"He'll have to be very good in the Giro d'Italia" - Patrick Lefevere doubtful Julian Alaphilippe will join Remco Evenepoel at the Tour de France

After finishing runner-up at Paris-Nice, Remco Evenepoel was quick to note that the Soudal - Quick-Step team was not all full strength, expressing his hope that Mikel Landa and Julian Alaphilippe would join him at the Tour de France.

"For the Tour de France, there will still be Landa in addition and perhaps a Julian who I would like to have with me in the selection,” declared the Soudal - Quick-Step leader after winning the final stage of Paris-Nice 2024, enough to secure a second-placed finish overall.

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In response to this though, Soudal - Quick-Step boss and outspoken critic of Julian Alaphilippe, Patrick Lefevere was doubtful. "The selection is made at the end of June. Of course, if they are in good health, there will be Evenepoel, Landa, Cattaneo and Van Wilder. That still leaves a few places to be taken,” Lefevere explains to RMC Sport.

"Julian Alaphilippe? He will first have to fulfil the objectives set for him. And in particular he'll have to be very good in the Giro d'Italia," Lefevere concludes. With the French former World Champion in the last year of his contract and the relationship between him and Lefevere more strained than ever, this could be Alaphilippe's last campaign with Soudal - Quick-Step.

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