Czech moneyman backs Quick Step
Team manager Patrick Lefevere has secured the future of team Quick Step until at least 2013 with the financial support of Zdenek Bakala. Bakala, a Czech billionaire and investor, has reportedly provided enough money to fund the team
until the end of 2013.
“The team has proven itself as one of the most successful cycling teams with fantastic riders,” said Bakala in the team press release. “Professional management and support staff. I am delighted to become part of this exciting team.”
Lefevere has also signed on the financial support of Dutch businessman Bessel Kok, who has purchased a stake in the team’s management company Esperanza.
“We have worked very hard in the past few months to reach this agreement,” said Lefevere. “We're very satisfied of having reached this goal. This agreement will allow the team as well as the people who work for the team to have a
guaranteed future even after 2011.”
Bakala is a graduate of the Dartmouth School of Business, founder of Czech banking firm Patria Finance and shareholder in the coal company New World Resources and the Ukrainian iron ore producer Ferrexpo.
“From now on we will be able to focus on next season and on building the team for the near future,” continued Lefevere. “Our objective, as usual, is to win prestigious awards. Quick Step will stay as the main sponsor for the 2011
season. All remaining partners of the team also confirmed their commitment for next season.”
Bakala’s involvement could be the tipping point in Zdenek Stybar’s decision of whether or not to join the team. Lefevere offered Stybar, the World cyclo-cross champion, a contract at Quick Step in response to the Czech cyclist’s desire
to compete in road races in the spring. Stybar, who rides for cyclo-cross team Telenet-Fidea, has been considering the offer.
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