We had checked off a few stages designed for him, notably the second leading to Bologna or a little later, with the arrival at Lioran, but we have to be right: Julian Alaphilippe will not be present on the roads of the Tour de France next year. next summer. The boss of his team Soudal-Quick Step Patrick Lefevere broke the news on Tuesday evening during the presentation of the coming season, and the person concerned did not deny this Wednesday in The Teamexplaining that he wanted to concentrate on the classics and the Tour of Italy.
“It’s not a non-selection and it’s not a punishment at all. Doing the Giro had been on my mind for a while. The question was when I was going to participate and this winter when we established the schedule, I said: “Why not this year?” Between Australia, the classics and the Giro, I wanted a change,” explains the French rider in his interview.
“Not always smart”
It was therefore Alaphilippe who proposed this program, and Lefevere who gave his blessing. In any case, the Belgian big man did not see his colt as a “domestic” of the leader Remco Evenepoel on the Grande Boucle. “I don’t like that image,” said Patrick Lefevere, who still believes in a good season for the former double world champion.
The last two were complicated to say the least, between repeated glitches and lack of results. The Belgian often pestered the Frenchman by repeating that he cost him dearly and that he expected more return on investment. This time again, he couldn’t help but give his 31-year-old runner a little one. “I think the Giro suits his style of impulsive runner, not always intelligent but who people like,” said Lefevere. The bond is gradually weakening but the person concerned, who is reaching the end of his contract, for the moment only wants to think about the coming months.
The lights turn green
“We’ll see when the time is right,” he said to The Team regarding an extension. It was a bit difficult last year, with an up and down season and when I had discussions, it wasn’t necessarily pleasant. I put a lot of things aside, I took a step back. I had a very simple and basic winter, I feel good, relaxed. This is often a good sign, a feeling I haven’t experienced in a while. »
The first answers on Alaph’s form are expected on the Tour Down Under, which starts on Tuesday in Australia. Lefevere, even from afar, will follow this closely. “We reached an agreement. He said to me, “Patrick, give me one more winter.” Now it’s up to him to show it. I like riders who respond to the pedal and he will do that. I think he is still capable of producing results. »