A yr in the past, just a few moments after Il Lombardia, Remco Evenepoel ended experiences and hypothesis that he may go away Soudal Fast-Step to chase his Grand Tour ambitions with a rival tremendous group. This yr he publicly promised to respect his contract for 2025 through the world championships, after a reported deadline from Crimson Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe handed with out a deal being reached.
Crew supervisor Patrick Lefevere and new CEO Jurgen Fore had been capable of take pleasure in Evenepoel’s second place at Il Lombardia on Saturday and the broader success of the 2024 season. They’ve once more fought off a hostile bid for his or her star rider and largest asset and executed what they may to fulfill and help Evenepoel’s lofty ambitions.
Evenepoel is hungry for fulfillment however seems to have accepted for one more yr that he must be affected person and play an extended recreation. He’ll solely flip 25 in January and his contract with Soudal Fast-Step ends in 2026. His father Patrick, acts as his agent and has usually criticised Soudal Fast-Step however Evenepoel is much extra diplomatic however nonetheless demanding. He has all the time publicly denied any points with the group.
“He is not silly,” Lefevere advised Cyclingnews when requested about Evenepoel’s obvious persistence.
“His aim was to do the Tour in 2025 and he did it one yr earlier than the aim. They’ve to present us the time we have to adapt with the chances we have now. I am unable to name a Sheikh and ask for an additional 5 million euros, it does not work like that. Remco understands that.”
Lefevere made it clear a number of occasions through the summer season that any rival group must strike a deal and maybe pay a multi-million contract buy-out in the event that they wished to safe Evenepoel’s providers for 2025. Crimson Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe apparently tried however had been repelled.
“Three events can resolve a rider’s future: his present group, the group the place he may go and the rider. No one made a suggestion, so for me, the case did not exist. It was solely within the thoughts of some individuals and a few journalists,” Lefevere advised Cyclingnews.
The newest race content material, interviews, options, critiques and skilled shopping for guides, direct to your inbox!
“Some individuals made lots of noise however then nothing occurred.”
Lefevere’s private relationship with Evenepoel and his father seems to have cooled and they’re hardly ever seen collectively however that doesn’t cease them from working collectively for the success of Soudal Fast-Step.
“When he is good, he is superb. I feel he received each time trial he rode. He is solely 25 subsequent January, there’s nonetheless some progress to return,” Lefevere mentioned praisingly.
“He received two gold medals on the Olympics and it was particular the way in which he received them. He received the time trial stage on the Tour and completed third total and wore the perfect younger rider’s white jersey every single day. He was constant, regardless of being unfortunate to crash on the Itzulia Basque Tour and fractured his collarbone.”
Lefevere has misplaced Julian Alaphilippe, KasperAgreen and Jan Hirt however has signed Valentin Paret-Peintre, Max Schachmann, Pascal Eenkhoorn, Ethan Hayter and proficient younger Italian Andrea Raccagni-Noviero. Mikel Landa, James Knox, Mattia Cattaneo, Luke Lamperti, Tim Merlier, Paul Magnier, Mauri Vansevenant and Martin Svrcek all stay, creating a mixture of skilled and younger expertise that’s increasingly suited to Gand Excursions, whereas additionally attempting to shine in different races, together with the Classics.
The 2024 Soudal Fast-Step group is prone to end third within the WorldTour rankings, behind solely UAE Crew Emirates and Visma-Lease a Bike.
“Our price range is the seventh or eighth within the WorldTour, so third is fairly good,” Lefevere mentioned with a way of delight.”
Aiming for extra in 2025
Outgoing Belgian nationwide coach Sven Vanthourenhout has been linked to Soudal Fast-Step for a efficiency position in 2025, maybe taking up a few of Lefevere’s tasks.
Vanthourenhout and Evenepoel are shut after his success in Belgian nationwide colors, particularly at this yr’s Olympics however Lefevere didn’t appear overly obsessed with main modifications to his workers construction and the arrival of a Efficiency Supervisor determine.
“I spoke with him however we cannot take a call earlier than our group days,” Lefevere mentioned, hinting it in all probability will not occur.
“Efficiency is the brand new attractive phrase, proper? However what are the qualities of a Efficiency Supervisor? What did you examine to be one? The teachings of the road or the teachings of faculty?”
Soudal Fast-Step goal to repeat and even enhance on their 2024 season.
Evenepoel made it clear he desires to take pleasure in his end-of-season vacation earlier than enthusiastic about new targets however the group will collect subsequent week to put the foundations for 2025.
“We spoke briefly this week about 2025 however we have now some group days from Oct 21-25 to place down the define programme for 2025. I do not suppose there will be any large modifications to this season,” Lefevere revealed.
Lefevere has beforehand advised Evenepoel may goal the 2025 Giro d’Italia after which additionally experience the Tour de France. That appears formidable, with Evenepoel clearly preferring the Tour after falling in love with the race and ending third on his debut this yr.
“He desires to win the three Grand Excursions throughout his profession. He is received one, the Vuelta, so there’s two to go,” Lefevere mentioned, giving little away till the routes of the Tour de France and Giro are revealed in late October and mid-November.
