Sports Fuat

The calm after hell. Victim of a serious fall on April 24th in the Classic Liège-Bastogne-Liège, Julian Alaphilippe observes a period of rest. His two broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and his pneumothorax left the cycling world champion on the side of the road. In recent days, his sports director at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl has been communicating about the return of his leader and a possible participation in the Tour de France on May 15.

On our way to Budapest for the first Grand Tour of the season.#sheerdrivingpleasure

Photo: @BeelWout pic.twitter.com/I1qWvUiesn

— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) May 4, 2022

But this Wednesday, Patrick Lefevere mentioned a date prior to May 15. ” He’s still having trouble breathing but it’s much better than last week. (…) He has an appointment at the hospital on May 12 to take stock of his fractures. We will know at that time if he has the green light from the doctor to resume cycling. We will then decide for the Tour de France“, spoke the sports director to our colleagues from RMC.

Evenepoel does not want to come to the Grande Boucle

Forced not to participate in the Tour of Italy which starts this Friday in the streets of Budapest in Hungary, contrary to the wishes of his training, Julian Alaphilippe could then miss the second grand tour of the season if he were forced to forfeit for the Big Loop.

And to believe the words of Remco Evenepoel, the other co-leader at Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, the recent winner of Liège-Bastogne-Liège, the same day as the drama experienced by the wearer of the rainbow jersey, will not replace his injured teammate if his withdrawal is proven on the 106th edition of the Tour de France. The Belgian has set his sights on the Tour of Spain whose departure is scheduled for August 19 in Utrecht in the Netherlands.