Patrick Lefevere’s stable guarantees a suitcase full of victories every season. The expectations are no different in 2022. The patron of Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl talks about his leaders, Remco Evenepoel in particular. “Let’s be sober and applaud what he’s doing.”
Patrick Lefevere once again shone with pride at the annual Press Day as all the wins – over 60 – from 2021 were featured. Is it business as usual for the foreman?
“It never is. Otherwise you better stop,” says the 67-year-old team manager. “Every year there is tension. The bar is very high for us because of our status. We break a record every year left or right and then we want to continue on that momentum.”
One of the leaders who must help to achieve this is Remco Evenepoel. What has his team learned from 2021, including the first big round in the career of the only 21-year-old Evenepoel?
“First of all, we hope that he can race and that looks good. If he can start in a healthy way, we are convinced that we will see the Remco again from its first year: drive as fast as you can and the unleash competition.”
“Evenepoel apparently splits society into two parts”
“We try to curb the fuss about it,” says Lefevere himself. “It has sometimes been too big, just like the expectations.”
“Remco apparently splits society in two parts, but just do it at that age.”
“People talk about conflicts at the Games and the World Cup, but if there have been conflicts, they have not happened in our team.”
“That the national coach says that fewer yes-men around Evenepoel are needed? They are not in our team, are they. What do you have to say no to? He was still standing before that Strade ride in the Giro (where Evenepoel received a blow) 2nd.”
“We also have a good relationship with national coach Sven Vanthourenhout and his assistant Serge Pauwels. They will be around here on Tuesday and we will have a coffee. As far as I’m concerned, there are no problems.”
People talk about conflicts at the Games and the World Cup, but if there have been conflicts, they have not happened in our team.
Should the team also put its hand in its own bosom? Did Quick Step get swept up in the Giro craze last year?
“Sometimes something is created and if you see that and want to put on the brakes it’s already too late. You brake, but you know you will be driving on the roundabout.”
“Let’s be sober and applaud what Remco is doing. He brings spectacle.”
“Where should Julian Alaphilippe release Wout van Aert and co?”
Another key figure within the squad is Julian Alaphilippe. The Frenchman won “only” 3 races in 2021 – a stage in Tirreno-Adriatico, the Flèche Wallonne and the first stage in the Tour. He did extend his world title as apotheosis.
“3 wins was just not good enough”, the foreman judges, “but everyone underestimates how much the rainbow jersey weighs.”
“He has not lost any of his qualities, but 5 years ago Pogacar, Roglic, Van Aert and Van der Poel were not there yet.”
“They are there now and have the same qualities. Where do you have to release them? That doesn’t work as well as it used to.”
“Everyone knows Julian and sees him too. But the victories that were there were allowed to be seen. And the World Cup was the icing on the cake.”
“We made an effort for Ilan Van Wilder”
Ilan Van Wilder is one of the six new faces. “He was the last newcomer and sometimes the last are the first,” chuckles the foreman.
“We made an effort. He was at an impasse with his team and his knee problems have also been resolved.”
“He will get quite a few opportunities. We hope to see Ilan again from the U23. A big round? I think we will go for the Giro.”
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