Lefevere reveals financial dispute with Giro d'Italia organizers: "Because Remco did not finish the Giro, they did not want to pay the agreed starting fee"

Patrick Lefevere is not a man of hiding the ins and outs of cycling; He explains how Giro d'Italia organizers RCS did not pay Remco Evenepoel's starting fee in 2024 after the Soudal - Quick-Step rider was forced to abandon the race with Covid-19. Something which sparked a financial dispute.

“For Remco, the Giro is of course unfinished business, after he had to give up last year due to Covid. As we know, the organization then rightly blamed us for not having personally informed them that Remco could not continue. That was very emotional and very Italian. According to RCS CEO Mauro Vegni, the pink jersey had left like un ladro nella notte, a thief in the night," Lefevere shares with Het Nieuwsblad. “Until a few months ago, there was a financial dispute with RCS about this. Because Remco did not finish the Giro, they did not want to pay the agreed starting fee."

Evenepoel won the initial time-trial of the race and led the Giro for a few days. Then, he won the individual time-trial again on stage 9 and put on the pink jersey. Only a few hours later, he tested positive for Covid-19 and abandoned the race - a shock for the world of cycling. However it was not just the disappointment of the withdraw, Quick-Step also did not receive the starting fee despite the 9 days of racing.

"I thought that was nonsense because the word starting money says it all: money to start. I don't want to be too cynical about that, but no one can claim that Remco did not play his role as a poster boy in the Giro, with promotional videos and interviews before and during," Lefevere argues. This led to communication that lasted for several months.

“He was simply sensational in the opening time trial. I thought it was a shame to skimp on the price with a forced withdraw. It is not that Remco simply left the race. Starting fees are not huge sums, but I won't reveal a secret when I say that in a cycling team, every little bit helps." He continues: "To give an order of magnitude: Remco's starting money in the Giro – in practice a sum for a package of RCS races – can ensure that we just have a budget for an extra rider.”

“In the winter, when the Giro-Tour was double on the table, RCS came up with a kind of amicable settlement: if Remco rode the Giro again, they would still match the amount owed, on top of the starting fee for 2024." However, Evenepoel ultimately does not start the Giro, so the topic remains open for another year. "Also in that Optically, doubles fit into the team's agenda.”