Patrick Lefevere: “Alaphilippe is now proving me improper, however I might like that”

Friday, Might 17, 2024 at 9:00 AM

Julian Alaphilippe’s stage victory within the Giro d’Italia additionally happy his group boss at Soudal Fast-Step, Patrick Lefevere. Earlier this 12 months, Lefevere was essential of his opponent within the media numerous occasions, however now (partly) takes again these phrases. He tells that HLN.

Lefevere emphasizes that that criticism was not private. “My relationship with Julian is just not what many wish to make it out to be. That little man has been using with me since he was seventeen. I believed in him all these years. Issues have slowed down in recent times, sure. It is positively not my fault. I am not saying there’s a lot he can do about it both. It’s what it’s. I’ve repeated sufficient that I used to be not glad. That wasn’t private. It wasn’t sufficient for what he can do and what he’s paid for. I’m not grateful for that. Possibly I did not say it the precise means. I simply haven’t any different fashion.”

However the skilled group boss wished to maintain the French former world champion on board, however he solely wished to take action on totally different phrases than his present contract. “I proposed to scale back his contract final 12 months. Not that I’d humiliate him. My proposal was to pay him much less wages in 2024, but in addition to incorporate 2025. That proved that I nonetheless had confidence. That was refused and that is the place it ended for me.”

“However look, Julian is now proving me improper. I like that. And I do not really feel too good to confess it. Not that I am 100% improper. As a result of we’re speaking about cash, and that should even be carried out. It isn’t my fashion to increase a rider’s contract for much less cash. However once more, I can not say he has pushed properly within the final two years.”