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QuickStep-AlphaVinyl group supervisor has opted to make use of a carrot-and-stick strategy to motivating his group leaders, encouraging Remco Evenepoel to intention excessive within the Grand Excursions, whereas taking a extra important strategy with Julian Alaphilippe after his injury-hit 2022 season.
Lefevere spent the week in Calpe, Spain on the QuickStep-AlphaVinyl coaching camp, as his riders and employees started to work onerous for the rapidly-approaching new season.
The Belgian group will probably be often called Soudal-QuickStep in 2023, with the sponsor modifications lifting the group’s finances but additionally the expectations. Evenepoel gained Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the Vuelta a España and the world title however Lefevere’s squad struggled within the cobbled Classics and Alaphilippe missed the Tour de France after his high-speed Liège-Bastogne-Liège crash.
Lefevere isn’t recognized for his diplomacy and through an extended interview with Belgian newspaper La Dernière Heure, he used some blunt phrases to inspire Alaphilippe and kinder phrases to encourage Evenepoel.
Alaphilippe gained the world title in 2020 and 2021 however described 2022 as his hardest season of his profession to Cyclingnews.
He began the yr chasing kind after lacking a key coaching camp because of a nasty chilly. Then he flipped over his bike within the crosswinds at Strade Bianche, which hindered his construct up in the direction of the Ardennes Classics. He was then caught-up in a horrible high-speed crash at Liège-Bastogne-Liège. Two damaged ribs, a damaged scapula and a punctured lung compelled him to overlook the Tour de France and he additionally crashed out of the Vuelta a España.
Lefevere is aware of all of that. He’s assured Alaphilippe can go nicely within the spring Classics however expects loads from the French rider in 2023.
“I would like him to recuperate. He owes me revenge. Julian has a champion’s wage, however he should affirm that he nonetheless is a champion,” Lefevere stated, firmly utilizing his phrases as a motivational stick.
“That he’s now not world champion, I do not care, however in recent times he hasn’t gained a lot. Sure, he had a variety of dangerous luck, but it surely’s all the time the identical ones who’re fortunate and the identical ones who’ve dangerous luck…”
Lefevere was extra cautious when talking about Evenepoel. The Belgian has already confirmed he’ll goal the Giro d’Italia in 2023, with a shot on the Tour delayed till 2024.
“We do not need to lower corners with Remco, and neither does he. The objective is that he can, someday, play the main roles within the Tour de France, however we have now all the time stated that he would first take part within the Vuelta and the Giro. He sticks to that and that is wonderful the way in which it’s,” Lefevere advised La Dernière Heure in reward of his younger group chief.
“You now not should restrict your self to profitable the Tour de France to be one of many perfect riders within the peloton, The time when guys solely raced 35 days a yr relying on the Tour is over. Remco is able to defending itself on all terrains, with the attainable exception of a mass dash. For me, he’ll someday be capable of play a serious function within the Flemish classics.”
Lefevere admitted there was some fact to reviews that Ineos Grenadiers tried to entice Evenepoel away. However in October, he advised Cyclingnews that he locked the younger Belgian right into a five-year contract and constructed the subsequent part of his profitable group round him.
“Individuals typically assume I am silly but when I do a five-year contract, the whole lot is in there, for each situation,” Lefevere advised Cyclingnews. “I signed Remco in February 2021 till 2026 and the whole lot that must be within the contract is in there. The one factor I’ve to do is pay it.
“If he had gone, I’d have been the richest within the pack, however I am very glad he did not,” Lefevere now advised La Dernière Heure, joking about what the rainbow jersey has added to the group.
“Numerous bonuses and bonuses,” he stated with amusing. “However this provides a variety of duty and confidence to the entire group.”
Evenepoel needed to battle again from a nasty hip fracture in 2021 and struggled to point out his true promise. He solely acquired again to his greatest when he gained Liège-Bastogne-Liège and was remodeled by the point he began the Vuelta a España.
Lefevere doesn’t neglect that Evenepoel remains to be solely 22, however like many has seen his new maturity.
“He is going quicker than I had imagined, he’s forward of schedule,” Lefevere stated. “He is a winner however most likely gained’t be good when he has a foul day. However I’ve little question that he can deal with that. Remco is calm, serene and right down to earth. However he’s a winner. Remco thinks of nothing however profitable. It drives him on.
“Sure, however he stays humble however who says what he desires and feels. What is gorgeous is that he all the time thanks his group loads. It helps guys get down on their stomachs for him.”
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