World champion Julian Alaphilippe, who is recovering from a double fracture in his right hand, returned, in
L'Équipe
, to his violent fall due to a motorcycle during the Tour of Flanders on October 18: “Honestly, I did not have time to understand what was happening to me.
I was behind Van der Poel, left side.
I went to the right side to take the suction and, as he pulls away, I take the bike right in the face.
I am skilled on the bike, I manage to avoid obstacles, to go through places where it is tight.
There, I could not do anything.
Whether I'm looking ahead or behind, whether I have my hands on the handlebars or not, whether I drink… It wouldn't have changed anything.
Now I can say I'm doing fine, it could have been a lot more serious. "
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"I don't blame the biker, it's a race fact"
Julian Alaphilippe
The 28-year-old Frenchman insisted on saying that he didn't blame anyone: “I didn't hear the noise of the motorbike engine, we were driving fast… I'm not saying it's Van's fault. der Poel, who doesn't warn me.
I'm not saying it's the motorcycle rider's fault, who has nothing to do with it.
No, no, no ... I heard that the biker was angry with himself, that he was not well with this story.
He must not be worried.
I hope this interview will reassure him.
I don't blame him, it's a race fact.
And anyway, I'm not a resentful person.
Van Aert and Van der Poel both sent me a message, it's nice of them. ”
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Operated in Belgium the day after his accident, the rider of the Deceuninck-Quick Step training is now resting at home in Andorra and is doing well: “It's getting better.
The pain subsides.
In the days following the operation, I didn't expect to be in such pain.
The hand was very swollen.
I slept badly.
But it's a good thing to have had the operation, it allows me to recover faster.
Anyway, I had no choice, they were two nasty, out of place fractures.
This is not how I imagined enjoying my winter break.
But today, I'm happy to be home, and above all happy to have less pain. "
"In Liège, my desire to win overwhelmed me"
Julian Alaphilippe
Julian Alaphilippe also spoke about his incredible arrival at the classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège where he raised his arms too quickly and Roglic took the opportunity to overtake him on the finish line before the French rider was downgraded to 5th place: “I have no excuse.
I had a big lack of lucidity with this desire to win which overwhelmed me.
She was so strong that I couldn't contain her when I saw the line approaching.
And I made two mistakes in quick succession.
In the sprint, I shifted without realizing it: first mistake.
I cut my effort before the line, headwind, and Roglic arrives much faster than me: second error.
That will serve as a lesson for me.
(…) The hardest part for me wasn't losing the race, it was knowing that I was at fault.
I quickly apologized.
I know who I am: I don't run to make others lose. ”
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When taking stock of his season, the rainbow jersey explained what his success at the World Championship in Imola (Italy) represents for him on September 27: “I put the World Championship above. everything because there is so much behind this jersey.
I clung to my dream of being world champion.
I thought about it every time I got on the bike.
It is an accomplishment in my career and, in human terms, very strong, unforgettable moments shared with my teammates and the staff of the France team. ”
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