Rik Van Slycke, longstanding sports activities director for Patrick Lefevere’s groups since 2001, has joined Alpecin-Deceuninck for the 2023 season.
The 59-year-old Van Slycke raced as an expert between 1986 and 1999, most notably at Histor and Lotto, profitable Nokere Koerse in 1989.
He was initially recruited by Lefevere as a VIP driver for Domo–Farm Frites – the crew that might later merge into Fast Step-Davitamon and in flip evolve into Soudal-QuickStep – earlier than transferring right into a sports activities director position.
Het Nieuwsblad (opens in new tab) reported in October that Van Slycke’s contract was not set to be prolonged amid a number of departures from the crew’s help employees.
Van Slycke didn’t face the prospect of leaving the WorldTour for lengthy, although, with Alpecin-Deceuninck shortly recruiting him to the position of sports activities director because the crew enters the WorldTour for the primary time in 2023.
“I’m more than happy and honoured on the identical time to even be a part of a World Crew in 2023,” Van Slycke stated of the brand new place.
“Alpecin-Deceuninck is a crew that has already earned its stripes however continues to be growing. With my years of expertise on the highest stage, I hope to do my bit.”
Brian Holm has additionally ended his tenure with the QuickStep, having introduced his retirement from biking in September, whereas efficiency director Ricardo Scheidecker has additionally left to affix Tudor Professional Biking for 2023.
Soudal-QuickStep’s employees will likely be bolstered by former rider Iljo Keisse, who strikes from rider to sports activities director in 2022.
Van Slycke joins Alpecin-Deceuninck crew boss Christoph Roodhooft alongside his brother and sports activities director Philip Roodhooft. The 2023 crew roster contains Mathieu van der Poel, Jasper Philipsen and UCI gravel world champion Gianni Vermeersch.