"Rediscover the sensations and the pleasure of cycling" - Julian Alaphilippe's build-up for the Tour de France has a different goal

Julian Alaphilippe has had the prime of his career already a few years ago. He knows exactly how to prepare for the Tour de France, a race in which he has won six times in the past, in 2026 his mission ahead of the Grand Boucle is to find once again his best feelings and to enjoy racing after a very difficult year.

“He still lacks a little consistency on certain days," team DS Sylvain Blanquefort told DirectVelo. "He was average the first day, the second [day] it was ok," the Frenchman said regarding the recent Tour de Suisse. It was Alaphilippe's first block of racing since the Ardennes, where he was unable to finish any race due to physical issues. Over Strade Bianche, Tirreno-Adriatico and Milano-Sanremo, the veteran did not have the form to translate into results.

At Itzulia Basque Country he was also not on the right path, and ultimately he never got to show his best legs this year. At the GP Gippingen, he was fifth, finishing between Thibau Nys and Jarno Widar in the reduced peloton sprint - with the first three spots already reserved for the riders ahead. It was an encouraging sign, but at the Tour de Suisse he was rather absent from the action.

"He is on the right track. His week is encouraging. The goal is to rediscover the sensations and the pleasure of cycling. There are ten days left before the start of the Tour".

Signed as the staple name for the Swiss team in 2025, Alaphilippe's presence at the Tour de France was never put into question, as he holds some of the team's best chances at winning a stage. In his current form, it will be a difficult task, but he is looking to improve his form ahead of the race, skipping the French national championships in order to not lose training time into the race.

“He wants to do things well to be ready for the Tour. The goal is to capitalize on the days where he feels really good and that he has checked off, and to stay calmer on other days," Blanquefort added.

With the early hilly stages to be ruled by the GC men and Mathieu van der Poel, there will be few opportunities for a rider like Alaphilippe during the 2026 Tour as it lacks many hilly stages. However, he is one of the riders who carries the most experience when it comes to winning a race like this - although for five years he has not raised his arms at the Tour (if we ignore the 2025 Tour blunder in Carcassonne).