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Patrick Lefevere mocks Sam Bennett for his absence from the Tour de France

Deceuninck-Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere is always the type to speak his mind, and he landed on Sam Bennett after the Irish sprinter retired from the Tour de France.

Bennett said a persistent knee injury meant he was not in top form, but Lefevere said Bennett’s woes could be as much psychological as physical.

Read also: Cavendish entering, Bennett exiting

“I can’t prove that he doesn’t have pain in his knee, but I’m starting to think more and more that it’s more of a fear of failure than just pain,” said declared Lefevere. Sporza. “I’m starting to think it’s more performance anxiety than just pain.

pic.twitter.com/b1I3bhVZt1

– Sam Bennett (@Sammmy_Be) June 21, 2021

Bennett’s absence opens the door for Mark Cavendish to return to the Tour for the first time since 2018, but leaves Lefevere without the reigning green jersey winner in the otherwise solid roster.

“When Bennett called that he was injured and needed care and rest, we already felt he was not going to be ready for the Tour,” said Lefevere. “Three days before the Tour of Belgium, he hit his knee against his handlebars. He didn’t tell us anything about it. When he arrived, we sent him home. Then it was a yes-no game: to train or not to train?

“[Sunday] he must have come to Belgium, but there were again problems with his plane. Then you start to think about strange things, ”said Lefevere, who said it had nothing to do with Bennett leaving the team at the end of the season. “If he did, that would say a lot about him after everything I’ve done for him.” If you treat me like that, that says a lot. I do not exclude it.

Lefevere also downplayed the expectations of Cavendish, who hasn’t won a Tour stage since 2016.

“As far as Mark Cavendish is concerned, the expectations are not too high,” said Lefevere. “He’s not 30 anymore. It is to his credit that he is nervous as if he had to compete in his first race in the juniors. If he doesn’t win, everyone will think it’s normal. If he wins, everyone will put him on a throne.

Fabio Aru will not participate in the Tour de France

Fabio Aru will not take the Tour de France start this weekend for Qhubeka Assos due to medical issues, team officials have confirmed.

“I know what it takes to take part in the Tour and felt that with the physical issues I had this weekend my body just isn’t where it needs to be for me to be. at my best for the big start. ” Aru said. “After discussing the situation with the team, I decided that it was in our best interests to withdraw from the selection.”

Aru, 30, continues to struggle with health issues and withdrew from last year’s Tour.

The Italian winner of the 2015 Vuelta a España will be replaced by Carlos Barbero, who will make his Tour debut.

NEWS‼ ️@BarberoCbc replace @ FabioAru1 in our @Round line up [squad #s]@SimoClarke 🇦🇺 [09]@MichaelGogl 🇦🇹 [07]@VCampenaerts 🇧🇪 [55]@MaxWalscheid 🇩🇪 [13]@toseanandbeyond 🇺🇸 [31]@nich_dlamini 🇿🇦 [17]@sergiohenaoofic 🇨🇴 [10]@BarberoCbc 🇪🇸 [91]

➡️ https://t.co/zWwQYioofN pic.twitter.com/xr1TYCgpQb

– Qhubeka ASSOS team (@QhubekaAssos) June 21, 2021