Lefevere shrugs off Evenepoel's INEOS rumours: "If INEOS wants to try to sign him, I wish them luck!"

The rumours has been present for quite some time, although it does not appear to have a solid base. Patrick Lefevere was asked again about the intention of INEOS Grenadiers to buy out Remco Evenepoel's contract, to which the manager of Soudal - Quick-Step brushed to the side once more.

"It's always like that in a Grand Tour, the gossips gather. If that were to happen, then I should act like a decent businessman and ask my sponsors and my owner Zdenek Bakala what they think," Lefevere told Het Nieuwsblad. "But we shouldn't talk about Remco Evenepoel as a sports car who would be for sale or not. Either way, it's not his style to let the team down. So if INEOS wants to try to sign him, I wish them luck!"

Because of INEOS' big financial capabilities and the rising talent that is Evenepoel, interest is apparent naturally but to be able to net this transfer would require financial amounts likely unseen previously in pro cycling. The World Champion is signed until 2026 with the Belgian team and is a reigning Grand Tour and monument winner as well as World Champion at 23.

Tadej Pogacar has been reportedly put on a €100 million termination clause so as to avoid the interest of other financially strong teams to make moves and try to buy out his contract. Although Evenepoel is not in the same situation, the increasing amounts of money present at the highest level of pro cycling starts to mix the transfer seasons up a bit more.