Julian Alaphilippe prepares for life after having spent "third of his life" at Quick-Step: "I will miss was being with the people I was always with"

11 seasons. 44 victories. 2 rainbow jerseys. It's no overstatement that Julian Alaphilippe left a huge mark in the rich history of Soudal - Quick-Step. And it goes vice verza as the Wolfpack definitely meant a lot to the popular Frenchman. However at the age of 32, it was time to look for a new challenge which he had found in Tudor Pro Cycling.

"It's difficult to say one thing because for sure the most important thing I will miss was being with the people I was always with – it's not only 10 years of my career, it's a third of my life," Alaphilippe told the assembled media, including Cyclingnews.

"Of course, there were ups and downs but I always enjoyed it and loved the time I had in the team so this is what I will miss the most, like my staff and teammates. But in the end, it's also good to have so many memories. For me and for them it's also life, it's one circle, so it's a good timing for me to have a new environment and see something new."

For quite a long time, a different ProTeam was in a pole position to shake hands with the Frenchman. Before Tudor came in with a great offer, it was the French team TotalEnergies, who were hoping to bring the national hero home for the later parts of his career. Alaphilippe expressed gratitude towards the team that showed immense interest, but eventually went along with the ambitious Swiss formation.

"It was not easy to call Jean-René Bernaudeau from TotalEnergies with Benoit Genauzeau because it's not only from this year, it's already a few years that I know that they really want me in the team and it was also a really nice project," Alaphilippe said.

Tudor thus becomes a big player for the Tour de France wild card while TotalEnergies lose some of their ground. "So I knew the disappointment from them when I made my decision and that was not easy for me. But in the end, you have to think about yourself which is a really hard job. It's your decision so when I knew I wouldn't stay, I had to call the other teams and I'm happy with my decision."