"Too many parties and alcohol" as Patrick Lefevere is tough as nails to get Julian Alaphilippe back to his best
Cycling
Expectations are rising and all eyes are once again on Julian Alaphilippe, the charismatic French rider of the Soudal - Quick-Step team. After two disappointing seasons, the Frenchman has a clear imperative: to re-emerge in the spring and once again excel in the classics. However, his road to redemption appears to be hampered by extra-sporting problems, according to recent revelations from team manager Patrick Lefevere.
At just 31 years old, Alaphilippe is at a crucial crossroads in his professional career. With two world titles to his credit, his talent and skills on the bike are undisputed. However, his performance has been inconsistent in recent years, raising questions about his commitment and focus.
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In a revealing interview with José De Cauwer in HUMO magazine, Patrick Lefevere bluntly laid out the French rider's situation. "Julian is a good guy, but after signing his mega-contract, he stopped performing," Lefevere asserted, highlighting a drop in Alaphilippe's performance after securing a lucrative contract with the team.
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Lefevere went on to explain the possible reasons behind Alaphilippe's reduced performance, pointing to problems related to excessive partying and alcohol consumption, especially in the company of his sports journalist partner Marion Rousse. "Too much partying, too much alcohol.... with Marion," Lefevere stated, suggesting that these habits could be affecting the rider's dedication and concentration in competitions.
The team manager did not spare warnings, indicating that he has had direct and serious conversations with Alaphilippe about his behavior. "I spoke to him in November last year, in front of Marion and his representative Dries Smets. I told him, 'This can't go on like this. If you screw up one more time, I'll fire you on the spot,'" Lefevere revealed, underlining the seriousness of the situation and the need for immediate change.
However, Lefevere also recognized Alaphilippe's potential and the importance of supporting him in his recovery process. "Julian is a young dog full of energy," Lefevere commented. "You have to let him cross the track from time to time. And you also have to tell him: this far and no further. There is still a naughty little man in him."
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Rúben SilvaEditor-in-Chief
A founding contributor to CyclingUpToDate since its launch in January 2022, Ruben Silva has played a central role in shaping the site’s editorial direction and long-term growth. Before joining the project, he built his experience through independent blogging at Echelons Hub and by producing race previews for Ciclismo Internacional, developing a strong analytical voice rooted in daily engagement with professional cycling.
Beyond editorial work, he has been closely involved in the expansion and coordination of CyclingUpToDate’s wider network, helping establish and support sister platforms across multiple languages. This includes ongoing collaboration with CiclismoAlDia (Spanish), CiclismoAtual (Portuguese), WielrennenUpToDate (Dutch), and RadsportAktuell (German), contributing to a shared editorial vision and consistent international coverage.
He also helps oversee editorial governance across the network, setting standards for accuracy and consistency and coordinating updates or corrections when needed.
Originally from the Porto metropolitan area in Portugal, he holds a bachelor’s degree in Geography. His path into cycling journalism was shaped not through formal media training, but through independent reporting, community engagement, and sustained on-the-ground involvement in the sport.
Over the course of his career, he has conducted approximately 100 interviews across road cycling and cyclocross, ranging from one-to-one conversations and online formats to press conferences and on-site pre- and post-race coverage. His interviews include leading riders, team managers, and prominent figures within cycling media: Tadej Pogacar, Jonas Vingegaard, Mathieu van der Poel, Primoz Roglic, Wout van Aert, Joao Almeida and Tom Pidcock; managers like Patrick Lefevere and Joxean Matxin; and YouTube personality Bryan Kennedy (BKXC)...
Within 18 months of launch, he helped grow CyclingUpToDate’s English-language platform into one of the most-read cycling news websites, built entirely from the ground up. As both a professional journalist and lifelong cycling enthusiast, his focus remains on delivering accurate, timely, and well-contextualized coverage.
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- And we, what are we doing?Jumpyjohn08-11-2026
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🇧🇪Lefevere looks back on 🇫🇷 Alaphilippe’s difficult years. 🗣️ “Julian is a good guy, but after he signed that huge contract he stopped performing. I love my riders, but it has to remain fair. When you’re getting older, you need to train more and keep on fighting.” (HUMO)
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