Patrick Lefevere has made Julian Alaphilippe a contract offer but the Belgian team boss is still none the wiser as to whether the French rider will stay with Deceuninck-QuickStep beyond 2019. Alaphilippe has been linked with a big-money transfer to Total Direct Energie for 2020, with the French team significantly increasing their budget after Total came on as a sponsor earlier this year. Lefevere has a fight on his hands to keep a number of high-profile riders, with Alaphilippe, Elia Viviani and Enric Mas among those on the transfer market for next year. Alaphilippe, in particular, has enjoyed a remarkable start to the season with eight wins already, including victories in La Flèche Wallonne, Milan-San Remo, Strade Bianche and two stages in Tirreno-Adriatico. He is currently training for the Critérium du Dauphiné and the Tour de France, where last year he won two stages and the King of the Mountains competition.ADVERTISEMENT `I sent a proposition to Alaphilippe´s agent at the Tour of California and I hope to have news in the coming days,` Lefevere told Cyclingnews. `I don´t know if he will stay, but of course I hope it. It´s all about money.` While Lefevere fights to keep his star-studded squad together he also has one eye on a number of his current core of support riders. Reports in Italy have linked Maximiliano Richeze with a move to UAE Team Emirates for next year, with the Argentine rider possibly linking up with Fernando Gaviria - another former Lefevere rider. Richeze was an integral part of Gaviria´s lead-out last year and while Lefevere is keen to keep the experienced rider, he is aware that finances will ultimately dictate and decisions.
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