Lefevere sees his successor struggling with same Evenepoel issue: "He's asked me for advice before"
Cycling
Follow IDL Pro Cycling on Google
Stay up to date with the best cycling news by making us a preferred source on Google.
Follow us on GooglePatrick Lefevere believes that Remco Evenepoel's future at Soudal-Quick Step is closely linked to his performance in the Tour de France. In conversation with cycling journalist Daniel Benson, the always outspoken Belgian is curious to see what will happen this winter now that Evenepoel still has a contract with The Wolfpack until the end of 2026.
ADVERTISEMENT
In recent years, Lefevere has consistently kept his protégé Evenepoel away from the clutches of super teams such as INEOS Grenadiers and Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. Still, his future remains a topic of conversation. “It's become a very boring question. This story keeps coming back, and every time, I hope it doesn't distract the team from the Tour de France.”
As CEO, he handed over the management position last year to Jurgen Foré, who, according to Lefevere, has his hands full with the Evenepoel issue. “I'm no longer the boss, so it's up to Jurgen. We don't talk about it much, although he has asked me for advice about riders and their future. Ultimately, he does what he wants.”
Read more below the photo.
What will happen to Evenepoel in the future?
Will a big team pay for Evenepoel?
Lefevere knows that Foré's job is tough. "It's difficult to compete against teams with a budget of fifty million euros, but I think Jurgen is doing a good job. They discuss Red Bull and INEOS and now report that Lidl-Trek has made an offer. I'm not sure if that's true, but I do know it's been ongoing for a long time. It hasn't stopped since he won his first world title."
Perhaps a contract extension is in the cards. Lefevere thinks it's related to the Tour. "If he comes out of the Tour happy, I see no reason to look further. He knows the people, even though a fresh environment creates new ambitions. I see big teams that are not doing better than us, even though they have more money. If someone wants Remco for 2026, they'll have to pay, but the sponsors won't be happy."
Read also
Bram van der PloegEditor-in-chief
Bram van der Ploeg (35) is the proud founder of In de Leiderstrui, IDL Pro Cycling's parent site, launched in 2018. Finally, he could create stories about the sport he had followed since childhood. He is the editor-in-chief on paper, but prefers to be with his recorder next to a rider, a team bus, or in the mud at a cyclocross race. Every year, from February to the end of May, Bram follows the entire Italian cycling season, from the Trofeo Laigueglia to the Giro d'Italia, with the grand finale in October in Lombardy. During that time, he lives in Tuscany, where he has since come to call Italy his 'home'.
IDL-productions
Celia Gery won the European cyclocross championship while awaiting surgery: 'It'll be a new beginning'
Dutch team coach De Knegt annoyed by European Cyclocross Championships dispute: "A bit of a let down"
Glasgow set to shine as World Cup demand outstrips expectations and Mason eyes first home cyclocross race
Pogačar, Vingegaard and Van Aert went faster again in 2026... except when they didn't
Team GB dominate, China on the rise, Lavreysen the best ever? Five takeaways from the 2026 Track World Championships
Latest Cycling News
Sven Nys gave an update on Lucina Brand's injury: 'Difficult if you can't generate power'
Manon Bakker conquers the Niel mud after Lucinda Brand is forced to leave the race after just 5 minutes
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
🎥 Lucinda Brand pulls out of the Niel cyclocross race in tears after just a few minutes
Primoz Roglic's contract options continue to shrink, but a surprise new team enters the conversation
Popular Cycling News
Cycling transfers 2026/2027 | Cycling transfer market still in full swing in November
Tadej Pogačar reveals his insane training data in new HBO film: 'I think that's what works best'
Sven Nys spoke with Lucinda Brand straight after European Championship drama: 'Is that enough to ultimately relegate someone'
Fears of serious injury to Alvarado, bronze medalist, after the European Cyclocross Championships
Picnic PostNL's WorldTour uncertainty has five rival teams, and Tom Pidcock, watching the UCI closely
Latest Comments
- If he finished ninth at the Tour, why didn’t he get a stage win too? I’m still trying to understand how the overall standings work.julien11-11-2026
- No ‘cross at all this winter? That’s a shame, but with his road season starting in February, I can see why he’d want a proper break. Does stepping away mean he’s done with cyclocross for good?gearguru3311-11-2026
- I like the honesty of that training post. Even the best riders feel the difference after a few weeks off, and he’s got plenty of time to build back up.samanthak11-11-2026
- Three sets of tyres in two days at the Nürburgring! The man clearly doesn’t do anything by halves. Bet a winter without cyclocross will feel strange, though.bikebuffj11-11-2026
- Fifth in the world rankings after that autumn run is some achievement. Pidcock was so aggressive at the Tour, too—hopefully he can turn a few of those near-misses into wins inpatriciaw11-11-2026
- Does XEFI’s investment mean the team will have more money to sign riders, or is it mainly a sponsorship and naming change? And is Roglič expected to race much next season?jeremya11-11-2026
- If the roster is nearly complete, why bring up Roglič at all? Feels like the article is turning a firm “no” into a transfer rumour.andrewf11-11-2026
- Wuling is no joke—105 km of climbing to 3,275 metres is brutal. Five minutes off Dyball’s record is still an incredible ride.velodromevirtuoso111-11-2026
- Roglič at TotalEnergies would be a fascinating move, but Heulot sounds pretty clear that it isn’t happening. His experience could be a massive boost for the younger riders, though.jennifer1911-11-2026
- Eight riders told to go for stages, and nobody gets one—hard to know what the plan was there. It’ll be interesting to see whether they pick a clear leader next time.bikebuffj10-11-2026