Following Sudar-Quick Step boss Patrick Lefebvre's strong comments about two-time world champion Julien Alaphilippe, Alaphilippe said he was "surprised" to hear the criticism directed at him.

In December, Lefebvre dismissed the role of luck in Alaphilippe's recent performance and also told Belgian newspaper La Derniere Heure that the Frenchman could leave the team "if he tires of the environment."

In a wide-ranging interview with L'Equipe (open in new tab) published this week, Alaphilippe rejected that notion and said he was surprised to read Lefebvre's remarks.

"The question of changing horizons has never come up. When we talked about it in the off-season, I told him I didn't necessarily want to go anywhere else," Alaphilippe said.

"Every discussion with him has gone well. He never said that to my face. To be honest, I was a little surprised when I read that. If he had a problem with me, he would have told me first. So I'm not too worried."

Alaphilippe had a hellish season in 2022, missing the early season training camp due to illness, then suffering a spectacular fall at Strade Bianche and an even more severe fall at Liège-Bastogne-Liège that resulted in broken ribs, a broken scapula, and a punctured lung.

The highlight of his spring was a stage win at Ituria-Basque and fourth place at La Flèche Wallonne, but he was not selected for the Tour de France until he caught COVID-19 at the Tour de Wallonie.

He also crashed at the Vuelta a España and dislocated his shoulder. He later admitted to Cyclingnews that he had "never been at 100%" for a race during the season.

"Crashing, getting sick, having to take care of yourself, it's part of the job," Alaphilippe told L'Equipe.

"But I try not to think about it. Things were going well until last season. I had a few injuries here and there, a virus or two, but nothing that would hinder my progress. I really had a lot of setbacks last year.

"Even though I had some tough times, I never gave up. Of course, I wanted to train not only to come back, but also to perform. I've always been a fighter, so I kept doing my job until the end, and I don't think there was a moment in 2022 when I was really happy on the bike."

However, in an interview with La Derniere Heure in December, Lefebvre downplayed his comments. The veteran director was apparently not sympathetic to the star rider's plight.

"We all really like him. He's been riding for this team since he was 17. But we made him understand that if he got tired of this environment, he was allowed to leave. I have nothing to do with those riders."

"I want him back. He owes me revenge. He is on a champion's salary, but he still has to prove he is a champion.

"I don't really care that he's not the world champion anymore, but he hasn't won much in the last few years. Yes, he has had his share of bad luck, but the lucky and the unlucky are always the same."

Alaphilippe spent the off-season putting 2022 behind him and resetting after years of terror.

"Starting with Challenge Mallorca, I'll be racing major classics through the spring, Tour de Flanders, Tirreno-Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, and then back to the Italian spring with Strade Bianche," which is "probably my favorite race.

"It went very well. I spent some time at home with my family, myself." I needed to regenerate my body and my mind; I went five weeks without cycling. I did not accept any kind of solicitation.

"After that, we were happy to restart slowly, not missing any steps along the way, even though we were fully focused on 2023. This quiet winter was essential after last season."

Alaphilippe said he has no physical or mental after-effects for the 2022 season. Instead, he is focused on winning motorcycle races.

"To stay at the highest level you need fire and I always have fire. Not being at my level for a few months has motivated me even more.

"In my career, sometimes you have to take risks. Otherwise, it gets boring very quickly," he added, referring to his decision to concentrate on the cobbles of the Ardennes this spring. I love the atmosphere before a race and I can't wait."

"It sounds strange, but I feel like the Flanders Classics suits me better than the Ardennes. You never know when or where the decisive attack will come, so you always have to be in the right place."