"As long as no one puts anything concrete on my table, he'll ride for us" - Patrick Lefevere in no doubt over Remco Evenepoel's future

After a heroic performance at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, Remco Evenepoel leaves France with a pair of gold medals and his stock higher than ever before. Despite seemingly being comfortable at Soudal - Quick-Step, rumours of the Belgian's imminent departure continue to rumble on.

The loudest rumour of all is the talk of Evenepoel soon joining up with long time Grand Tour rival Primoz Roglic and Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe. Speculation continues however, about a long rumoured move to the INEOS Grenadiers, that could see the time trial world champion save the flailing British-based super team.

Growing more and more discontented with such talk however, the Soudal - Quick-Step team boss Patrick Lefevere, who is never afraid to speak his mind, has voiced his opinion on the continued transfer rumours via Het Nieuwsblad. "As long as no one puts anything concrete on my table, he'll ride for us," Lefevere says firmly. "If someone says tomorrow: 'look, that's his annual salary, we'll multiply that by two and add a little bit more , then I might be able to applaud. But first and foremost, it's about the athlete himself!"

Whilst these transfer rumours and the talk that Soudal - Quick-Step seemingly aren't strong enough to support Evenepoel in his Grand Tour goals have been around for some time now. In recent seasons though, it must be said that Lefevere has invested heavily in the mountainous support for the Belgian, with the most recent Tour de France and the domestique performances of Mikel Landa, Jan Hirt and Ilan Van Wilder a perfect example. In 2025, it's expected Valentin Paret-Peintre and Max Schachmann will add further strength in depth.

"We have never paid Remco a euro too little, on the contrary. So in that respect it is not a problem. It is not easy. You have to compete with large budgets, but on the other hand we are there for everything," Lefevere continues, also noting the financial aspect. "We also allow a lot. Such as REV and some other things that they organize themselves."