Back in 2003, he founded Soudal Quick-Step, 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.
Born in Moorslede in 1955, Patrick Lefevere was also a professional racer during the ‘70s and ‘80s. His best year was 1978, when among other races, he won Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne and stage 4 of the Vuelta a España. Since the ‘90s, his name has been closely connected to some legendary pages of cycling history. He’s been sports director and then manager for some of the greatest champions in modern cycling, Julian Alaphilippe, Paolo Bettini, Tom Boonen, Mark Cavendish, Tony Martin, Johan Museeuw, and last but not least, Remco Evenepoel.
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 into battle for each other. The atmosphere within 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.
At the end of 2024, after a glistening career and a remarkable slew of victories as sports director and manager, Patrick Lefevere retired as CEO of Soudal Quick-Step and became an honorary member of the team’s executive board.
