Frenchman Julien Alaphilippe, July 11, 2023, during the tenth stage of the Tour de France. THIBAULT CAMUS / AP
For two years, the relationship between Julian Alaphilippe and his Soudal Quick-Step team, with which he is under contract until the end of 2024, has been on the rocks. And at the start of the new year, there is no improvement in sight, quite the contrary. During the team presentation on Tuesday January 9 in Calpe (Spain), in which Julian Alaphilippe did not participate, general manager Patrick Lefévère announced that the French cyclist should not ” first “ not be at the start of the next Tour de France (June 29-July 21). Training Belgian will aim for a good place in the general classification with its leader, Remco Evenepoel, who will take the roads of the Grande Boucle for the first time. “See Julian [dans un rôle d’équipier] 100% serving Remco Evenepoel, I don’t like it”commented Patrick Lefévère.
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A sidelining? Not according to Julian Alaphilippe, who spoke this Wednesday in an interview with The team. “It’s not a disappointment not to go to the Tour, it’s a choice on my part confirmed by the team”, the runner advances. The Frenchman, who wore the yellow jersey of the Tour in 2019, 2020 and 2021, evokes a desire to change his usual racing calendar, a strategy that prevents him from participating in the Tour de France. “I drew up my program and it was validated so that we had a team dedicated to victories [d’étapes] on the Giro, and another who plays the general on the Tour »he insists.
“An impulsive runner, not always intelligent”
Julian Alaphilippe should therefore participate in the Tour of Italy, from May 4 to 26. A decision confirmed by Patrick Lefévère, who slips a dig at the Frenchman in passing. “I think the Giro suits his style of impulsive runner, not always intelligent but who people like”declared the Belgian manager.
This is not the first time that Lefévère has had harsh words for the native of Saint-Amand-Montrond (Cher). Depriving the Tour de France of one of the most popular French cyclists in France is a strong choice on the part of Quick-Step. “A disgruntled rider on a team is useless. He had the opportunity to leave. I like riders who respond to the pedal, and he’s going to do that.”replied Patrick Léfèvre, asked about the Frenchman’s reaction to his non-selection for the Tour de France.
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“It’s always special to miss the Tour, but I’m happy with my goals. It’s a very complete season. You have to make choices and stick to them”explains Julian Alaphilippe in the columns of The Team.
Asked about an extension of his contract at Soudal-Quick Step, the 31-year-old runner kicks in. In April 2021, after his first world champion title, he signed for three additional years. But the Frenchman’s recent average seasons have not satisfied the Flemish leader. “I have to be realistic: it eats up a large part of my budget and I still want results too”he launched in April 2023, in the RMC podcast “Grand Plateau”.
Julian Alaphilippe is currently in Australia, where he is due to take part, from January 16 to 21, in the Tour Down Under, the opening race of the season. Although he will probably not participate in the Tour de France, the Frenchman nevertheless hopes to compete in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.