The Patrick Lefevere Depreciation Thread

[Rackham]

Everyone that I've met in my life have met a nice character who is an alcoholic.

All my own life I've only ever met alcoholics who were convinced themselves they were nice, friendly, funny, smart etc.

Once you get to know them everything quickly unravels.

I still haven't even seen the video of Lefevere but if he's indeed smashed out of his mind, a lot of his other behavior in recent months is explained (& it's the result of both the drinking & the bad character which usually go hand in hand).

 

[Panda Claws]

I think there is a certain appeal to riding in a team ran by Lefevere as long as you align with his views and/or are willing to compromise enough. Because it looks like, if you are a rider that he can appreciate, and give it you all he will also have your back and play his part in creating a very strong team atmosphere. The main downsides seem to be that personalities/expectations can clash much more than anticipated (e.g. Thomas De Gendt) and that the whole thing can come across a bit 'cultish'. As in that once you fall outside of the Wolfpack Lefevere's support will fall away just as quickly.

=

 

[Bonimenier]

How many ex-riders of his teams did Lefevere actually have a real falling out with?

There's obviously Bennett. Relationship with De Gendt is poor. There must be others, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

 

[CyclistAbi]

What mob are you referring too? that one that's anti people acting like unprofessional spoiled brats? I'd have thought that was a good mob to be a part of, no?

The mob is worse.

 

[tobydawq]

He says he won't create a women's team because he isn't the "social welfare center".

 

[laarsland]

Culture seeps down from the top, among other places #KeisseGate

 

[bill1109]

"he is playing with my balls in public" is a funny line though

 

[wheresmybrakes]

He's becoming more entertaining than the tactics of Movistar and the Remco thread. Lmao

 

[Sciatic]

He says he won't create a women's team because he isn't the "social welfare center".

oMG, another winner from him

 

[Hugh Januss]

I feel like I would just punch this *** in the face if he started talking this way in a bar within earshot. My god he is just the second most idiotic self absorbed *** head in the world*.
* There's Trump.

 

[Volderke]

This topic and some reactions are starting to get worth less than some of Lefevere's quotes.

I am officially out of here, may the last adult close the door.

 

[IndianCyclist]

He says he won't create a women's team because he isn't the "social welfare center".

It pure Capitalism, for profit motive. The belgian Govt/cycling fed can start a national team to help grow the women's road sport and talent till it becomes viable for the the private sector to step in.

 

[Bolder]

It's a chicken/egg situation with women's cycling. You have to have the infrastructure, coverage, robust race calendar and viable teams. I like that some highly visible men's teams like Movi, Jumbo, DE, DSM also have women's teams.

Yeah, it's not yet a money-maker, but to me it's the Right Thing to Do. Lefevere is just being a contrarian here, I think. I bet a QS women's team would be a pretty big draw.

 

[hrotha]

This topic and some reactions are starting to get worth less than some of Lefevere's quotes.

I am officially out of here, may the last adult close the door.

Won't people please be civil to the drunk misogynist who regularly bullies riders.

 

[18-Valve. (pithy)]

How many ex-riders of his teams did Lefevere actually have a real falling out with?

There's obviously Bennett. Relationship with De Gendt is poor. There must be others, but I'm drawing a blank right now.

probably Wouter Weylandt (R.I.P.) who (obviously) wanted to attend his best friend's funeral. Lefevere said no. He made him race some small race instead.

 

[bNator]

This spree is not going to end well for him. I am disapponted at the lack of reaction in cycling media world. In any other sport, he would be history long ago...

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

It pure Capitalism, for profit motive. The belgian Govt/cycling fed can start a national team to help grow the women's road sport and talent till it becomes viable for the the private sector to step in.

It‘s pure capitalism in the usual sense that private company owners pursue their own profits while being protected and subsidised by the state in countless ways - from municipalities paying for races to sponsorship by state owned companies, passing through sports departments providing stipends for potential olympians and grants to cycling clubs and development teams. Not to mention providing and then closing roads. Even the model of change you suggest consists of the state paying to create an infrastructure so that the likes of Lefevere can cash in later without having to invest now.

The state would be entirely within its rights to use its absolutely essential role in the business model of men’s teams to force them to run women’s teams, whether directly or by putting the squeeze on race organisers and the cycling federation.

 

[Serpentin]

He has always been a special character. But something has happened during the last 6 months. He must have got dementia or a death sentence and practically not giving a f***

 

[Bonimenier]

He has always been a special character. But something has happened during the last 6 months. He must have got dementia or a death sentence and practically not giving a f***

The thing that happened, is the long team sponsor contracts he got till 2027. He might retire after that so he doesn't have to behave anymore to find new sponsor contracts later.

 

[groogster]

Where can I see latest Lefevere’s TV interview? And it’s any available translated to English?
thanks in advance

 

[sir fly]

He has always been a special character. But something has happened during the last 6 months. He must have got dementia or a death sentence and practically not giving a f***

Began thinking he's some kind of (manager) star.
Happens in approvable habitat.

Just a matter of style and manners.

 

[saganftw]

It's a chicken/egg situation with women's cycling. You have to have the infrastructure, coverage, robust race calendar and viable teams. I like that some highly visible men's teams like Movi, Jumbo, DE, DSM also have women's teams.

Yeah, it's not yet a money-maker, but to me it's the Right Thing to Do. Lefevere is just being a contrarian here, I think. I bet a QS women's team would be a pretty big draw.

this is where people need to be slapped in the face - its one thing to acknowledge its right thing to do, its completely asinine to suggest that concrete person should pay for it

i find it offensively stupid how internet folks like to manage other peoples money

if you are so pro women i applaud you, go for it, invest be a trailblazer, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE - suggesting somebody else should do it with their money is laughable

count your own money pal

 

[BlueRoads]

It's not about whether he should build a women's team. I can understand PL if he thinks it's not worth it for him to invest in a women's team, it's the way he expresses his stance which makes it sound quite ignorant and derogatory. It's one thing to say "I'm a business man and there's not enough in it for me", but he sounds pretty much like "I'm simply not interested in women's sport". He doesn't even acknowledge Lotte Kopecky who's one of the best female riders right now, but it sounds like he hardly knows her.

 

[saganftw]

It's not about whether he should build a women's team. I can understand PL if he thinks it's not worth it for him to invest in a women's team, it's the way he expresses his stance which makes it sound quite ignorant and derogatory. It's one thing to say "I'm a business man and there's not enough in it for me", but he sounds pretty much like "I'm simply not interested in women's sport". He doesn't even acknowledge Lotte Kopecky who's one of the best female riders right now, but it sounds like he hardly knows her.

what is wrong with not being interested in womens sport?

are you serious? its perfectly normal to not be interested in it ...plenty of people arent, which is why you dont see more money going into it

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

this is where people need to be slapped in the face - its one thing to acknowledge its right thing to do, its completely asinine to suggest that concrete person should pay for it

i find it offensively stupid how internet folks like to manage other peoples money

if you are so pro women i applaud you, go for it, invest be a trailblazer, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE - suggesting somebody else should do it with their money is laughable

count your own money pal

The whole sport of men’s cycling is dependent on “other people’s money” in the form of innumerable state subsidies and subventions, direct and indirect. There are no swashbuckling entrepreneurs who built it all themselves, they are all beneficiaries of assistance from society as a whole. The offensive stupidity is in thinking that it is somehow stupid or illegitimate for those who benefit to have social obligations placed on them in return.