Is this Julian Alaphilippe's last year on a bike?
Doubt is allowed.
One year before the end of his contract with Soudal-Quick Step, the French rider was the author of a little enigmatic outing on his future in the columns of Cycling News.
When it comes to his state of mind at the start of 2024, the winner of six stages in the Tour de France was cash.
“Every new season, I start the winter as if I had won nothing before.
I always think like that and to be honest, I don't know where I will be next year, if I continue, if I continue in the team, if I continue cycling, I don't know...", -he replied mysteriously.
“Get back to my best level”
The French rider has still not extended his contract with his Soudal-Quick Step team, and his relationship with Belgian manager Patrick Lefevere raises questions.
The former wearer of the Yellow Jersey on 18 stages of the Grande Boucle was not selected to participate in the Tour de France next summer.
A choice justified by the presence of leader Remco Evenpoel and the desire not to see the 31-year-old Frenchman “100% domestic”.
“Ik weet niet waar ik volgend jaar zal zijn, de ik bij de ploeg blijf dat ik doorga met wielrennen” - Julian Alaphilippe zinspeelt op mgelijk pensioen https://t.co/mPoV5aaeu8
— Wielrennenuptodate (@WielrennenUTD) January 23, 2024
However, it is difficult to see anything other than a punishment for Alaphilippe who lacked results last year.
“I think that physically, I am doing my best to get back to my best level, and this is the first big step for me,” he warned the media from Brisbane in Australia.
For a final year, or more?