"I should sue them for defamation" - Patrick Lefevere hits back at Gazzetta dello Sport's accusations that Evenepoel fled Giro d'Italia

An article by Gazzetta dello Sport suggested that Remco Evenepoel used Covid-19 as an excuse to hide something else. The backlash has been extensive and Patrick Lefevere himself has came out furious with the words of Pier Bergonzi.

“A line has been crossed. Too bad they don't know the word libel. Actually, I should sue them for defamation. Remco's father was very angry. How can you accuse someone who is sick, has corona, of fleeing home? Who are they to question a doctor?" Lefevere told Het Nieuwsblad. "That is anything but correct. Moreover, Remco has not fled. He didn't leave home until 9:30 on Monday. I have spoken to him via Whatsapp in the meantime. He is still positive and still has symptoms. Apparently there are still infected riders in the Giro who continue to ride, but that is their own choice.”

The World Champion had just came off a second stage win in a time-trial, pulling back on the pink jersey. However it all came crumbling down hours later as a routine Covid test showed an infection. Shortly after the team conducted it's own testing which confirmed once again that the World Champion had been - like several other riders - down with the illness.

The team announced he was departing from the race, before letting the Giro organizers know. “That may have been the only mistake we made," the team manager admits. “But that doesn't mean they shouldn't use that to accuse Remco. One should be grateful to Remco in Italy for coming to the Giro, and then they will shoot him.”

Upon the Belgian's abandon from the race opinions were all over the spectrum, with many believing it was the right option, but also quite a few arguing that it was unnecessary, and others suggesting it was a cover-up for something else. The team continues to always remove infected riders from competition due to the risk of further health complications.

“We had several corona cases in the team last year, including Tim Declercq who was in hospital with an inflammation of his pericardium. It's not worth it to me. We're not going to be silly, are we? I'm not toying with the life of a 23-year-old boy. I don't want that on my conscience," he concluded.