Lefevere remarkably constructive about future Evenepoel: "That's another important working point"

In his weekly column in Het Nieuwsblad, Patrick Lefevere is always up for some striking statements, and so is this week. The outspoken team boss of Soudal Quick-Step expresses his pride in poulain Remco Evenepoel, who will end his season with the Tour of Lombardy on Saturday. However, he is also critical on another front. Evenepoel is said to be still somewhat soft toward teammates.

First, Lefevere reflected on the peloton's acceptance of Tadej Pogacar's dominance. "I agree with what Lennert Van Eetvelt says: the peloton has given up hope of defeating Tadej Pogacar. He is really in the minds of the riders. Someone from our team - not Remco Evenepoel - had seen on Strava after the recon in Bergamo that Pogacar had climbed one particular slope four minutes faster. The immediate conclusion was, nothing to do, way too strong, he will win."

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Lefevere denounces resignation in peloton: "Would work differently with me"

"Nobody then thinks for a second: "Maybe he was hanging on the handle of the car or training behind the moped." I have a hard time with that kind of defeatism. With me, that would work the exact opposite way. Turning next to his team, with Evenepoel's chances. 'Remco doesn't sound combative either when he says that just getting the finish in Lombardy is a success, but I understand that."

Lefevre then explained why. "I sum up the list again: Paris-Nice, rehabilitation after the crash in the Tour of the Basque Country, Dauphiné, Tour, Olympics, World Championship ... Always and everywhere with press conferences before and after. Logically, the momentum has reached its limit. Take last season's Giro and Vuelta; the conclusion is that Remco has been on a rollercoaster for two years that hardly ever stops."

They are also already busy looking at next season and its associated issues. Evenepoel has improved, but what could be better? "Remco is quite direct but often takes his teammates into protection. One of the ideas that came out of the meeting is to be very clear after races about what was good, but certainly also what was not good."

In conclusion, Lefevere also looks closely at the team itself. "Another important issue: how do we ensure that Remco and the seven riders around him in the Tour reach their very highest level? That was certainly not the case for everyone this year and, therefore, definitely a working point."