Julian Alaphilippe wanted to quickly settle the question of his future in order to be quiet.
A few days before the start of the Ardennes classics, an important step in his season, it is now fixed.
This Thursday morning, Deceuninck - Quick-Step announced its contract extension until 2024. Last week, the team led by Patrick Lefevere had already formalized the extension of Emco Evenepoel until 2026. While it existed some uncertainties, the two extensions of his two leaders show that the Belgian manager has obtained the agreement of his main sponsor to continue his partnership or has found a new one.
“I can't wait to continue with my family and I would like to thank Patrick (Lefevere) and the sponsors for the trust they have placed in me over the past eight years and that they continue to show me, underlines Alaphilippe in the press release. his team.
I am very happy to extend my lease with the team.
We are the Wolfpack and we are racing to win.
Our mentality is our strength, everyone is going in the same direction and that is one of the reasons why I feel good here and have a lot of fun.
It was the most logical thing to do, and at no time was there any talk of doing it differently.
"
3 more years !!!
⚡️
Thank you for the trust @deceuninck_qst, @PatLefevere and all of our sponsors.
pic.twitter.com/XOamo6j664
- Julian Alaphilippe Officiel (@ alafpolak1) April 15, 2021
Ten days ago in our columns, before the Tour of Flanders, Patrick Lefevere did not hide his optimism on the outcome of this file.
“He is still under contract until 2023. He has a clause that says he can receive an offer.
But, in the clause, I can match that offer and, there, it stays.
It would only depend on me, I will do it (Editor's note: sign) tomorrow.
Julian wants to have goals first, otherwise he gets bored very quickly, ”explained the Belgian manager.
The World champion arrived in 2013 at Etixx-iHNed, the reserve team of Quick-Step.
At the time, the French teams were not jostling to welcome the Army runner.
Arrived in 2014
After a year in the reserve team, Alaphilippe joined Quick-Step in 2014. “At the end of 2013, the young Julian Alaphilippe, who had impressed earlier in the year by winning a stage and the points classification of the Tour de l ' Avenir, signed his first professional contract by joining our team.
Eight years later, the Frenchman has established himself as one of the biggest stars of the peloton, ”recalls Patrick Lefevere in the press release.
This winter, the AG2R-Citroën team through the voice of its managing director, Vincent Lavenu, raised the possibility of recruiting Alaphilippe.
But the latter has always given priority to the only team he has known among the professionals.
He feels good there and he knows that with the Wolfpack, he belongs to the best collective to win the races for one day.
He did not necessarily make his extension a financial issue.
And in the years to come, Alaphilippe will be able to bet on the Tour de France even while remaining in a team historically focused on the classics.
This is also implied by Lefevere.
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“Just because we have a new sponsor with money doesn't mean that is enough.
For example, at AG2R, who mentioned him, who can help him win?
Having a runner who can win isn't enough if you don't have the team around.
It is the group that makes the leader.
Last year, we also almost won the Giro with Joao Almeida.
Remember this.
I know what the French want to hear.
But I'll be honest: the 100 euros, I put them on the Tour.
If all goes well and there is no bad luck, yes Alaphilippe can win the Tour.
There, I told you.
It's the truth.
It's possible ”, explained the manager of Deceuninck - Quick-Step?
