Patrick Lefevere: Another "Grand Cru!"

Patrick Lefevere: Another "Grand Cru!"

The 2014 season was yet another good year for the team. We once again broke the 60-win mark on the road, but even better, we surpassed the previous year totals with 64 road victories. On top of this, we won three track races and the Cyclocross World Championship. We set the bar even higher for 2015 with success in three different disciplines, and we were again the winningest team of the UCI WorldTour.

I am a passionate collector of wine. I have to say this season was like adding another "Grand Cru" to the collection.

We really hope that in 2015 — which starts today — can be another important year for the team. In July of last year we secured the future of the team thanks to the commitment of our sponsors until 2017. We're really motivated to grow our prestige even more, and help our sponsor spread and share their brands all around the world.

Concerning the team, we have 27 riders coming from 12 nations. We have a great mixture of experienced and young riders that work really well together.

Beside the great veteran riders, such as Mark Cavendish, Tom Boonen, Rigoberto Uran, Niki Terpstra, and Tony Martin, we have already we have a group of riders who are growing up really well. Our shining example is Michal Kwiatkowski who is World Champion at a young age, but still has much to learn. Other examples are Petr Vakoc and Julian Alaphilippe, who helped us in having a great year.

Last year we had bad luck with Tom, who couldn't be 100 percent at the Classics, and Cavendish who crashed out of Le Tour. But our riders overcame adversity with a good team spirit, and they kept winning races.

We really hope in 2015, with a little more luck, that we can reach other prestigious goals and continue to be among the best in the World, just as we have been in the last years.

The most important thing, as always, is to ride and perform at the top and have no regrets at the end of the year. I am sure everyone will work hard and be committed to the team. I am looking forward to the next "Grand Cru."

We appreciate the impressive support of our fans around the world. We feel we have a lot of people who follow us and are connected with us and our way. Our fan base grows day-by-day. For us this is another thing that makes us happy and motivated to reach our goals. We know it's not just for us and our sponsors, but our loyal supporters who have been there for years. There is a tradition we all want to honor, for ourselves and for those that cheer for Etixx – Quick-Step.

I wish to everyone a great 2015, full of great triumphs!