Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[RedheadDane]

Re: Re:

Yeah, it was Brian Holm who made it sound like the most stupid and ridiculous thing he had ever heard in his entire life and that he - primarily because of that - never knew what craziness Alaphilippe could be up to and that he would have to learn.

Sometimes he is just such an [insert censored word at your own will].

I'm not saying he should have waited, by the way, I just think Holm completely overreacted.

In fairness, that is the sort of thing that would give any DS an aneurism.

Though it would've been kinda funny - imho - if Alaphilippe's reply had basically been "Dude, relax. I'm waiting coz I'm gonna beat him in the sprint anyway. "

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

Yeah, it was Brian Holm who made it sound like the most stupid and ridiculous thing he had ever heard in his entire life and that he - primarily because of that - never knew what craziness Alaphilippe could be up to and that he would have to learn.

Sometimes he is just such an [insert censored word at your own will].

I'm not saying he should have waited, by the way, I just think Holm completely overreacted.

In fairness, that is the sort of thing that would give any DS an aneurism.

Though it would've been kinda funny - imho - if Alaphilippe's reply had basically been "Dude, relax. I'm waiting coz I'm gonna beat him in the sprint anyway. "

Now that would have not just been funny, but also accurate.

 

[SafeBet]

Is there anyone still convinced Alaphilippe can't calimb the high mountains after what he did in this Tour?
Really curious to see if he can hit top shape again in Innsbruck.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re:

Is there anyone still convinced Alaphilippe can't calimb the high mountains after what he did in this Tour?
Really curious to see if he can hit top shape again in Innsbruck.

I still don't think he isn't one of the top favorites

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Re:

Is there anyone still convinced Alaphilippe can't calimb the high mountains after what he did in this Tour?
Really curious to see if he can hit top shape again in Innsbruck.

He can ride high mountains very well, but I still wonder if he has the endurance on multiclimb stages or mountainous one day races like Worlds this year.

 

[IndianCyclist]

He should have received the super combativity award

 

[Akuryo]

Yeah, he was in every break on mountain stages and even took 4 HC climbs while doing so. So he did not sit in the break and chill. Alaphilippe animated the race the entire last week! He was by far the most combative!

 

[del1962]

Definitely one of favourites for worlds

 

[tobydawq]

The guy has just won one one-day race (try reading that aloud) in his career so he can't be a favourite surely.

Just like Roglic apparently can.

 

[del1962]

Re:

The guy has just won one one-day race (try reading that aloud) in his career so he can't be a favourite surely.

Just like Roglic apparently can.

4 top 5s in monuments, including 2 seconds, plus winning and twice second in FW is somewhat better record than a man who best performance in a one day race at 1.1 level and above is 20th other than is N/C where he once managed 4th

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

The guy has just won one one-day race (try reading that aloud) in his career so he can't be a favourite surely.

Just like Roglic apparently can.

Thomas highest ranking in a GT was 15th prior to this Tour, yet we knew he had the qualities to do much better.

Alaphilippe has been one of the strongest one-day racers the last 2-3 years now and the parcours suits him. I'm not saying he's gonna win but he's a favourite for sure. Remember that last year on an easy parcours he was still able to ride away from the peloton.

 

[tobydawq]

I know, I'm just teasing (and a bit surprised he hasn't won more).

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Re:

He should have received the super combativity award

That was my initial reaction, but having thought about it: the guy who climbs the best out of the riders who go in the breakaway a load of times is usually rewarded with the polka dots, as Alaphilippe was. Giving this to the most aggressive GC man serves a more useful purpose than doubling it up with the kom jersey. Top 10 guys should be rewarded for attacking rather than grimly holding on. It should be incentivized and recognized.

 

[can3478]

Alaphilippe celebrates in front of the team bus

https://twitter.com/quickstepteam/status/1023648810483048449

 

[Keram]

Usually it is Sagan who is most treat to watch at the TDF outside of GC riders but this year Alaphilippe definitely outshined him with his agressive riding despite of the fact his results are slightly lesser. I liked him before this TDF but after this performances I am definitely a fan of him. Finger crossed for the world. He would be fitting rainbow jersey wearer after Sagan´s 3 years. Chapeau.

 

[Naico]

Re: Re:

The guy has just won one one-day race (try reading that aloud) in his career so he can't be a favourite surely.

Just like Roglic apparently can.

