Team News: Riders Re-signing at Quickstep

Yves Lampaert, Dries Devenyns and Iljo Keisse extend their contracts at Deceuninck – Quick-Step Cycling Team as racing beckons in 2020

Team News: Riders Re-signing at Quickstep

Yves Lampaert extends with Deceuninck – Quick-Step – The 29-year-old Belgian will continue with the team until 2022

Yves Lampaert has signed a new contract with Deceuninck – Quick-Step Cycling Team, adding two more years to his previous deal. The former Belgian National Champion has been with the Wolfpack since 2015 and has become a mainstay in the team, showing his strength in the Spring Classics – where he won Dwars door Vlaanderen on two occasions, as well as finishing on the podium at Paris-Roubaix – in addition to this being an invaluable part of our Grand Tour teams.

Photo: ©Tim De Waele / ©Getty Images

Speaking of the agreement, Yves could not hide his delight: “I’m happy with my contract extension. It’s nice to feel Patrick and the team putting their trust in me! This definitely gives me an extra boost for the remainder of the season, once it will restart. I can now go to the upcoming races with a clear mind. I have a special bond with this team and I’m a proud Wolf. Next year will be my seventh with the squad and I hope there will be many more.”

Deceuninck – Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere was equally pleased with retaining the services of Lampaert, who has enjoyed a strong start to the year in the Spring Classics, before the season got halted due to the pandemic:

“Yves has been part of our circle of trust for some time now. We know what he is capable of and we believe he will only improve in the coming years. He is very much appreciated by his colleagues and never hesitates to give his all for them. He puts the group first and not himself, as it should be in the Wolfpack. Having him on board for two more years gives us a lot of satisfaction.”

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One-year contract extensions for Devenyns and Keisse
Dries Devenyns and Iljo Keisse, the Wolfpack’s two senior riders, not only bring their vast experience to the group, they also continue to perform on a high level, according to CEO Patrick Lefevere: “Dries has done amazing things before the lockdown”, he says. “Think of his fantastic win in the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race.

Photo: ©Tim De Waele / ©Getty Images

And Iljo continues to execute his role flawlessly. They have both proven their services to the team on countless occasions. Being well over thirty, they may not be racing for five more years. But we know very well what we can expect of them and what they add to the team. Take it as a clear vote of our confidence.”

With the contract renewals of Devenyns, Keisse and Lampaert, Lefevere has now secured an extended stay with Deceuninck – Quick-Step for three of the team’s most seasoned and valued riders: “It’s been hard for all of us these strange times”, he explained. “I really wanted to take care of our own riders’ expiring contracts first. It’s been a special year. I wouldn’t want them to wait until October or November with the added stress of not having a contract yet.”

Dries Devenyns, who turns 37 in a couple of weeks, already looks forward to what will be his tenth season with the team: “I had been hoping for this contract renewal. I’m glad we came to an agreement so quickly.

It is a token of confidence from the team towards me and vice versa. I am very happy to be able to continue riding with the Wolfpack. Also, next year I will do my utmost to help the team win races. I might be a little bit older, but I still feel physically well. I really look forward to an extra year with Deceuninck – Quick-Step.”

Iljo Keisse, at 37 the oldest and most experienced member of the Wolfpack, awaits his twelfth consecutive season with the squad. “Not many can say that, only Tom Boonen I think”, he said, commenting on his contract renewal.

“In any case, I’m very satisfied. It’s a nice gesture from Patrick Lefevere giving me the opportunity to sign a new deal after such a bizarre period, in which we hardly raced. It is a very nice token of his appreciation. My dream is to continue cycling until my 40th birthday, which is on 21 December 2022, so I still have two seasons to go. I’ve now come one year closer to realizing that goal. I will continue to work hard to get there. After a year like this I certainly didn’t want to quit.”

“I’m very happy to continue to be part of this team, the best in the world in the races I like to do. I’ve been working with the same people for many years here. Together we have won many races, something that will never bore. On the contrary, the urge to win is inherent in this team. It’s addictive. Furthermore, the presence of all the young and talented riders I get to work with motivates me to be at my best. It’s an extra incentive because you have to work for it”, concluded the seven-time winner of the Gent Six-Day.