Having come out with repeated criticisim of Sam Bennett – and also made very dubious remarks about many of his former riders – Patrick Lefevere has turned his attention to Mark Cavendish.
The Belgian team boss – ever eager to sign riders up for
a bargain price – has said Cavendish would be better staying with his team but
needed to control his expectations about his market value.
The British rider stormed back to his best with four stage wins and the green jersey at the Tour de France in July. He has been riding this season with Deceuninck-QuickStep on a one-year deal and since his Tour success the question of his future has lingered.
“After the Tour we had dinner in the star restaurant Boury in Roeselare, but nobody has become much wiser there,” said Lefevere of Cavendish in his weekly column for Het Nieuwsblad.
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“We talked about business for a while: the sponsors
suggested a campaign in which they wanted to play Mark image-wise, but he
himself did not think that was in line with his remuneration at the moment.
“I then suggested to enjoy the food and put the
conversations about contracts and numbers in the fridge for a while. The
premise is simple though: we want Mark to stay with the team and I think he
knows himself that the grass isn't greener anywhere.
“Only he should not overestimate his market value in the
euphoria of the Tour. If everyone acts normally, we'll figure it
out."
Lefevere also said he wants to bring Elia Viviani back
into his team; the Italian who left two years ago for Cofidis, but who never
enjoyed the same success with the Spanish team.
“He has had his best years with our team, but of course his price is in line with his palmarès," Lefevere said. "Viviani or a younger, and therefore cheaper, sprinter: that's the decision I have to make. I'm not in a rush for now."
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