Patrick Lefevere dissatisfied with Alaphilippe's World championships priorities: "I don’t pay him for that"

Julian Alaphilippe is having a third World champion title in his mind as a main priority, and Patrick Lefevere has talked about his feelings regarding that decision, instead of prioritizing the team's calendar.

In conversation with De Morgen, Lefevere said that “I hope he doesn’t repeat his trick from last year. Then he rode the Tour de France in preparation of the world championships. You can do that once, but in principle, I don’t pay him for that". The Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team manager was referring to the 2020 edition, where Alaphilippe's win came a week after he finished a successful Tour in Paris - where he won the second stage and briefly led the race.

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Lefevere doesn't look back at that period positively however, not pleased with the priority given to the Worlds as it does not benefit the team directly. An argument that can easily be countered, however he justified that he believes his riders should have their full commitment in the team's schedule.

This year, with several injuries and illnesses, Alaphilippe has ridden below the expected level. He's using the Vuelta a Espana as preparation for the World champions, but Lefevere expects there to be results throughout the three-week race aswell. “I expect something from him in the Vuelta a España, and not just in the service of Evenepoel," he said.

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“OK, he’s been through a lot of adversity. It was not an easy season for him. But it wasn’t for me either, his employer. I will always defend my riders, but that is a little easier with someone who earns 70,000 euros than when it concerns an amount with six zeros," he concluded.

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