Julian Alaphilippe returns to racing! Frenchman takes unusual alternative to Tour de France with eyes on Olympic Games
Cycling
There are a few riders who are focusing on the Olympic Games specifically this summer and some do not see the Tour de France as fitting preparation. You could think of riders such as Filippo Ganna and Joshua Tarling, but Julian Alaphilippe is also taking an alternative preparation towards the Olympics.
In a video shared on social media ,the former World Champion reveals where he will race next: "I am very happy to announce that I will be back on the Tour of Slovakia. I have very good memories of my last participation and I hope to see you there."
In 2018 Alaphilippe raced the Slovakian race and went on to win stage 1 and also the overall classification. Soudal - Quick-Step are set to lineup for this event with Josef Cerny and home rider Martin Svrcek, as well as French sprinter Paul Magnier who will be aiming for stage wins.
The race takes place from the 26th to the 30th of June and will be the only major men's road race to take place in this, the week where the Tour de France begins. Alaphilippe won't be the only star at the start actually, as Peter Sagan will also headline the race, and the Frenchman will have a few opportunities to test his form in the hilly race.
After two rough years where he struggled to get victories at the highest level, the Soudal - Quick-Step rider managed to get a very popular win at the Giro d'Italia after a 125-kilometer long attack together with Mirco Maestri. His ever-aggressive attitude in the big races continues to play a role in his popularity. With the Olympic Games taking place in France this year (with a long and hilly circuit in Paris), there definitely will be a great deal of importance given to this race.
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- This is a really interesting idea, which, if well prepared could even be very successful. Very little money needs to be involved for a first season and any success could lead to rapid interest from sponsors.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Hmmm, you seem to have a very convenient black and white view of things. Perhaps you haven’t been around much to discover how complex problems can become over time with people who know how to control, manipulate (or worse) others so gradually or subtly that you arrive at an irresolvable situation before you realise. This is how many inconveniences get introduced to the young, naïve, passionate or “desperate”, knowing they are not armed, protected or strong enough to defend themselves once it’s too late. Why do you think omerta culture is so widespread, why do you think so many people continue to go through so many awful things in life that others can’t understand anyone getting into? Life may be far more jolly for you but you would do well to understand (or reflect more on) the real world to refrain from being so quick to criticise those in a hard spot that may have genuine reason for speaking out.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Seriously do you think when somebody gets into a serious accident, the ambulance is called by the hurt person?🤦 there is always a buddy system in place for a risky job. police , firefighters etc so that if someone gets hurt, the other call that in.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I get the point totally. We live in the snowflake society where some riders forget they are getting paid to ride and get results. When they have a few issues they try to look outside of the real issue instead of themselves. It odd so many of the team are making no complaints and getting on with their job. If you do not like what you do find another job simples. Tough love as my mum would say.paultryan200207-11-2026
- many people advise him to grow slowly and rather do giro and/or vuelta instead of tdf. but i can totally understand that he is not satisfied with taking over once pogi declines, but instead beat him in his prime. so if he goes for tdf again, i‘m all for it. let‘s hope that pogi recovers soon!Ketterechts07-11-2026
- So gracious to offer something no-one would be prepared to pay for. The Giro is not the Tour and doesn’t command the same interest or attract the same “elite” (those willing to pay to be a part of something they consider has ego boosting potential). Roadside viewing will always largely remain free for everyone outside circuits. Introduction of a symbolic entrance to mountain climbs is worthy of exploration. Asking 1-2€ isn’t going to repulse real fans (most will spend 50-100€ on their outing that day all things included) but will prevent a portion of the total knobhead thrillseekers who will join in any large gathering as long as it’s free, just because they’re attracted to crowds, without which it it difficult for them to work up their anti-social behaviour.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- How is radio going to help when someone went over a cliff or bridge or off the roadside into a forest unnoticed and is laying there unconscious?Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- Yep, next we’ll be accusing F1 drivers of avoiding Le Mans.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- But on what is that opinion based? Are you holding him to a different standard than others? Are you saying he should do learn to like something he doesn’t Are you saying he hasn’t achieved enough Are you saying he pretends to be better than his results? It’s actually a really strange opinion to oust if you consider it objectively or rationally. Try applying it to others or yourself by asking if not EVERYONE should then be doing more? Nobody in athletics or swimming gets criticism for not expanding their repertoire when a rival or someone else does. In fact, most who move to another event get accused of running from their rival. Opinions are boring, the reasons behind them are what count.Jumpyjohn07-11-2026
- for a medical chief to throw things like is just bad. There are already radios which were banned for spectacle. allow radios. Gps trackers are not a complete solutionabstractengineer07-11-2026
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Julian Alaphilippe -> 26/06 - 30/06 Tour of Slovakia 🇸🇰 Exclusive news personally from Julian Alaphilippe as he will take part in my home race Tour of Slovakia. Can’t wait to see him racing in my home country. 🥰
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