Julian Alaphilippe ‘surprised’ by Lefevere criticism after hellish 2022 campaign

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Following the virulent comments of the boss of Soudal-QuickStep, Patrick Lefevere, on his double world champion, Julian Alaphilippe said he was “surprised” to hear the criticisms addressed to him.

Last December, Lefevere appeared to dismiss the role of luck in Alaphilippe’s recent results, also telling Belgian newspaper La Dernier Heure that the Frenchman could leave the team “if he was tired of the environment”.

In an extensive interview with L’Equipe (opens in a new tab) published this week, Alaphilippe dismissed that idea and said he was surprised to read what Lefevere had said.

“The question of changing horizons never arose. When we talked about it during the offseason, I told him that I didn’t necessarily want to go elsewhere,” said Alaphilippe.

“Whenever I have discussions with him, it goes well. He never said such things to my face. To be honest, I was a little surprised to read that. If he had had a problem with me, I think he would have told me first.” . So I’m not too worried.”

Alaphilippe endured a hellish season in 2022, missing an early season training camp due to illness before a dramatic crash at Strade Bianche, then a heavier crash at Liège-Bastogne-Liège which left him with broken ribs, a broken shoulder blade and a punctured lung.

Spring highlights included a stage win at Itzulia Pays Basque and a fourth at La Flèche Wallonne, although they would be outnumbered in a summer that saw him miss out on Tour de France selection before catching COVID-19 at the Tour de Wallonie.

Another accident and a dislocated shoulder occurred at the Vuelta a España, and a battle to get into shape for Worlds only left him to finish 51st. He later admitted to Cyclingnews that he was “never 100 per cent” in a race during the season.

“You know you’re going to fall, you’re going to be hit with physical issues and you’ll have to take care of yourself – that’s part of the job,” Alaphilippe told L’Equipe.

“But we try not to think about it. Until last season I had done well. I had a few injuries and viruses here and there but nothing that really hindered my progress. Last year , I really had a lot of setbacks.

“Even though I struggled at times, I never gave up. Of course, I would have liked to train to perform, not just to come back. I was always a fighter, so I continued to do my job until I think I haven’t had any real happy moments on the bike in 2022.”

His comments, however, were overlooked by Lefevere when he spoke to La Derniere Heure in December. The veteran manager didn’t seem too sympathetic to the plight of his star driver.

“We all really love him. He’s been riding for this team since he was 17,” Lefevere said. “But I made it clear to him that he would be allowed to leave if he was tired of the environment. I’m nothing with a runner who got it.

“I want to get him back on track. He owes me a rematch. He has the salary of a champion, but he also has to prove that he is still one.

“I don’t care if he’s not world champion anymore, but in recent years he hasn’t won much,” he added. “Yes, he had a lot of bad luck but it’s always the same ones who are lucky and the same ones who are unlucky.”

Alaphilippe spent his offseason putting 2022 behind him and resetting after the annus horriblis ended.

His debut in the 2023 season is fast approaching, with the Challenge Mallorca first on his menu before a series of big classics in the spring – his number one target will be the Tour of Flanders – as well as a return to the Italian spring with Tirreno- Adriatico, Milan-San Remo, and “probably my favorite race”, Strade Bianche.

“It went really well,” he said of his winter. “I took time for myself at home with my family. I had to regenerate my body and my mind. I did five weeks without a bike, just to disconnect. I did not respond to any requests.

“After that, I was happy to start again slowly, without missing any stages, even though I was already completely focused on 2023. This calm winter was essential after the past season.”

Alaphilippe said there were no adverse consequences – physical or mental – from his 2022 season. Instead, he is zoned to return to winning bike races.

“You have to have the fire to stay at the highest level, and I always have the fire. Not being at my level for several months gives me even more motivation,” he said.

“Sometimes you have to take risks in your career, otherwise it can quickly become boring,” he added, referring to his decision to focus on the cobblestones of the Ardennes this spring. “I love the atmosphere leading up to these races and I can’t wait to get there.

“It’s weird, but I feel like the Flandrian Classics suit me almost better than the Ardennes. At the racing level, at least – you always have to be in the right place because you never know when and where the ‘decisive attack will take place. come.’

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