"The loss of Julian Alaphilippe was huge" - Thomas Voeckler believes French team missed its leader in World Championships road race

Given his resurgence in 2024, Julian Alaphilippe was seen by some as a viable podium contender for the men's elite road race at the World Championships in Zurich. Sadly however, the Frenchman crashed out early on, ending any hopes.

"Given his current form, the level he had regained and the circuit, the loss of Julian Alaphilippe was huge," French coach Thomas Voeckler admits afterwards in conversation with Eurosport. Still, the health of the two time Rainbow Jersey winner is the most important thing for Voeckler after his crash. "I'm not saying he could have done something against Tadej Pogacar, but when Julian retires after 35 kilometres, you think it's not great, and that's an understatement to say. We missed him, he's an essential element, but it's part of cycling and you have to know how to put things into perspective because, given what's happened in recent days, there are much more dramatic things in life than that."

Still, it wasn't a completely disappointing day for the French. Pavel Sivakov rode strongly alongside Pogacar for a while and Romain Bardet secured himself a top 10 in the final World Championships of his career. "I am proud of the team," Voeckler says.

"After Julian withdrew, I ordered Romain Bardet to take his place even though he was expected a little further ahead. Sivakov was one of the riders who had to anticipate before the big guys started up so that he could squeeze in behind them. It worked for a lap behind Pogacar, but despite all his resistance and self-denial, it did not follow, and so we played with the guys behind," the coach concludes. "The whole team worked well, David Gaudu and Romain were still there while there were successive attacks from Van der Poel and Evenepoel. It was an extremely tough race."