"I always want to win and I always want to be at my best level" - Julian Alaphilippe seeks form in Canadian classics

Crashes and illnesses ruined Julian Alaphilippe's 2022 season. The lack of a proper base, caused by some more issues in 2023, has seen him struggle in some of the main races of the year with the apparent lack of endurance and struggles late in the races.

“It was a difficult year for me with not a lot of success. It was also an important year to learn a lot. I think that after the last season, I wanted to do everything I could to come back on my level this year and it is what I did,” the Frenchman told Velo. “For the results, I also have to be patient and continue to work hard like I always did. I hope to do a good end of the season and to have some success. This is all I can say, that I am really motivated and I do everything I can to come back at my best level.”

The former World Champion has not lost the urge to return to his best level. He's given glimpses of good form this year with a few wins including at the Critérium du Dauphiné. Whilst he's not lost his explosiveness, in the main classics he does no longer appear to be in the level of riders such as Mathieu van der Poel, Wout van Aert and Tadej Pogacar.

However it was not a lost year in his career. “I learned a lot of things, not only about cycling," he continues. "It is a mix of a lot of things and it is important for me to take it with me and to enjoy myself on the bike and to continue to work hard and come back at my best level. It’s not only one thing, it’s a mix of a lot of things."

After the World Championships he took some rest and returned to racing at the Bretagne Classic. He was 30th there, looking to build form towards this weekend's GP de Québec and Montréal, before a few other one-day races which he should be aiming towards the end of the year. “My way of racing, it’s my way to do cycling. I will never change. The only thing I can say is that I take time to put a little bit less stress and pressure on myself because I always want to win and I always want to be at my best level and you realize that it is not possible after some complicated moments and this is something that I learned."

"It’s not always like you want. I took a little bit some steps back to think about my health first and to enjoy myself. I always work as much as I can to be on the best shape that I can and the success comes after that. I have to still be passionate and I never give up. I will do my best to win again.”