"Too much partying, too much alcohol": Lefevere heavily criticises Alaphilippe & rows back
Thomas Goldmann
· 22.02.2024
Patrick Lefevere told the Belgian magazine Humo gave a remarkable interview in which he sharply criticised his protégé Julian Alaphilippe.
Julian is a good guy, but after he signed his mega contract, he hasn't performed - Patrick Lefevere
The two-time road world champion (2020 and 2021) had signed a new contract in 2021, which is expected to earn him 2.3 million euros a year. For Lefevere, it was a turning point in Alaphilippe's career. "Julian is a good guy, but after he signed his mega contract, he stopped performing," said the 69-year-old Belgian Humo. This is not the first time that Lefevere has criticised Alaphilippe. At the end of 2022, he had already made similar comments to Le Derniere Heure expressed: Alaphilippe has "the salary of a champion, but he has to prove that he still is one," the Belgian said at the time.
In April 2022, Alaphilippe crashed heavily at Liège-Bastogne-Liège and took a long time to get back on his feet. For Lefevere, the problems lie elsewhere: "Too much partying, too much alcohol," says the team boss.
Patrick Lefevere on Julian Alaphilippe and Marion Rousse
Marion Rousse also got her comeuppance from Lefevere in the interview. The director of the Tour de France Femmes is the former world champion's partner. "Julian is seriously under Marion's thumb. Perhaps too much. Julian is a young dog full of energy: you have to let him go across the yard from time to time. And you also have to say: this far and no further. There's still a cheeky little man in him." Alaphilippe had told the French sports newspaper L'Equipe revealed in April 2020 that he and Rousse were a couple. Their son Nino was born in 2021. Rousse has since responded with a statement on X reacted to Lefevere's statements and sent an urgent message to the Belgian.
If you screw up again, I'll fire you on the spot. - Patrick Lefevere on Julian Alaphilippe
In the interview, Lefevere talks about a clarifying conversation: "I spoke to him in November last year (Alaphilippe; editor's note) spoke. In the presence of his wife Marion (Rousse; editor's note.) and his manager Dries Smets, I said: 'It can't go on like this. If you mess up again, I'll sack you on the spot'. The message got through."
Patrick Lefevere rows back
On Wednesday, Lefevere spoke again - this time at Het Nieuwsblad. "I'm thinking about making a statement on Twitter because my words in English - without the context of the interview - once again sound more violent than in Dutch," said the team boss.
The conversation with Alaphilippe did not take place in 2023 - as written in the Humo interview - but in 2022. "There was a time with too many parties, but I have to say: he hasn't had a drink since our conversation in November 2022," explained Lefevere at Het Nieuwsblad. According to the report, the parties with "too much alcohol" date back to before 2022.
Julian Alaphilippe's contract with Soudal - Quick Step expires
The 2024 season will be groundbreaking for Alaphilippe. His contract expires at the end of the year. Lefevere is not ruling out a further collaboration with the French star. "He has to make the leap now and fight for it," said the team boss in the Humo-interview. However, it is doubtful whether Alaphilippe himself is still interested in a further collaboration after his boss's statements.
Alaphilippe will get his next opportunity to recommend himself for 2025 next Saturday at the Omloop het Nieuwsbladthe start of the classic season.
