Europe 1 with AFP // Photo credits: ERIC LALMAND / Belga / AFP 19:28 p.m., January 09, 2024

Patrick Lefevere, the boss of the Soudal Quick-Step team, does not want to see the Frenchman play the "domestic" of Remco Evenepoel, the designated leader for the next Grande Boucle. Winner of six stages of the Tour de France and wearer of the yellow jersey for 18 days in total, "Alaf", 31, remains on two very mixed seasons that have regularly drawn criticism from Lefevere.

Julian Alaphilippe, darling of the French public, will not participate "a priori" in the Tour de France in 2024, said the boss of his Soudal-Quick Step team Patrick Lefevere Tuesday in Calpe, southeastern Spain. "A priori no, because seeing Julian as 100% domestic to Remco Evenepoel, I don't like that image," Lefevere said on the sidelines of his team's presentation of the former two-time world champion whose contract expires at the end of the year. Winner of six stages of the Tour de France and wearing the yellow jersey for 18 days in total, "Alaf", 31, remains on two very mixed seasons that have regularly drawn criticism from Lefevere against one of the biggest salaries of his team.

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Evenepoel leads the Tour de France

At the Tour de France 2024 (29 June-21 July), Soudal-Quick Step will bet everything on Remco Evenepoel who has gradually taken over the Belgian team and who will take the start of the Grande Boucle for the first time. Alaphilippe, who is currently in Australia where he will compete in the Tour Down Under for the first time in a decade next week, is expected to compete in the Giro d'Italia (4-26 May). "I think the Giro suits his style as an impulsive rider, not always intelligent, but people like it," Lefevere said.

Asked about the Frenchman's reaction to his likely non-selection for the Tour, he said: "A disgruntled rider in a team is useless. He had the opportunity to leave, as several teams looked to recruit him. I had discussions with him, but the year before, not last year. I said the things I wanted to say, but I'm not someone who repeats myself. We reached an agreement. He said, 'Patrick, give me one more winter.' Now it's up to him to show it. I like riders who respond to the pedal and he's going to do that. I think he's still capable of getting results."