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"
CyclingThursday, 22 February 2024 at 16:15
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."
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Here we go again! 🙄😒
No we don’t, this dates from February, no need to drag it back if you missed it at the time because nothing much has happened lately on that front.
Here we go again... Lefevere dragged another person in this drama🤦🏻
Ok, I think this has gone far enough without anyone checking up the origin of the problem. Does anyone have access to the Dutch text to see if he actually accused MR of anything?
Yes he’s an a-hole but depending on exactly what he said he may only have stated an uncomfortable truth which the media/translator exploited to create controversy note the quote leaves a gap between alcohol/partying and MR and the article only suggests a very descriptive « in the PRESENCE of MR » which, knowing her functions just sounds like JA is enjoying a drink and chat with mates whilst she’s working (not being able to keep an eye on her man) in the same big hall. It only has to have happened once or twice for someone in JA position wrt PL to come within range of the fan that spews shit. Andy Schleck got the same treatment from Rijs when he was partying Australian style at the wrong moment. It’s fine when the results keep rolling in but you can’t expect to escape unscathed from your boss if you do this during a bad patch.
Pat Lef is a misogynist. His repeated comments about women prove this. Julian not performing is directly related to his injuries and associated recovery and not related to Marion at all. Pat Lef has done this with a number of riders including Sam Bennett.
Misogynist is the choice word for virtue signalers, lol.
Ever heared Lefevere was one of those people who harrass women's cycling riders earlier? No?
Lefevre can be a class jerk at the best of times...it's a poor excuse of actions 'arrogance, within a man, never mind humanity