On Twitter, Laurent Brochard was quick to congratulate his worthy heir, reminding Julian Alaphilippe that he had promised him “during an evening spent together, a few years ago” that he would one day be his successor.
Congratulations @alafpolak I told you during an evening spent together a few years ago that you would be my successor ...
Welcome to the very closed circle of French world champions.
You will wear these beautiful rainbow colors with panache and honor!
https://t.co/gLCHIJekGY
- Laurent Brochard (@LaurentBrochard) September 27, 2020
But before the world champion in road cycling in 1997, there was Luc Leblanc.
Sacred in 1994 on the Sicilian coast, the 54-year-old former cyclist from Limoges admits to admiring his compatriot, whom he hoists as an ambassador for French cycling.
What feeling predominates after this incredible coronation at the Imola Worlds?
LUC LEBLANC.
It's an incredible coronation, but not surprising at all.
When you see Julian's past in big races, you knew he had a chance to bring everything he has built for many years to fruition.
It is a consecration which is not unexpected for me, and certainly for many.
I wouldn't say it was the year or never, but that it was a circuit that was designed for him in this race.
Alaphilippe is the first Frenchman since Laurent Brochard, 23 years ago, to put on this rainbow jersey…
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It was starting to take a long time!
(Laughs)
Julian ran perfectly.
He fully deserves this victory, and gives a great breath of fresh air to French cycling.
It is a source of pride, even a little more, because he is a great ambassador for our sport in France.
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His temperament, the panache he put on to win in the last kilometers, that must speak to the former winner that you are?
The way he ran, the intelligence he had… I don't know if you can compare his last kilometers with my race, when at the time my arrival was at the top.
But he knew how to master with lucidity, and was concentrated in this last ascent, then in his descent.
He did not panic in the face of the opposing attacks, he knew how to play with the guys behind him, who were however not bad.
He's a striker, like we were at the time.
He's a guy who doesn't ask questions, he knows how to take risks when needed.
What future career do you predict for him, while Alaphilippe is starting to build up quite a record for himself?
I don't want to project myself too far, but there is already the Flèche Wallonne which takes place on Wednesday, then Liège-Bastogne-Liège on Sunday.
Will he be on top for this week after the great evening to celebrate the title?
It may be a bit tight in terms of recovery.
(Laughs)
But he will wear this world champion's jersey in Belgium, and we won't blame him if he doesn't perform on Wednesday.
PODCAST. Julian Alaphilippe, a Tour in the name of the father