Deceuninck-QuickStep team manager Patrick Lefebvre revealed that a "market price" contract option could tie Julien Alaphilippe to the Belgian team until 2024, ending his contract this year, World He revealed that he would prevent his rivals from signing the champion.

Alaphilippe is one of the biggest riders in the sport, having long worn the yellow jersey in the 2019 Tour de France, winning the 2020 world title and loving aggressive racing.

Rival teams are well aware that Alaphilippe's contract ends this year; AG2R Citroën manager Vincent Lavigne has already admitted he is interested in a 2022 deal, and most major teams are likely to consider him in the future.

However, Lefebvre has cleverly protected his chances of continuing to use Alaphilippe beyond 2021 by inserting a special "market value" clause into his current contract. If Lefebvre's team continues in 2022 and is able to meet offers from other teams, Alaphilippe will have no choice but to stay.

Lefebvre has made it clear that he has similar options with Lemko Evenpole, Yves Lampert, and talented young Belgian player Mauri Vansevenin.

"We have contracts until 2024. It is better to say that he has options. If the team quits, he can't stay. If tomorrow Ineos brings 10 million euros, I have to say 'ciao.' But as long as the team stays, he is with us," Lefebvre revealed in a podcast for Sporza De Tribune.

"There is also the option of having the first veto as a team. I can put the same on the table and he has to stay."

Deceuninck-QuickStep's solid team structure and consistent success have helped convince Ryder to stay, even with larger offers from other teams. Lefebvre's biggest challenge is securing enough sponsors to cover the large rider salaries.

With the end of a three-year sponsorship by Belgian window manufacturer Deceuninck, most rider contracts will end this year.

"Now I have to work," Leferet said. This time, amid the COVID-19 craze and the impact it will have on sports sponsorship, he knows he must once again secure the future of his team.

"We have the option of a two-year extension and they (Deceuninck) have until March to decide. I don't want to be in a situation like NTT was last year, or like we were three years ago, where nothing happened in August," Lefebvre revealed.

"If the sponsors still don't understand the great return on investment we bring, they should go to ....... I just read some good news about Deceuninck in [the Belgian economic newspaper] De Tijd."

"Specialized wants to go further, Lidl wants to go further, Quick Step wants to go further. But there is a different floor between wanting to continue and seeing something on paper."

Deceuninck-QuickStep confirmed Tuesday that Alaphilippe will make his 2021 Tour de la Provence in southern France from February 11-14 He confirmed that he will make his season debut in 2021.

"Winning in Imola was my best moment last year and to be able to wear the rainbow jersey for 12 months is a great pride.

"I can't wait to show it off in as many races as possible this season. I'm still recovering from my injury at Ronde van Vlaanderen last November, but I've made some important steps since then and I'm confident I'll be better in the coming weeks."

"I am excited to be racing in France for the first time this season. I have participated in the Tour de la Provence a few years ago and I am happy to be back. I like the course, but I'm not going with any specific goal in mind. The most important thing is to get back in shape and I hope Provence will help me do that before my spring appointments.