Lefever attacks Alaphilippe, season 12, episode 9. The Soudal-Quick Step boss has paid his star runner again in the columns of Flemish newspaper Humo at the center of a crossover interview with former Belgian cyclist José De Cauwer. And not half.
“Julian is a good guy. But after signing his mega-contract, we didn’t see him again,” explains Lefever. Too many parties and too much alcohol… He is seriously fascinated by Marion (editor’s note: Roose, his partner). Maybe too much. […] Julian is a young dog full of energy and should be allowed to cross the yard from time to time. And I must also say: for now and no further. There’s still a bad boy in him. I love my runners, but it has to be fair. As you age, you need to take more care of yourself. You will have to train harder. »
This “mega-contract” represents a salary increase to €2.3 million per year that Alaphilippe received in the spring of 2021, when he was one of the world’s top runners. Since then, the seasons have become more difficult for Alaphilippe, in particular due to various falls and more irregular shapes. Already in April last year, Lefever gave a similar speech to RMC: “It eats up most of my budget.” (Editor’s note: estimated at 20 million euros), and I still want results. I learned a very beautiful expression in French: in life everyone has to justify their salary. »
So redistribute it early in the season. If it is now established that Julian Alaphilippe will not make it beyond 2024 in the Soudal-Quick Step shirt, the final months risk being very long for the Frenchman. According to Lefebvre, there was a discussion last spring about trying to re-mobilize the two-time world champion, whom he therefore considers insufficiently professional. “I spoke to him in November,” Lefebvre continues. We were with Marion (editor’s note: Marion Russ, her partner) and her manager Dries Smets. I said: This cannot go on. If you do anything wrong again, I will fire you immediately. I believe the message has been received. »
If he raced in Australia in mid-January during the Tour Down Under, Julian Alaphilippe will officially return to Belgium on Saturday at Het Nieuwsblad, the traditional opening race of the cycling season.
Source: Le Parisien
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