"I should sue them for defamation" - Patrick Lefevere hits back at Gazzetta dello Sport's accusations that Evenepoel fled Giro d'Italia
Cycling
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.”
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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.
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A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
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Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
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- wtf dudemij07-11-2026
- big rival … ridiculous.Ketterechts07-11-2026
- It would be great if the World Champion's jersey could be rotated among McNulty, Simmons, and Jorgenson. They threaded the needle perfectly. If each hadn't done exactly what he did, exactly when he did it, the race would have gone to one of the more heralded superstars. That said, how nice that this humble and hardworking guy gets his moment in the sun.
MarkFour07-11-2026 - This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
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The Wolfpack never gives up ✊ Good luck in today’s #Giro stage, guys!
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