Bettina Gilbert, wife of ex-Belgian cyclist Philippe Gilbert, responded sharply to Marion Rousse on social networks, after the latter deplored Patrick Lefevere’s latest mating on Julian Alaphilippe.
The Julian Alaphilippe psychodrama is turning into a settling of scores in public. Regularly tackled by his boss Patrick Lefevere in recent months, the French Soudal-Quick Step runner saw this week the Belgian leader take a new step, not only pointing out his lifestyle (“too many parties, too much alcohol “) but also evoking the influence of his partner, Marion Rousse.
An inappropriate outburst, which earned the director of the Tour de France women and famous TV consultant to come out of silence this Wednesday, asking Lefevere “more respect and class”, and above all to no longer talk about Alaphilippe’s private life .
But if Marion Rousse’s intervention was greeted and relayed by the greatest number of people, her message also earned her a very virulent response from… Bettina Gilbert, wife of Philippe Gilbert, ex-Belgian cyclist and ex-teammate of Alaphilippe at Quick Step.
“He just says out loud what he thinks and a lot of people around you think quietly.”
On the social network Instagram, Bettina Gilbert thus validated Patrick Lefevere’s criticisms of Julien Alaphilippe, but also directly attacked Marion Rousse.
“It’s called the other side of the coin, Marion, and even then Patrick only displays a third of your man’s behavior,” she wrote. “You should even keep a low profile about it… He just says out loud what he thinks and many people around you think in whispers! His paid rider a fortune also owes his boss an account. That remains Rule.”
Madame Gilbert then toughens her tone: “You spend your life talking badly about people behind your microphone, hidden in your studio and when it comes to taking responsibility, you have never been there. Your post is the reflection of what touched you, in fact, that is to say you and your image.” And to conclude sublimely: “There is a proverb which says ‘You wanted to eat sheep and now you are shitting the wool’.”
Retired from the peloton since the end of the 2022 season, Philippe Gilbert wore the colors of the Quick Step from 2017 to 2019, years during which he played alongside Alaphilippe. The 2012 world champion is still involved in the world of professional cycling since he works as a TV consultant.