Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[IndianCyclist]

If Ala does a Simon Yates, DQS will have to reevaluate their hiring for the GC support. Considering that he is the most popular rider in France beating the Pinots and the bardets, the TDF will be designed more to his strengths in the future. I expect more TTs and stages with rolling hills where he will be outright favorite.

 

[Amazinmets87]

Re:

If Ala does a Simon Yates, DQS will have to reevaluate their hiring for the GC support. Considering that he is the most popular rider in France beating the Pinots and the bardets, the TDF will be designed more to his strengths in the future. I expect more TTs and stages with rolling hills where he will be outright favorite.

One wonders if race organizers could genuinely design a route that Ala is a favorite on while upholding some semblance of adherence to traditional Tour routes.

 

[dastott]

They probably could, with some long climbs (but not dominating the route like 2015 & 2019) a TTT and a proper amount of (rolling) TT kilometres. Also with the return of some muritos also.

 

[Pantani_lives]

Next year: no high mountains, seven murito finishes and two short, technical time trials. Just an experiment, not meant to beneifit anyone in particular.

 

[Saint Unix]

I think he just won the Tour, barring an epic meltdown in the final week. He's proven that he can handle any type of terrain, so it's hard to see where he loses his two minute cushion unless he blows up from fatigue.

 

[Salvarani]

Time will tell. Im rooting for him.

 

[Colombianfan]

He may do a Voeckler and explode on tignes, he is doing exccelent though and i hope he wins if Bernal wont. Froome would have smoked this tdf I am gutted he coulnt get number 5.

 

[Salvarani]

Re:

I think he just won the Tour, barring an epic meltdown in the final week. He's proven that he can handle any type of terrain, so it's hard to see where he loses his two minute cushion unless he blows up from fatigue.

You are getting way ahead of yourself. We just dont know since it is uncharted territory right now. Anything could happen. Im excited to see how this will go though.

 

[VayaVayaVaya]

Re: Julian Alaphilippe

I am all aboard the Ala express. What a ride! Don’t know how long it’ll last but I’m going to enjoy every moment of it and hope that Pinot picks up the mantle if he falls off.

 

[Vroome.exe]

Re:

I think he just won the Tour, barring an epic meltdown in the final week. He's proven that he can handle any type of terrain, so it's hard to see where he loses his two minute cushion unless he blows up from fatigue.

He won't win it. It's very similar to Yates Giro last year, he was dominating until he blew up. Or you can compare it to Dumoulin's Vuelta, where he came out of nowhere to lead the race until he cracked in the last stage. Alaphilippe is not a GT specialist yet, but I think he will change his approach after this year to try and become one.

 

[Poursuivant]

Hope he wins but think he is going to pay eventually, and finish off the podium. We shall see.

 

[Gigs_98]

Re: Julian Alaphilippe

I still fear he will crack eventually. Especially once guys like Pinot or Kruijswijk will focus their efforts to drop him I have a hard time seeing him defend his jersey.
Anyway, what I just realized is that I'm already so looking forward to see him descend the galibier on stage 18.

 

[Red Rick]

Kruijswijk won't risk much.

Bernal or Pinot I could see risking a lot.

 

[Carols]

Re: Julian Alaphilippe

I am all aboard the Ala express. What a ride! Don’t know how long it’ll last but I’m going to enjoy every moment of it and hope that Pinot picks up the mantle if he falls off.

I'm there with you! Enjoying every minute so far .

 

[Inquitus]

Evens at the bookies now to in the race, have to say there does seem to be a distinct whiff off of his performances this year.........

 

[spalco]

I don't see how anybody can not root for Alaphilippe at this point, I'm not fully convinced, but I'm on board the hope train now at least.

Total class cyclist even before this race, and the French do deserve a win after all this time.

 

[Zinoviev Letter]

Lolololol we are now apparently back in the era of the generalist. Cyclocrossers win the classics and classics specialists win the Tour de France.

 

[ppanther92]

Re:

I think he just won the Tour, barring an epic meltdown in the final week. He's proven that he can handle any type of terrain, so it's hard to see where he loses his two minute cushion unless he blows up from fatigue.

Which is a big if in my opinion. Never had to be there for three weeks every day before, probably didn't prepare to go for the GC AND did way more work than all other contenders combined in the first week.

But he for sure is an incredible cool rider to watch and i will definitely root for him

 

[Anderis]

Re:

I don't see how anybody can not root for Alaphilippe at this point

I'm not rooting for him. For me, it would be an overkill for such a successful classics rider to win the TdF as well. I don't like when the same guy takes all the success. One of the reasons I like cycling so much is that you can't get tired of one's domination because the best sprinter won't win TdF, the best climber won't win Paris-Roubaix or flat stages etc. The domination of one rider has been heavily limited in modern cycling.
But now apparently the same guy can beat Naesen and Sagan in a sprint to win MSR and then finish 2nd on Tourmalet in TdF for a 2 minutes lead in GC after winning an ITT in the process. Sorry, I'm not enjoying it. I never enjoy when someone outclasses others with a big margin day in day out. It's just becoming boring if you are not rooting for this guy.

Just imagine if he was riding for Ineos- the doping accusations and hate would be endless with this kind of performances.

 

[Oude Geuze]

I know there’s a lot of jokes around the “new Eddie Merckx”, but this season from Alaphilippe must be somewhat reminiscent of the old cannibal? I mean, he started off winning Milan-Sanremo, flèche and strade Bianchi. If he goes on to win several stages and the overall in tdf, he must be the most complete and dominant rider in decades? He will probably even contend for the worlds no matter what terrain. Even if he were to quit his season tomorrow, he would still have produced one of the more remarkable seasons in recent memory?

 

[lartiste]

Doping .

https://twitter.com/LeGruppetto/status/1152293175970750464

 

[Lequack]

Re:

Doping .

https://twitter.com/LeGruppetto/status/1152293175970750464

https://twitter.com/SkoffiAnt/status/1152687229439025152

 

[Moviefan1203]

Hard not to pull for this guy. So likable and such a GC underdog.

 

[Koronin]

Actually not that hard to not pull for him. Maybe too cynical maybe not.

 

[Moviefan1203]

Re:

Actually not that hard to not pull for him. Maybe too cynical maybe not.

What’s not to like about him?