The criticisms of Patrick Lefevre once again pinpointing Julian Alaphilippe do not pass.
The Soudal-Quick Step team manager said:
“I think there were too many parties and too much alcohol at home.”
Marion Rousse, the companion of Julian Alaphilippe, expressed her anger.
Pascal Chanteur, president of the UNCP, the riders' union, summed up in L'Équipe:
“This is a private, family matter.
And that is deplorable that an employer can make such comments against one of its employees.
This type of thing would happen in an average company, the employee would be entitled to file a complaint.
I find this type of comment and attitude totally inappropriate.
Then there is the medical aspect.
When he talks about the party, about the alcohol, it's tendentious, it could be linked to a medical problem, and only one person can talk about that, and that's the person himself.
Not the team doctor, not his employer.
If Mr. Lefevere had highlighted such a problem with the team doctor, he should have set up a process around Julian, with occupational medicine.
So I totally deplore all of this, this questioning through the media of the attitude of one of its employees, whether it be Julian or a mechanic or anyone.”