The Belgian will be the team's seventh sports director as of next year.
Quick-Step Floors and Klaas Lodewyck have reached an agreement that will see the 30-year-old be part of the current World Tour leader's technical staff starting from 2019. A pro between 2009 and 2015, a period during which he has shown his skills especially in one-day races, posting top 10 results in Paris-Tours, Challenge Mallorca, Handzame Classic or Nokere Koerse, Klaas was forced to retire due to health problems three years ago, but has since forged another road in cycling, which ultimately led him to Quick-Step Floors.
"I am super excited to join the team, one of the best in the world, not only because of the success and many victories, but also because the mentality everybody has and the way they go through fire for each other and work together as a team. I am still quite young and very motivated for this role. I hope and believe I can add value to the group of experienced sports directors and be someone the riders can trust."
Klaas, who got to ride four Grand Tours and ten Monuments before calling time on his pro career, can't wait to get things started with the team as early as next week, when the riders and staff will meet in Belgium for the launch of "The Wolfpack: 365 days on the road" photo book.
"I've spent four years as a rider with BMC, then two as sports director for the development team and this year full-time sports director for the World Tour team. It has been an amazing ride that I am grateful for, but when the opportunity to join what will be Deceuninck – Quick-Step next year came me way, I simply had to grab it with both hands. I am looking forward to get started and plan out what will be an exciting 2019 season for the team", concluded Lodewyck, who will join the existing group of sports directors, comprising Davide Bramati, Brian Holm, Wilfried Peeters, Tom Steels, Geert Van Bondt and Rik van Slycke.
"Klaas is someone we know well ever since his days as a pro and are glad to have on board as of next year. He is a young guy, but experienced despite his age, and I am confident he will fit well and play an important role in helping our team remain at the top next season", said Quick-Step Floors CEO Patrick Lefevere.
Photo credit: ©Sigfrid Eggers
