"There is petty bullsh*t going around" - Remco Evenepoel's response to INEOS Grenadiers transfer rumours

Patrick Lefevere has been quite vocal on INEOS Grenadiers' attempts to sign Remco Evenepoel despite his long-term contract with Soudal - Quick-Step. The British team stays silent on the subject, whilst the World Champion now says he's unaware of the story developing.

"It's quite special that stories are doing the rounds that I don't know about. It's actually quite funny. From the outside, you know more than I do," Evenepoel said in a press conference ahead of the Clásica San Sebastián, where he will race tomorrow in an attempt to defend his title. "There are stories going around that I am not aware of and my entourage is not. I find that quite special, to be honest.”

The lack of a leader such as that of Evenepoel or the Jumbo-Visma riders leaves INEOS Grenadiers with a gap in it's Grand Tour formations, and with it's massive financial capacity it is rumoured that for the past months there have been bids to communicate and negotiate a possible move with the Belgian. Reports variate from his happiness in the team, but also from his desire to leave because of insufficient salary when compared to riders of his caliber.

The Belgian team in the meantime is pulling out all the stops to sign more riders to support him in the mountains, specially ahead of a likely Tour de France debut in 2024. It is speculated that the transfer of Mikel Landa is virtually given as a certain, whilst INEOS' Laurens de Plus is also a very big target for Quick-Step. Evenepoel however remains out of the money discussion and focuses on his racing.

The Belgian has done a recon of some Vuelta a Espana summit finishes this week including the Alto de l'Angliru, and this Saturday will be the main favourite to win the first World Tour race since the end of the Tour de France. “I think I am mentally strong enough to focus myself on what I have to do this summer," he says. "For me there is no reason to be unhappy at Soudal-Quick-Step. Let me say that there is petty bullshit going around. Sorry for the word, but I don't know a better one at the moment.”