Sick at the start of the Tour de France, Julian Alaphilippe reassured about his state of form, completing the second stage in 5th position. A result of which French is not satisfied, however.
The second stage of the Tour de France was the scene of Mathieu Van der Poel (Alpecin-Deceuninck) in Boulogne-sur-Mer this Sunday ahead of Tadej Pogacar. The Batavian also seized the yellow jersey following his feat to which Julian Alaphilippe (Tudor) attended very closely. “I played victory, but I was a little stuck. Afterwards, we come to the Tour to win a stage, not to make 5th. But given how I was on Saturday, I’m happy “Said the former world champion at the microphone of Eurosport after the race.
Embarned to the bronchi, the Frenchman appeared lessen the day before when launching this edition of the Grande Boucle. Therefore, he did not hide his satisfaction to appear at the front at the time of the final fight this Sunday. “I did the recognition of this end of the stage twice, so I knew it very well. I really wanted to make a nice step. Unfortunately, with the sensations of the last days, I saw my ambitions downwards. But I’m happy to feel better today, even if I would have liked to play the victory. “”
Grégoire: “a small inferiority complex”
Better placed, in the 4th row on arrival, Romain Grégoire (Groupama-FDJ) regretted its strategy. “There is a little regret because I felt really good, I felt that Van der Poel wanted it more than anything so I set myself on his wheel. I was in his wheel at 400-450 meters but I am a little locked up, I dare not put my elbows and the shoulder to fight and hold the wheel of Van der Poel. It gives me a little regret. “”
“I think I missed the aggressiveness and the fighting spirit. I may have made a small inferiority complex to be completely honest by telling myself that anyway I could beat themWhile it was worth trying. This is only a delivery, “promised the tricolor runner. In good shape in June, the 22 -year -old cyclist finished second at the French championships behind Dorian Godon. Earlier at the Tour de Suisse, he had removed the first stage ahead of Kévin Vauquelin and Julian Alaphilippe, 4th that day in Kussnacht.
