'Stop talking out of turn' - Marion Rousse fires back at Patrick Lefevere after Julian Alaphilippe comments

Published 21/02/2024 at 17:02 GMT

Marion Rousse has made her feelings very clear after Soudal Quick-Step manager Patrick Lefevere spoke on her and her partner Julian Alaphilippe, who rides for Lefevere's team. Rousse told the Belgian to stop talking out of turn and to show more class and respect in his words in the future. Stream the cycling season live on discovery+.

Julian Alaphilippe and Marion Rousse

Image credit: Getty Images

Tour de France Femmes director Marion Rousse has fired back at Soudal Quick-Step manager Patrick Lefevere, telling the Belgian to "stop talking out of turn."

Lefevere launched a scathing and surprising attack on Rousse's husband and his team's star rider Julian Alaphilippe saying that the Frenchman has “Too many parties, too much alcohol."

Writing in a post on social media Rousse strongly refuted Lefevere's comments and made it clear that she would not tolerate him saying anything else about the couple's private life.

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"Whatever Mr Lefevere's feelings towards me, it's unacceptable to attack our private lives as he is doing," Rousse wrote on Wednesday.

"But no, I don't drink alcohol, like never. We don't drink at parties either, because with a three-year-old, we prefer to be on form in the morning.

"You won't succeed either, as you've already told me, in preventing me from working with and staying with Julian for the duration of his career. I'm passionate about what I do, and I've got lots of plans.

"But I'm telling you, under no circumstances will I allow you to talk about my private life. From now on, please stop talking out of turn and show a little more respect and ... class."

Alaphilippe, 31, is a two-time world champion and one of the team’s biggest stars, having ridden for Quick-Step since 2013.

Despite his successes and reputation, however, Lefevere believes the Frenchman has not performed to a high enough standard in recent years.

Speaking to Belgian publication, HUMO (via GCN), Lefevere said “Julian is a good guy, but after he signed his mega contract, he no longer performed. I like my riders, but it must remain fair. As you get older, you have to take more care, you have to train harder and you can't throw your hat at it. He now has to make the click and fight for it.”

He added: “Too many parties, too much alcohol... Julian is seriously under the influence of Marion Rousse. Maybe too much. Julian is a young dog full of energy - you should let him cross in the yard every now and then. And you must also say: this far and no further. There is still a bad boy inside him.”

Alaphilippe’s current deal with Soudal Quick-Step comes to an end after the 2024 season, in which he plans to race the Giro d’Italia and Flemish Classics.

He has recently cast doubt on his cycling future and hinted at retirement once he is out of contract, suggesting he isn’t even thinking beyond 2024.

Lefevere was far more blunt about his prospects, however, saying he threatened to sack Alaphilippe at the end of last year.

“I spoke to him in November last year, in the presence of Marion and his manager Dries Smets. I said: 'It cannot continue like this. If you mess up one more time, I'll fire you on the spot.' The message has arrived. He is getting back together.”

This is the latest criticism levelled at Alaphilippe by his boss, who just weeks ago said the rider can't ''hide behind his injuries" and in December challenged him to "confirm that he is still a champion".

"I told him I was not happy at all. I understand his illnesses and falls, but you can't keep hiding behind that. It was the cold truth," said Lefevere.

"Everyone knows that I do not attack injured riders, but if there is a high price tag attached to it, then I can respond.

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