Julian Alaphilippe will part ways with Soudal-Quickstep at the end of the 2024 season. This decision comes after a prolonged dispute between the French cyclist and Patrick Lefevere, the outspoken team manager of Soudal-Quickstep.
In an interview with Het Nieuwsblad, Lefevere stated, “Julian Alaphilippe called me himself this week to let me know he was leaving.” Despite many rumours in recent months, Lefevere mentioned Alaphilippe had sleepless nights over the decision.
Lefevere’s critiques of Alaphilippe have been widely covered. In one interview, he blamed Alaphilippe’s lacklustre performances in recent seasons on “too much partying, too much alcohol…” Additionally, Lefevere faced backlash when he suggested Alaphilippe was “seriously under the influence of Marion Rousse,” his wife and Tour de France Femmes race director. These comments sparked criticism from commentators and a rebuttal from Rousse, coinciding with UCI sanctioning Lefevere for remarks deemed disparaging towards women.
Despite the tension, there were talks about Alaphilippe staying with Soudal-Quickstep for the 2025 season. Lefevere revealed that Alaphilippe’s agent, Dries Smets, had reached out in June to discuss a contract after Alaphilippe’s successful Giro d’Italia. Lefevere has often shown a desire to retain Alaphilippe, who has been with the Belgian team since he was 17.
Alaphilippe will be a coveted rider during the current transfer window for the 2025 season. Teams such as Q36.5, Cofidis, and TotalEnergies have expressed interest in acquiring him.
Alaphilippe is currently competing for Soudal-Quickstep in the Donostia San Sebastián Klasikoa on Saturday.
