Sports Fuat

Julian Alaphilippe is back on familiar ground. In conquered territory even, since the Frenchman is competing this Sunday in the Tour de Louvain, which will take certain roads of the last world championship. Enough to revive a wonderful memory for the rider of the Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl, who has had his share of galleys since winning his second consecutive world title.

“I am looking forward to participating in the Tour de Louvain – Jef Scherens Memorial, confided Alaphilippe. It hasn’t been the easiest year for me so far, but going back to the course where I became world champion will be very special. This September 26 was a very beautiful day. What a crowd on the side of the roads and what an incredible noise. I will never forget him. Being able to rewatch the film from that day means a lot to me. »

The World Champion is back 🤟@alafpolak1 will be this Sunday at the start of the Tour of Leuven, which takes in some of the climbs used at last year’s Worlds, where Loulou triumphed after another masterclass 💥

Photo: @GettySport pic.twitter.com/XM8ioTOkNo

— Quick-Step Alpha Vinyl Team (@qst_alphavinyl) August 3, 2022

Alaphilippe needs these positive vibes right now, because his year 2022 is particularly difficult. After a lackluster start to the season (one victory in the Tour of the Basque Country only), the Frenchman suffered numerous falls. The most important of course took place in Liège-Bastogne-Liège, his main spring objective, where he was the victim of a frightening accident.

Stopped again by the Covid

Forced to stop for more than a month, Alaphilippe was then not selected for the Tour de France, because his team judged that he had not been able to train enough. Winner on his return to competition on the Tour de Wallonie, on the Mur de Huy stage, the tricolor puncher was then caught up by the Covid-19. Nothing will have been spared him.

I hope to be better in a few days. But the condition is good for the end of the season and I hope to find you soon.
Thank you all and good luck to the whole team ✊

📸 @gettysport

— Julian Alaphilippe Official (@alafpolak1) July 25, 2022

Alaphilippe therefore hopes to launch a new positive spiral with this Tour of Louvain, which will serve as a preparation race for his main objectives at the end of the year, such as the Tour of Spain, the Tour of Lombardy, and of course the championships of world. On this Tour of Louvain, the Quick-Step will have to be especially wary of sprinters, such as Bryan Coquard, Giacomo Nizzolo or Alexander Kristoff, the outgoing winner Niccolo Bonifazio or the new Belgian nugget Arnaud de Lie.