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After two years in the rainbow jersey, Julian Alaphilippe is keen not to take on the burden he puts on a rider.
Alaphilippe claimed back-to-back titles at Imola and Flanders, but relinquished his rainbow stripes to his Soudal Quick-Step teammate Remko Evenpoel in Australia last year. This means he is running in the regular team kit for the first time since 2019.
While he would have liked to win back-to-back titles, the jersey came with a certain amount of pressure and he believes that not having it will set him free.
“It was my dream to win that jersey, and to win it twice is one of the highlights of my career. Not being there anymore will give me back a little bit of the freedom I had before becoming world champion,” said Alaphilippe. “The motivation and desire to win races is still there, it’s only the pressure brought on by the jersey that’s disappearing. has gone.
“But I want to be clear: The jersey also helped me through the tough times and reminded me of what I’ve achieved. It also helped me properly hit the reset button in winter time and get ready for the new season.” Of.
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Alaphilippe’s first year in the rainbow jersey was reasonably successful with a win in Flèche Wallonne and a stage of the Tour de France.
While he picked up a few wins last year, his second year could hardly be more challenging as his 2022 campaign was marred by accidents.
The Frenchman crashed at Strade Bianche when a gust of wind killed several riders, and at Liège–Bastogne–Liège he suffered serious injuries when he crashed into a tree at high speed. His season almost ended prematurely when he suffered another fall at the Vuelta a España.
Alaphilippe wants to put that behind him and make a fresh start this year.
“In my mind I feel different than last season, I’m really looking forward to start again and find my best level. Going for the win is what drives me to train.” “I had a good winter, took some time to recover physically and mentally, and all I want to do is enjoy racing again. I feel more relaxed now, with the rainbow jersey off my shoulders.
The one race Alaphilippe would really like to win is the Tour of Flanders, which he has ridden just twice in 2020 and 2021. Alaphilippe’s history in the one-day race was checked with a DNF on his first attempt after colliding with a motorbike. While in the break with Matthew van der Poel and Watt van Aert.
His second appearance ended with 42nd, but he still enjoyed the experience and is looking forward to getting more out of the race.
“Flanders will be one of my big goals this year. It is a race that inspires me, a race that gives me dreams. It has all that history, that tradition, everything that is special about it,” Alaphilippe said. “I enjoyed my previous performances even though they didn’t end well and I’m not as experienced as some of the guys in the squad, but I’m looking forward to getting back to the start and giving my best in April.” best.
Alaphilippe is set to start his season at the Mallorca Challenge on Wednesday, before heading back to France for the Faun-Ardèche Classic and La Drome Classic.
The series of races in Mallorca will give Alaphilippe the opportunity to test his early season form on hilly terrain with the Spring Classics on his radar.
“I feel good, and I’m really motivated to start the season. I didn’t make these races in Mallorca a big objective, my primary goal is to make a good effort and see where my form is,” he said. Told. “Friday’s race, with that good finish, looks a little better to me than the rest, but we have a strong team, and we will go for the best result on each of these five days. I look forward to running these good races.” Very excited about finally starting my season where I will try to do my best and build for spring.
