Julian Alaphilippe: "I felt close to my old level for the first time in a long time"

2022 was a brutal year for Julian Alaphilippe. 2023 is an opportunity to revive his career, and he is confident in his form ahead of the spring classics after what was a few weeks of intense racing culminating in Tirreno-Adriatico.

"I was not at my best in the tough stages, I kept looking for a good feeling," Alaphilippe told Sporza. "Of course I would have liked to have won, but that didn't work out. I am also very satisfied with this Tirreno-Adriatico. I was able to make some good efforts. Saturday (stage 6) was a very tough stage and even though I wasn't in the final, I still have a good feeling about it. It was encouraging all week. I was able to cycle the way I like to again, and most importantly I think the legs are okay. I was able to make some efforts and got the confirmation I was looking for."

After winning the mountainous Faun-Ardèche Classic in February, Alaphilippe was alive to the opportunity and sprinted to second in Tortoreto at Tirreno-Adriatico, a performance which brought confidence in his preparation towards the spring. "I felt close to my old level for the first time in a long time," the former World Champion admitted. 

"There is still some work to be done towards the important races, but I am on the right track. Mentally that is good. I feel good, my level is definitely higher than last year and I hope to make further progress now, because I can certainly become even stronger in the coming weeks," he says, as the likes of Mathieu van der Poel and Tom Pidcock suffered through the tough week.

Alaphilippe was particularly impressed by the level of Wout van Aert, who didn't fight for a stage win but helped Primoz Roglic on stage 6 in the steep ascents. Alaphilippe suffered plenty injuries and illnesses over the past season, but he is looking to be one of van Aert's main rivals during the spring classics, most specifically the Tour des Flandres.

For now however is Milano-Sanremo which takes place already this weekend. The Frenchman will rest for some days at home before making the trip to Italy. "I'm not going to do too much. Just cycle a bit, especially enjoy some time with my son. Of course I'm still training, but the work was done last week and now the recovery is central."

"The Tour is an important goal for me and the team, certainly, but I also want to look good in Milano-Sanremo. It is a Monument and I want to be good there too," he concluded.