Soudal-Quick Step recently has a COO (Chief Operating Officer) in Jurgen Foré (53). But what does that position mean in human language and how will the collaboration with CEO Patrick Lefevere continue? Foré himself provided an explanation during the Soudal-Quick Step internship in Spain.
Patrick Lefevere, owner of Soudal – Quick Step, has been looking for a potential successor for years.
A new COO has been appointed in Jurgen Foré. Will he soon follow in the big boss’ footsteps?
“My job is to help run the organization and keep it current,” says Foré. “Am I Patrick’s right-hand man? I’m glad he’s there,” remains clear.
“I have a lot of space to move within the organization and to look at the things that are already very good and those that we can improve. Patrick can help me a lot with his experience. It works very well.”
I had a conversation with Patrick in April and felt this was where I could make the biggest impact.
Jurgen Foré on his move from the private sector (Deloitte) to Soudal-Quick Step
Foré has a history as a racing driver and racing blood also runs through his family’s veins. “Last year I did a project about cycling and it got under my skin.”
“I had a conversation with Patrick in April and I had the feeling that this is where I could have the biggest impact. I wanted to do something in cycling in the last period of my professional career.”
“I turned 54 and I wanted to return to my DNA, my roots. I have always had a connection with cycling and I think I can contribute here with my knowledge of other sectors.”
Remco Evenepoel consults with new COO.
Conversation with everyone
Jurgen Foré gets to know the Belgian top team better and better. What are the positive elements and what are the areas for improvement? “There’s a lot of experience on the team,” he says of the first part of the question.
“I spent 10 days here for an internship in December and was greeted with a lot of openness. I announced that I wanted to have a conversation with everyone. I see a lot of openness in those conversations.”
And what can still be improved? “I’m fresh here and I haven’t been part of anything. I can look at everything with an open mind. I have the luxury and time to check how everything works.”
“Sometimes there is a danger of quickly getting caught up in the busy schedule and not having time to stop. We can work on this.”
“We can think about where the standard is, how we approach placements, the interaction with the training team.”
I’m fresh here and I haven’t been a part of anything. I can look at everything with an open mind. I have the luxury and time to check how everything works.
Jurgen Fore
Foré officially starts on February 1st. Since this season is already fully planned, “the intention is to work above all in the long term”. “Where do we want to go? In which areas do we want to excel?”
“We need to look to partners to maintain a stable foundation for long-term success. Should I also look to sponsors? That’s the job of all executives.”
Soudal-Quick Step internship in Spain.
Purification
Our reporter tried again: Is Jurgen Foré now Patrick Lefevere’s successor? “That’s not a problem now,” he diplomatically avoids the question.
“I’m part of a team, along with Patrick. When the time comes, we’ll see if that’s an option. But it would be a great story to help build the team.”
2025 appears to be a crucial year for the future. Owner Zdenek Bakala will turn off the money tap at the end of next year.
“We have agreements with important partners and we need to secure the future of the team. We will see with which people we shape this. I benefit from working with Patrick’s knowledge. We are putting our shoulders together at the wheel. below.”
The takeover dossier with Jumbo-Visma was a bad sign, right? “This may have left its mark, but when you are under pressure you also think about what you have. Maybe it was also a wake-up call. It could also have been a moment of purification.”
“I wasn’t part of it personally and I want to keep it that way, but I want to help move on and work on the project.”
“With Remco Evenepoel on board? It’s a privilege to have him on our team. We surround him with care, just like we do with the rest of the team.”
Follow Patrick Lefevere? When the time comes we will see if this will be an option. But it would be a great story to help shape the team further.
Jurgen Fore
And what does Lefevere himself say about it? “I get asked this question about my successor too often. In West Flanders they say: ‘A COO has to do everything that I don’t like to do.'” (laughs)
“I will not decide this myself. Normally it is not the CEO who decides on his successor, but the shareholder does. This is still Bakala. If I am replaced, the shareholder will say who the CEO will be. It’s very simple .”
