Patrick Lefevere renews Julian Alaphilippe criticism with ‘cold truth’ – ‘Can’t keep hiding behind illnesses and falls’

Soudal Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere has renewed his criticism of Julian Alaphilippe ahead of the new cycling season.

Alaphilippe, twice a world road race champion, takes star billing – alongside the likes of Remco Evenepoel – in the Belgian team for 2023, with a salary to match.

And as Alaphilippe’s campaign gets underway at the Mallorca Challenge event, the Frenchman has been urged to start turning in performances after a dreadful 2022 marred by illnesses and crashes.

“I told him I was not happy at all. I understand his illnesses and falls, but you can’t keep hiding behind that. It was the cold truth.

“Everyone knows that I do not attack injured riders, but if there is a high price tag attached to it, then I can respond.

“Last year he won two times, the years before three and four times. I didn’t take him into the team for that.”

Alaphilippe, in his conversation with L’Equipe around the notion of possibly leaving the team, said: “The question of changing horizons has never come up.

“When we talked about it during the off-season, I told him that I didn’t necessarily want to go elsewhere.

“Every time I have discussions with him it goes well. He never said such things to my face.

“To be honest, I was a little surprised to read that. If he had a problem with me, I think he would have told me first. So, I’m not too worried.”

The Frenchman appears determined to right the wrongs of 2022, admitting the rainbow jersey had weighed down on him.

“Without the world champion’s jersey, it [2022] would have been different,” he said. “When you’re an average rider, nobody cares, but when you have the jersey, it’s harder to deal with.

“Now I will do everything to set the record straight.

“This is one of the first seasons where I feel so free, so relaxed. I don’t feel any pressure, I just want to enjoy it.

“I’m happy and motivated to start the season.

“I am in a really good state of mind. I have a great motivation for all that is to come.”

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