Lefevere watched Evenepoel secure win number 1000 for "his" Quick-Step: "That’s the cherry on top"

After Evenepoel’s win, Lefevere showed his softer side. “I don’t get emotional easily, but I had a lump in my throat today,” he told Sporza. “I felt a lot of emotions, because I think I’m only now starting to realize what those 1,000 wins actually mean. No one has ever done this before us. Sure, people say Movistar also has 999 wins, but that’s since 1980. We did it starting from 2003, and that’s not even counting our riders’ world titles or Olympic golds.”

“Did I ever imagine this? Not at all. I didn’t even expect we’d have a team for this long. But I’ve always worked hard for it. In 2010–2011 we had a bit of a rough patch, but then we made some changes and brought in owner Zdenek Bakala. That’s when we got back on track and started breaking almost every record year after year.” But it’s not just about the numbers, he emphasizes. “People often only see the quantity, but the quality of our victories shouldn’t be forgotten either.”

In the final years of his time as Quick-Step’s manager, Evenepoel was the team’s figurehead, and Lefevere has always had a good relationship with him. “Am I happy it was Remco? Honestly, it should’ve been Tim Merlier this week in the Antwerp Port Classic,” he said. “I would’ve been just as happy then, but this really is something else. Remco winning a WorldTour race solo in his world champion’s jersey… That’s the cherry on top.”

It may have been 22 years ago, but the 70-year-old team boss still clearly remembers his formation’s very first win. “Absolutely, that was Servais Knaven in Qatar. And not long after, Bettini gave us our first WorldTour victory with Milan–San Remo. We haven’t stopped since,” he laughed. But he can’t pick a favorite win. “Today really meant something to me, but it wouldn’t be respectful to everyone who contributed to all those victories. Not just the riders, but also the staff and the entire support team.”

Naturally, Lefevere couldn’t resist giving himself a little pat on the back, and rightfully so. “We won 984 of those under my leadership,” he noted. That’s why he celebrated win number 1000 with a drink in the evening. He had to do it at home, but he would’ve much preferred to be there with the team. “Honestly, I would’ve loved to celebrate this with my squad, but due to circumstances I couldn’t be there.”

That Evenepoel would win the time trial wasn’t exactly a long shot. The two-time world time trial champion had even sent a message to his former manager beforehand. “He messaged me this morning: ‘If I win this one, it’s for you, patron,’” Lefevere said. “And as he usually does, he kept his word.”