Lefevere: “Natuurlijk had Wout van Aert zijn palmares bij ons véél groter geweest”…
Lefevere: “Natuurlijk had Wout van Aert zijn palmares bij ons véél groter geweest”
In a recent interview, Patrick Lefevere, the outspoken manager of Soudal Quick-Step, did not hold back when discussing Wout van Aert and his career choices. Lefevere confidently claimed that the Belgian superstar’s palmarès would have been “much bigger” had Van Aert been part of his team.
“Bij ons had Wout véél meer gewonnen,” Lefevere stated, referring to the structured winning culture and tactical approach of his squad. “Hij is een klasbak, dat weten we allemaal. Maar in onze ploeg had hij de juiste ondersteuning gekregen in de klassiekers én in de grote rondes.”
Van Aert, who currently rides for Visma | Lease a Bike, has enjoyed a successful career, including multiple classics victories, Tour de France stage wins, and cyclocross world titles. However, his pursuit of both classics and stage races has sometimes led to criticism that he spreads himself too thin.
Lefevere suggested that under his guidance, Van Aert could have maximized his potential by focusing more sharply on specific goals. “Kijk naar wat wij hebben gedaan met renners als Julian Alaphilippe en Remco Evenepoel. Wout had perfect in dat plaatje gepast.”
The comments are sure to spark debate in the cycling world, especially among fans of Van Aert, who appreciate his versatility and aggressive racing style. Whether or not Van Aert regrets his team choices, one thing is clear: the Belgian remains one of the most exciting riders in the peloton — regardless of which jersey he wears.
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If you want, I can also write a spicier or more neutral version!
