Tensions between Julien Alaphilippe and Sourdal Quickstep boss Patrick Lefebvre have lingered, with each issuing new comments through the press.

Lefebvre was harsh in his tone, expressing high hopes for the season, but also putting pressure on the two-time world champion to bounce back from an injury-plagued 2022 campaign.

"Julien has a champion's salary, but we have to make sure he is still a champion," said Roufevre, who doubted the relative lack of results due to injury and illness, and suggested a possible split: "If he gets tired of this environment, I can leave. I made him understand that it's okay.

And Alaphilippe countered in an interview with L'Equipe: "He never said that to my face."

Lefebvre reignited the flames this week by claiming that everything he said in his interview with La Dernière Heure was already said directly to Alaphilippe.

"That conversation took place. His wife and his agent were there," Lefebvre told Sporza (open in new tab).

"I told him that he could not continue to hide behind his illness and his fall. That's the cold-hearted truth."

"He said, 'I'm not going to let you go on hiding behind your illness or your fall.'

"We had a heart-to-heart talk. If I'm going to get paid like Julian, it's to perform."

Alaphilippe will begin his 2023 campaign at Challenge Mallorca on Wednesday, but when asked about this on the eve of the race, he responded in a more diplomatic tone.

"Patrick and I have always been transparent. We have been from the beginning.

"It's been the same when things have gone well, and it's been the same when things have gone a little bit wrong.

"Patrick's comments have never changed the way I work or my motivation."

Alaphilippe began his career at Quick Step in 2014. His talent shone through early on, but he came into his own in 2018 with two stage wins at the Tour de France, wins in Milan-San Remo and Strade Bianche, his second consecutive world title, and four stage wins at the Tour de France.

In 2022, his second season in the rainbow jersey, he suffered crashes and bad luck, and was seriously injured in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, ultimately forcing him to miss the Tour. However, he dislocated his shoulder at the Vuelta a España and won only two races that year.

Despite public comments from team bosses, Alaphilippe insists that he does not feel undue pressure to regain old results.

"I want to do everything I can to make everything right again. But that doesn't mean I feel any undue pressure. I've never started a season so relaxed and liberated," he said.

"Winter allowed me to forget about cycling for a while. I spent time with my family to get myself back on track. I don't know if it's because I'm not wearing the rainbow jersey anymore or because I survived the winter, but I don't feel any pressure at all. I'm very motivated."