Lefevere hopes for victory in the second part of spring: “We will only make a report after Liège” | Brabant Arrow

For the time being, Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl has to rely on one victory in the classic spring: Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. The blue and white brigade already had to deal with bad luck and absences.

“And the misery doesn’t end yet,” says Lefevere. “Van Lerberghe does not drive due to a concussion, Masnada has glandular fever and we have also lost a few months.”

But with world champion Julian Alaphilippe and Remco Evenepoel, who made an excellent impression in the Basque Country, The Wolfpack starts with fresh courage on the Brabantse Pijl.

“We will only prepare our spring report after Liège-Bastogne-Liège,” said Lefevere. “Only then can you say whether it was good or not. The second trimester is only after the Tour, the third trimester after the Tour of Lombardy. At the end of the year we make a final judgment.”

Alaphilippe recorded his first win of the season in the Basque Country, Evenepoel finished in 4th place in the final standings. “If we can continue with that momentum, then it will be fine,” says Lefevere. “It clicks between the two, also because they both have good legs.”

Evenepoel is the spearhead of the team in the Brabantse Pijl. “But we always play on several horses,” said the manager. “If Remco is trapped in the peloton, Julian will try to win. It’s not like we’re drawing a card: you win today and you win tomorrow.”

De Waalse Pijl on the other hand seems more tailored to Alaphilippe. “He is more explosive, but you never know that there will be an escape until the end. In 2020, Mauri Vansevenant will only be grabbed at the foot of the Wall.”

The duo must also be able to participate in Liège-Bastogne-Liège for the win. “That race is still missing on our palmares. Hopefully we now have a team that participates for the victory. Evenepoel should not be afraid of anyone.”

In May, the Giro will be on the Quick Step-Alpha Vinyl race calendar. But which riders travel to Italy? “We’re still switching that around,” Lefevere admits.

“Masnada was on the list, but we have already lost it. Mark Cavendish will do the sprints. And then we’ll see what we can do.”

“Mattia Cattaneo was 11th in the Tour last year, so you can also ride top 10 in the Giro. But nobody knows who was 10th in the Giro. If you win 3 stages, they don’t forget it.”