Julian Alaphilippe, as his saga at Quick-Step nears its end: "We had some great times together. I will always remember the good memories"

An era comes to an end as Julian Alaphilippe will, for the first time in his career, race for other team than Soudal - Quick-Step from next season.

"It feels a bit strange here because it is one of my last races for the team. But that is exactly why I am very motivated and focused for all the races that are still to come," he assures Sporza during the Tour of Britain. The Frenchman finished runner-up on the second stage, but he'll only finish 14th on the GC. "I realize that the end of the season is coming, but I will still be riding a lot of races until Il Lombardia. I am enjoying it to the fullest."

Alaphilippe won 42 times for Patrick Lefevere's team. He won 6 stages at the Tour de France and a stage at Giro and Vuelta. He also won Milano-Sanremo, the Strade Bianche and La Fleche Wallonne three times. "We had some great times together. I will always remember the good memories. It was a special period for me."

Despite all the sentiment, there is no regret about the decision to join Tudor Pro Cycling from 2025 onwards. "But I am happy with my decision to move to Tudor. I have many good reasons for this, mainly personal ones."