is stepping down from Soudal Quick-Step

cyclingmagazine.ca

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Well, he's done it now. Quit the job.

Egads! Patrick Lefevere is stepping down from Soudal Quick-Step - Canadian Cycling Magazine

The founder and CEO of one of the longest-running professional teams is stepping down Egads! Patrick Lefevere is stepping down from Soudal Quick-Step

cyclingmagazine.ca

I thought about merging the threads: I'll just post this link to it instead.

 

[Tymek]

It’s sad that Lefevere departures from cycling. I’ll mis him. Unfortunately you can’t just jumpover your age… He definitely was/is one of the most recognizable person from the cycling community despite his unusal style of communication with riders, organizers of races or UCI . I’ll miss him. You probably wonder why I say only good words about somebody who is very controversial…

So here is background of my words…
I’ve met Lefevere on the last TdF, in Italy. He seemed like a very chill and nice guy. I’ve talked to him and he was suprisingly very open.
I even have photo with him. As you can see (or should I write read😅)…
The image in the media is the one thing. The reality is the other one.

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

Whatever. Good riddance. Dude was an albatross around the cycling's neck. He can GFH.

 

[Gratemans]

Whatever. Good riddance. Dude was an albatross around the cycling's neck. He can GFH.

Well ok, settle down there.
Like I said in the other topic, it's colourful characters that make sports great. Pat was one of those. Yes he's a d***, but I vastly prefer his bs and controversies over media-trained obediant goody-two-shoes.

 

[Armchair Cyclist]

Let's try to avoid forked content: please put reactions to his retirement in that thread (linked 3 posts up)