Soudal - Quick-Step have the team to take Remco Evenepoel to Tour de France podium says Patrick Lefevere: "I know many doubt that, but I like to be underestimated”

Remco Evenepoel will finally made his much-anticipated and long-awaited Tour de France debut in 2024 and with Soudal - Quick-Step having become more and more about supporting the Belgian in recent years, team boss Patrick Lefevere is confident Evenepoel can mount a podium challenge.

“The pressure will be great again,” admits the always outspoken boss of Soudal - Quick-Step in conversation with HLN. “Remco may not say it himself, but he dreams of the podium. We’re not going to disguise that ambition, but I’m not going to jump off the balcony if it doesn’t work out. I believe we have a team that can ‘deliver’ him in the best way. I know many doubt that, but I like to be underestimated.”

Although the likes of Mikel Landa and Gianni Moscon have been added to the roster this year, rumours of Evenepoel's imminent departure from the team persist. During the World Championships last summer, Lefevere even got involved in a very public spat with his team leader's father.

“Things were said in Glasgow that perhaps I should not have said,” Lefevere reflects regretfully. “And there has been something, but I have no discussion with Remco today. It happens at some point in every ‘ménage’, but I’m not vindictive: I’ve drawn a line under it. Our relationship is fine."

Whilst their relationships may be 'fine', Lefevere admits he and Evenepoel are far from friends. “That is not possible in my position,” he explains. “It’s difficult for me to get emotionally involved. As a team leader you want that bond with your rider because you always want to know what’s going on in his mind, but as a manager, distance is necessary. When riders have reached the end of their contract, they have no compassion for me at the negotiating table.”