Soudal Quick-Step’s CEO talks about the team’s remarkable 2023 season and his expectations for this year.
“Every new year brings a new beginning and perhaps never more so as now, as we embark on our 22nd consecutive season. Last season, we were once again one of the best teams in the world, as evidenced by our more than 50 victories. It was a performance that made us incredibly happy, because it showed not just quantity but also quality – a Monument, half a dozen Grand Tour stages, the ITT World Championships and plenty of other prestigious races.
It was a strong year not just for Soudal Quick-Step, but also for our women’s team – who displayed the Wolfpack mentality in every single race they did last season and got a well-deserved promotion to the World Tour – and our devo team, which showed a lot of depth as they captured almost 30 wins.
After a turbulent autumn, there have been some changes within the team, with a turnover of staff and riders that is part of the cycle of any professional cycling team. The appointment of Jurgen Foré as our Chief Operating Officer has caught many an eye, and I am looking forward to working with Jurgen on building structures and processes that will keep us fighting to be one of the best cycling teams in the world for many years to come.
On the bike we will have a fresh feel too, with ten new riders joining us. They range from the experience of Mikel Landa and Gianni Moscon, who will bolster our Grand Tour and Classics squads respectively, to the six neo-pros that will give us a youthful feel. We are particularly proud of the four young riders who have been promoted from our Devo Team.
We can all be proud, from riders and staff to sponsors and fans, of the incredible season we had last year, and we want to remain there at the top and keep winning, even though we know it won’t be easy. We are determined to work hard and write history on the road while bringing moments of joy to everyone supporting the team in particular and to cycling fans in general.
On behalf of everyone at Soudal Quick-Step, I want to wish you a Happy New Year and all the best to you and your families!”
Photo credit: ©Sigfrid Eggers
©Wout Beel
