After asking social networks not to be contacted on the day of the announcement, Patrick Lefevere finally came out of his silence concerning the transfer of Remco Evenepoel towards Red Bull-BORA-hansgrohe. In his column for Het Nieuwsbladthe former boss of the Soudal Quick-Step Delivered his analysis, without apparent bitterness.
VIDEO – Patrick Lefevere “left” Sudal Quick -Step this winter
“We can no longer compete with the UAE and Red Bull of this world”
“Contractually, I cannot say a lot”, he explains. “Which does not mean that I cannot say what I think about his departure. In summary: No Hard Feelings. It is life. He is 25 years old and, if he can earn a few million more elsewhere, he must do it. For my beautiful eyes, he will not stay. Budgetary, we can no longer compete with the UAE and Red Bull of this world.”
Lefevere assures that he was not surprised by the news: “I was aware of what was going to happen. This process had already started when I was still in control. There was always interest in Remco, but we managed to reassure him. After his victory over the Vuelta and his world title in Wollongong, hunting intensified.”
“At one point, you have to let go”
The Flemish leader once again points to the financial limits of his former team: “We have never been part of the real budget elite. By working hard, we have accomplished miracles for years with the means we had. But at one point, we must let go.”
Concerning the future of Soudal Quick-Step, Lefevere is careful: “Jurgen drill is convinced that we can become what we were, including on the big towers. The new 'Remco'? Ideally, it will come out of our training team. Many runners like Julian Alaphilippe, Enric Mas or Max Schachmann are from it. It is pride and it costs less than a transfer. But we are unlikely to be able to finish The final podium of the Tour de France.
