In his podcast
“The Geraint Thomas Cycling Club”
, the English rider from the Ineos Grenadiers team strongly criticized one of the latest media outings by Patrick Lefevere, general director of Soudal Quick Step.
The Belgian declared publicly, a few days before affirming that his remarks had been placed at the start of a long interview, that Julian Alaphilippe, rider of his team, was doing “too much partying” and drinking “too much alcohol”.
Before adding that his partner, Marion Rousse, would play a role in the Frenchman's poor form.
“It’s crazy
,” Thomas said.
“To be honest, I have a lot of respect for Patrick (Lefevere) and what he has done over the years with QuickStep.
But for a team boss with so much history and respect from people... losing it in public - that's mental.
With Sam Bennett, he had this problem and now with Alaphilippe.
Read alsoCycling: “He knows what he’s talking about,” assures Pineau after Lefevere’s attacks on Alaphilippe
“
This should not be done in public”
“As a rider, I feel sorry for my colleagues. I know Sam well, not as well as Julian, but this is just crazy situation, this shouldn't be done in public. Whatever thoughts he has, they must be resolved behind closed doors. I thought he was drunk. Maybe he was, I don’t know
,” he concluded.