Lefevere and his successor explain the details related to Remco Evenepoel’s potential departure

Remco Evenepoel is leaving? Or not? Or is it? Or maybe not? In recent months, whole books have been written about the future of the Belgian, but in the end, he committed to the Soudal-Quick Step. He usually serves out his ongoing contract with the Belgian formation until the end of 2026. But what was exactly going on in the background? Retiring CEO Patrick Lefevere and his successor Jurgen Foré explain it to HLN.

The still only 24-year-old Evenepoel has been riding for Soudal-Quick Step for his entire career since turning pro in 2019. However, several teams have been linked to him since that breakthrough. INEOS Grenadiers had long been a strong candidate, and last winter; there was speculation for weeks about a deal between The Wolfpack and Visma | Lease a Bike.

With Red Bull's millions, Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe was added in 2024. The German team always stated that a rider can only be committed transfer-free. That was not the case with Evenepoel. Yet Lefevere insists there have been discussions. "They were talking, but they never made a final agreement."

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Remco Evenepoel

What was the role of dad Evenepoel?

The role of father Patrick Evenepoel as his son's representative has given Lefevere a lot of gray hairs. "But dad Evenepoel is not going to decide what happens to our team, is he? Yes, we've had a few arguments. Don't you ever have those with your wife? 'Yes? Ha, thank you. With us, that was tossed out in public. He said something, I replied, but that didn't bother me at all."

Lefevere refers to statements made by father Patrick in 2023, where a departure from Soudal-Quick Step suddenly became very real. Son Remco had to step in to stop the arguing in the media between Lefevere and his father. Meanwhile, the two are getting along again. "I can show you the beautiful WhatsApp messages I received when I announced my farewell and, most recently, my 70th birthday."

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Father Patrick (left), Lefevere and Remco (right) at a dinner party

The majority shareholders made the final decision

That Evenepoel ultimately stayed with Soudal-Quick Step and that there was no fusion with Visma | Lease a Bike was due to majority shareholder Zdenek Bakala, according to Lefevere. The cycling team's Czech owner made the decision. "The staff was worried. People who were paying off a house, those who have children ... At one point Bakala said, 'Now it's done.'"

The Czech nourished clarity to ensure that Lefevere could continue with Evenepoel. "We can't afford any sponsors to be dissatisfied or drop out. Yes, they commit to a team, but we should not deny that Remco's presence is super important."

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Patrick Lefevere

New CEO Soudal-Quick Step does not consider Evenepoel sacred

With Foré at the helm of the team, things will change. The Belgian emphasizes that Evenepoel is not sacred. "No sponsor is connected to one rider. I don't want to say much more about that. There is a time to discuss contracts and focus on the sports aspect. If there is constant noise, the sponsors sometimes make themselves heard and rightly demand clarity."

"Of course, a team builds a project around riders. And if one of the star riders were to leave.... 'yes, that is a dangerous situation," Foré acknowledges, but: "Remco turned pro here and has been riding here for six years. Then, I can assume that at some point, a feeling arises that things will be better, newer, or different elsewhere. But day after day, month after month, year after year, we try to raise our bar. I am convinced that we are one of the best - read: most professional - teams in the WorldTour."

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Evenepoel sidelined for now with injury

A transfer will certainly not be a priority in the coming months, as Evenepoel is currently sidelined with a nasty injury. After a crash during training, he is recovering from fractures in his shoulder, among other injuries. The earliest we will see him in the Ardennes Classics is mid-April, but there is still a lot of uncertainty.

Until then, Soudal-Quick Step will play other leaders in the stage races, particularly Mikel Landa and Ilan Van Wilder. Meanwhile, Evenepoel is trying to enjoy himself without his bike and was spotted dancing at the Wielergala in Belgium, where he was voted Sportsman of the Year.  

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