MADRID, 19 Ago. (EUROPA PRESS) –
French cyclist Julian Alaphilippe, two-time world road champion, will ride for the Swiss team Tudor, in the Pro Team category, the second division of world cycling, for the next three seasons, after ten years at Soudal Quick-Step where he had played his entire professional career until now.
The 2020 and 2021 world road champion had been experiencing problems in his relationship with team manager Patrick Lefevere in recent times, which had had repercussions on his role in the Belgian team in recent months, not being part of the eight at the Tour de France despite his good performance at the Giro d’Italia, where he won a stage.
At 32 years of age, he has made the jump to a Pro Team category team, the second division of cycling, which will have in its ranks another great rider like the Swiss Marc Hirschi, currently with the UAE Team Emirates and winner of the last San Sebastian Classic, precisely ahead of the Frenchman.
“After more than ten years with the same team, it was time for a change,” he said in statements collected by the Swiss team. “I liked the Tudor Pro Cycling project from the beginning. I saw the team arrive and develop, and I also know some of the riders and staff members. What better way to mark a turning point in my career than with a new and ambitious project?” said Alaphillipe.
For him, this is “the biggest change” since the beginning of his career. “I want to play my role as a leader, to guide the youngsters, even though I’m not very old yet,” he joked. “I have a lot of experience and that can be important for them. It’s a great motivation to contribute what I know and my way of being on and off the bike. I’m very motivated to win races and develop at the highest level, both personally and with the team,” said the Frenchman.
Furthermore, one of the team’s owners is the legendary world and Olympic time trial champion, Swiss Fabian Cancellara, who welcomed him to the team. “The enthusiasm is shared by the team. We are super happy that Julian is joining the team. He still has the fire that is needed to perform at the highest level and will bring stability and experience to the team,” he said, while highlighting the “intelligence” and “good sense of humor, professionalism and daring” of his new rider.