Lefévère attacks Alaphilippe, season 12 episode 9. The boss of Soudal-Quick Step has once again paid his star runner in the columns of Humo, a Flemish newspaper, at the heart of a cross interview with former Belgian cyclist José De Cauwer.
And not half.
“Julian is a good guy.
But after signing his mega contract, we no longer saw him, explains Lefévère.
Too many parties and too much alcohol... He is seriously under the spell of Marion (editor's note: Rousse, his partner).
May be too much.
[...] Julian is a young dog full of energy, you should let him cross the yard from time to time.
And it must also be said: so far and no further.
There's still a bad boy in him.
I love my runners, but it has to be fair.
As you get older, you need to take care of yourself more.
You have to train harder.
»
This “mega-contract” is the salary increase to 2.3 million euros per year that Alaphilippe obtained in the spring of 2021, when he was one of the best runners in the world.
Since then, the seasons have been more difficult for Alaphilippe, notably due to various falls and a more irregular form.
Already, last April, Lefevere made a similar speech to RMC: “It eats up a large part of my budget
(editor's note estimated at 20 million euros),
and I still want results too.
I learned a very beautiful expression in French:
in life everyone must justify their salary
.
»
Also read: How the Alaphilippe-Lefevere relationship became strained, between lack of results and incessant barbs
Rebelote, therefore, at the start of the season.
If it is now established that Julian Alaphilippe will not go beyond 2024 with the Soudal-Quick Step jersey, the last months risk being very long for the Frenchman.
According to Lefévère, a discussion took place last spring to try to re-mobilize the double world champion, whom he therefore considers not professional enough.
“I spoke to him in November,” continues Lefévère.
We were with Marion (editor's note: Marion Rousse, her partner) and her manager Dries Smets.
I said: It can't continue like this.
If you do anything wrong again, I'll fire you immediately.
The message was received I believe.
»
If he raced in Australia in mid-January during the Tour Down Under, Julian Alaphilippe will make his official return to Belgium on Saturday at Het Nieuwsblad, the traditional opening race of the cycling season.