"If you mess up again, I'll fire you": the party and alcohol would be behind Julian Alaphilippe's poor performance according to Lefevre

The director of Soudal Quick-Step, Patrick Lefevere, has once again managed to make a space among all the sports headlines this week. But this time he did it by harshly criticizing one of his stars, former world champion Julian Alaphilippe, just before his debut in the Omloop Het Niewsblad on Saturday and the Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne on Sunday.

Harsh words from Patrick Lefevere about former world champion Julian Alaphilippe

In a recent interview, Patrick Lefevere was asked about Julian Alaphilippe's poor performance in the last two seasons, and the director of Soudal Quick-Step held nothing back.

"Julian is a good guy, but after signing his mega contract, he has not been successful". "I like my riders, but you have to be fair. With age, you have to prepare more, train more, and not let yourself go. He has to click now and fight to get it."

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And when asked about the reasons that could have affected his performance, he said: "Too many parties, too much alcohol... Julian is seriously under the control of Marion Rousse (his current partner). Maybe a little too much", "Julian is a young dog full of energy. You have to let him roam the yard from time to time, but you also have to tell him: this far and no further. There is still a villain in him."

"I spoke to him last November, in front of Marion and his manager Dries Smets. I told him: 'You can't continue like this. If you mess up again, I'll fire you. The message has sunk in. He is recovering."