Teams & Riders Julian Alaphilippe Discussion Thread

[BR2]

Am I the only one thinking, that there is no chance Alaphillipe will win a World Tour race this year? He had a shocker last year, with lots of crashes (which can't all be down to purely bad luck), and thusfar he hasn't impressed me at all. I fear he might be on the same trajectory as Sagan. Or am I just too pessimistic, and does his 11th place in Milan-Sanremo offer a glimmer of hope?

I think that's a bit premature. He has shown a good or decent level in some races. I think the worst was Strade, where he was nowhere although he should have been.
My biggest worry concerning him is that most of the Quickstepteam is not any better. So there seems to be something else than just crashes, injuries and blips of form. Maybe if he can get a contract at Jumbo we will see his old level again. Or Groupama...
For now I would wait till this year is over to say something more.

 

[Salvarani]

TDE will probably sign him, when contract is up.

They will have money to spend after Sagan is out.

 

[BR2]

TDE will probably sign him, when contract is up.

They will have money to spend after Sagan is out.

Oh please no. Don't do that Julian.

 

[Salvarani]

Oh please no. Don't do that Julian.

Yeah... I know.

AG2R might "make sense" also. Guys like Van Avermaet, Naesen and so on will probably not race for much longer. Will free up some money for them as well.

Ala would be a big signing for either of these teams.

I think Groupama will/should stay clear. They got many good things going on as it is.

 

[staubsauger]

TDE will probably sign him, when contract is up.

They will have money to spend after Sagan is out.

Marion Rousse better looks for a 3rd husband then, because if Alaphilippe signs for Total it's soon end of career and big paychecks!

 

[staubsauger]

Yeah... I know.

AG2R might "make sense" also. Guys like Van Avermaet, Naesen and so on will probably not race for much longer. Will free up some money for them as well.

Ala would be a big signing for either of these teams.

I think Groupama will/should stay clear. They got many good things going on as it is.

Movistar

 

[Salvarani]

Movistar

I would think that would be a weird signing for them. Doesnt make much sense.

Who knows, maybe all the funds will make them throw money at riders but so far they been doing the right things and developing their riders really good.

More likely Israel, Trek or Arkea makes an offer.

 

[staubsauger]

I would think that would be a weird signing for them. Doesnt make much sense.

Who knows, maybe all the funds will make them throw money at riders but so far they been doing the right things and developing their riders really good.

More likely Israel, Trek or Arkea makes an offer.

Alaphilippe either replaces Valverde 1:1 or spearheads their newly (cobbled) classics campaign. He gets leadership for the Tour de France, while Mas and maybe some new Spanish talent focuses on the Vuelta a Espana.

Movistar pays well enough and Alaphilippe reunites with Ibarguren.

I don't see anything weird about it. In fact it's a move that makes sense for all involved parties.

 

[Salvarani]

Alaphilippe either replaces Valverde 1:1 or spearheads their newly (cobbled) classics campaign. He gets leadership for the Tour de France, while Mas and maybe some new Spanish talent focuses on the Vuelta a Espana.

Movistar pays well enough and Alaphilippe reunites with Ibarguren.

I don't see anything weird about it. In fact it's a move that makes sense for all involved parties.

He is not good enough for the cobbles. You cant replace Valverde with a like for like. It is better that they focus on what they are doing atm and go all in to sign Carlos Rodriguez instead.

I think it would be a bad move, if they go for him. Doesnt fit in with the new direction that the team has been going for since Valverde retired, and even preparing for in the last couple of years with the signings that they have made. Where some riders has just recently started to perform really well.

Lets see what the future holds.

 

[Koronin]

Alaphilippe either replaces Valverde 1:1 or spearheads their newly (cobbled) classics campaign. He gets leadership for the Tour de France, while Mas and maybe some new Spanish talent focuses on the Vuelta a Espana.

Movistar pays well enough and Alaphilippe reunites with Ibarguren.

I don't see anything weird about it. In fact it's a move that makes sense for all involved parties.

Alaphilippe isn't good enough on the cobbles to head up their classics team and it appears Movistar has decided that Matteo Jorgenson is their classics leader.

Also they'd be better off trying to sign Carlos Rodriguez.

As for Alaphilippe, I do think he's already peaked and he's started down the other side. He'll still be good for a few more years, but I do think his best days are behind him.

