"Does not fit into our sporting guideline" - Groupama-FDJ distance themselves from potential Julian Alaphilippe signing

With a departure from Soudal - Quick-Step widely expected when his contract ends at the conclusion of this season, where Julian Alaphilippe will race in 2025 remains up in the air. According to Groupama - FDJ boss Marc Madiot however, it won't be with his team.

“We have a guideline and a sporting policy within the team and Julian Alaphilippe's profile, with all the talent and achievements he may have, does not fit into our sporting guideline," the experienced French team manager explains on the show Les Grandes Gueules du sport on RMC. "I've got nothing against him, but when you're in top-level sport and you set yourself guidelines, the first thing to do if you want to achieve a result is to respect those guidelines and not succumb to temptation."

With Cofidis boss Cedric Vasseur also recently distancing his team from Alaphilippe recently, it seems TotalEnergies are the most likely to secure the signature of the former world champion, although outspoken Soudal - Quick-Step boss Patrick Lefevere insisted recently that a contract extension is not completely out of the question.

Having shown some impressive form this week at the Tour de Romandie, it's possible Alaphilippe realises that wherever he goes, an improvement in his results is likely to be demanded.