Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[tobydawq]

Pfff, no Lombardia for him - Dauphiné instead.

He better win the Tour then.

 

[Bakkie]

French nationals this year a race for Alap?

 

[skippo12]

Seems like he does not have the best climbing legs but looking at Milan San Remo his acceleration is as good as ever. Wonder what he will do in the Tour.
Wouldn´t be suprised if he takes yellow in the first 3 days. Stage 2 has the bonus sprint on top of a short climb 9km before the finish line. Tailor-made for a rider like him.

 

[tobydawq]

Seems like he does not have the best climbing legs but looking at Milan San Remo his acceleration is as good as ever. Wonder what he will do in the Tour.
Wouldn´t be suprised if he takes yellow in the first 3 days. Stage 2 has the bonus sprint on top of a short climb 9km before the finish line. Tailor-made for a rider like him.

Maybe he will attack there and win the stage with 15 seconds.

 

[Gigs_98]

It's weird. He could potentially wear yellow till stage 15 and still be no real threat for the overall. To me he is the clear favorite for stage 2 and I can absolutely see him taking stages 4 and 6 as well if they aren't raced hard. He'll have a harder time in the pyrenees but if they are completely controlled and he makes another great descent or two, who knows. It's just really that the stages where selections are definitely going to happen come super late this year so he might be around the top of the gc for quite a long time.

All in all, I think this might be a pretty good tour for him. I think he'll win more than one stage and wear yellow at some point.

 

[dicanio_michael]

It's weird. He could potentially wear yellow till stage 15 and still be no real threat for the overall. To me he is the clear favorite for stage 2 and I can absolutely see him taking stages 4 and 6 as well if they aren't raced hard. He'll have a harder time in the pyrenees but if they are completely controlled and he makes another great descent or two, who knows. It's just really that the stages where selections are definitely going to happen come super late this year so he might be around the top of the gc for quite a long time.

All in all, I think this might be a pretty good tour for him. I think he'll win more than one stage and wear yellow at some point.

He could have a descent tour. Previous years he peaked early for the Spring classics. By the racing progress he did, this year he may really peak during the 3 weeks tour.

 

[jmdirt]

Congrats JA! Stage and yellow!

 

[Unchained]

Well deserved win. This guy is a classic always rides hard..Yellow jersey will fit him perfectly..

 

[Tonton]

The real thing. Not as fast as Sagan, more explosive, Balaphilippe was a good nickname a couple of years ago. And he delivers. He called that one if you read l'Equipe< Champion. And for his dad. Hat's off. You're the Man.

 

[IndianCyclist]

considering it might end in 2 weeks and he may be in yellow, why did the team leave him alone for so long in stage 1?

 

[jmdirt]

I'm not sure what JA was complaining about, IMO his movement cause the contact.

 

[CyclistAbi]

Likely that hand gesture was related to (self) frustration and not as a complaint somebody else did something wrong.

 

[Breh]

I really, really like this guy. That attack today really exploded himself and the race it feels like. He has panache, some riders could learn a thing or two from him.

I hope he never goes for GC in GT's.

 

[Gigs_98]

If Contador was Alaphilippe's DS even he would have asked him wtf that attack was about

 

[ice&fire]

I really, really like this guy. That attack today really exploded himself and the race it feels like. He has panache, some riders could learn a thing or two from him.

I hope he never goes for GC in GT's.

Actually, being in a position to go for GC is what made it work the way it did. It was one of those priceless moments we may not see ever again.

 

[fuiers]

What a ride from him once again. Worthy winner with full commitment and a very popular rider.

 

[Gigs_98]

Such a worthy WC. Looking forward to seeing him with the rainbow jersey

 

[BlueRoads]

So I guess his "useless" attacks at the Tour where only in part about tv-time.

 

[Red Rick]

Clearly the most explosive rider in the peloton.

If y'all want to ignore when I said he had no chance in hell (forgot what exact phrasing I used) that would be nice.

 

[RedheadDane]

If y'all want to ignore when I said he had no chance in hell (forgot what exact phrasing I used) that would be nice.

NEVER!

---
Might not have to wait long to get his first win in the rainbows.

 

[Gigs_98]

Clearly the most explosive rider in the peloton.

If y'all want to ignore when I said he had no chance in hell (forgot what exact phrasing I used) that would be nice.

Wait, aren't you the same guy who thought Roglic could win the Tour? Ahahahaha Pls don't check my posting history either

 

[Red Rick]

Wait, aren't you the same guy who thought Roglic could win the Tour? Ahahahaha Pls don't check my posting history either

Still haven't had a date with ScarJo.

Any day now.

 

[RedheadDane]

Wait, aren't you the same guy who thought Roglic could win the Tour? Ahahahaha Pls don't check my posting history either

What was it? "Pogacar is overrated"?

 

[Valv.Piti]

Pogacar is overrated, didnt you see this random Slovenian attacking at 40 km to go knowing he couldn't win against the big boys and almost got dropped by the big TT'er from NL on 10%?

 

[Tonton]

Some riders have emerged from the confinement below their expected level, and that's how I felt about Alaf' during the Tour. It looks like the mileage he put in during the three weeks benefitted him. He looked sharp today. And when we see the names in that top-10, what an accomplishment. Bravo Champion!