March 5, 2007 – Quick-Step team manager Patrick Lefevere is following through with his threats to sue the Belgian newspaper Het Laatste Nieuws for its article in which it accused Lefevere of involving his team in widespread doping for decades according to rad-net.de. Lefevere is seeking 20.5 Million Euros in damages – 17.5 Million for damage to his business and 3.5 Million for personal damages. The hearing takes place on March 16 in Brussels.

The Het Laatste Nieuw article, titled “Patrick Lefevere – 30 Years of Doping” alleged Lefevere entangled his team – which employs former road world champion Tom Boonen and Olympic and world road champion Paolo Bettini – in widespread doping practices.

After the story appeared in the newspaper, Quick-Step claims to have lost a potential sponsor, who was offering to support the team with a level worth 3.5 million euros. Quick-Step has proven itself as the team to beat in one-day races for over a decade.