A bold statement from a former champion has sparked a debate in the cycling world. Chris Horner, the retired Grand Tour winner, has called out Patrick Lefevere, the former team manager of Soudal-QuickStep, for his handling of Remco Evenepoel's development. Horner's comments, made in a YouTube video, have shed light on a controversial topic and left many questioning Lefevere's approach.
Horner, known for his outspoken nature, was amused by Lefevere's grudge against Ralph Denk, the team boss of Red Bull-Bora-Hansgrohe, who signed Evenepoel away from Soudal-QuickStep. Lefevere's comments, as reported by Cyclingnews, revealed a deep-seated resentment towards Denk, with Lefevere even going as far as to say he 'hated' him.
But here's where it gets interesting. Horner believes that Lefevere's management of Evenepoel's career left much to be desired, especially when it came to preparing him to challenge the mighty Tadej Pogačar. He highlights specific instances from the 2024 Tour de France and the elite men's road race at the Zürich Worlds, where Evenepoel seemed ill-equipped to tackle Pogačar's dominance.
"Lefevere boasted about 'finding' Evenepoel, but after seven years, he couldn't teach him how to race against Pogačar?" Horner questions.
Evenepoel, who joined Soudal-QuickStep at just 19 years old, has achieved remarkable success, including three world titles in time trials, double gold at the Olympic Games, and a world title on the road. However, Horner's focus is on Evenepoel's road race performance and his ability to compete with Pogačar.
"By the 2024 Road World Championships, Evenepoel should have known how to race against Pogačar. Patrick Lefevere, you haven't given him the tools to handle that situation," Horner asserts.
This controversy has sparked a discussion among cycling enthusiasts. While some agree with Horner's assessment, others believe Lefevere's approach had its merits. What do you think? Should Lefevere have done more to develop Evenepoel's racing skills? Or is this a case of Monday morning quarterbacking? Share your thoughts in the comments and let's continue this friendly debate!
