Patrick Lefevere, manager of what is often the peloton’s most winning team, Etixx-QuickStep, says that just like when Johan Museeuw retired, his team will continue to win big Classics once Tom Boonen leaves the sport.

“When Johan Museeuw stopped in 2004, everyone said, ‘Ooh la la. It’ll be very tough for the team.’ But then Tom Boonen showed up and we already had Paolo Bettini, who was another type of rider,” Lefevere told VeloNews. “For 10 years, [Boonen] was always there in the classics. We have Zdenek Stybar, the Belgian fans like him, but we will see [who will lead our classics team next]. The team has life after Boonen.”

Lefevere spoke about why he re-signed the star, saying that the two have had a long talk about when it is right for Boonen to leave the sport, which he has gifted many great wins, three Flanders and four Roubaix and a World title standing as the highlights.

“In 10 years, everyone wants to speak with other teams. He wanted to stay, I wanted him to stay. I wanted to avoid that he races one year too long,” added Lefevere. “Should he just go through Roubaix or the whole season, or a piece of 2017? We had the whole discussion.”