Cycling, Alaphilippe: "Happy with my choice. But now I dream of the Tour"

Rome, 8 January 2025 – One of the most suggestive operations of the last transfer market session was the transfer of Julian Alaphilippe laid down by the Soudal Quick Step, of which it was now an authentic symbol, to the Tudor Pro Cycling Team, an ambitious and rapidly growing reality but still of a category Professional and, as such, full of unknowns related to participation in the competitions.

Alaphilippe's statements

To the microphones of CyclingNews, the two-time world champion first presented the program of a season that will start on 16 February laid down by the Figueira Classic, then continue to Back to the Algarve, to Paris-Nice and in Classics of the cobblestones, while the other market coup of the Swiss Marc Hirschi should be the captain in the Ardennes. For Alaphilippe, however, the first mission will be to make everyone understand that he is not a rider on the sunset boulevard. "Entrepreneurship and aggression can always beat the numbers of power, otherwise I probably wouldn't be here anymore. I like to pedal going on the attack. I'm working at my best and, having fun, I'm returning to my highest level, which is my goal. I think that in cycling there is a need for initiative and extraordinary things, which should prevail over numbers and calculations, which instead prevail today. We are pushing this sport to the limit, but I still like to ride following my instinct and that's how I will do it as long as I'm on a bike". We then move on to more detail about 2025 and Alaphilippe he expects, and hopes, in his new team. "To be honest, when I made the decision to change I didn't think about the category World Tour: I only thought about my feelings and what I wanted. I feel happy and motivated to be part of a project that I know where it started from and where it wants to go. It's a great challenge for me and I'm proud to be part of it". A great challenge, for the Frenchman and for everyone, is also beating Tadej pogacar. "He is a phenomenon and it is great to see him dominate in the rainbow jersey. But luckily he is not the only one. I am focused on myself and not on how to beat him. I have always been a striker and I will be one now too at Tudor Pro Cycling Team, in which I will also be of great help to my teammates. It's not just about me, but also about the team: I'm very motivated for this season, in which the dream is the Tour de France. But now - continues Alaphilippe - the important thing is to think about the present and this week of training: this is what we can control". Between the lines, the '92-born player refers to the wild card that his new team would need to be at the top Great Boucle, always the key thought of an entire career that may not be far from the epilogue. "I signed a three-year contract and I know it could be my last contract, but I'm not thinking about it yet. I will focus on each season and then, at 35 years, I'll see if I'm still happy and on top."

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