Lefevere annoyed at Remco Evenepoel transfer rumours: "It started four years ago with Ineos. Today it’s Red Bull. Tomorrow it’ll be UAE, right?"

Remco Evenepoel has been in Soudal - Quick-Step since the start of his career but due to the team's lack of budget and climbing support against the big teams, rumours have consistently emerged over the interest of other teams signing him and how that could potentially benefit him. Patrick Lefevere admits that he is fed up with those.

“That is indeed anything but the intention. A departure is not even an option. Certainly not as long as I do not have a message on my desk from a team asking to talk to Remco," Lefevere said in words to La Dernière Heure. "Does Remco have so much more to gain from someone else? Maybe we are financially a bit weaker, but Evenepoel feels good here. It is also about trust. And look at his track record. In 2026 he will be 26. Maybe he can go for the big money then. Although it is possible that we will also have greater financial resources at that time."

Certainly, having reached his very best level this summer at the Tour de France, it was possible to see that the Belgian barely required team support in the key moments. In the mountains at least, even an incredibly strong Mikel Landa who finished fifth in the GC himself was barely necessary to help Evenepoel who was not once put in a position of extreme difficulties. He has since won both Olympic Games title and already a World title this week, displaying his array of talent and how it can be used outside of the regular team setting as well.

But Lefevere's "certainly not as long as I do not have a message on my desk from a team" comment, which has been said many times in the past, also makes it clear that the door is never completely closed - making way for these rumours to spread further. After a big story last winter emerged over a possible merge between Visma and Quick-Step, it was reported at the time that Evenepoel and only a few more riders would make the move to a mostly Visma block. That ultimately did not happen. Red Bull - BORA - hansgrohe has over the past months been rumoured to be quite interested in making a move on him.

"I only notice that big brands are knocking on our door. But actually I am tired of the whole history surrounding an Evenepoel transfer," Lefevere admits. "It started four years ago with Ineos. Today it’s Red Bull. Tomorrow it’ll be UAE, right? Those rumours bother me because they don’t contribute to anything. Remember last year that whole saga about a possible merger with Visma… I think everyone is fed up with that now.”