'Absolutely right' - Lefevere on Evenepoel's McDonald's trip after Tour exit

Former Soudal-QuickStep CEO Patrick Lefevere has revealed he wasn't surprised by Remco Evenepoel's Tour de France abandon, suggesting that the Belgian rider's preparations were insufficient for the demands of the race.

Speaking at the start of stage 15 in Muret, Lefevere was mobbed by journalists, including Het Nieuwsblad, seeking his insights on Evenepoel's end to the Tour on the slopes of the Col du Tourmalet. 

"Remco didn't have a proper winter. His training camp after the Dauphiné was poor. We needed a miracle, but it didn't happen," explained Lefevere.

Lefevere also shared an anecdote about when he was at the team hotel on Saturday after Evenepoel's Tour exit. 

"Suddenly, I saw a group of mechanics all arrive at one. They had all gone to McDonald's together with Remco. Absolutely right. He's allowed to eat again now," Lefevere approvingly said about Evenepoel enjoying some freedom after months of strict dieting, whilst preparing for the Tour.

The veteran team boss also admitted that he had anticipated Evenepoel's departure from the Tour for several days based on his performances in the Pyrenees. "I saw it coming for a few days already. Hautacam, Peyragudes. You could already tell there that he wasn't doing well," Lefevere explained. 

"Saturday's stage passed through Lourdes before the Tourmalet, but no miracle happened," he remarked.

Despite the disappointment of Evenepoel's early exit from the Tour, Lefevere was impressed by the Belgian's fighting spirit, particularly on Friday's stage to Hautacam, where he recovered well from being distanced on the Col du Soulor with around 50km to go, to limit his losses on the Hautacam climb and finishing 7th.

"That's what sticks with me most," said Lefevere. "Of course, he was physically and mentally broken, but I think he fought bravely in this Tour. In the stage to Hautacam, everyone thought he would lose thirty minutes. But he really battled. Honestly, he couldn't have done that last year," Lefevere added.

Whilst Lefevere remained complimentary about Evenepoel, he didn't quite hold the same feelings for some of the Belgian rider's teammates. 

"I think Remco handled himself with great dignity," said Lefevere. "He didn't say a single bad word about his teammates. When you're not performing, of course, you shouldn't, but if I speak for myself, I think you can expect more from riders like Maximillian Schachmann or Valentin Paret-Peintre."