Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[Skalman]

It hasn't exactly been his best spring, has it? But let's see how he fares in the Ardennes.

It hasnt been that bad, MSR wasnt good, but this was the first time he rode Ronde all the way so couldn't expect him to win anyway, but you aren't better than your last race around here.

 

[Red Rick]

Think he'll fly in the Ardennes.

 

[KZD]

I don't think that he will ever win Flanders after what I saw today but he can redeem himself in the Ardenes

 

[johnymax]

Think he'll fly in the Ardennes.

I think the same. But he won't win any because the others will fly even more.

 

[Salvarani]

Why? because he didnt win just today?

I think you are taking my post too seriously.

Lets see what the Ardennes bring, as I said.

 

[Blanco]

I don't think that he will ever win Flanders after what I saw today but he can redeem himself in the Ardenes

Agree, cobbles just aren't his cup of tea. Let's see how he fares in the Ardennes, that's his terrain, although riding cobbles isn't exactly the best preparation.

 

[BlueRoads]

Ah, I don't think you can say cobbles aren't his thing, when last year he initated the winning move and would have been third at worst. Winning Flanders will always be very difficult, and he would need to be at his best, but I think it's within his limits to do it.
He's obviously not bad but just not at his best this spring. I still think it might be better for him to have a clear peak instead of this "I do the whole spring from Strade to Liège on a high level".
I'm not expecting too much from his Ardennes races at this point.

 

[roundabout]

it's a shame for him that the course change happened, I think Mur + Bosberg would have suited him more

 

[tobydawq]

Ah, I don't think you can say cobbles aren't his thing, when last year he initated the winning move and would have been third at worst. Winning Flanders will always be very difficult, and he would need to be at his best, but I think it's within his limits to do it.
He's obviously not bad but just not at his best this spring. I still think it might be better for him to have a clear peak instead of this "I do the whole spring from Strade to Liège on a high level".
I'm not expecting too much from his Ardennes races at this point.

In 2019, he did have a clear peak. He specifically aimed at the March races. Unconventional but it certainly bore fruit. I don't know if his aim is different this year, but I would think that it is.

 

[Bonimenier]

Anyone know which Ardennes classics he's going to ride? So far PCS only list him on the startlist of LBL. Hard to imagine him not riding FW at least.

 

[Blanco]

Ah, I don't think you can say cobbles aren't his thing, when last year he initated the winning move and would have been third at worst.

He seemed mighty strong on Koppenberg and Steenbeekdries this year also, and was in leading 6, but finished 42nd. I think there's too much cobbles, too much riding on the front, pulling, too much wind in the face to his liking. He's too light for this race, this is for more powerful, heavier guys. He can do well, of course, on a good day, but I can't see him winning.

 

[Blanco]

Does anybody know why he's not riding Brabantse Pijl? I mean he had 3 race days in 30 days...

 

[BlueRoads]

• in order not to bore him
• in order to concentrate on all the big races
• because he wants to spend more time at home

Suggestions. I don't know anything.

 

[Salvarani]

I was joking with the rainbow curse, of course, but it would also be natural to have a dip of form and everything not going your way sooner rather later after performing at a high level over a long period of time. For many different reasons.

But I wouldnt have made the joke either if he had looked great and I dont think he really has so far. He is still making results and is at a solid level where he can win and make some great results, but maybe not in the stellar form that we seen in past couple of years where has pretty much dominated some of these races. Simply being stronger and better than many of the rest.

It could just be a temporary thing before he finds his groove again, but he probably wont have it as "easy" winning right now. Still can for sure and I wouldnt be surprised if he won a couple of these races coming up either. Shutting all us up

 

[Skalman]

Renewed with Quickstep until 2024, nice!

 

[Bolder]

Good call on both sides.

I'm also of the mind that he hasn't been all that great this year, not quite sure why. Maybe last year took a lot out of him and he didn't do the right base preparation? Hard to say, he definitely looks less strong overall.

 

[Skalman]

Yeah, alot of people seem to think that, i have no idea, maybe his priorities are Flech and Liege and then later this year, or he became worse or others became better.

 

[Sciatic]

Yeah, I think it’s better to wait until 10 days from now to assess how he’s doing in 2021, since we will certainly have a better fix on that after Flèche and LBL.

 

[BlueRoads]

Yeah, alot of people seem to think that, i have no idea, maybe his priorities are Flech and Liege and then later this year, or he became worse or others became better.

I think he's got competition he didn't have before plus the stretched spring schedule doesn't work best for him. After all he's not Roglic. But yes, it's better to access this after the Ardennes.

 

[Skalman]

Man , i have to concede that others are right regarding his form, he looks a shadow of himself. Doesn't follow attacks, when he responds then he responds super late, and just is nowhere to be found when its time to decide the race. Disappointing.

 

[BlueRoads]

Man , i have to concede that others are right regarding his form, he looks a shadow of himself. Doesn't follow attacks, when he responds then he responds super late, and just is nowhere to be found when its time to decide the race. Disappointing.

What are you talking about, he finished ahead of Kristian Sbaragli.

He was not too bad, but for his standards it's disappointing, yes.

 

[Salvarani]

He is just not in the greatest of form and it is hard to find it all of a sudden during these weeks or couple months, when the races come close and after each other. Trying to catch-up.

After next Sunday he most likely needs a break to try get ready for the Tour. Hopefully in better shape and form then.

Could just be an off-year, and as jokingly said a while ago "curse of the rainbow jersey" which was premature then but it is more and more starting to look like it.

If this is as "bad" as he can be, he is still at a high level. It would be natural to have a spell where you not at your best after performing and winning a lot of races for a longer period of time. That edge that makes you win them just not there right now for him.

He will hopefully get back to winning ways sooner rather later or at least be able to animate the races a bit more soon, than right now.

 

[SafeBet]

I think he looked excellent until midway through Tirreno.
His performance on Ventoux was his best climbing performance in long time.
Great effort in Omloop.
Only beaten by a monster version of VDP in Strade.
Even at Tirreno he won the uphill sprint against VDP and Van Aert in Chiusdino.

But then something changed: subpar performance on Prati di Tivo + complete no show in the hilly rainy stage.
And lacking that extra bit in every classic he has raced after.

Honestly if you asked me in early March I would have told you he was ready for his best spring ever. Don't really know what happened.

 

[BlueRoads]

I think he looked excellent until midway through Tirreno.
His performance on Ventoux was his best climbing performance in long time.
Great effort in Omloop.
Only beaten by a monster version of VDP in Strade.
Even at Tirreno he won the uphill sprint against VDP and Van Aert in Chiusdino.

But then something changed: subpar performance on Prati di Tivo + complete no show in the hilly rainy stage.
And lacking that extra bit in every classic he has raced after.

Honestly if you asked me in early March I would have told you he was ready for his best spring ever. Don't really know what happened.

True, I had attributed it to an overly optimistic season's schedule, but now that you mention it, there was a very sudden dip of form.

 

[Red Rick]

Let's wait until the Mur to call curtains on his spring, but today was a bit underwhelming. Not the 6th place as much as not featuring at all on the hills that should suit him to a tee.