Even if he has failed to keep his place on the podium of the Tour de Switzerland after the final time trial, Julian Alaphilippe remains satisfied with his Helvet week, less than two weeks from the departure of the Tour de France.
Julian Alaphilippe saw a rocket pass this Sunday. Leaving two minutes before Joao Almeida on the individual time trial in the 10-kilometer coast which marked the end of the Tour de Switzerland, the French runner was doubled by the Portuguese in the rise of the Stockhütte. The runner UAE Emirates finally won this stage, as well as the general classification, while the former double world champion descended from the podium, going from third place on Sunday morning to the fifth in the end.
After the race, the leader of the Swiss team Tudor admitted that he did not have his legs to shine during this last stage. “” It was very difficult. I think it was really necessary to be in a big day to make a good time, and I had very bad sensations from the start.
I immediately felt that it was going to be complicated, he said, according to comments relayed by Direct bike AND
Actu cycling. Inevitably, there is a little disappointment, because I would have really liked to finish on the general’s podium for the team. But I am still satisfied with the week. We were offensive, we tried to win a stage. »»
Alaphilippe: “It’s been a long time since I felt as well”
While the Tour de France begins in less than two weeks, Julian Alaphilipe, who has just celebrated his 33 years, is reassured about his state of form, even if he has always run after a victory for almost a year. “The team behaved super well, the group was really united, there was a super atmosphere. A few days before the Tour de France, it is necessarily positive.
I worked hard to reach the best possible form for the Tour de France, and this week really reassured me. I made a lot of effort, and I did not necessarily expect to have to defend such a good place in the general classification. (…) It’s been a long time since I felt so well. It’s really positive. We work hard to be in good shape, but when it happens, it is sure it’s nice. There were also times when I worked hard and I didn’t have the right feeling that came behind in the race. So it’s nice to have had a week like this. Julian Alaphilippe does not yet know if he will align himself with the French championships next week, but he hopes to keep this form during the coming weeks.
