Former Soudal-Quick-Step CEO Patrick Lefevere has finally opened up about the harrowing health crisis that led to a month-long hospitalization in Belgium last November. The 70-year-old Belgian revealed that what began as a routine accident nearly turned fatal, highlighting a series of medical complications that kept him sidelined for 24 days.
The ordeal started when Lefevere suffered a fall at home. While he initially viewed the incident as trivial, the aftermath was far more severe. “I came in with broken ribs after falling down the stairs, but they also diagnosed pneumonia,” Lefevere explained in an interview with HLN. He noted that the pneumonia was particularly deceptive, stating, “I hadn’t felt anything from the pneumonia. I hadn’t even coughed. Never coughed once.”
However, the most critical discovery came during further examinations. Doctors uncovered a massive abscess on his liver, measuring between 10 to 12 centimeters. The severity of the condition was underscored by the fact that medical professionals had to drain “about 400 cc, like a filled bottle of cola, of blood” from the site.
Lefevere was quick to clarify that the abscess was not a result of liver disease. After a biopsy confirmed his liver was “perfectly healthy,” he attributed the issue to a bacterium. Addressing potential rumors about his lifestyle, he remarked, “I can already hear people saying, ‘Lefevere, he drinks a lot, blah blah blah.’” He mentioned knowing a friend who experienced a similar bacterial abscess in the lungs.
The health scare coincided with a period of professional transition for the veteran manager, who stepped down as CEO of Soudal-Quick-Step at the end of 2024. Despite the physical toll—including three broken ribs and double pneumonia—Lefevere maintained a stoic front, stating, “If everyone starts to panic, I remain ice-cold calm.”
Lefevere was eventually released from the hospital on November 27, taking to Instagram to express his gratitude to the medical staff who cared for him. This candid revelation provides a glimpse into the private struggles of a prominent figure in the sporting world, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of health crises even for those accustomed to high-pressure environments.
