COO Jurgen Foré: “The successor to Patrick Lefevere? Would be a nice story to shape the team”

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 proceed? Foré himself provided an explanation during the Soudal-Quick Step internship in Spain.

Patrick Lefevere, the patron of Soudal – Quick Step, has been looking for a potential successor for years.

A new COO was appointed in Jurgen Foré. Will he soon follow in the big boss’s footsteps?

“My job is to help manage the organization and keep it up to date,” says Foré. “Am I Patrick’s right hand? I’m glad he’s there,” he remains plain.

“I get a lot of space to move around the organization and to look at things that are already very good and things 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 I felt like this was where I could have the biggest impact.

Jurgen Foré about his switch from the private sector (Deloitte) to Soudal-Quick Step

Foré has a history as a rider and racing blood also flows through the veins of his family. “I did a project in cycling last year and it got under my skin.”

“I had a conversation with Patrick in April and I had the feeling that I could have the biggest impact here. I wanted to do something in cycling in the last period of my professional career.”

“I am turning 54 and wanted to return to my DNA, to my roots. I have always had a bond with the bicycle and I think I can contribute something here with my knowledge of other sectors.”

Remco Evenepoel consults with the new COO.

Conversation with everyone

Jurgen Foré is getting to know the Belgian top team better and better. What are the positive elements and what are the areas for improvement? “There is a lot of expertise in the team,” he says about the first part of the question.

“I spent 10 days here on an internship in December and I was received with a lot of openness. I announced that I wanted to have a conversation with everyone. I notice a lot of openness in those conversations.”

And what can still be improved? “I am fresh here and have not been part of anything. I can look at everything with an open mind. I have the luxury and time to check how everything functions.”

“Sometimes there is a danger that you are quickly caught up in the busy calendar and that you do not get the time to pause. We can work on that.”

“We can think about where the standard lies, about how we approach internships, about the interaction with the training team.”

I’m fresh here and 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 functions.

Jurgen Foré

Officially, Foré starts on February 1. Since this season is already fully planned, “the intention is to work mainly in the longer term”. “Where do we want to go? In which domains do we want to excel?”

“We have to look at the partners to maintain a stable basis to be successful in the longer term. Should I also look for sponsors myself? That is the task of everyone in management.”

Soudal-Quick Step on an internship in Spain.

Purification

Our reporter tried it again: is Jurgen Foré now Patrick Lefevere’s successor? “That is not an issue now,” he diplomatically avoids the question.

“I am part of a team, together with Patrick. When the time comes, we will see if that is an option. But it would be a nice story to help shape the team.”

2025 seems to be a pivotal year for the future. Patron Zdenek Bakala would turn off the money tap at the end of next year.

“We have agreements with important partners and we have to ensure 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 to the wheel together. below.”

The takeover dossier with Jumbo-Visma was a bad sign, right? “That may have left its mark, but when you are under pressure, you also think about what you have. Perhaps it was also a wake-up call. It may also have been a moment of purification.”

“I haven’t been part of it myself and I want to keep it that way, but I want to help turn the page and work on the project.”

“With Remco Evenepoel on board? It is a privilege to have him in 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 that is an option. But it would be a nice story to help shape the team further.

Jurgen Fore

And what does Lefevere himself say about the matter? “I’m asked that question about my successor too much. In West Flanders they say: “A COO has to do everything I don’t like to do.” (laughs)

“I will not decide on it myself. Normally the CEO does not decide on his successor, but the shareholder does. That is still Bakala. If I am replaced, the shareholder will say who will be the CEO. It is that simple.”

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2024-01-10 13:57:36
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