"Remco's father said it brutally, but in essence I think the same" - Soudal - Quick-Step DS defends Evenepoel senior after war of words with Patrick Lefevere

The drama surrounding Remco Evenepoel and where his future lies continues to develop like a series of a soap opera. The latest twist in the saga? Soudal - Quick-Step's Klaas Lodewyck taking the side of Patrick Evenepoel rather than Patrick Lefevere.

"Remco's father said it brutally, but in essence I think the same," Lodewyck told Het Laatste Nieuws in response to Evenepoel senior's claim that, "As long as Soudal Quick-Step cannot guarantee that Remco will be able to fight for a Tour win next year, it makes sense," amidst the constant flirting with the INEOS Grenadiers.

Expanding his comments, Lodewyck explains why he sides with Patrick Evenepoel. "I also believe that as a team you should continue to evaluate. That is the reality of top sport: if you are satisfied with what you have, you will stand still," he says. "You have to keep looking for improvement. We agree on that point: the only way is forward."

In the near future at least, Evenepoel and Soudal - Quick-Step need to be on the same page as the Belgian looks to defend his Vuelta a Espana title against a star studded field.

"There are so many leaders. Look at the participant list. Remco, Jonas Vingegaard, Primoz Roglic, Geraint Thomas, Juan Ayuso, Joao Almeida: actually that is better than the Tour," Lodewyck details. "Tadej Pogacar is the only one who is not there. He and Vingegaard were outstanding in the Tour, but the layer below is better in this Vuelta. There are more candidates for the podium here than there were in the Tour. This is the strongest field that Remco has ever raced against in a stage race."