 

[staubsauger]

Alaphilippe isn't good enough on the cobbles to head up their classics team and it appears Movistar has decided that Matteo Jorgenson is their classics leader.

Also they'd be better off trying to sign Carlos Rodriguez.

As for Alaphilippe, I do think he's already peaked and he's started down the other side. He'll still be good for a few more years, but I do think his best days are behind him.

Frankly, I'm starting to feel the same.

Although we thought the same about Gilbert and then Boom

He just really shouldn't sign for Total or Cofidis. Then, it's career over indeed.

 

[Koronin]

Frankly, I'm starting to feel the same.

Although we thought the same about Gilbert and then Boom

He just really shouldn't sign for Total or Cofidis. Then, it's career over indeed.

Gilbert) did a good job of "reinventing" himself for the second half of his career.

Now the whole sign with Total or Cofidis, that's an entirely different discussion and I agree with you.

 

[dobrien]

Alaphilippe isn't good enough on the cobbles to head up their classics team and it appears Movistar has decided that Matteo Jorgenson is their classics leader.

Also they'd be better off trying to sign Carlos Rodriguez.

As for Alaphilippe, I do think he's already peaked and he's started down the other side. He'll still be good for a few more years, but I do think his best days are behind him.

Agree 100% with this. Movistar are headed in the right direction doing what they're doing and it just doesn't feel like Alaphilippe fits at all.

 

[Extinction]

He crashed and suffered as a result, so it's difficult to judge his actual level.

 

[saunaking]

Frankly, I'm starting to feel the same.

Although we thought the same about Gilbert and then Boom

He just really shouldn't sign for Total or Cofidis. Then, it's career over indeed.

Well,yeah. But if Juilian goes to JV, no reason he can't go out and win big races while wout sits in the peloton

 

[Blanco]

Gilbert) did a good job of "reinventing" himself for the second half of his career.

Now the whole sign with Total or Cofidis, that's an entirely different discussion and I agree with you.

Gilbert reunited with his old pal Ibarguren, and guess where he works now?
And Valverde could teach him how to win Liege..

 

[Bolder]

He crashed and suffered as a result, so it's difficult to judge his actual level.

Yeah, he's had a horrible run of crashes/injuries. My gut feeling is that he's now paying for many years of riding way too hard when it was either fruitless or unnecessary. You can only go to the well so many times in a career. I'm not ready to write him off like Sagan, but I think he needs to change teams. Ineos? If he goes to a French team it's game over...

 

[houtdffan]

send him to the giro to be a mountain donkey for Remco

 

[Koronin]

Gilbert reunited with his old pal Ibarguren, and guess where he works now?
And Valverde could teach him how to win Liege..

Remember they've changed the finish of Liege to the flat finish in town instead of the uphill finish.

I actually didn't know what Gilbert is doing now.

 

[logeardaddy]

If Juju has a falling-out with the fevered don, he should tell him "merde!" and go to Lotto or Intermarché.

 

[wansteadimp]

Remember they've changed the finish of Liege to the flat finish in town instead of the uphill finish.

I actually didn't know what Gilbert is doing now.

Gilbert has progressed to riding on a moto and giving updates from races. He is doing a better job at it than Wiggins.............

 

[Didinho]

No Julian in Amstel. Not fit. Knee pain from his fall in the Ronde.

 

[CyclistAbi]

C'mon Julian get your *** together. We need you back.

 

[ij74]

Is it too soon to call him washed?

 

[Unchained]

Is it too soon to call him washed?

He is a great racer,his form is recovering, goons at Quickstep thought that inner conflict and drama was somehow good for the team..
Look at the stacked deck at Jumbo and the team direction and the team director, superstars all living in harmony ( semi harmony) team and sponsors, race fans getting to see how it should be done.
We can all bet that it's not just good character and self control, maturity that is keeping all the egos in check. Cavendish may have not fit w Quickstep because his ego and baggage needed separate buses,hotel rooms and constant massage and reassuring that you are king,you are great, the team is working for you..
JA is a good teammate and is a contributor, he can win and as a result is a great benefit to riders like Remco.. All the talk that he is beaten down, washed up old has been, is just that, talk, His best days, whatever those are.. working for himself or others, he shows class and grace.. Obviously I am a fan boy because I enjoy his style as much as his results..