"His wake-up calls are sometimes necessary": Long-time Quick-Step rider Yves Lampaert believes Lefevere is the key to continuing success

According to long-time Soudal - Quick-Step rider, Yves Lampaert, the motivational tactics used by team manager Patrick Lefevere have been the key to the team's success. "Patrick wants to get the most out of his riders' careers. His wake-up calls are sometimes necessary."

Having been under the Quick-Step banner since 2015, Lampaert has seen more than his fair share of Lefevere "wake-up calls", some of which he has been on the receiving end himself. "Sometimes a rider needs a bulb wash so that he does not fall asleep. Patrick has every right to do that: he is the boss and decides on our contracts," Lampaert tells Sporza.

"He means well. Patrick wants to get the most out of his riders' careers. His wake-up calls are sometimes necessary," the 31-year-old Belgian continues. "It has also happened to me a few times that he has said straight out what he thinks. Fortunately, that was some time ago now.”

Thankfully for both Lampaert and Lefevere, 2022 was a successful season for the two-time Dwars door Vlaanderen winner including wearing the yellow jersey at the Tour de France. Nevertheless, Lampaert believes there is still room to improve. “I was very disappointed with the classics,” he admits. “It really looked like I could put something right in Paris-Roubaix, but I couldn't do that because of that collision. I'm really keen to ride a good spring. If I win a cobbled classic at all, that would be phenomenal.”