Julian Alaphilippe will go away Soudal Quickstep on the finish of the 2024 season, following a long-running rift between the French rider and Souda- Quickstep’s outspoken staff supervisor Patrick Lefevere.
Speaking to Het Nieuwblad, Lefevere stated “Julian Alaphilippe referred to as me himself this week to let me know he was leaving.”
Lefevere’s criticism of Alaphilippe has been well-documented, none greater than an interview the place he laid the blame for Alaphilippe’s poor performances in current seasons with “an excessive amount of partying, an excessive amount of alcohol…”
Lefevere drew heavy criticism from commentators when he turned his criticism towards Alaphilippe’s spouse and Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse, claiming “Julian is severely underneath the affect of Marion Rousse.”
His feedback not solely attracted vast criticism however coincided with the UCI sanctioning the staff supervisor for feedback which have been ‘disparaging towards girls’.
Despite the environment between rider and supervisor, there have been nonetheless contract discussions for Alaphilippe to proceed with Soudal-Quickstep in 2025.
Lefevere revealed that Alaphilippe’s agent Dries Smets had been in contact to barter a contract, and the supervisor has since confirmed a powerful curiosity to maintain Alaphilippe on the Belgian staff the place he has ridden from the age of 17.
Alaphilippe shall be a vastly beneficial rider throughout the present switch window for the 2025 season, and Cofidis and TotalEnergies have been reported as events, amongst others.
Alaphilippe will compete for Soudal-Quickstep in Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa on Saturday.
