INTERVIEW | Patrick Lefevere on Mikel Landa's Vuelta chances, Remco Evenepoel's plans for the rest of 2024 & a farewell message to Julian Alaphilippe: "I wish him good luck"

The 2024 Vuelta a Espana gone underway on Saturday, with a time trial around Lisbon. Whilst it wasn't the greatest day for Soudal - Quick-Step, with Red Jersey hopeful Mikel Landa already losing significant time, team boss Patrick Lefevere isn't too downhearted just yet.

"I was here for the World Championships in 2001 when Oscar Freire won," Lefevere says exclusively to CyclingUpToDate from the start of stage 2 of this year's Vuelta in Portugal. "I came up here several times for the Volta ao Algarve also. It's a nice country."

As mentioned, Soudal - Quick-Step's big hope for the 2024 Vuelta a Espana is Mikel Landa. "Well the podium is the goal. But of course, it's a long season and he was already in very good shape in Catalunya," Lefevere recalls. "Then he crashed in the Basque Country, but at the Tour, he was super good. Obviously, peaking three times in a year is not easy, but I don't think you can judge him on a TT like yesterdays. Flat, for the big guys, windy, he lost around 40 seconds and in Madrid, 40 seconds will not be that much."

At the Tour de France earlier this summer however, Landa was not the main man, working instead, in the service of Remco Evenepoel, the jewel is Lefevere's Soudal - Quick-Step crown. "He took off a little for a few days in Greece, but I know he's back in Spain now," Lefevere updates of the recently crowned double Olympic champion. "I texted him yesterday or the day before and he said 'It's very hot in Calpe but I'm glad I'm here.' Now it's back to business and he prepares for training camp and then the Tour of Britain."

One of Lefevere's stars is seemingly on the way out however, with Julian Alaphilippe reportedly signing a deal to ride with Tudor Pro Cycling Team for the 2025 season. "I have had some conversations with Julian. As you know, he was with me since he was 17. It was a tough decision but we decided to separate and I want to do so in good relations," Lefevere tells us of the Frenchman. "He can sign a three-year contract for a lot of money so, I wish him all the good luck."