Patrick Lefevere and Julian Alaphilippe. It's been a tricky relationship over recent years as through injuries and loss of confidence, the former world champion has struggled for form and Lefevere has publicly lambasted his rider via the press.
With Alaphilippe in his contract year at Soudal - Quick-Step, the general consensus is that the Frenchman will part ways at the end of the year. Following his resurgent performance at the 2024 Giro d'Italia however, where Alaphilippe sensationally took a stage win with a 120 kilometre attack on stage 12 and ended up claiming the Most Combative Rider award, could a new contract still yet be on the cards at Soudal - Quick-Step?
“His agent Dries Smets has once again pushed for a new conversation," Lefevere explains on the situation in his column for Het Nieuwsblad. "I have no idea whether that is out of politeness or out of genuine interest in staying. Because the Giro has of course also changed the market situation for Julian. I especially hope that I can sit with him again. Face to face, without agent and without a negotiating agenda on my part.”
Given that Alaphilippe has raced his whole career for Soudal - Quick-Step, Lefevere insists there is still a close bond between the pair despite all the water under the bridge of recent controversies. “I want to clear the air personally and professionally. Julian has been in our team since he was seventeen," the outspoken Belgian explains. "I'm not going to call him a son, but it doesn't make much difference. What happened happened. I said what I said. But I want to make sure that none of that sticks.”
In terms of teams interested in Alaphilippe, there seems to be no shortage with the likes of TotalEnergies, Cofidis and the Tudor Pro Cycling Team all reportedly keen to bring in the two-time world champion and multiple Grand Tour stage winner.
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