Sam Bennett has been the focus of an extraordinary set of comments from Deceuninck-Quick-Step team manager Patrick Lefevere.
Lefevere told Nieuwsblad that Bennett lacked 'balls' amid a falling out between the pair.
“I’m the boss. No? Clear? I sent him a message. He said he was on the bike, so I supposed he would call me after but he didn’t call me. So it says a lot more about him than me,” Lefevere said.
“I don’t know if you have a boss but I learnt since I was a kid that the guy who pays you is the boss and he deserves respect. He didn’t show me respect. It’s more a pity for him than it is for me.
"If you fight like a devil and cry like a child because Bora-Hansgrohe treat you wrong and then after nearly 14 months you sign with the team again it says more about him than it does about me. I have balls, he doesn’t.”
Lefevere v Sam Bennett
Lefevere is still apparently angry at Sam Bennett's late withdrawal from the Tour de France, and spoke of his relationship with Mark Cavendish.
"Mark has nothing to lose, we told him that. That's a luxury. He is also mentally stronger than Sam. Even when Bennett was the fastest of the pack he was constantly doubting himself.
"I sent him (Bennett) WhatsApp message last weekend and he replied: 'I'm on my bike'. So I thought he would call me after that, but I haven't heard from him again. Yes sorry, I'm the boss hey, he has to call me. I don't call him.
"He will be paid until 31 December and I am adhering to the contract correctly. But you have to be two to fulfil a contract. He shows little respect for me."
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