Patrick Lefebvre, CEO of Soudal-QuickStep, issued a statement apologizing for his derogatory remarks about women.

The 69-year-old Belgian was fined 20,000 Swiss francs by the sport's governing body last month for violating the UCI's code of ethics. Lefebvre chose to publicly apologize.

"With this statement, I want to make it clear that I accept the decision of the UCI Ethics Committee," Lefebvre said in a statement posted on the Sudar Quickstep website.

"I acknowledge that the statement referred to could be received in a questionable way. It was never my intention to hurt anyone and I apologize.

"I apologize unequivocally to the UCI, the UCI Ethics Committee, and all parties or those who may have perceived these statements as harmful."

Lefebvre clarified that the UCI Ethics Committee found that two statements violated the UCI's Code of Ethics. One was made in "Het Nieuwsblad" on July 3, 2021, and the other was made in a television interview on "De Afspraak" on March 8, 2023.

Lefebvre has been outspoken many other times in his weekly column in Het Nieuwsblad and in interviews, but claims that his comments have been misunderstood and badly translated.

One of the riders on the team, Julien Alaphilippe, has been criticized for his poor form in recent seasons. The former world champion has battled crashes and injuries, and Lefebvre's comments suggested that his performance could be attributed to his lifestyle, placing some of the blame on Alaphilippe's partner, Marion Luce.

Rousset, director of the Tour de France Femme Avec Zwift and a former French national road race champion, fired back at Lefebvre's comments at the time.

"Under no circumstances will I allow you to talk about my personal life. From now on, don't say anything unnecessary and show a little more respect and ...... Show some dignity," Ruse wrote on social media.

Lefebvre manages the men's Soudal-QuickStep team, and the team's management company Decolef is also a minority shareholder in the women's AG Insurance-Soudal team.

"The way our team works should also be evidence that we never intended to offend or hurt anyone," Lefevere added.

"We currently employ 74 riders and 106 full-time staff, both men and women, in a diverse and inclusive work environment, without distinction of origin, gender, or background. This is how we continue our journey."