The Belgians were waiting for Wout van Aert, but it was Julian Alaphilippe who shone this Sunday in Leuven (Belgium), on the occasion of the World Cycling Championships.
The French won alone, placing a final attack 17 km from the finish and retains his rainbow tunic.
He returned to this victory at the microphone of France Televisions.
“I’m really burnt out.
Last year was already a dream come true for me.
It was very difficult today, but at the end of it it's really emotional.
I know what it's like to do a year with the rainbow jersey, he said.
I arrived here quite relaxed with a lot of motivation.
I just wanted to do well, work for the team and get the best possible result.
"
"I never imagined doing a turn and a half on my own"
Asked about his racing strategy, the Frenchman admitted that he did not expect such a scenario, despite good legs and a course that suited him well.
“In the end, I made the selection a bit,” he explained.
We were well ahead, with Florian Sénéchal and Valentin Madouas.
I told Florian to save as much as possible, I wanted to see what was going on trying to create movement.
I couldn't imagine doing a lap and a half on my own ”.
💬 "Never two without three!"
🇫🇷 Just world champion for the second year in a row, discover the joy and emotion of @ alafpolak1 on arrival!
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- francetvsport (@francetvsport) September 26, 2021
Outsider this Sunday, Julian Alaphilippe was almost astonished by this victory.
“I didn't think I was able to hold out until the end,” he admitted, while the many fans on the side of the road were far from supporting him.
“There were a lot of supporters who were for Belgium and for Wout van Aert, who asked me to slow down in the final.
They didn't necessarily have very kind words, I want to thank them because it made me want to press even harder, ”he smiled after his victory.
Now it's time for recovery for Alaphilippe, who “really did himself violence”, before perhaps already thinking of a third title, like Peter Sagan, author of the treble 2015 - 2016 - 2017. “Never two without three, you never know!
», He concluded.