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"

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.

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.