Julian Alaphilippe's wife Marion Rousse fires back at Patrick Lefevere over alleged lies and defaming: "It is unacceptable to attack my private life as he does"

Marion Rouse is one of the most accomplished and important women in the current onset of women's cycling. The Director of the Tour de France Femmes is also the partner of Julian Alaphilippe, and she has responded to what she says are lies said by Patrick Lefevere about her and their family.

Lefevere has for the past year and a half been in a seemingly one-sided spat with Julian Alaphilippe, arguing that after signing a well-payed contract the performance of the Frenchman has not been the same. In part true, but coincidental with the Frenchman's injury and illness-ridden 2022 season. In 2023 Alaphilippe struggled to perform once again, and Lefevere's attacks on his own rider intensify.

This Tuesday it reached a new level. The manager of Soudal - Quick-Step once again criticized Alapilippe and threatened to fire him if the current situation continues, where he alleges Alaphilippe does not show the necessary work ethic and also drinks too much alcohol. However this time he talked about the former World Champion's wife: "Too much partying, too much alcohol.... with Marion," he wrote.

Such statements came across very negatively all over the cycling bubble, but specially to Rousse, who has not only responded promptly to Lefevere, but claims that his statement is also a lie. "No matter how Mr. Lefevere feels about me, it is unacceptable to attack my private life as he does. So no, I do not drink alcohol, never have. As for the holidays, they are also a miss because with a 3-year-old, we prefer to be in good shape in the morning. You will not succeed, as you have already mentioned, in preventing me from working to take care and stay with Julian during his career."

Alaphilippe himself has not responded to the allegations or the conversation, but at this point the situation is evolving into a massive outrage against the manager of the Belgian team.

"The missions I carry out are my passion, and you should know that I have plenty of projects. But let me tell you, in no case do I allow you to speak about my private life," Rousse added. "Thank you from now on to stop speaking wrongly and across, and to show more respect and... class."