Evenepoel texted Lefevere "that he wants to get involved in the spring races": "San Remo, Flanders, and Liège are possible"

To say the least, it wasn't a great spring for Soudal Quick-Step, especially in the classics. Patrick Lefevere's team often found themselves trailing by the time the final stages rolled around. However, in an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Lefevere, who frequently criticizes his team, chose to look beyond these results. He pointed out the team’s thirteen victories outside the classics and discussed the future of the riders and himself.

Lefevere opens somewhat cynically. "Yes, things are going terribly with the team. We've only won thirteen races," he states, before taking a broader view. "The third most in the World Tour. If you look with a Flemish perspective, we've had difficulties, but internationally it's certainly not bad," he refers to the other victories. Tim Merlier, Paul Magnier, and Luke Lamperti have had multiple reasons to celebrate. And the team manager adamantly doesn't want to call it a transition year. "So indeed, the team won't look much different next year. We also intend to extend the contracts of several riders who are at the end of their contracts now."

This also applies to the much-discussed Julian Alaphilippe. Lefevere said: "Despite all the games being played now with TotalEnergies and Cofidis, his manager Dries Smets has informed us that Julian wants to stop by our team again. I haven't said 'no,' but the timing has been reported incorrectly in the media. I read everywhere: "Lefevere wants to meet before the Giro." Whereas I said: 'at the earliest, after the Giro.' "

Evenepoel and Lefevere had contact during the spring: "I want to get involved next year"

During the weekend of Paris-Roubaix, yet another race where the team underperformed and Lefevere himself was ill, he received a message from the biggest name on his team: Remco Evenepoel. 'He texted: "Patrick, about the past few weeks... Next year will be different, huh. I’m going to get involved." I think it would be feasible for him to race San Remo and Flanders. Liège could follow those, and then the Tour is still a ways off,' Lefevere said about the key man on his team.

With the appointment of Jurgen Foré, rumors surfaced that Lefevere might soon step down at Soudal Quick-Step. He remains secretive about this himself. "I can talk about retiring, but in my role, you always come across the same issues. A cycling team never really has a finishing point. There are sponsorship contracts, a contract with the bike supplier, who often have personal contracts with a rider. All these overlap and intermingle."