Patrick Lefevere renews the criticism of Julian Alaphilippe with a “cold truth” – “I cannot continue to hide behind illnesses and falls”

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

Alaphilippe, a two-time road racing world champion, takes the star – alongside Remco Evenepoel – in Belgium’s squad for 2023, with a salary to match.

And as Alaphilippe’s campaign kicks off at the Mallorca Challenge event, the Frenchman has been told to start producing performances after a terrible 2022 marred by illness and accidents.

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Alaphilippe needs to ‘confirm he’s still a champion’, says Lefevere

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It is not the first time that Lefevere has taken the opportunity to call his runner, having declared in December that Alaphilippe had to “confirm that he is still champion”. In a subsequent interview with L’Equipe, Alaphilippe denied that the pair had held tense conversations during the off-season, but Lefevere confirmed – on the contrary – that he had made his expectations known to the 30-year-old. “He says we didn’t have that conversation, I say we did. His wife and his manager were there,” Lefevere told Belgian outlet Sporza.

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

“Everyone knows I don’t attack injured riders, but if there’s a high price tag attached to it, then I can react.

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

Alaphilippe, in his conversation with L’Equipe around the idea of ​​possibly leaving the team, said: “The question of the change of horizon has never arisen.

“When we talked about it during the offseason, I told him that I didn’t necessarily want to go anywhere else.

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

“To be honest, I was a bit 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 seems determined to right the wrongs of 2022, admitting the rainbow shirt weighed on him.

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

Julian Alaphilippe

Image credit: Eurosport

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

“It’s 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’m in a really good frame of mind. I have great motivation for whatever’s to come.”

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