Patrick Lefebvre described Julien Alaphilippe's departure from Sourdal-Quick Step as “the end of an era” for both the team and the rider. On Monday, it was announced that Alaphilippe has signed a three-year contract with the Swiss team and will join Tudor Pro Cycling next season.

Alaphilippe has spent his entire professional career so far with Quick Step, previously with Quick Step's feeder team.

Lefebvre offered Alaphilippe a new contract, albeit on reduced terms. He ultimately chose Tudor over a competing offer from Total Energy.

“Julien had two very weak years, 2022 and 2023. He was not the kind of player who races for minimum wage,” Lefebvre told Het Laatste Nieuws about the contract negotiations, adding that Alaphilippe was ‘completely within his rights’ to reject the offer. It's the end of an era. For him and for us."

Alaphilippe spent 11 years with Quick-Step, winning two world titles, Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche, La Flèche Wallonne, and the yellow jersey for two weeks at the 2019 Tour de France, He has had a dizzying run of success.

In recent years, Quick Step's plans have been increasingly built around Lemko Evenpoel's Grand Tour aspirations. Alaphilippe struggled through an injury-plagued season, but a stage win at the Giro d'Italia in Fano this year was the turning point in his comeback.

“We've known each other for a very long time. That little guy came to us very young,” Lefebvre said. We did a lot of work, but we also had a lot of fun together.” It still hurts me to see him go. He is not just a rider, Julian is like a child of the family that we will have to let go."

Lefebvre made some impressive public criticisms of Alaphilippe during the latter part of the Quickstep era. In particular, in an interview with Humo earlier this year, he suggested that Alaphilippe's sober riding was responsible for his lifestyle and his relationship with his partner, Tour de France Femme director Marion Rousse.

“I have to admit that I was a bit naughty at times and I made some stupid remarks,” Lefebvre said. 'But there have been some misunderstandings. Like about Marion: I just wanted to say that it's good that she keeps him on a leash, because Julien needs it.”

“Like any relationship, we had our ups and downs. A few weeks ago he visited Wevelgem and we were able to talk one-on-one. We left on a positive note. I did and I think he did too. I think his heart is still with us

“Julien is a really good guy. I have been hard on him, but I can also say that I have done a lot for him in private, like when his father died. So I am glad that our relationship remains amicable."[23