4 top 5s in monuments, including 2 seconds, plus winning and twice second in FW is somewhat better record than a man who best performance in a one day race at 1.1 level and above is 20th other than is N/C where he once managed 4th

Most notable:
2d L-B-L (2015)
4th L-B-L (2018, arguably strongest man in the race)
2nd Tour of Lombardia (2017)
3d MS (2017, stronger than Kwiatkowski who could barely hold his wheel when bridging to Sagan)
4th Olympics (2016)
10th Worlds and arguably strongest in Worlds (2017)
2nd FW (2015)
2nd FW (2017)
1st FW (2018)
2nd European Championship (2016)

Other results:
Amstel: 6th (2017) , 7th (2015), 7th (2018)
Brabantse Pijl: 8th (2016)
French Championship: 2nd (2018), 5th (2016)

He was in contention for the win in almost every important one day race he's competed in. For the years he wasn't close, it was mostly due to bad luck (M-S 2018), injury (whole classic season 2017) or illness (mono end of 2015 until beginning 2016 jeopardizing classic season form for 2016).

Other than Valverde, no one has been more consistent these last year. Only Valverde, Nibali and Martin can claim more wins in recent monuments of this sort of terrain (not counting M-S for those who'd put Kwiatkowski ahead of him). I don't see how he can "surely not be a favorite" simply by stating he's only won one big one day race. It will be hard for sure, especially given the parcours (suits Nibali, Valverde, Martin more), but if he trains specifically i'm sure he can be up there with the best.

 

[yetanothergreenworld]

A worthy KOM and a fun dude all around. His little moment with Yates on the lower slopes of the final mountain was quite nice, as was his offer of a Coke to the camera bike. He does have an annoying habit of finishing second in major one-day races, but this year it feels like he's slowly getting the hang of nailing it. He's one of a handful of guys who would feel like a good all-round representative of road cycling wearing the rainbow jersey.

 

[Red Rick]

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

 

[Bardamu]

Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

You think we'll only see GC riders/climbers and no Fléche Wallone specialists?

 

[Koronin]

Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

Truthfully I'm not sure Alaphilippe is a good enough climber to be in the mix, however, I'd put his chances of winning/good placing over a GT GC specialist for this race as you have to be good at one day races and understand how to race a one day race. Nibali, D Martin, and Valverde still have to be the top favorites as they are all very good one day racers (Valverde is probably a classics specialist more than he's anything else) and are all good at stage races.

 

[can3478]

Meet one of Julian Alaphilipe's youngest fans at the bottom of the article - so cute.

https://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/article/2018/07/25/ooh-la-la-five-reasons-love-julian-alaphilippe

 

[Salvarani]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

Truthfully I'm not sure Alaphilippe is a good enough climber to be in the mix, however, I'd put his chances of winning/good placing over a GT GC specialist for this race as you have to be good at one day races and understand how to race a one day race. Nibali, D Martin, and Valverde still have to be the top favorites as they are all very good one day racers (Valverde is probably a classics specialist more than he's anything else) and are all good at stage races.

I would say one day and one week stage race specialist. Before saying "classics specialist".

"classics specialist" Im thinking Tom Boonen, Cancellara type rider...

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

Truthfully I'm not sure Alaphilippe is a good enough climber to be in the mix, however, I'd put his chances of winning/good placing over a GT GC specialist for this race as you have to be good at one day races and understand how to race a one day race. Nibali, D Martin, and Valverde still have to be the top favorites as they are all very good one day racers (Valverde is probably a classics specialist more than he's anything else) and are all good at stage races.

I would say one day and one week stage race specialist. Before saying "classics specialist".

"classics specialist" Im thinking Tom Boonen, Cancellara type rider...

I consider anyone who is extremely good at one day races regardless of type of one day races to be a classics specialist.

 

[Salvarani]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

Truthfully I'm not sure Alaphilippe is a good enough climber to be in the mix, however, I'd put his chances of winning/good placing over a GT GC specialist for this race as you have to be good at one day races and understand how to race a one day race. Nibali, D Martin, and Valverde still have to be the top favorites as they are all very good one day racers (Valverde is probably a classics specialist more than he's anything else) and are all good at stage races.

I would say one day and one week stage race specialist. Before saying "classics specialist".

"classics specialist" Im thinking Tom Boonen, Cancellara type rider...

I consider anyone who is extremely good at one day races regardless of type of one day races to be a classics specialist.

I think it is a difference but you do you

 

[Koronin]

Re: Re:

I wouldn't consider Alaphilippe a favorite based on how insanely hard the course is, and not on how he has no results in one day races.

Truthfully I'm not sure Alaphilippe is a good enough climber to be in the mix, however, I'd put his chances of winning/good placing over a GT GC specialist for this race as you have to be good at one day races and understand how to race a one day race. Nibali, D Martin, and Valverde still have to be the top favorites as they are all very good one day racers (Valverde is probably a classics specialist more than he's anything else) and are all good at stage races.

I would say one day and one week stage race specialist. Before saying "classics specialist".

"classics specialist" Im thinking Tom Boonen, Cancellara type rider...

I consider anyone who is extremely good at one day races regardless of type of one day races to be a classics specialist.

I think it is a difference but you do you

There is a difference between the cobbled classics specialists and the hilly classics specialists and the races.