Patrick Lefevre after ditching Remco Evenepoel in the Giro: “That explains it all”

Sunday, May 14, 2023 at 11:08 PM

Patrick Lefevre responded via social media on Sunday night to Remco Evenpoel’s shock retirement at the Giro d’Italia. The head of the Soudal Quick-Step team sees the world champion derailed by a positive corona test.

“That explains it all,” Lefevere wrote on Twitter. By this, he seems to be referring to Evenepoel’s somewhat disappointing Sunday time trial. He was previously set as a big chrono favorite to Cesena, but this scenario did not materialize.

Despite the physical damage, Evenepoel managed to win the time trial, just a second ahead of Geraint Thomas. On Saturday, Evenboul had already lost time to Thomas, Primo Roglic and Tao Geoghegan Hart, but was in fine form in the general classification, 45 seconds or more behind those three.

“We wish you a good recovery,” Lefevere continues. “I hope everyone respects that and privacy. He will come back stronger. Thank you, Remco Evenepoel.”

On Twitter, Lefevre also responded to a message from WielerFlits journalist Raymond Kerckhoffs. “You never know what’s going on under the skin. It’s not a 9 to 5 job. We don’t take any risks.”

@employee.ev That explains it all. Good recovery. I hope everyone respects this and his privacy🙏. He will come back stronger @employee

– Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) May 14, 2023

Yes Raymond. You never know what’s going on under the skin. It’s not a 9-5 job. There is no danger https://t.co/xKug7qf0mB

– Patrick Lefevere (@PatLefevere) May 14, 2023