"In the 2019 Tour he wore the yellow jersey for 15 days... He could have won it" - Patrick Lefevere recalls favourite Julian Alaphilippe memory at Soudal - Quick-Step

After spending his entire professional career in the colours of Soudal - Quick-Step and their various different names over the years, Julian Alaphilippe will move on to pastures new in 2025.

Whilst the French star and Soudal - Quick-Step's at times controversial team boss Patrick Lefevere haven't always seen eye to eye, Lefevere has recently been speaking fondly of the two time world champion. Despite the fact Alaphilippe has built up a palmares of 44 wins during his time at Soudal - Quick-Step however, Lefevere's favourite memory of the now 32-year-old's career, is a near miss.

"It was the 2019 Tour, in which he wore the yellow jersey for 15 days," Lefevere recalls in conversation with Sporza. with the Belgian even certain that Alaphilippe could and maybe should have won the Tour de France had it not been for the weather conditions and a curious call by the race jury. "The 19th stage was neutralised, the jury took the times at the top of the mountain (handing the Maillot Jaune to Egan Bernal ed.). If everything goes well, he might win that Tour. But that's "if, if"..."

"It's a bit painful after more than 10 years. We discovered him and he joined us in 2014. He rode his entire career with us and that of course had its ups and downs. But I'm an optimist and remember the good moments," Lefevere continues. "He was always very concerned about the team. I understand that he is now leaving at the age of 32 and choosing the money."

Whilst, as of the time of writing at least, no official confirmation of where Alaphilippe will ride in 2025, it has been heavily rumoured that the Frenchman will be sporting the colours of the Tudor Pro Cycling Team next year as one of a number of star signings for the Swiss team ran by the Fabian Cancellara.