“I have rarely seen a champion who was so unanimous.
There is like a magnet between him and the audience.
An emblematic speaker of French races for nearly 50 years, Daniel Mangeas is well placed to measure the popularity of Julian Alaphilippe.
Authentic, affordable, claiming his popular roots, the new world champion, crowned Sunday in Imola (Italy), has conquered the hearts of the French.
While more and more runners tend to lock themselves in their training bus, Alaphilippe likes to spontaneously come and chat with people.
Even if it is a bit annoying on his recovery as during the Tour de France 2019 where he wore the yellow jersey for 14 days.
Beyond his victories, the emotional moments that he shares when he talks about his father or his family, he also stood out with some touching and unusual gestures.
Like when he takes off the yellow jersey he had just put on to put it on the back of a little boy, soaked, cold and shivering, after the 18th stage of the Tour de France 2019 in Valloire.
His exchange, naturally disarming with Emmanuel Macron, passing through the event, to whom he had asked if "the champagne would be offered" in the event of final victory, has also been remembered.
PODCAST. Julian Alaphilippe, a Tour in the name of the father
"He never plays a role, he always stays the same," Mangeas continues.
He doesn't cheat, he's spontaneous, always playful, he deeply loves people and the public feels that sincerity.
Julian gives pleasure and that gives him deep happiness.
Poulidor was like that too.
Julian enjoys life to the fullest and he's always happy to see you.
He could have remained a bicycle mechanic, he would have remained the same.
Fame, money did not influence his character and the values that built him.
"
"He looks like the French"
A great fan of cycling, Michel Drucker invited the rider to the couch of his show “Vivement Dimanche” and talks regularly with him.
“Alaphilippe is a popular guy who hasn't forgotten his roots,” the France Télévisions host told us at the start of the Tour de France.
In addition, he is a fighter like Bernard Hinault.
It's this type of champion that people love.
He looks like the French.
His grief, when he dedicated his victory to his dad, who died the day the Tour should have left in June, was touching.
We can see that he is hypersensitive.
People see that he is happy with Marion Rousse.
They are a nice discreet couple.
"
Like Richard Virenque at the time, his popularity has now gone beyond cycling enthusiasts.
“I like the Tour but, above all, I'm a fan of Julian,” admitted Geraldine, a young thirty-something crossed during the 5th stage of the Tour, in Privas.
Last year, he made us dream.
Since I admit, I have a little weakness.
He is a handsome boy, he is charming with his little eyes full of mischief.
He seems nice.
It seems accessible, simple.
He gives the impression of being like us.
It has everything to please.
"
READ ALSO>
Bernard Hinault: "In the aggressiveness and the will, Alaphilippe is a bit my heir"
Through his Belgian agent, the runner launched in August his own brand of clothing and accessories called “Julian Alaphilippe Collection”.
With his partner Marion Rousse, they themselves played the models to present the products.
"From the start of my career, my supporters have always encouraged me a lot, today I want to give them something back for their support," he explained.
For the moment, his image has not yet been used much by brands, apart from Lidl, one of the sponsors of his team.
He nevertheless established a personal partnership with Swiss watches Richard Mille and wore a model on the Tour that costs around 150,000 euros.
Newsletter - Most of the news
Every morning, the news seen by Le Parisien
I'm registering
Your email address is collected by Le Parisien to enable you to receive our news and commercial offers.
Learn more
“Going from Festina to Richard Mille, it seems a little contradictory, recognizes Frank Hocquemiller, founding image agent of VIP Consulting.
But it is not uninteresting for a brand which launches a sports model measuring the performance of equipping the number 1 cyclist. Alaphilippe carries and embodies the French bicycle.
But before him, riders also very popular with the public like Hinault, Virenque or Voeckler were not overwhelmed by commercial proposals.
The advantage of cycling is its popular side, but it's also its disadvantage: a lot of brands don't go because of that.
But Julian has a good head, a good image, so he is one of the athletes with great potential.
We need to see the French who win, he will certainly benefit from additional momentum after this world title.
"
