Lefevere assures that Evenepoel's gold means nothing to the team and costs them money

Every time he opens his mouth, trouble follows. We are talking about the veteran director of Soudal-QuickStep who is known for his controversial statements and inappropriate remarks of all kinds. The latest of them, belittling the victory of his cyclist Remco Evenepoel last Saturday in the time trial event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.

Controversial words from Levefere focusing more on money than on Remco's triumph in the time trial

Normally, when a cyclist achieves a victory as significant as a gold medal like the one Remco Evenepoel won last Saturday in the time trial event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, he receives congratulations from everyone, especially from his close circle.

However, when you have a boss like Patrick Lefevere, it is difficult to take things for granted. In statements to Sporza, the veteran director did congratulate his pupil on his victory, but his main focus was purely materialistic, referring to the lack of advertising return that this victory represented for Soudal-QuickStep.

"We cannot use his Olympic title for advertising purposes. However, we provided him with everything he needed to become an Olympic champion: equipment, staff... As an employer, it is a bit frustrating, but of course I am delighted for Remco, he deserves it," pointed out Patrick Lefevere.

The veteran director also mentioned the bonus that Remco Evenepoel will receive for his victory in the time trial event of the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris "It will cost us a bonus of over €50,000. We will give him the same amount as if he had won a monument race," although, in reality, that money will not come from the team but from the Belgian national lottery, sponsor of the cycling Olympic team of that country.

It is important to remember that the Olympic Games regulations regarding advertising are extremely strict. Not allowing the display of any type of commercial brand beyond the logos of the clothing used, helmet, bicycle... This means that Soudal-QuickStep cannot appear anywhere on Remco Evenepoel's equipment, not even on the water bottles carried by the cyclist on his bike. In fact, bike brands are usually the ones that benefit the most from advertising, with their logos being prominently displayed on the frame and often preparing specific decorations for these events as Specialized has done with the bikes of all cyclists and triathletes competing in the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.