“Winning is something else and I can't wait” – Alaphilippe believes the best is yet to come with strong Tour de Suisse showing
Cycling
Julian Alaphilippe is riding with a freedom and flair that
fans have longed to see. After several seasons where crashes, illness and
inconsistency muted his trademark aggression, the Tudor Pro Cycling Team rider
is delivering his most convincing performance of 2025 so far at the Tour de
Suisse.
On a decisive mountain stage, Alaphilippe lit up the race
with 4km to go, attacking from the favourites’ group in a bid to find his own
rhythm. “I was true to myself, I felt good and I wanted to accelerate to find
my tempo but I quickly reached the limit,” he told Cyclism’Actu. “After that, I
just couldn't wait to get to the top.”
He eventually finished seventh on the stage, 1 minute 22
behind winner Oscar Onley, but that doesn't tell the whole story. With his
move, Alaphilippe distanced several GC rivals and now finds himself second
overall, just 29 seconds off new leader Kévin Vauquelin. With the Tour de
France just over two weeks away, this is very promising.
“We knew it was going to be difficult today and that it was
a crucial stage for the general classification,” he reflected. “I'm still happy
to have been part of the leading group. I didn't imagine myself in a position
to play for the general classification.”
That honesty is typical Alaphilippe: instinctive,
opportunistic, but aware of his own limits. And yet, it’s precisely that
mindset which has brought him back to the sharp end of a major stage race. “I
have a good lead, we have to fight every day, because it's also great for the
team. We're doing our best, no regrets,” he said.
His move to Tudor this season raised eyebrows, but in
Switzerland, it’s paying off. Surrounded by motivated teammates and perhaps
under less pressure than in his Soudal - Quick-Step days, Alaphilippe seems to
be thriving. It’s been some time since he spoke of having “good feelings” on a
climb. More striking still is his confidence that he might be close to
something big, “This is only the first step to get back to the best level, but
winning is something else and I can't wait.”
Fin MajorCycling Journalist
Fin Major is a UK-based writer at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2024. He is the site’s main writer for FAQs and evergreen explainers and has written around 2,000 pieces for the platform. Alongside this work, he focuses on in-depth analysis and covers the biggest races on the calendar, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España, providing clear context around performance trends, tactics, and key storylines.
In his reporting, Fin uses reputable data sources such as ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. Outside of writing, Fin is an active cyclist, which supports his practical understanding of the sport and its demands.
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- 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
- Yeah man...PogiSloFans07-11-2026
- any rider less than 25 whether they are really ready for the position of leadership of GT is probably not the case. I think Pogi himself suffered when he was defeated by Jonas in the TDF twice. But that would be the team's job to ensure support so that they can bounce back. It requires a team and time to get back up and win after getting knocked down.abstractengineer07-11-2026
- I'm very glad he got the big late Quickstep Vuelta win and I hope he has a few left for Euskaltel-Euskadi.flyer07-11-2026
- My memories of Ivan Basso aren't good but I liked his sister Elisa ok.flyer07-11-2026
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