Remco Evenepoel insists Julian Alaphilippe should come help him win the Tour de France, calling him "one of the best climbers in the world when he is in good shape"
CyclingTuesday, 21 May 2024 at 09:58
Julian Alaphilippe is currently giving it a good go at his debut Giro d'Italia, where's already managed to snatch a stage win following an epic breakaway action with Mirco Maestri. The 31-year-old Frenchman is obviously in a very good shape, which is something his team would like to take advantage of at the Tour de France starting next month.
In an interview with RMC Sport before the Giro, Alaphilippe confirmed that he did not want to participate in the Tour de France. "That doesn’t mean anything to me. I think it would be too much," referring to his other goals for 2024.
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The two-time world champion would prefer to start at the Paris Olympics instead: "It’s a goal to participate but above all it’s a goal to be 100% ready to go." After his victory in Thursday's stage 12, the members of the Soudal - Quick-Step are reportedly attempting to change the champion's mind to come support younger Evenepoel at the Tour.
According to L'Equipe, Remco Evenepoel himself stressed that he wants the former world champion to be at his side at the start of the Grande Boucle. At the start of the season, he insisted on the fact that Julian Alaphilippe "could be one of the best climbers in the world when he is in good shape."
A desire confirmed by the Belgian champion after his victory in the final stage of Paris-Nice. "I would like to have Julian Alaphilippe with me at the Tour." It remains to be seen whether Patrick Lefevere will select Alaphilippe for the next Grande Boucle. However it doesn't seem likely that the Frenchman would subdue to his boss' wish so easily, considering the previous tension between the two.
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- I think that's because they have no other option when Tadej is racing.
santiagobenites19-05-2025 - Del Torro was placed in the service of Ayuso during the stage where Ayuso won. It's not like he only worked for himself. What was he supposed to do on stage 9? Due to the dusty road, he thought Ayuso was at the front, but it turned out to be Egan Bernal. Was he supposed to purposely slow down and wait for Ayuso who was further behind and let Egan had a go? So, I'm not sure what's there to puzzle about.
KerisVroom19-05-2025 - They (Ayuso excluded) do perform as a team when Tadej is thereKerisVroom19-05-2025
- There is nothing to be puzzled about. Its everyman for himself at UAE doing their own agendasabstractengineer19-05-2025
- Roglic crashed(out. of his own fault), had a puncture 40+km from the finish. All the big shots up front and they managed to put 1 minute into him. Chasing basically alone. UAE is pathetic without Pogacar, not a team, just a bunch of people riding in same jerseys. I think even Bernal and Carapaz can beat them. I imagine a podium with no UAE rider on it at the endLaszlo19-05-2025
- Let's all just calm down until after the TT tomorrow... If one of them have a bad day, then that's the leadership question solved... If not, then Ayuso will have to explain why IDT needs to work for him when he would not do the same for the world champ last year...DoctorNurse7119-05-2025
- I assume Del Toro will be in pink for a while. Maybe even good for Ayuso that the pressure is off him now for a while. I still think Ayuso is team leader because I do not expect Del Toro to be a serious contender in the high mountainbike. Fun development 😁 I loved the stage also.
DareDevil19-05-2025 - Del Toro got Pink, whats the problem, Ayuso was riding retrograde... #simpleas 👍
leedorney19-05-2025 - I wondered how Rwanda had been chosen as WC venue.. just curious I guess. You've filled-in the lack of info very well.. thanks.FredMan19-05-2025
- On what basis are you marketing them as a strong team? Budget, past results, organisation, complementary roles?Mistermaumau19-05-2025
Remco can work for Julian.
Will he?
I've never seen Remco as a dominant GC rider - he's good at hilly one-day classics, when he's in shape.
The guy, as unlikeable as he is, is still only 24 and came to cycling very late. He won the Vuelta with the same kind of gaps against Arensman and O’Connor as Tadej has in the Giro. He also won a mountain stage after two weeks of riding against pure climbers.
He may not seem a likely candidate (and I still put him 4th out of the 4) but NO-ONE should underestimate him and certainly not out of emotion or personal feelings.
Yes, he is only 24. Will he win a GC in loaded rider field? Certainly not with Quickstep
Neither am I lol. He is overrated af. Yes, he's only 24 yrs old, but at 24, you should be reach your prime by now, but Remco [Evenepoel] is certainly not yet reach his prime at the moment.
And I doubt he will ever reach his prime, let alone his peak level... So...
Unless you are precocious, you are just getting started for GTs at 24.
....one of the best climbers in the world ! Who is Remco kidding ! Julian could never hold a candle to the pure mountain guys when the long climbs came around.
Remco probadly made a few pre-excuses while he was sidelined 🤔😆
Is Remco creating a pre-excuse if things don't go well for him in the TdeF?
Rather than say what he did, he could have praised the benefit of Alaphillippe's previous experience as the wearer of the yellow jersey. Instead Remco relegated him to the role of a domestique.
If they put all eggs on Remco, this will end up with disapointment again. Remco will NEVER win a GT in loaded rider field! Periodt!
Bro is a professional hater 😂
He talk more than he rides, so... I only care what he raced, not his rants. Not a smart comment, Nancy
Been said this for months. Do I care of your ignorant reply? No. Do I care to scold you? Yes.
To slave for Remco while getting fatigued especially with the Giro in the legs, is not a good recipe for the latter goals of Olympics/WC/Vuelta, relationship issues not withstanding