'His heart is with Quick-Step' - Patrick Evenepoel pays respect ahead of Remco's Red Bull move

Patrick Lefevere and Patrick Evenepoel, Remco's father, sat down for a rare joint interview with Het Nieuwsblad to discuss Remco Evenepoel's legacy at Soudal Quick-Step as the Belgian star is set to join Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe in 2026.

When asked if Remco could improve further at his new team, both men remained philosophical. "Only God knows," said Lefevere, with Evenepoel Sr adding, "We don't have a crystal ball."

The interview revealed mutual respect between the former team boss and Remco's father, despite occasional tensions during their time together. When asked about Remco's decision to leave, Evenepoel Sr drew a poignant comparison.

"I like to compare it to Vincent Kompany. He left Anderlecht as a player to take a step up, because he wanted to achieve certain goals and needed better support to do so," said Evenepoel Sr. "His heart is always with Quick-Step, but he felt he needed better support to achieve all his goals."

Lefevere acknowledged the unique status Evenepoel held within the team: "I was always against a team within a team, but with someone as good as Remco, you can't avoid that."

During his seven seasons with Quick-Step, Evenepoel shone, with two Monuments, one Grand Tour, four world titles, and 67 total victories added to his palmarès. Both men agreed that the 25-year-old's first Liège-Bastogne-Liège victory stood out as particularly special. "Just the way he did it: with his rear wheel slipping during his decisive attack," recalled Lefevere. Evenepoel Sr. also highlighted the 2022 Vuelta a España triumph as another standout moment for his son.

The former team boss also revealed a humorous moment following that victory. "He really broke his word there. After the finish, he said he would stay with our team forever. But that's like being at a wedding; you say things that turn out not to be entirely true."

When asked about their relationship, Lefevere addressed rumours of friction: "Remco rode for our team for seven years. We did indeed have one argument during that time."

"I wouldn't even call it a fight. More like a difference of opinion," Evenepoel Sr. clarified.

Their disagreement stemmed from comments after the 2023 World Championships in Glasgow, when Evenepoel Sr. publicly stated Quick-Step needed to take "not one, but four steps forward" to keep Remco. Evenepoel Sr. quashed the matter, stating, “I can only say that there is still great respect for Patrick on our side.”

Despite speculation about transfers to teams in previous years, Evenepoel Sr. emphasised his son's loyalty: "In the seven years Remco rode for the team, there was a lot of interest from other teams. He didn't want to respond to that for a long time out of respect for you, Patrick."

The conversation took a lighter turn when discussing Lefevere's past comments about Remco being "four kilos overweight" during the UAE Tour at the start of his professional career. "Which was also true," Lefevere admitted with a laugh, while Evenepoel Sr. noted, "He had a different face than he does now."

Lefevere praised Evenepoel's work ethic in today's demanding cycling environment. "I tip my hat to his work ethic. Because being a top rider isn't fun anymore. In Merckx's time, the rule was: you win the Tour in bed and leave the table while you still eat. If you compare that to what riders have to do and not do today, it's a different world."

When asked if Evenepoel was the most confident leader he'd managed, Lefevere praised the Belgian’s self-assurance. "This week I was asked if he was the best rider I've ever had. The worst question ever, because you can't compare. But the most ambitious? Probably. He has the self-confidence of today's generation."

On whether Evenepoel could beat Tadej Pogačar on Saturday at Il Lombardia, both men held faith. “He’s still a bit human, isn’t it? De Vlaeminck and Gimondi also beat Merckx," said Lefevere. Meanwhile, Evenepoel Sr. said, "Remco will definitely try. He’ll attack, just like at the European Championships.”