Patrick Lefevere is Remco Evenepoel’s successor in the list of winners of the Vlaamse Reus, an award from the Flemish Association of Sports Journalists and Photographers (VBS). “I’m a bit tired,” said the Soudal Quick-Step cycling manager. Peter Vandenbempt and Yorick Jansens also won awards.
The Flemish Giant has existed since 1992, but from this edition the trophy has a new look. The Flemish Association of Sports Journalists and Photographers (more than 500 members) no longer puts sporting results first.
What is most important is that the winner demonstrated a great personality. In this way the Flemish Giant wants to stand out from the other major sporting awards in the country.
This year the choice fell on Patrick Lefevere, 69-year-old manager of the Soudal Quick-Step cycling team. Lefevere is an icon of the Belgian and international cycling world.
Last year his team achieved huge successes, including (stage) victories for the 2022 Flemish giant Remco Evenepoel at the Tour of Spain, Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Clásica San Sebastián, the Belgian Road Championship and the world time trial.
Remco won last year. (laughs) I’ll call him tomorrow morning to tell him: you’re no longer a Giant.
Patrick Lefevere
“But above all: Lefevere is a very colorful figure, who is not afraid of controversy or bold statements, always with the intention of taking a step forward,” explains the organization.
“In this way he is one of the godfathers of Belgian cycling and fits perfectly into the new concept of the Flemish giant.”
Lefevere himself was present at the gala evening in Ghent and responded proudly: “I was a little upset when I learned that I had a chance to win this trophy. After all, journalists vote and I’m not always that good.” against them. “
The trophy therefore also remains in the Soudal Quick-Step team. “Remco won last year. (laughs) I’ll call him tomorrow morning to tell him: you’re not a Giant anymore, right?”
Patrick Lefevere receives his trophy. (Photo: Gregory Van Gansen – Photonews)
Peter Vandenbempt awarded
Since VBS prides itself on sports journalism and photography, from 2023 there will also be two awards for the best players in the industry: one for sports journalist of the year and one for sports photographer of the year.
For the first category, Sporza journalist Peter Vandenbempt was admitted on stage. “Vandenbempt is the voice of football and he makes a difference through journalism,” the organization said.
The sports photographer of the year is Yorick Jansens (Belgian), who died in 2023 at the age of just 48 after a long battle with cancer. “In addition to being an extremely gifted photographer, Jansens was also a wonderful colleague and a fantastic man/father,” colleagues said of him. His wife accepted the trophy.
