A yr in the past, just a few moments after Il Lombardia, Remco Evenepoel ended studies and hypothesis that he may go away Soudal Quick-Step to chase his Grand Tour ambitions with a rival tremendous workforce. This yr he publicly promised to respect his contract for 2025 through the world championships, after a reported deadline from Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe handed with out a deal being reached.
Team supervisor Patrick Lefevere and new CEO Jurgen Fore have been capable of get pleasure from Evenepoel’s second place at Il Lombardia on Saturday and the broader success of the 2024 season. They have once more fought off a hostile bid for his or her star rider and largest asset and performed what they may to fulfill and assist Evenepoel’s lofty ambitions.
Evenepoel is hungry for fulfillment however seems to have accepted for one more yr that he must be affected person and play an extended recreation. He will solely flip 25 in January and his contract with Soudal Quick-Step ends in 2026. His father Patrick, acts as his agent and has typically criticised Soudal Quick-Step however Evenepoel is way extra diplomatic however nonetheless demanding. He has at all times publicly denied any points with the workforce.
“He’s not silly,” Lefevere instructed Cyclingnews when requested about Evenepoel’s obvious persistence.
“His purpose was to do the Tour in 2025 and he did it one yr earlier than the purpose. They have to offer us the time we have to adapt with the chances now we have. I am unable to name a Sheikh and ask for an additional 5 million euros, it would not work like that. Remco understands that.”
Lefevere made it clear a number of instances through the summer season that any rival workforce must strike a deal and maybe pay a multi-million contract buy-out in the event that they needed to safe Evenepoel’s companies for 2025. Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe apparently tried however have been repelled.
“Three events can determine a rider’s future: his present workforce, the workforce the place he may go and the rider. Nobody made a proposal, so for me, the case did not exist. It was solely within the thoughts of some folks and a few journalists,” Lefevere instructed Cyclingnews.
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“Some folks made numerous noise however then nothing occurred.”
Lefevere’s private relationship with Evenepoel and his father seems to have cooled and they’re hardly ever seen collectively however that doesn’t cease them from working collectively for the success of Soudal Quick-Step.
“When he is good, he is excellent. I feel he received each time trial he rode. He’s solely 25 subsequent January, there’s nonetheless some progress to return,” Lefevere mentioned praisingly.
“He received two gold medals on the Olympics and it was particular the best way he received them. He received the time trial stage on the Tour and completed third general and wore the most effective younger rider’s white jersey day-after-day. He was constant, regardless of being unfortunate to crash on the Itzulia Basque Tour and fractured his collarbone.”
Lefevere has misplaced Julian Alaphilippe, KasperAgreen and Jan Hirt however has signed Valentin Paret-Peintre, Max Schachmann, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Ethan Hayter and proficient younger Italian Andrea Raccagni-Noviero. Mikel Landa, James Knox, Mattia Cattaneo, Luke Lamperti, Tim Merlier, Paul Magnier, Mauri Vansevenant and Martin Svrcek all stay, creating a mixture of skilled and younger expertise that’s increasingly suited to Gand Tours, whereas additionally making an attempt to shine in different races, together with the Classics.
The 2024 Soudal Quick-Step workforce is more likely to end third within the WorldTour rankings, behind solely UAE Team Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike.
“Our finances is the seventh or eighth within the WorldTour, so third is fairly good,” Lefevere mentioned with a way of pleasure.”
Aiming for extra in 2025
Outgoing Belgian nationwide coach Sven Vanthourenhout has been linked to Soudal Quick-Step for a efficiency function in 2025, maybe taking over a few of Lefevere’s obligations.
Vanthourenhout and Evenepoel are shut after his success in Belgian nationwide colors, particularly at this yr’s Olympics however Lefevere didn’t appear overly keen about main modifications to his workers construction and the arrival of a Performance Manager determine.
“I spoke with him however we cannot take a choice earlier than our workforce days,” Lefevere mentioned, hinting it most likely will not occur.
“Performance is the brand new horny phrase, proper? But what are the qualities of a Performance Manager? What did you research to be one? The classes of the road or the teachings of college?”
Soudal Quick-Step goal to repeat and even enhance on their 2024 season.
Evenepoel made it clear he desires to get pleasure from his end-of-season vacation earlier than fascinated about new objectives however the workforce will collect subsequent week to put the foundations for 2025.
“We spoke briefly this week about 2025 however now we have some workforce days from Oct 21-25 to place down the define programme for 2025. I do not assume there will be any huge modifications to this season,” Lefevere revealed.
Lefevere has beforehand urged Evenepoel may goal the 2025 Giro d’Italia after which additionally experience the Tour de France. That appears bold, with Evenepoel clearly preferring the Tour after falling in love with the race and ending third on his debut this yr.
“He desires to win the three Grand Tours throughout his profession. He’s received one, the Vuelta, so there’s two to go,” Lefevere mentioned, giving little away till the routes of the Tour de France and Giro are revealed in late October and mid-November.