Julian Alaphilippe won the Flèche Wallonne on Wednesday April 21 for the third time in his career.
To win as in 2018 and 2019, he beat Primoz Roglic and Alejandro Valverde with mastery and brilliance.
This Sunday, the leader of Deceuninck - Quick-Step tries the double on Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a feat achieved in the past by seven riders: the Swiss Ferdi Kübler (1951, 1952), the Belgians Stan Ockers (1955), Eddy Merckx (1972), Philippe Gilbert (2011), Italians Moreno Argentin (1991), Davide Rebellin (2004) and Spaniard Alejandro Valverde (2006, 2015, 2017).
Consultant for France Televisions, which broadcasts the event from 3.35pm on France 3, Laurent Jalabert, twice second in the event in 1997 and 1998, believes him in a position to enter this closed circle.
Since Bernard Hinault in 1980, no French has won Liège-Bastogne-Liège, a race that Alaphilippe believed he had won last year, before being blown over the line by Roglic and then finally being downgraded to the 5th place.
How did you find Julian Alaphilippe on the Flèche wallonne?
LAURENT JALABERT.
We can say that he had well prepared these meetings of the week on the Ardennes classics.
If I understood correctly, that was the goal of his start to the season.
He did everything right to reach his peak at that time.
We can expect him to be in the game in Liège, that's for sure.
He has a great chance of winning for me.
VIDEO.
Flèche Wallone: Julian Alaphilippe wins the Belgian classic for the third time
On the move, is it easier to win Liège-Bastogne-Liège four days later?
No, it's always complicated when you win on Wednesday, to win the following Sunday.
His opponents are like you and me: they know that Julian is in good shape, that he is well.
Suddenly, it will inevitably be very marked by the peloton and in addition, the two races are really different.
Wednesday April 21, Julian Alaphilippe used tactical malice to win.
Is this also your opinion?
Absolutely! Tactically, he was perfect with a lot of lucidity and composure. His plan was clearly established in his head. We feel that the experience has helped him to maneuver properly. He was very lucid in climbing the Mur de Huy. This one, however, when you stall in it, it's over: you no longer have an engine. When Roglic left 300 m away, you could believe it was done. But Julian, perhaps thanks to the happy events in his private life, gives me the impression of being sure of himself. He has gained a lot of confidence. He managed the distances perfectly well, watched the finish well, gauged his opponents. He put his effort into where he thought it was best for him. If he hadn't been familiar with the place or if he had been a little nervous at the time, victory would have eluded him,because it was all the same Roglic, the world number 1, in front of him.
Does this tactical mastery seem new to you in its panoply?
He wasn't always so serene, I think.
He was sometimes more nervous: remember last year at Liège-Bastogne-Liège when he got up too early and was blown away with victory by Roglic.
Never should he have raised his arms so soon.
He had accumulated mistakes in the last mile.
But you know, lucidity also depends a lot on the runner's state of freshness.
The fact that Julian, this Wednesday, kept his calm in the final was the proof of a great freshness.
💪It's the Dean's time!
After the Flèche this year and Liège last year, the winner of the #FlecheWallonne 2021 🇫🇷 @ alafpolak1 is once again facing 🇸🇮 @rogla, defending champion.
Who will win?
All the main players engaged ➡ https://t.co/oo8a5T6flQ pic.twitter.com/9eXD4IVbTG
- Liège-Bastogne-Liège (@LiegeBastogneL) April 22, 2021
Who are the runners who can block his way in Liège?
Roglic, of course.
I do not know where Pogacar is with the Covid which affected his team (
Editor's note: the UAE team was authorized to take the start
).
Watch out for the Ineos, who were the big losers on Wednesday, will surely be in the game to start the race from afar and make a mess.
A Richard Carapaz or Michal Kwiatkowski if they start 30 km from the finish can complicate the task.
On the other hand, if the verdict waits for the last bump as in recent years, there will be an explanation between the strong ones.
Is it harder for Alaphilippe to win with the world champion's jersey?
This jersey gives great motivation.
Finally, I think because I have never had the pleasure of wearing it (
Editor's note: he was world champion in the time trial in 1997
).
But it's also a jersey that all the time reminds the wearer and others that you are on the roof of cycling, domineering.
You are also clearly identifiable.
Read also Alaphilippe world champion: how he entered the hearts of the French
How do you see the Tour de France for Julian Alaphilippe?
After Liège, he will cut a little with the Tour as his goal.
To play the general or the stages?
I do not know.
I think he will try especially to win again at the Worlds, in Belgium.
I have the impression that he likes races which mark a prize list.
Can you give us a good reason to follow the race this Sunday?
It's simple: it's really worth it because you can have a French world champion who wins this classic and it doesn't happen that often.
And all that feels good for cycling and for cycling in France.
I feel like there is a resurgence of general public interest in cycling, thanks to Julian who seems happy in life.
This is also important for success.