Lefevere-Alaphilippe, yet another twist. After the poor performance of the Soudal Quick-Step during the E3 GP in Harelbeke, the manager of the Belgian team – a few weeks after his accusatory outing towards Alaphilippe and his wife Marion Rousse – launched a new dig, this time – this slightly more subtle, on the French runner. He also calls into question his management of the team, and the other leaders.
“I don’t blame anyone for not being able to follow Mathieu van der Poel or Wout van Aert, who are out of category, but, even in the group behind them, we do not participate,” said Patrick Lefevere, taken aback. “Lidl-Trek has clearly taken a step forward and is in the top ten with three riders. UAE Team Emirates has two men and none of them is called Tadej Pogacar. We have no one.”
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“In terms of nutrition, equipment and training, we are at the top of the World Tour,” recognizes the former rider, now 69 years old. “(So) I will definitely stand in front of the mirror myself. The fact is that I made mistakes in my buying and selling policy. I read everywhere that we are reducing the spring team based on the work on the Tours and that is absolutely true. But with riders like Julian Alaphilippe, Yves Lampaert and Kasper Asgreen, a significant part of the salary budget still goes to the leaders for Flemish work. Before adding: “The lesson for me: no longer conclude contracts in euphoria, which perhaps happened too often with the runners mentioned. Whatever happens, I won’t talk to anyone about contracts before Paris-Roubaix.”
In April 2021, after his first world champion title, Julian Alaphilippe was extended to the Belgian team but his results – which do not match his salary (estimated at 2.3 million euros per year) according to the general manager of the team – have cooled relations between the double French world champion and his boss. The cloth is still burning.
