Ineos told to ‘stop flirting’ with Remco Evenepoel as Patrick Lefevere denounces ‘media show’
Soudal Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere has told Ineos Grenadiers to “stop flirting” with his star rider Remco Evenepoel.
Ineos have been repeatedly linked with a move for the 23-year-old, who is under contract until 2026.
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Although Tadej Pogacar (UAE Team Emirates) and Jumbo-Visma duo Jonas Vingegaard and Roglic have greater GC pedigree, Evenepoel is thought to be the easiest option to land given Ineos’ spending power compared to Soudal Quick-Step.
However Lefevere, as he has on plenty of occasions already, was quick to shoot down those rumours.
“OK, we are not Ineos, we are not sheikhs… but we have the same power. And Ineos should stop flirting with him.
“It’s clear for me, it’s a media show.”
Evenepoel tested positive for Covid just hours after taking the leader’s maglia rosa on Stage 9’s individual time trial.
Although he won the stage, it was not the commanding performance many expected with Lefevere revealing that Evenepoel was also surprised with his sub-par showing.
“Before the TT he was on the bus saying ‘hmmm, my nose is closing, is a doctor around?’,” said Lefevere.
“And then he did the TT and everyone saw his face, he looked like he was 40. Then he was in the car with the soigneurs and said ‘I hope I don’t get sick because that’s not normal, I can normally push 20 watts more. But it didn’t happen, I don’t know what happened.’
“That evening he was positive.”
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