Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[SafeBet]

Now onto the Tour & let's see where this goes, i.e. the route itself seems to have been (no surprise here) designed with Alaphilippe's puncheur qualities in mind.

Just look at stage 1 & 2, i.e. both have an uphill sprint finish:

So I wouldn't be surprised to see Alaphilippe in yellow on day 1 or 2, followed by a time trial (stage 5) in which he could also surprise (like in 2019).

IMO he's the potential third man in the battle for yellow behind Pogacar & Roglic.

I would love it but I think the level uphill will be much higher than in 2019.

Nice to see Alaphilippe returning to great shape just in time for FW and LBL, although the latter one is starting to look like a cursed race for him.

 

[Bye Bye Bicycle]

No Olympics for him.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1393169959275094021

View: https://twitter.com/alafpolak1/status/1393169959275094021

 

[johnymax]

No Olympics for him.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1393169959275094021

View: https://twitter.com/alafpolak1/status/1393169959275094021

What?! This is a joke, right?

 

[Pinot's goat]

He must be desperate to win San Sebastian.

 

[Breh]

This is very weird imo

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Eh, what? What's the reasoning behind that?

 

[tobydawq]

Eh, what? What's the reasoning behind that?

It seems to be a secret...

 

[Skalman]

Why? can someone translate?

 

[Eeslliw]

Will he go all in for GC at TDF?

 

[Max Rockatansky]

Why? can someone translate?

Hello everyone, I inform you after having thought long and hard, in agreement with the coach of the French team and my team Deceuninck Quick step, not to be a candidate for selection for the next Olympics in Tokyo.

It is a personal and well-considered decision. The objectives for the end of the season have been defined and choices must be made in this sense.

I would be very proud to wear the jersey of the French team for the next world championships.

I wish the best for the team that will be lined up for this occasion.

See you soon!

 

[Netserk]

Maybe he was told that he would have to be vaccinated to race the Olympics.

 

[Hugo Koblet]

Apparently it's because his girlfriend is giving birth to their child in June and TDF and Olympics would mean that he would be away from home too long. I expect him to give the GC at the Tour a shot now.

 

[Panda Claws]

He doesn't give an explanation only that it he really thought about it and that it is for personal reasons. He alsof suggests that he may have other goals in that part of the season.

He does make it very clear that it is not a problem with the national team as he expresses that he wants to ride the WC.

Edit: Hugo Koblet has the insider info.

 

[Red Rick]

Obviously it's cause Lefevre wants Evenepoel to win and I'd jynx it by saying Alaphilippe doens't have a chance in hell therefor condemning him to win.

 

[SafeBet]

Apparently it's because his girlfriend is giving birth to their child in June and TDF and Olympics would mean that he would be away from home too long.

That's the reason, 100%.
When he said on IG that he would become father at the end of June I even doubted he'd ride the Tour.

 

[Bonimenier]

That's the reason, 100%.
When he said on IG that he would become father at the end of June I even doubted he'd ride the Tour.

Yeah, I believe Lefevere said somewhere that JA came to him to ask to ride another GT, but he convinced him by saying that it might be the only time he could ride the TdF in the rainbow jersey,

 

[Escarabajo]

Apparently it's because his girlfriend is giving birth to their child in June and TDF and Olympics would mean that he would be away from home too long. I expect him to give the GC at the Tour a shot now.

That and parcours might not favor him. Maybe. So it might not be worth it.

Is that girlfriend the one from Gallopin?

 

[Breh]

Yes, Marion Rousse.

She was French national champion on the road and I think she works for the French National television now.

 

[Fernandez]

Imagine the genetics of the child

 

[jnormanroach]

Imagine the genetics of the child

How long do we wait before creating a thread for them?

 

[Ilmaestro99]

How long do we wait before creating a thread for them?

Probably already has a contract with Ineos, DSM or UAE until 2048

 

[frisenfruitig]

Man, what a bummer not to have JA at the Olympics... As far as him going for a GC at the TDF; I'd rather see him try to win a couple of stages. He's never going to beat the likes of Pogacar or Roglic in a GT imo.

 

[Samu Cuenca]

Imagine the genetics of the child

She was never actually the best French cyclist, though. I would have higher expectations for the possible offspring of Absalon and Ferrand-Prévot, to be honest

 

[Fernandez]

She was never actually the best French cyclist, though. I would have higher expectations for the possible offspring of Absalon and Ferrand-Prévot, to be honest

Looks like french cycling is a true family

 

[BlueRoads]

I don't think genetics are that easy, anyway... there was a cyclingweekly article, I think, recently, which talked about making the perfect cyclist like that... but from what I know that's nonsense.
However, a child with two ex-pros as parents should get the best support if wanted and often also some motivation when cycling is so important and present in the family...

Anyway, I always like to see riders putting family first, although this must have been a hard decision, probably made easier by Tokyo at best happening under cooled down conditions and so close to the Tour. Hope he's really okay with doing the Tour now, and not torn, like I would be for sure.