The cycling environment in Europe is as cut-throat as it gets, unless you are a big talent. I knew guys back in the period you mentioned who weren't better than me, but got an entrance level contract because their fathers paid the salary to the team so their sons could ride. It might not be a good business model, but the sport developed in the lurid, smoke-filled atmosphere of urban caffès and those of the remote provinces of agro-industrial zones, where the deals were made and contracts signed over cognac and grappa "corrected" espresso. What some people don't realize is how ignorant and unrefined a certain traditional cycling community is and it still persists to a degree, despite the new glamour of high budget teams. PL is of this ilk, however, his quick wit and sharp tongue, combined with an unusual gift for communication, means that while much of what he says is objectively repugnant, there nonetheless is a Monty Pythonesque satirical quality to his banter that (now don't murder me for saying so) I actually think the current generation could benefit from in terms of developing a thick skin, to not, as I wrote, simply relish at the opportunity to be offended.
To answer your question, it depends. Any pro athlete lives a privileged, at times glorified life, who often is held a god to his fans. And he is paid a salary that will allow him to live comfortably for the rest of his life after a young retirement. All because he is exceptional at sport and entertains those who are not, but would love to be. He lives off the revenues generated by the sponsors, who, in turn, profit because people buy their products. So a rider is only worth his salary if he delivers. Hence, the pros inevitably need to take things in stride, not take themselves too seriously (an unsupportable vanity that's an offense to the multitudes just trying to make ends meet) and above all know that with great privilege comes, at times, great criticism, even public, yes (which I'm ok with if done a certain way). Now I've already posted how deplorable Don Patrick's public remarks were regarding JA over this. At the same time, if I were in Alaphillipe's shoes, knowing PL, AND that he actually likes me, I'd respond with something ironic and get on with it to make him eat his words. By contrast, if Don Patrick's ridiculousness was done in spite, because I knew he didn't like me, I'd tell him to f-off and do as much to sabotage things until my contract was up.
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