The darling of the French public, Julian Alaphilippe, will “a priori” not participate in the Tour de France in 2024, indicated Patrick Lefevere, the manager of his Soudal Quick-Step team on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the presentation of his team.
“A priori no (he will not participate in the Tour), because seeing Julian as a 100% domestic of Remco Evenepoel, I don’t like that image,” said Lefevere about the former double world champion whose the contract expires at the end of the year. At the 2024 Tour de France (June 29-July 21), Soudal Quick-Step will in fact bet everything on Remco Evenepoel, who has gradually taken power within the Belgian team and who will take the start of the Grande for the first time Loop.
“I think the Giro suits his style of impulsive runner, not always intelligent but who people like”
Patrick Lefevere on Julian Alaphilippe
Alaphilippe should, on the other hand, participate in the Tour of Italy (May 4-26). “I think the Giro suits his style of impulsive runner, not always intelligent but who people like,” said Lefevere. This is not the first time that the Belgian has been tough on “Alaf” (31 years old), winner of six stages on the Tour de France and wearer of the yellow jersey for 18 days in total, but who remains over two very mixed and constitutes one of the highest salaries of his team.
Asked for the Frenchman’s reaction to his likely non-selection for the Tour, he added: “A disgruntled rider in a team is useless. He had the opportunity to leave as several teams looked to sign him. I had discussions with him, but the year before, not last year. I said the things I wanted to say but I’m not someone who repeats myself. We reached an agreement. He said to me: ”Patrick, give me one more winter”. Now it’s up to him to show it. I like riders who respond to the pedal and he will do that. I think he is still capable of producing results. »
